118th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Corn Exchange Regiment.
Colonel Charles M. Prevost, Commanding.
(September 20, 1862)
The 118th Pennsylvania Infantry (737 men) crossed the river by the Ford south of this and was ordered into position on . . . — — Map (db m1961) HM
Fresh from victory at the Second Battle of Manassas, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River on September 4-6, 1862, to bring the Civil War to Northern soil and to recruit sympathetic Marylanders. Union Gen. . . . — — Map (db m1957) HM
In memory of the many patriots from Shepherdstown and vicinity who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for American Independence
1775 - 1783 — — Map (db m157758) WM
On September 20, 1862, following the battle of Antietam, a small Union force under Maj. Charles Lovell engaged Confederates under Gen. A.P. Hill at this Potomac River ford, ending Maryland Campaign of Gen. R.E. Lee. 118th Pennsylvania had heavy . . . — — Map (db m157753) HM
After Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's smashing victory over Union Gen. John Pope at the Second Battle of Manassas, Lee decided to invade Maryland to reap the fall harvest, gain Confederate recruits, earn foreign recognition of the . . . — — Map (db m157752) HM
Built by Col. Joseph Van Swearingen
American Revolutionary Soldier
Visited by Lafayette, George Washington, Henry Clay and Wm. J. Bryan
Home of Henry Shepherd V. Descendant of Shepherdtown's founder — — Map (db m70863) HM
This crossing of the Potomac was known as Boteler’s, Blackford’s or the Shepherdstown Ford. By it five Divisions of the Army of Northern Virginia, coming from Harper's Ferry, crossed into Maryland, September 16 and 17, 1862, and marched to the . . . — — Map (db m242724) HM
The Army of Northern Virginia, Gen. R. E. Lee Commanding, crossed Blackford’s Ford during the night of September 18, 1862, and on the morning of the 19th took up its line of march in the direction of Williamsport. Lawton’s and Armistead’s Brigades . . . — — Map (db m1959) HM
Early in the morning of September 20, movements were made by General McClellan to ascertain the position of the Army of Northern Virginia. Maj. Charles S. Lovell’s Brigade (1st and 6th, 2d and 10th, the 11th and 17th U. S. Infantry) Sykes’ Division, . . . — — Map (db m1951) HM
Confederate Soldiers in Elmwood Cemetery
Over 114 Confederate soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) September 17, 1862, or later died of wounds in Shepherdstown, were buried here. They were from the states of VA, NC, . . . — — Map (db m154058) HM
On Wednesday, September 17, 1862, twelve-year-old Mary Bedinger, asleep at her home Poplar Grove outside Shepherdstown, was awakened by the roar of cannons. Confederate and Union forces in position near Sharpsburg, Maryland, just across the Potomac . . . — — Map (db m41694) HM
It is believed this unique brick structure was built shortly after Elmwood Cemetery was established in 1867. Newspaper accounts from 1892 verify that the vault was used for temporary storage of bodies awaiting interment.
In 1999, Richard H. . . . — — Map (db m107679) HM
The Federal offensive in the Shenandoah Valley begun in May 1864 faltered in the summer with Confederate victories and Gen. Jubal A. Early's Washington Raid in July. Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan took command in August, defeated Early at . . . — — Map (db m161830) HM
Shepherd District Free School 1848-1881Given to the West Virginia board of education for Shepherd College by Upton S. Martin in memory of his father, U.S. Martin (1859-1957), 32nd degree mason, Mayor of Shepherdstown six years, member West . . . — — Map (db m23845) HM
In 1775, Shepherdstown (formerly known as Mecklenburg) was asked to furnish one company (about 100 men) to assist patriots fighting the British around Boston. In July, the company marched in high spirits down German Street with the entire town . . . — — Map (db m4851) HM
Inventor of the Steamboat who in October, A.D. 1783, on the Potomac River near the mouth of Sir John's Run made the first successful application of steam to the practical purpose of navigation and who on December 3rd, 1787, made a further . . . — — Map (db m1936) HM
We pay reverent tribute to those from our midst who gave to their country the last full measure of devotion in World War II.
