Misplaced Pages

Martinsburg, West Virginia: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:30, 12 January 2013 editCatperson12 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users640 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 07:07, 22 December 2024 edit undoSirfurboy (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users21,601 edits Undid revision 1263982790 by Luffaloaf (talk) rv sockTag: Undo 
(465 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
|official_name = City of Martinsburg |name = Martinsburg, West Virginia
|name = Martinsburg, West Virginia |settlement_type = ]
|settlement_type = ] |image_skyline = MartinsburgWV HistoricDistrict.jpg
|nickname =
|image_skyline =
|image_caption = Martinsburg Historic District
|imagesize = 250px |imagesize = 250px
|image_flag = |image_caption = ]
|image_seal = |image_flag = Flag of Martinsburg, West Virginia.svg
|image_map = WVMap-doton-Martinsburg.PNG |image_seal = Martinsburg, WV Seal.png
|mapsize = 250px |nickname =
|map_caption = Location of Martinsburg in West Virginia |image_map = Berkeley County West Virginia Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Martinsburg Highlighted.svg
|map_caption = Location of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 = |pushpin_map = West Virginia#USA
|map_caption1 = |pushpin_relief = yes
|subdivision_type = ] |pushpin_label = Martinsburg
|coordinates = {{coord|39|27|13|N|77|59|44|W|region:US-WV_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type1 = ]
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = ]
|subdivision_type2 = ] |subdivision_type2 = ]
|subdivision_name = ]
|subdivision_name1 = ] |subdivision_name1 = ]
|subdivision_name2 = ] |subdivision_name2 = ]
|established_date = Circa December 17, 1987
<!-- Area -->
|government_type = |government_type =
|leader_title = ] |leader_title = ]
|leader_name = Kevin Knowles (]) <ref>{{cite web |title=KEVIN JAMES KNOWLES |url=https://voteref.com/voters/3ce5951a-1c80-41ee-9406-5e0eef464e75?obtained_at=2022-03-01 |website=Voteref |access-date=January 30, 2023}}</ref>
|leader_name = George Karos
|established_date = 1778 |unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_54.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude = |area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 13.1 |area_total_km2 = 17.22
|area_land_km2 = 13.0 |area_total_sq_mi = 6.65
|area_water_km2 = 0.1 |area_land_km2 = 17.17
|area_land_sq_mi = 6.63
|population_as_of = 2011<ref>http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2011/SUB-EST2011-3.html</ref>
|population_note = |area_water_km2 = 0.04
|population_total = 17487 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.02
<!-- Population -->
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft = 495
|population_total = 18773
|population_as_of = ]
|population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref>
|population_density_km2 = 1016.31
|population_density_sq_mi = 2632.18
|population_est = 18835
|pop_est_as_of = 2019
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|population_urban = 43441 |population_urban = 43441
|population_metro = 263753 |population_metro = 260,070 (US: ])
|population_density_km2 = 1309.2
|timezone = ]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_ft = 453
|coordinates_display = inline,title
|coordinates_type = region:US_type:city
|latd = 39 |latm = 27 |lats = 33 |latNS = N
|longd = 77 |longm = 58 |longs = 4 |longEW = W
|area_total_sq_mi = 6.6
|area_land_sq_mi = 6.6
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
|elevation_m = 138
|postal_code_type = ]s |postal_code_type = ]s
|postal_code = 25401–25405 |postal_code = 25401–25405
|area_code = ] |area_code = ] 681
|website =
|footnotes =
|timezone = ]
|utc_offset = −5
|timezone_DST = ]
|utc_offset_DST = −4
|blank_name = ] |blank_name = ]
|blank_info = 54-52060{{GR|2}} |blank_info = 54-52060
|blank1_name = ] feature ID |blank1_name = ] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1542824{{GR|3}} |blank1_info = 2390615<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2390615}}</ref>
|footnotes =
}} }}


'''Martinsburg''' is a city in and the ] of ], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> The population was 18,773 at the ], making Martinsburg the largest city in the ] and the ] in the state. It is a principal city of the ] extending into ], which had 293,844 residents in 2020.
'''Martinsburg''' is a city in the ] region of ], USA. Its population was 17,227 at the ] making it the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and the eighth largest municipality in the state.<ref>, U.S. Census Bureau. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01]</ref> Martinsburg is the ] of ]{{GR|6}} and one of the core cities in the ].


==History== ==History==
Martinsburg was established by an act<ref>{{cite web|title=An act for establishing the town of Martinsburg, in the County of Berkeley, and for other purposes|url=http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol09-26.htm|website=VAGenWeb|access-date=March 4, 2017|location=Vol. 9, Chapter XXXII}}</ref> of the Virginia General Assembly that was adopted in December 1778<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/journalofsenateo00invirg|title=Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia|year=1828|website=The Online Books Page|page=71|access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref> during the American Revolutionary War. Founder Major General ] named the gateway town to the ] along ] in honor of Colonel ], a nephew of ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|page=}}</ref>
{{Expand section|date=August 2008}}
Martinsburg was founded in 1778 by General ] who named it in honor of Colonel ], a nephew of ].


] is a Georgian mansion, the oldest part of which was built in 1745 by Edward Beeson, Sr. making it the oldest house in the city. Aspen Hall and the people who lived there played important roles in the agricultural, religious, transportation, and political heritage of the region. Significant events related to the British, French, and Indian War; the Revolution, and the Civil War took place on the property. Three original buildings are still standing including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort. ], a Georgian mansion, is the oldest house in the city.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Part was built in 1745 by Edward Beeson, Sr. Aspen Hall, and its wealthy residents had key roles in the agricultural, religious, transportation, and political history of the region. Significant events related to the ], the Revolution, and the Civil War took place on the property. Three original buildings are still standing, including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort.


The first post office in what is now West Virginia was established at Martinsburg in 1792. The first United States post office in what is now West Virginia was established at Martinsburg in 1792. At that time, Martinsburg and the larger territory were still part of ].


