The Area

Founded in the early 1700's, Martinsburg is located in the eastern panhandle of our beautiful state and is referred to as the “northern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley.” The county seat of Berkeley County, Martinsburg is situated along Interstate 81, 22 miles north of Winchester, Virginia and 20 miles south of Hagerstown, Maryland. This area offers rich cultural, historic and scenic resources as well as excellent schools and recreational opportunities for the entire family. We are only 90 minutes from Washington/Baltimore area and enjoy easy access to major airports, museums, professional sporting events, fine dining, and excellent shopping.

Cultural activities abound through venues such as the Boarman Arts Center, Apollo Civic Theatre, The Apple Harvest Festival, the B&O Roundhouse Rail Days, just to name a few. The Contemporary American Theatre Festival at Shepherd University draws thousands to Shepherdstown each summer to view the works of new playwrights. Berkeley Springs is located a short drive from Martinsburg and was recently named one of the top-ten small arts communities in the nation. An hour's drive to the north takes one to the Amish and Mennonite communities in Pennsylvania. History buffs can experience our nation's past at Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, and Antietam Battlefield.

Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation maintains 16 parks, including 2 public swimming pools, a stocked fishing pond, a recreation center with gymnasiums, and a soccer complex. Year round programs for youth and adults are offered. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers are popular destinations for white water rafting, boating, and fishing. Nearby Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is rich in history and within easy access to the Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal Towpath. This area features many golf courses, both private and public. The natural beauty of the area, the mountains and valley, rivers and streams, pastures and orchards are inviting to all who wish to enjoy the great outdoors.

We are fortunate to have a very progressive school board that works diligently to provide our children with the best possible educational staff and facilities. We are currently building one new school per year to accommodate our growing population. Since 1990 the student population has increased by approximately 3200 students. Berkeley County currently has 3 high schools, 5 middle schools, 4 intermediate schools and 15 elementary schools and the James Rumsey Technical Institute. Several parochial schools are located in Martinsburg and the surrounding area. Post-secondary education is available at Shepherd Community and Technical College and Mountain State University in Martinsburg, Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, and Hagerstown Community College and the University of Maryland in Hagerstown, Maryland.

The rapid growth in our area is a direct result of our close proximity to Washington and Baltimore. Housing construction is on the rise with the transition of old orchards into housing developments. Many government agencies and national companies are located in the area and offer employment to thousands. The largest employer in the area, second only to the school system, is the federal government with the VA Medical Center, IRS, Coast Guard, Bureau of ATF, and the National Fish Hatcheries. Other major employers are Quad Graphics, the WV Air National Guard, General Motors, Variform, Quebecor Printing, Orgill, and City Hospital. Seven industrial parks offer prime locations for industrial growth. The influx of professionals has created steady growth in the service industry. AMTRAK departs daily from Martinsburg traveling east to Washington and west to Chicago. Many area residents commute daily on the MARC commuter trains to work in the Washington area.

Our community hospital, City Hospital, is a modern 260-bed facility, which shares a 37-acre campus with the Medical Arts Building, Dorothy A. McCormack Cancer Treatment and Rehabilitation Center and the West Virginia University School of Medicine Eastern Campus. The Wellness Center at City Hospital opened a few short years ago and is already expanding to meet the community's growing needs. The VA Hospital provides needed medical care and services to area veterans.

Martinsburg and the neighboring Eastern Panhandle counties are growing and experiencing many changes. But the one constant is the friendliness of the people and the pride in the community. This a great place to live, worship and raise a family.