Pfc. Carl Milton Bean • Lt. Vernon D. Black • Lt. Newton B. Davis, Jr. • Lt. Junior Fred Digman • Lt. Ralph . . . — — Map (db m157756) WM
Named in honor of the inventor, James Rumsey, who made successful demonstrations of his steamboat on the Potomac River here on December 3 and 11, 1787.
Opened and dedicated on July 15, 1939. — — Map (db m2019) HM
Jefferson County. Formed in 1801 from Berkeley. Named for Thomas Jefferson. Home of Generals Gates, Darke, and Charles Lee. Here four companies of Washington's men organized. Shepherdstown was strongly urged as the seat of the National . . . — — Map (db m167398) HM
The large tree before you, and the others like it around the pavilion, are Kentucky Coffeetrees. These trees are part of the pea family Fabaceae, like red buds, and are renowned for their seed pods that ripen in early autumn. Poisonous . . . — — Map (db m269294) HM
Within these walls lie the following Revolutionary War Soldiers and Patriots
Michael Entler • John Adam Link, Jr. • Philip Entler, Sr. • Andrew Ronemous • Philip Entler, Jr. • Lewis Ronemous • Daniel Foulks • Philip Sheetz — — Map (db m283687) WM
Patriots March to the Aid of Washington and American Independence
When news of the Battle of Lexington reached Shepherdstown in 1775, most of its able bodied men sprang to arms. The Continental Congress's request for two companies of . . . — — Map (db m269291) HM
Chartered Dec. 11, 1811
by the Grand Lodge of the State of Virginia.
Admitted as a member of the Grand Lodge
of West Virginia Nov. 13, 1872.
Stated-Communications
First and third Mondays of each month
and on the Festivals of St. John . . . — — Map (db m89173) HM
This Old English/Episcopal Cemetery contains the graves of these Revolutionary War soldiers: Maj. Henry Bedinger, Anthony Kerney, Lt. Daniel Bedinger, James Kerney Sr., William Morgan Jr., William Lemen, Caleb Levick, Robert Tabb, and the . . . — — Map (db m157759) HM
Early settlers crossed the Potomac here. “Stonewall” Jackson and A.P. Hill used this ford on the way to Battle of Antietam. Here Lee’s army crossed after the battle, with the Corn Exchange Regiment, other Federals in pursuit. — — Map (db m62778) HM
To commemorate their organization February 22, 1916 and preserve the original name of the town and river crossing of colonial days — — Map (db m103698) HM
In the 1740s, the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church was established "on the banks of the Potomac River." Their first church was built on the southwest corner of King and Washington Streets. Apparently, this lot was adequate for a meeting house, . . . — — Map (db m290011) HM
