Despite being West Virginia’s oldest town, Shepherdstown continues to be a remarkable place for people to both live and visit.
The town, which was founded over 250 years ago, sits in the lower Shenandoah Valley, and it is the crossroads of the Eastern Panhandle region as the Potomac River, the C&O Canal and the Appalachian Trail all pass through it.
Of course, the Shepherd University campus is a major part of the town. However, one can also find a diverse arts community and a variety of shops and amenities from which to sample. Art galleries, restaurants with different cuisines and shops specializing in unique fashions can be found on German Street, the main street in town, and throughout Shepherdstown.
Shepherdstown has been frequently recognized as one of the best small towns in the country. In 2013, Budget Travel named it one of America’s coolest small towns for a number of reasons including the preserved and historic 18th century brick buildings and the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd. Budget Travel also cited the many bars and cafes that line the streets in Shepherdstown such as Bistro 112, which serves delectable French cuisine in a classy but warm environment, and the Mecklenburg Inn, which was named one of the best bars in America by Esquire in 2011.
There are many inimitable places to shop in Shepherdstown as well with many of the pre-Revolutionary buildings housing stores that sell handmade merchandise, clothes, wines and other nick nacks.
You can also go play in the great outdoors when visiting Shepherdstown. Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle makes it possible to rent a bike, kayak or canoe to enjoy at the Potomac River, the C&O Canal and the wilderness around the town.
Many people have decided to make their home in Shepherdstown in recent years. The population of Shepherdstown is currently 1,736, and it has increased by an astounding 116.2 percent since the year 2000, according to city-data.com. This can be attributed to the growth of Shepherd University, the natural beauty which surrounds the town and to Shepherdstown’s accepting and socially progressive culture. Furthermore, it is accessible to more populated and urban parts of the region.
Many make their home here and commute to their jobs as it is situated near Northern Virginia, and it is approximately 70 miles from Washington D.C. It should also be noted that the estimated median house or condo value in Shepherdstown, as of 2012, was $303,161 according to city-data.com. That is well above the West Virginia average. In 2000, it was only $154,700.
It is hard to say whether the town will continue to grow, but the possibilities seem endless for Shepherdstown. West Virginia’s oldest town has managed to keep that old town feel over the years, but that has not detracted from it being an attractive place for people to both live and visit.