The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad reached Martinsburg in 1842. The B&O Roundhouse and Station Complex was first constructed in 1849. The ] (B&O) reached Martinsburg in 1842. The ] were constructed in 1849 and rebuilt after the American Civil War.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}


According to William Still, "The Father of the Underground Railroad," a freedom-seeking slave made an interesting escape from Martinsburg on the Underground Railroad, Christmas night, 1856. Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, fled by riding a horse while it swam across the freezing Potomac River. After riding forty miles, he walked in cold wet clothes for two days, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He received assistance there, and then went by train to Philadelphia, and the office of William Still with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Brown's wife and four children had been sold, and all he had was a likeness of his wife, and locks of hair from each of them. According to ], "The Father of the ]" and its historian: Mr Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, escaped from slavery in Martinsburg on Christmas night in 1856. He rode a horse and had it swim across the freezing Potomac River. After riding forty miles, he walked in cold wet clothes for two days, to ]. He received assistance there from the Underground Railroad and traveled by train to ], and the office of William Still with the ]. Brown's wife and four children had been sold; he sought help to find them. He had a likeness of his wife, and locks of hair from each of them.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} <!--Still wrote a history of the Underground Railroad -->


===Civil war===
In 1863, Isabelle “Belle” Boyd, a famous spy for the Confederacy, was arrested in Martinsburg by the Union Army and imprisoned.
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2020}}
]'s Martinsburg Shops three years before the Civil War]]
In 1854, ten-year-old ], known as "Belle" and later a noted spy for the Confederacy, moved to Martinsburg with her family, where her father Benjamin operated a general merchandise store. After the Civil War began, Benjamin joined the Second Virginia Infantry, which was part of the Stonewall Brigade. His wife Mary was thus in charge of the Boyd home when Union forces under General ] took Martinsburg. When a group of Patterson's men tried to raise a Union flag over the Boyd home, Mary refused. One of the soldiers, Frederick Martin, threatened Mary, and Belle shot him. She was acquitted.


She soon became involved in espionage, sending information to Confederate generals ] and ]. Often she was helped by Eliza Corsey, a Boyd family slave whom Belle had taught to read and write. In 1863, Belle was arrested in Martinsburg by the Union Army and imprisoned. Boyd's Greek Revival home, which he had built in 1853 and sold in 1855, had numerous owners over the decades. In 1992 it was purchased by the Berkeley County Historical Society. The historical society renovated the building and now operates it as the Berkeley County Museum. It is also known as the Belle Boyd House.
The city of Martinsburg was incorporated by an act of the ] on March 30, 1868.


===Reconstruction===
The ] began July 14, 1877 in Martinsburg and spread nationwide.
Residents of West Virginia were split in their allegiance during the war, with half of its soldiers serving in the Confederate army.<ref>Snell, Mark A., ''West Virginia and the Civil War'', History Press, 2011, pg. 28, {{ISBN|978-1-59629-888-0}}</ref> The vote to create a new state in western Virginia was very low, but statehood was approved by Congress and President Lincoln, and the new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wvculture.org/history/statehood/statehood10.html |title=Chapter Ten Statehood Referendum |access-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518153656/http://www.wvculture.org/History/statehood/statehood10.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The city of Martinsburg was incorporated by an act of the new ] on March 30, 1868.
Telephone service first began in Martinsburg in 1883.
]]]
Martinsburg became a center of the railroad industry and its workers. The ] began July 14, 1877, in this city at the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://martinsburgroundhouse.com/|title=Martinsburg Roundhouse – 304-260-4141|website=martinsburgroundhouse.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref> After several unsuccessful attempts to quell the protests, Governor ] called for federal troops. By the time these troops had restored order, the protest of the rail company had spread across the country.<ref name="Bellesiles">{{Cite book |last=Bellesiles |first=Michael A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rf4q5LjLbHIC&pg=PA149 |title=1877: America's Year of Living Violently |date=2010 |publisher=New Press |isbn=978-1-59558-441-0 |language=en}}</ref>


In 1889, electricity began to be furnished to Martinsburg as part of a franchise granted to the United Edison Manufacturing Company of New York. Telephone service was established in Martinsburg in 1883. In 1889, electricity began to be furnished to Martinsburg as part of a franchise granted to the United Edison Manufacturing Company of New York.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}


The Interwoven mills began operations in Martinsburg in 1891 and grew to be the largest manufacturer of men's hosiery in the world. The Interwoven Mills began operations in Martinsburg in 1891.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/863|title=Interwoven Mills|last=Jenrette|first=Jerra|website=e-WV}}</ref>


Construction of the "Apollo Civic Theatre" was completed in 1913. Construction of the Apollo Civic Theatre was completed in 1913.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apollocivictheatre.org/about/|title=About|website=Apollo Civic Theatre|language=en-US|access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref>


===World War I and beyond===
Over one thousand (1,039) men from Berkeley County participated in World War I. Of these, forty-one were killed and twenty-one were wounded in battle. A monument to those who fell in battle was erected in 1925.
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2020}}
]
Over one thousand (1,039) men from Berkeley County participated in World War I. Of these, forty-one were killed, and twenty-one were wounded in battle. A monument to those who fell in battle was erected in Martinsburg in 1925.


During World War II, the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg treated thousands of soldiers wounded in the war. In 1946 this military hospital became a part of the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg is still in service providing care to United States veterans. During World War II, the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg treated thousands of soldiers wounded in the war. In 1946 this military hospital became a part of the ] (VA). The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg still provides care to United States veterans.


Beginning in the late 1940s and through the 1950s, many of the mills and factories operating in Martinsburg shut down and went out of business, dealing a major blow to the local economy. Due to restructuring beginning in the late 1940s and continuing through the 1970s, many of the mills and factories operating in Martinsburg shut down and went out of business, dealing a major blow to the local economy. Jobs were moved to the Deep South and later offshore.

==Geography==

===Location and topography===
Martinsburg is approximately {{convert|18|mi}} southwest of ], {{convert|73|mi}} west of ], {{convert|63|mi}} northwest of ], and {{convert|134|mi}} east of ]. ] runs through the center of town, and ] passes along the northern side of the town.

Martinsburg is {{convert|212|mi}} distant from the state capital of Charleston. However, it is closer to no less than '''five''' other state capitals: Harrisburg PA - {{convert|80|mi}}, Annapolis MD - {{convert|85|mi}}, Dover DE - {{convert|132|mi}}, Richmond VA - {{convert|135|mi}}, and Trenton NJ - {{convert|179|mi}}.