The Puffinbarger House
201 N. Princess St.
has been listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1878 — — Map (db m143929) HM
This house was acquired in 1995 by actress Mary Tyler Moore, a descendant of Conrad Shindler, and donated to the Shepherd College Foundation in honor of her father, George Tyler Moore. Between 1869 and 1995, this house served as the Reformed Church . . . — — Map (db m98159) HM
Within these walls lie the following Revolutionary War Soldiers and Patriots:
Henry Cookus • John Hoffman • Michael Cookus • Nicholas Schell • John Haines • Peter Seever • Jacob Haynes • Peter Staley • Lawrence Hensel • John Martin Walforth . . . — — Map (db m103672) WM
Shepherdstown was established near a natural ford used by American Indians and early settlers to cross the Potomac River. A ferry service, begun in 1775, reliably connected Shepherdstown with communities throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania for . . . — — Map (db m154072) HM
Shepherd College. Incorporated as Shepherd College, 1871. Chartered by act of the Legislature, Feb. 27, 1872, as the Shepherd College State Normal School. Name changed in 1931 to Shepherd State Teachers College and in 1943, to Shepherd . . . — — Map (db m143926) HM
Established in 1872 as a branch of the State normal school system. It was an outgrowth of the old Shepherd College. This is the site of early settlement made by Thomas Shepherd who built a fort here during Indian days. — — Map (db m1938) HM
James Rumsey, inventor of the steamboat, lived here, 1785 to 1788, and in 1787 demonstrated his boat on the Potomac at this point. Here was born Colonel James Strode Swearingen, who commanded the men who founded the City of Chicago in 1803. — — Map (db m60704) HM
In September 1862, after the Maryland Battles of South Mountain and Antietam, Shepherdstown became a scene of indescribable suffering. “The whole town was a hospital,” wrote resident Mary Bedinger Mitchell. “There was scarcely a . . . — — Map (db m1939) HM
Shepherdstown, the oldest town in what is now West Virginia was incorporated as Mecklenburg in 1762, but was renamed Shepherd's Town in 1798 in honor of its founder Thomas Shepherd. From the French and Indian War to the Civil War the town has been . . . — — Map (db m143927) HM
The members and friends of the Shepherdstown Battlefield Preservation Association saved this hallowed ground for future generations
Founder and First President — Edward E. Dunleavy — — Map (db m157754) HM WM
Near this site in July 1775, then part of Berkeley County , Va., two companies of riflemen, led by Captains Hugh Stephenson of Berkeley County and Daniel Morgan of Frederick County, Va. rallied prior to their 600-mile journey to join General . . . — — Map (db m278124) HM
Less than half mile eastward is the famous spring around which, from their rendezvous on lands of Morgan and Bedinger, July 17th, 1775 Captain Hugh Stephenson’s Company of Virginia Riflemen, 98 volunteers started on their bee-line march to Boston . . . — — Map (db m108819) HM
On 11 June 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the raising of ten companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to aid General George Washington at the British siege of Boston. The Berkeley County Committee of Safety . . . — — Map (db m123005) HM
The Spring House was built in 1831. It is a one-story building with course stone exterior walls and quoins. The gabled roof has wooden shingles. Fountain springs run through the building. Originally, this building would have been used to store . . . — — Map (db m269293) HM
Trinity Episcopal Church was first established in 1745, and its congregation worshiped in three buildings built on the site one block north on Church Street. In 1854, under the leadership of the Rev. Charles W. Andrews, DD, who served as rector . . . — — Map (db m107754) HM
An inspection of tobacco shall be…established on the lands of the said Abraham Shepherd to be called and known by the name of Mecklenburg warehouse.
– Act of the Virginia Assembly, passed November 29, 1788.
In 1867, ten acres to the south and west of the existing Presbyterian, Methodist, and Confederate Cemeteries were purchased by several town businessmen and donated to be used as a public cemetery under the guidance of a board of directors. Two . . . — — Map (db m269296) HM
Such an admirable site for mills, tanneries, and other industries, was not to be found every day.... And so they began, with the industry of beavers, to erect their mills, dwellings, forges, tanneries, shops, schools and meeting houses; . . . — — Map (db m103738) HM
In September 1862 following the Civil War Battles at South Mountain and Sharpsburg, wounded soldiers began pouring into Shepherdstown. Mary Bedinger Mitchell, 12 years old at the time, was living just outside of town at Poplar Grove, and . . . — — Map (db m193649) HM
On July 18th, 1833, Jacob and Mary Line sold half an acre of round "bordering on the west side of the Turnpike reload leading from said town to Smithfield" to three Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Shepherdstown. Milton J. Brown, . . . — — Map (db m269301) HM
In memory of
Henry Luckett Clapham • Ira Moser Derr • Thomas Franklin Ewers • John Chrisman Goghenour • Washington Berry Grove • Marshall Earle Martin • Wilmer Birdie Miller • Garnett Otis Nelson • Hubert Monroe Phares • Joseph Rodney Power • . . . — — Map (db m157757) WM