According to the ], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.67|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|6.65|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=] |access-date=January 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Martinsburg lies in the transitional area between ] (] ''Cfa'') and ] (Köppen ''Dfa''), with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold, with a January daily mean temperature of {{convert|32.4|°F|1}} and an average annual snowfall of {{convert|26.1|in|cm}}, while summers are hot and humid with a July daily mean temperature of {{convert|75.7|°F|1}} and 27 days of {{convert|90|°F}}+ readings annually. Precipitation is moderate, with winter being the driest period and May thru July the wettest. Extreme temperatures at ] range from {{convert|−18|°F|0}} on January 21, 1994, up to {{convert|112|°F|0}} on July 11, 1936; an even colder {{convert|−19|°F|0}} was recorded in the city on January 14, 1912.

{{Weather box
|location = Martinsburg, West Virginia (Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport), 1991−2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1891−present{{efn|Records have been kept at Eastern WV Regional Airport since 1926.}}
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 83
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 101
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 110
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 103
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 86
|Dec record high F = 78
|year record high F = 112
|Jan avg record high F = 64.0
|Feb avg record high F = 65.9
|Mar avg record high F = 76.0
|Apr avg record high F = 85.1
|May avg record high F = 89.7
|Jun avg record high F = 93.8
|Jul avg record high F = 96.6
|Aug avg record high F = 94.3
|Sep avg record high F = 90.6
|Oct avg record high F = 83.6
|Nov avg record high F = 73.7
|Dec avg record high F = 64.7
|year avg record high F = 97.4
|Jan high F = 41.3
|Feb high F = 44.7
|Mar high F = 53.5
|Apr high F = 65.4
|May high F = 74.0
|Jun high F = 82.4
|Jul high F = 86.9
|Aug high F = 85.0
|Sep high F = 78.1
|Oct high F = 66.7
|Nov high F = 55.1
|Dec high F = 44.8
|year high F = 64.8
|Jan mean F = 32.4
|Feb mean F = 35.0
|Mar mean F = 42.8
|Apr mean F = 53.6
|May mean F = 62.5
|Jun mean F = 71.1
|Jul mean F = 75.7
|Aug mean F = 73.8
|Sep mean F = 66.7
|Oct mean F = 55.2
|Nov mean F = 44.6
|Dec mean F = 36.0
|year mean F = 54.1
|Jan low F = 23.5
|Feb low F = 25.3
|Mar low F = 32.2
|Apr low F = 41.8
|May low F = 51.0
|Jun low F = 59.8
|Jul low F = 64.5
|Aug low F = 62.5
|Sep low F = 55.3
|Oct low F = 43.7
|Nov low F = 34.2
|Dec low F = 27.1
|year low F = 43.4
|Jan avg record low F = 4.3
|Feb avg record low F = 9.5
|Mar avg record low F = 15.5
|Apr avg record low F = 27.2
|May avg record low F = 36.6
|Jun avg record low F = 46.7
|Jul avg record low F = 53.7
|Aug avg record low F = 52.2
|Sep avg record low F = 41.3
|Oct avg record low F = 29.2
|Nov avg record low F = 19.3
|Dec avg record low F = 12.0
|year avg record low F = 2.1
|Jan record low F = −19
|Feb record low F = −13
|Mar record low F = −3
|Apr record low F = 19
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 38
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 17
|Nov record low F = 6
|Dec record low F = −12
|year record low F = -19
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.60
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.14
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.42
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.36
|May precipitation inch = 4.05
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.85
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.78
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.02
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.03
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.99
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.73
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.00
|year precipitation inch = 38.97
|Jan snow inch = 9.0
|Feb snow inch = 7.2
|Mar snow inch = 4.6
|Apr snow inch = 0.4
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.0
|Nov snow inch = 1.1
|Dec snow inch = 3.8
|year snow inch = 26.1
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.0
|Feb precipitation days = 8.9
|Mar precipitation days = 11.0
|Apr precipitation days = 11.0
|May precipitation days = 13.0
|Jun precipitation days = 11.3
|Jul precipitation days = 10.6
|Aug precipitation days = 9.1
|Sep precipitation days = 9.4
|Oct precipitation days = 9.0
|Nov precipitation days = 8.5
|Dec precipitation days = 9.5
|year precipitation days = 121.3
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 3.7
|Feb snow days = 2.1
|Mar snow days = 1.7
|Apr snow days = 0.2
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.5
|Dec snow days = 2.1
|year snow days = 10.3
|source 1 = ] (snow 1981–2010)<ref name= "NWS Baltimore/Washington">{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lwx
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="NOAA KMRB">
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013734&format=pdf
| title = Station: Martinsburg E WV RGNL AP, WV
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013734&format=pdf
| title = Station: Martinsburg Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, WV
| work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 13, 2021}}</ref>
}}


==Demographics== ==Demographics==
{{US Census population
{{USCensusPop
|1850= 2190 |1850= 2190
|1860= 3364 |1860= 3364
Line 111: Line 304:
|2000= 14972 |2000= 14972
|2010= 17227 |2010= 17227
|2020= 18773
|footnote=<center></center>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>
}} }}
As of the ]{{GR|2}} of 2010, there were 17,227 people and 8,408 households residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 77.45% ], 14.88% ], 0.35% ], 1.18% ], 0.06% ], 2.35% from ], and 3.69% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 6.21% of the population.


=== 2020 census ===
In the city the population was spread out with 23.34% under the age of 18, 6.44% from 20 to 24, 15.11% from 25 to 34, 19.83% from 35 to 49, 19.72% from 50-64 and 13.35% who were 65 years of age or older. The city was 51.19% female.
As of the ]<ref>{{Cite web|date=|publisher=United States Census|title=QuickFacts Martinsburg city, West Virginia|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/martinsburgcitywestvirginia#qf-headnote-a|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=US Census Bureau QuickFacts}}</ref> of 2020, there were 18,777 people residing in the city, living in 7,179 total households. The ] was 2,591.7 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% ], 13.9% ], 0.1% ], 1.3% ], 0.0% ], and 3.1% two or more races. ] or ] of any race was 4.8% of the population.


In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $29,495, and the median income for a family was $36,954. Males had a median income of $29,697 versus $22,212 for females. The ] for the city was $16,314. About 14.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the ], including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over. The median household income (in 2019 dollars) was $42,835. The per capita income was $24,970. 29.5% of the population is recorded as being in poverty. 88.5% of households had a computer, with 77.9% having access to broadband internet.


==Geography== === 2010 census ===
As of the ]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref> of 2010, there were 17,227 people, 7,293 households, and 4,106 families residing in the city. The ] was {{convert|2590.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 8,408 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1264.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.5% ], 14.9% ], 0.4% ], 1.2% ], 0.1% ], 2.3% from ], and 3.7% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 6.2% of the population.
===Location and topography===
Martinsburg is located at {{Coord|39|27|33|N|77|58|4|W|type:city}} (39.459207, &minus;77.967814).{{GR|1}} As per ], Martinsburg is approximately {{convert|92|mi}} driving distance northwest of ]. ] runs through the center of town, and ] passes along the northern side of the town.


There were 7,293 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were ] living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. Of all households, 35.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.00.
According to the ], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.1|sqmi}}, of which, {{convert|5.0|sqmi|abbr=on}} of it is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|abbr=on}} of it (0.40%) is water.


The median age in the city was 37 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.
===Climate===
Martinsburg has a ] (] ''Cfa'') that begins to transition to a ] (Köppen ''Dfa''), with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold with a January daily mean temperature of {{convert|31.8|°F|1}} and an average seasonal snowfall of {{convert|26.6|in|cm}}, while summers are hot and humid with a July daily mean temperature of {{convert|75.7|°F|1}} and 27 days of {{convert|90|°F}}+ readings annually. Precipitation is moderate, with winter being the driest period and May thru July the wettest. Extreme temperatures range from {{convert|−18|°F}} on January 21, 1994 up to {{convert|112|°F}} on July 11, 1936.


===2000 census===
{{Weather box
As of the ]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 14,972 people, 6,684 households, and 3,689 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,977.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,478.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.9% ], 11.6% ], 0.4% ], 0.9% ], 0% ], 1.3%% from ], and 2.2% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 2.9% of the population.
|location = Martinsburg, West Virginia
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 83
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 106
|Jul record high F = 112
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 103
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 86
|Dec record high F = 78
|Jan high F = 40.4
|Feb high F = 44.2
|Mar high F = 53.5
|Apr high F = 64.9
|May high F = 73.6
|Jun high F = 82.7
|Jul high F = 86.7
|Aug high F = 84.8
|Sep high F = 77.6
|Oct high F = 66.3
|Nov high F = 55.4
|Dec high F = 44.1
|year high F =64.5
|Jan low F = 23.2
|Feb low F = 25.4
|Mar low F = 32.4
|Apr low F = 41.7
|May low F = 50.5
|Jun low F = 59.8
|Jul low F = 64.6
|Aug low F = 62.7
|Sep low F = 54.9
|Oct low F = 43.2
|Nov low F = 35.0
|Dec low F = 26.4
|year low F =43.3
|Jan record low F = -18
|Feb record low F = -10
|Mar record low F = -3
|Apr record low F = 19
|May record low F = 26
|Jun record low F = 36
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 17
|Nov record low F = 6
|Dec record low F = -12
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.44
|Feb precipitation inch = 2.34
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.52
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.34
|May precipitation inch = 4.09
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.76
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.67
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.08
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.56
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.05
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.13
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.63
|year precipitation inch=38.59
|Jan snow inch = 9.3
|Feb snow inch = 7.5
|Mar snow inch = 4.4
|Apr snow inch = .4
|May snow inch = 0
|Jun snow inch = 0
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 0
|Oct snow inch = 0
|Nov snow inch = 1.1
|Dec snow inch = 3.8
|year snow inch=26.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.4
|Feb precipitation days = 8.9
|Mar precipitation days = 10.6
|Apr precipitation days = 10.5
|May precipitation days = 12.6
|Jun precipitation days = 11.0
|Jul precipitation days = 10.1
|Aug precipitation days = 8.7
|Sep precipitation days = 8.8
|Oct precipitation days = 8.5
|Nov precipitation days = 9.3
|Dec precipitation days = 9.1
|year precipitation days=117.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 3.7
|Feb snow days = 2.2
|Mar snow days = 1.7
|Apr snow days = .2
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = .5
|Dec snow days = 2.1
|source 1 = NOAA (normals 1981−2010, extremes 1926−present)<ref name= NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lwx
|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = ]
|accessdate = 2012-12-17}}</ref>
|date=December 2012
}}


There were 6,684 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were ] living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.
==Commerce==
Major private employers in and around Martinsburg include ], EcoLab, Orgill, World Color, Sino-Swearingen, ], and ].


In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The city also has numerous federal government employers including the ], U.S. Coast Guard Operations Systems Center, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, ], and the Veteran Administration Center.


The median income for a household in the city was $29,495, and the median income for a family was $36,954. Males had a median income of $29,697 versus $22,212 for females. The ] for the city was $16,314. About 14.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the ], including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.
The Martinsburg IRS Facility is one of the two Enterprise Computing Centers of the ] (the other is in ]). The Martinsburg facility processes most of the country's electronically filed tax documents from businesses, and about one-third of electronically-filed ]s.


== Economy ==
The area is also home to the ] of the ], based in ].
]
Major private employers in and around Martinsburg include ], ], Orgill, ], and ]. In February 2015, it was announced that ] planned to build a $500 million facility near the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = Procter & Gamble to bring $500M plant to Berkeley County | website = ] | date = February 10, 2015 | url = http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/628168/Procter---Gamble-to-bring--500M-plant-to-Berkeley-County.html?nav=5281 | access-date = February 10, 2015}}</ref>


The city also has numerous federal government employers, including the ] (IRS), ] C5ISC-Kearneysville, ] National Maritime Center, ], and the ].
Martinsburg had its own automobile company from 1912 to 1922, called Norwalk. The cars that were assembled there are the longest-made known cars to be built in the state of West Virginia.<ref></ref>


The Martinsburg IRS Facility, one of the two Enterprise Computing Centers of the ] (the other is in ]), processes most of the country's electronically filed tax documents from ]es, and about one-third of electronically filed ]s.
==Healthcare==
* West Virginia University Hospitals - East (an affiliate of West Virginia University Hospitals, formerly City Hospital)
* Veterans Affairs Medical Center


The area is also home to the ] of the ], based in ].
==Shopping==
Martinsburg has one Shopping Mall
* ]: {{convert|551351|sqft|m2}} with approximately 50 stores and anchored by Walmart, JCPenney, and The Bon-Ton. Opened in 1991. Location: Foxcroft Avenue, Interstate 81 Exit 12 & 13.


Martinsburg had its own automobile company from 1912 to 1922, called Norwalk, which assembled the longest-made known cars to be built in the state of West Virginia.<ref>
Other retail centers/areas in Martinsburg include:
* ]: {{convert|400000|sqft|m2}} anchored by Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Staples, Books A Million, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels, Petsmart, and Five Below. Opened in 2009. Location: Retail Commons Parkway, Interstate 81 Exit 12.
</ref>
* Old Courthouse Square: {{convert|201350|sqft|m2}} anchored by Food Lion, Schewels, and Auto Zone. Opened in 1987. Location: Edwin Miller Blvd.

* Apple Harvest Drive: K-Mart, Food Lion, Lowes, and Advance Auto.
== Sports ==
* North Queen Street: Weis Markets, Tractor Supply, Big Lots, and Aarons.
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/hof/wilson-hack|title=Hack Wilson|website=National Baseball Hall of Fame|access-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref> ] began his storied professional career in his adopted hometown with the ], a low-level minor-league baseball team. Wilson would go on to set the yet-to-be-broken major league record for RBI in a season (191) with the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/history/chc_feature_wilson.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205145856/http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/history/chc_feature_wilson.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2007|title=Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson (1926-31)|website=Chicago Cubs|access-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref> in 1930.
* Other shopping areas in the city are the Berkeley Plaza on Williamsport Pike and Martinsburg Plaza on Winchester Ave.

After his playing career ended in 1935, Hack went back home to Martinsburg, played some ball with the town's semipro team and opened a recreation and pool hall in town with a partner. He later moved to Baltimore in 1941 where he later died November 23, 1948. Originally scheduled to be interred in Baltimore, Wilson was buried — in a donated plot — in Martinsburg,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/e2c5ebeb#footnote25_stswoq4|title=Hack Wilson|website=Society for American Baseball Research|author1=Thomas E Schott|access-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref>


==Education== ==Education==
]]]
===Middle Schools===

* North Middle School
===Elementary and intermediate schools===
* South Middle School
* Spring Mills Middle School * Rocky Knoll Adventist School
* Back Creek Valley Elementary
* Hedgesville Middle School
* Bedington Elementary
* Musselman Middle School
* Berkeley Heights Elementary
* Bunker Hill Elementary
* Burke Street Elementary
* Gerrardstown Elementary
* Hedgesville Elementary
* Inwood Elementary
* Marlowe Elementary
* Opequon Elementary
* Rosemont Elementary
* Spring Mills Elementary
* Tuscarora Elementary
* Valley View Elementary
* Winchester Avenue Elementary
* Mountain Ridge Intermediate
* Potomac Intermediate
* Orchard View Intermediate
* Mill Creek Intermediate
* Eagle School Intermediate
* Tomahawk Intermediate
* St. Joseph Catholic School

===Middle schools===
* North Middle
* South Middle
* Spring Mills Middle
* Hedgesville Middle
* Mountain Ridge Middle
* Musselman Middle


===High Schools=== ===High schools===
* Martinsburg High School * ]
* Musselman High School * ]
* Hedgesville High School * ]
Spring Mills High School (Summer of 2013) * ]


===Colleges and universities=== ===Colleges and universities===
* ], Martinsburg * ], Martinsburg
* ], Martinsburg * ], Martinsburg
* ]-Martinsburg * ]-Martinsburg
* , Martinsburg Campus * Valley College of Technology, Martinsburg Campus


==Transportation== ==Media==
] Roundhouse and Station Complex]]


===Major highways=== ===Print===
Martinsburg has one daily community newspaper, ] and also is regionally covered by '']'' out of ]. Martinsburg has a bi-monthly magazine, ''Around the Panhandle'' magazine.
* ] ]
* ] ]
* ] ]
* ] ]
* ] ]
* ] ]


===Mass transportation=== ===Radio===
The city is home to ], ], ], ], and ] radio stations.
{{See also|Martinsburg (Amtrak station)}}


===Television===
] provides service to Martinsburg. The city's passenger rail station is located downtown at 229 East Martin Street. ], Maryland's commuter rail system, operates trains on weekdays on its {{MARC lines|Brunswick}} which terminates in Martinsburg. Service is provided to ] in Washington, D.C.
Martinsburg is home to W08EE-D Channel 8 (]) and ] 60 (]), all part of the ] sub-market that is further grouped under the Nielsen-designated Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown, Md. market, the ninth largest market in the nation.<ref>, Nielsen, September 27, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.</ref>


Martinsburg was the setting of the '']'' episode "]" (Season 4, episode 20). However, the filming did not take place in the vicinity. Martinsburg was also the setting for the ] series '']'' on '']''.
Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, known more popularly as "Pan Tran," operates bus routes in Martinsburg, surrounding Berkeley County, and neighboring ].


==Transportation==
], south of the city, handles general aviation. The closest airport with commercial air service is ], that is about {{convert|25|mi|km}} driving distance north. The closest international airport is ], which is about {{convert|60|mi|km}} driving distance east.
===Roads and highways===
]
Martinsburg is served by several significant highways. The most prominent of these is ], which is the main north–south highway through the region. I-81 connects northward to ] and ], and continues southward to ] and ]. ], the former primary regional north–south highway, now serves as a local service road to I-81, and travels through downtown Martinsburg. The main highway serving regional east–west travel is ]. From Martinsburg eastwards, WV 9 follows an expressway, connecting the city to ] and ]. WV 9 follows US 11 through downtown Martinsburg. To the west, WV 9 continues to ] and ]. ] is the other state highway serving Martinsburg. WV 45 extends westward into rural areas of western Berkeley County, and continues eastward to ].


===Mass transportation===
==Media==
]]]
===Print===
{{See also|Martinsburg station}}
* Martinsburg has one daily community newspaper, ].
* Martinsburg has a bi-monthly magazine, ''Around the Panhandle'' magazine. www.aroundthepanhandle.com


] provides service to Martinsburg on its Washington-Chicago '']'' route. The city's passenger rail station is located downtown at 229 East Martin Street. ], Maryland's commuter rail system, operates trains on weekdays on its {{lnl|MARC|Brunswick}} which terminates in Martinsburg. Service is provided to ] in ]
===Radio===
* The city is home to ], ], ], ], and ] radio stations. The following box details all of the radio stations in the Eastern Panhandle market.


Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA) operates public bus transit routes in Martinsburg, surrounding Berkeley County, and neighboring ].<ref></ref>
===Television===
* Martinsburg is home to W44AA Channel 44 (WV Educational Broadcasting) and (] 60 (]), all part of the ] sub-market that is further grouped under the Nielsen-designated Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown, Md. market, the ninth largest market in the nation.<ref>, Nielsen, 27 September 2008. Retrieved 02 November 2008.</ref> The box below lists television stations available in the region.


], south of the city, handles general aviation and ] is located at this airport. The closest airport with commercial air service is ], that is about {{convert|25|mi|km}} driving distance north. The closest international airport is ] near D.C., which is about {{convert|60|mi|km}} driving distance east.
Martinsburg, WV was the setting of the X-Files episode "Small Potatoes" (Season 4, episode 20). However, the filming did not take place in the vicinity.


==Healthcare==
==Notable natives and residents==
Martinsburg is home to two hospitals, namely the Berkeley Medical Center and the Martinsburg ].
* ], Secretary of War

* ], ] in the ]
==Notable people==
* ], Former ] for the ], ]
* ] — quarterback for the ]
* ], Olympic gold medalist in women's basketball
* ], ] and ] * ] Secretary of War and ]
* ] (1882–1951) — professor of philology at ]
* ], Grammy-winning singer/songwriter
* ] (1828–1880) — physician
* ], ] from Virginia
* ] (1844–1900) —] in the ]
* ], former D.C. insider turned Libertarian and appropriate technology activist, relocated to the Martinsburg area in the 1970s.
* ], drummer for the hard rock band Godsmack * ] — former ] for the ], ]
* ] — Olympic gold medalist in women's basketball
* ], author
* ] — artist, writer, feminist
* ], notable entrepreneur, married to health activist Mikki Van Wyk
* ] (1859–1932) — attorney
* ], colonel in ]
* ], ] and ]
* ], Former West Virginia Basketball player
* ] — allegedly committed suicide in Martinsburg
* ], ex-New Left, ex-libertarian, now neoconservative author
* ] — Grammy-winning singer/songwriter
* ], United States Senator from Virginia
* ] (1848-1933) — first African-American attorney in West Virginia
* ] (aka ]), artist
* ] — ] from West Virginia
* ], Hall of Fame baseball player
* ], former football player for the ] * ] former D.C. insider, relocated to the Martinsburg area in the 1970s
* ] — UFC fighter
* ], Indie Hip Hop Artist
* ] (born 1966) - state delegate
* ], Professional Bluegrass musician; formerly played banjo, guitar, and dobro for Bill Harrell & the Virginians and Charlie Moore & the Dixie Partners. Current member of Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band.
* ] (1911–1985) — fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling
* ], (1877–1965), impressionist painter
* ] (1823–1883) — Lutheran theologian<ref>"Ensign Frazer, Hugh Carroll". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2014-August-23</ref>
* ] (American Professional Wrestler) Listed in Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 Wrestlers 4 times, Former Host for American Pro Wrestlings Power Hour Agent and Manager for many former WCW and WWE Superstars...Most Noted for teaming with Hagerstown Native Shane Heimburger(Shadows) to form the Team of The Mega Rockers
* ] — member of the ]
* ], (1911-1985), Fifth Bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Wheeling
* ] (1845-1916) - President-General of the ]
* ] AKA. Robbie ruffin Pro wrestler and former NWA Mid america tag team champion.
* ] — author
* ] — colonel in ]
* ] (1877–1965) — impressionist painter
* ] — author
* ] — U.S. Senator from Virginia
* ] — racing driver
* ] — butler of ]
* ] (1934–2008) — writer, editor, librarian
* ] (aka Porte Crayon) — artist
* ] — former football player for the ]
* ] — tight end for the ]
* ] (1909–1954) — jazz pianist
* ] — Hall of Fame baseball player


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Martinsburg, West Virginia}} {{Commons category|Martinsburg, West Virginia}}
{{EB1911 poster|Martinsburg}}
*
* {{wikivoyage inline|Martinsburg (West Virginia)|Martinsburg, West Virginia}}
*
*
*
* *
*
*
* *


Line 366: Line 481:
{{Berkeley County, West Virginia}} {{Berkeley County, West Virginia}}
{{Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia}} {{Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia}}
{{West Virginia municipalities}}
{{West Virginia}} {{West Virginia}}
{{West Virginia county seats}}


{{Authority control}}
]

]
] ]
]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 07:07, 22 December 2024

City in West Virginia, United States
Martinsburg, West Virginia
City
Downtown Martinsburg Historic DistrictDowntown Martinsburg Historic District
Flag of Martinsburg, West VirginiaFlagOfficial seal of Martinsburg, West VirginiaSeal
Location of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West VirginiaLocation of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia
Martinsburg is located in West VirginiaMartinsburgMartinsburgShow map of West VirginiaMartinsburg is located in the United StatesMartinsburgMartinsburgShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 39°27′13″N 77°59′44″W / 39.45361°N 77.99556°W / 39.45361; -77.99556
CountryUnited States
StateWest Virginia
CountyBerkeley
Government
 • MayorKevin Knowles (D)
Area
 • City6.65 sq mi (17.22 km)
 • Land6.63 sq mi (17.17 km)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km)
Elevation495 ft (151 m)
Population
 • City18,773
 • Estimate 18,835
 • Density2,632.18/sq mi (1,016.31/km)
 • Urban43,441
 • Metro260,070 (US: 167th)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes25401–25405
Area code304 681
FIPS code54-52060
GNIS feature ID2390615
WebsiteCity of Martinsburg

Martinsburg is a city in and the county seat of Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 18,773 at the 2020 census, making Martinsburg the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and the sixth-most populous city in the state. It is a principal city of the Hagerstown–Martinsburg metropolitan area extending into Maryland, which had 293,844 residents in 2020.

History

Martinsburg was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly that was adopted in December 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. Founder Major General Adam Stephen named the gateway town to the Shenandoah Valley along Tuscarora Creek in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, a nephew of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.

Aspen Hall, a Georgian mansion, is the oldest house in the city. Part was built in 1745 by Edward Beeson, Sr. Aspen Hall, and its wealthy residents had key roles in the agricultural, religious, transportation, and political history of the region. Significant events related to the French and Indian War, the Revolution, and the Civil War took place on the property. Three original buildings are still standing, including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort.

The first United States post office in what is now West Virginia was established at Martinsburg in 1792. At that time, Martinsburg and the larger territory were still part of Virginia.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) reached Martinsburg in 1842. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops were constructed in 1849 and rebuilt after the American Civil War.

According to William Still, "The Father of the Underground Railroad" and its historian: Mr Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, escaped from slavery in Martinsburg on Christmas night in 1856. He rode a horse and had it swim across the freezing Potomac River. After riding forty miles, he walked in cold wet clothes for two days, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He received assistance there from the Underground Railroad and traveled by train to Philadelphia, and the office of William Still with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Brown's wife and four children had been sold; he sought help to find them. He had a likeness of his wife, and locks of hair from each of them.

Civil war

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Martinsburg Shops three years before the Civil War

In 1854, ten-year-old Isabelle Boyd, known as "Belle" and later a noted spy for the Confederacy, moved to Martinsburg with her family, where her father Benjamin operated a general merchandise store. After the Civil War began, Benjamin joined the Second Virginia Infantry, which was part of the Stonewall Brigade. His wife Mary was thus in charge of the Boyd home when Union forces under General Robert Patterson took Martinsburg. When a group of Patterson's men tried to raise a Union flag over the Boyd home, Mary refused. One of the soldiers, Frederick Martin, threatened Mary, and Belle shot him. She was acquitted.

She soon became involved in espionage, sending information to Confederate generals Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart. Often she was helped by Eliza Corsey, a Boyd family slave whom Belle had taught to read and write. In 1863, Belle was arrested in Martinsburg by the Union Army and imprisoned. Boyd's Greek Revival home, which he had built in 1853 and sold in 1855, had numerous owners over the decades. In 1992 it was purchased by the Berkeley County Historical Society. The historical society renovated the building and now operates it as the Berkeley County Museum. It is also known as the Belle Boyd House.

Reconstruction

Residents of West Virginia were split in their allegiance during the war, with half of its soldiers serving in the Confederate army. The vote to create a new state in western Virginia was very low, but statehood was approved by Congress and President Lincoln, and the new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.

The city of Martinsburg was incorporated by an act of the new West Virginia Legislature on March 30, 1868.

Blockade of engines during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877

Martinsburg became a center of the railroad industry and its workers. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began July 14, 1877, in this city at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops. After several unsuccessful attempts to quell the protests, Governor Henry M. Mathews called for federal troops. By the time these troops had restored order, the protest of the rail company had spread across the country.

Telephone service was established in Martinsburg in 1883. In 1889, electricity began to be furnished to Martinsburg as part of a franchise granted to the United Edison Manufacturing Company of New York.

The Interwoven Mills began operations in Martinsburg in 1891.

Construction of the Apollo Civic Theatre was completed in 1913.

World War I and beyond

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
An engineer waves from a passing B&O freight train in 1969. The B&O's shops employed many locals throughout its 130 years of operation.

Over one thousand (1,039) men from Berkeley County participated in World War I. Of these, forty-one were killed, and twenty-one were wounded in battle. A monument to those who fell in battle was erected in Martinsburg in 1925.

During World War II, the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg treated thousands of soldiers wounded in the war. In 1946 this military hospital became a part of the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg still provides care to United States veterans.

Due to restructuring beginning in the late 1940s and continuing through the 1970s, many of the mills and factories operating in Martinsburg shut down and went out of business, dealing a major blow to the local economy. Jobs were moved to the Deep South and later offshore.

Geography

Location and topography

Martinsburg is approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Hagerstown, 73 miles (117 km) west of Baltimore, 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Washington, D.C., and 134 miles (216 km) east of Morgantown. U.S. Route 11 runs through the center of town, and Interstate 81 passes along the northern side of the town.

Martinsburg is 212 miles (341 km) distant from the state capital of Charleston. However, it is closer to no less than five other state capitals: Harrisburg PA - 80 miles (130 km), Annapolis MD - 85 miles (137 km), Dover DE - 132 miles (212 km), Richmond VA - 135 miles (217 km), and Trenton NJ - 179 miles (288 km).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.67 square miles (17.28 km), of which 6.65 square miles (17.22 km) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km) is water.

Climate

Martinsburg lies in the transitional area between humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) and humid continental climatic zones (Köppen Dfa), with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold, with a January daily mean temperature of 32.4 °F (0.2 °C) and an average annual snowfall of 26.1 inches (66 cm), while summers are hot and humid with a July daily mean temperature of 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) and 27 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ readings annually. Precipitation is moderate, with winter being the driest period and May thru July the wettest. Extreme temperatures at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport range from −18 °F (−28 °C) on January 21, 1994, up to 112 °F (44 °C) on July 11, 1936; an even colder −19 °F (−28 °C) was recorded in the city on January 14, 1912.

Climate data for Martinsburg, West Virginia (Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport), 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1891−present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27)
83
(28)
90
(32)
101
(38)
100
(38)
110
(43)
112
(44)
108
(42)
103
(39)
98
(37)
86
(30)
78
(26)
112
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 64.0
(17.8)
65.9
(18.8)
76.0
(24.4)
85.1
(29.5)
89.7
(32.1)
93.8
(34.3)
96.6
(35.9)
94.3
(34.6)
90.6
(32.6)
83.6
(28.7)
73.7
(23.2)
64.7
(18.2)
97.4
(36.3)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 41.3
(5.2)
44.7
(7.1)
53.5
(11.9)
65.4
(18.6)
74.0
(23.3)
82.4
(28.0)
86.9
(30.5)
85.0
(29.4)
78.1
(25.6)
66.7
(19.3)
55.1
(12.8)
44.8
(7.1)
64.8
(18.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 32.4
(0.2)
35.0
(1.7)
42.8
(6.0)
53.6
(12.0)
62.5
(16.9)
71.1
(21.7)
75.7
(24.3)
73.8
(23.2)
66.7
(19.3)
55.2
(12.9)
44.6
(7.0)
36.0
(2.2)
54.1
(12.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 23.5
(−4.7)
25.3
(−3.7)
32.2
(0.1)
41.8
(5.4)
51.0
(10.6)
59.8
(15.4)
64.5
(18.1)
62.5
(16.9)
55.3
(12.9)
43.7
(6.5)
34.2
(1.2)
27.1
(−2.7)
43.4
(6.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 4.3
(−15.4)
9.5
(−12.5)
15.5
(−9.2)
27.2
(−2.7)
36.6
(2.6)
46.7
(8.2)
53.7
(12.1)
52.2
(11.2)
41.3
(5.2)
29.2
(−1.6)
19.3
(−7.1)
12.0
(−11.1)
2.1
(−16.6)
Record low °F (°C) −19
(−28)
−13
(−25)
−3
(−19)
19
(−7)
26
(−3)
36
(2)
41
(5)
38
(3)
29
(−2)
17
(−8)
6
(−14)
−12
(−24)
−19
(−28)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.60
(66)
2.14
(54)
3.42
(87)
3.36
(85)
4.05
(103)
3.85
(98)
3.78
(96)
3.02
(77)
4.03
(102)
2.99
(76)
2.73
(69)
3.00
(76)
38.97
(990)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.0
(23)
7.2
(18)
4.6
(12)
0.4
(1.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
1.1
(2.8)
3.8
(9.7)
26.1
(66)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.0 8.9 11.0 11.0 13.0 11.3 10.6 9.1 9.4 9.0 8.5 9.5 121.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.7 2.1 1.7 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 2.1 10.3
Source: NOAA (snow 1981–2010)

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18502,190
18603,36453.6%
18704,86344.6%
18806,33530.3%
18907,22614.1%
19007,5644.7%
191010,69841.4%
192012,51517.0%
193014,85718.7%
194015,0631.4%
195015,6213.7%
196015,179−2.8%
197014,626−3.6%
198013,063−10.7%
199014,0737.7%
200014,9726.4%
201017,22715.1%
202018,7739.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 18,777 people residing in the city, living in 7,179 total households. The population density was 2,591.7 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% White, 13.9% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, and 3.1% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.8% of the population.

The median household income (in 2019 dollars) was $42,835. The per capita income was $24,970. 29.5% of the population is recorded as being in poverty. 88.5% of households had a computer, with 77.9% having access to broadband internet.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,227 people, 7,293 households, and 4,106 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,590.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,000.2/km). There were 8,408 housing units at an average density of 1,264.4 per square mile (488.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 77.5% White, 14.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

There were 7,293 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. Of all households, 35.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,972 people, 6,684 households, and 3,689 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,977.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,149.6/km). There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of 1,478.0 per square mile (570.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 83.9% White, 11.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 1.3%% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 6,684 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,495, and the median income for a family was $36,954. Males had a median income of $29,697 versus $22,212 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,314. About 14.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Berkeley County Courthouse

Major private employers in and around Martinsburg include Quad/Graphics, Ecolab, Orgill, Macy's, and FedEx. In February 2015, it was announced that Procter & Gamble planned to build a $500 million facility near the city.

The city also has numerous federal government employers, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Coast Guard C5ISC-Kearneysville, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Martinsburg VA Medical Center.

The Martinsburg IRS Facility, one of the two Enterprise Computing Centers of the Internal Revenue Service (the other is in Memphis, Tennessee), processes most of the country's electronically filed tax documents from businesses, and about one-third of electronically filed tax returns.

The area is also home to the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Eastern WV Regional Airport.

Martinsburg had its own automobile company from 1912 to 1922, called Norwalk, which assembled the longest-made known cars to be built in the state of West Virginia.

Sports

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Hack Wilson began his storied professional career in his adopted hometown with the Martinsburg Blue Sox, a low-level minor-league baseball team. Wilson would go on to set the yet-to-be-broken major league record for RBI in a season (191) with the Chicago Cubs in 1930.

After his playing career ended in 1935, Hack went back home to Martinsburg, played some ball with the town's semipro team and opened a recreation and pool hall in town with a partner. He later moved to Baltimore in 1941 where he later died November 23, 1948. Originally scheduled to be interred in Baltimore, Wilson was buried — in a donated plot — in Martinsburg,

Education

Martinsburg High School

Elementary and intermediate schools

  • Rocky Knoll Adventist School
  • Back Creek Valley Elementary
  • Bedington Elementary
  • Berkeley Heights Elementary
  • Bunker Hill Elementary
  • Burke Street Elementary
  • Gerrardstown Elementary
  • Hedgesville Elementary
  • Inwood Elementary
  • Marlowe Elementary
  • Opequon Elementary
  • Rosemont Elementary
  • Spring Mills Elementary
  • Tuscarora Elementary
  • Valley View Elementary
  • Winchester Avenue Elementary
  • Mountain Ridge Intermediate
  • Potomac Intermediate
  • Orchard View Intermediate
  • Mill Creek Intermediate
  • Eagle School Intermediate
  • Tomahawk Intermediate
  • St. Joseph Catholic School

Middle schools

  • North Middle
  • South Middle
  • Spring Mills Middle
  • Hedgesville Middle
  • Mountain Ridge Middle
  • Musselman Middle

High schools

Colleges and universities

Media

Print

Martinsburg has one daily community newspaper, The Journal and also is regionally covered by The Herald-Mail out of Hagerstown, Maryland. Martinsburg has a bi-monthly magazine, Around the Panhandle magazine.

Radio

The city is home to WEPM/1340 AM, WRNR/740 AM, WICL/95.9 FM, WLTF/97.5 FM, and WVEP/88.9 FM radio stations.

Television

Martinsburg is home to W08EE-D Channel 8 (West Virginia Public Broadcasting) and WWPX 60 (ION), all part of the Hagerstown sub-market that is further grouped under the Nielsen-designated Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown, Md. market, the ninth largest market in the nation.

Martinsburg was the setting of the X-Files episode "Small Potatoes" (Season 4, episode 20). However, the filming did not take place in the vicinity. Martinsburg was also the setting for the reality television series Gypsy Sisters on TLC.

Transportation

Roads and highways

I-81 southbound in Martinsburg

Martinsburg is served by several significant highways. The most prominent of these is Interstate 81, which is the main north–south highway through the region. I-81 connects northward to Hagerstown and Harrisburg, and continues southward to Winchester and Roanoke. U.S. Route 11, the former primary regional north–south highway, now serves as a local service road to I-81, and travels through downtown Martinsburg. The main highway serving regional east–west travel is West Virginia Route 9. From Martinsburg eastwards, WV 9 follows an expressway, connecting the city to Charles Town and Leesburg. WV 9 follows US 11 through downtown Martinsburg. To the west, WV 9 continues to Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw. West Virginia Route 45 is the other state highway serving Martinsburg. WV 45 extends westward into rural areas of western Berkeley County, and continues eastward to Shepherdstown.

Mass transportation

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops
See also: Martinsburg station

Amtrak provides service to Martinsburg on its Washington-Chicago Capitol Limited route. The city's passenger rail station is located downtown at 229 East Martin Street. MARC, Maryland's commuter rail system, operates trains on weekdays on its Brunswick Line which terminates in Martinsburg. Service is provided to Washington Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA) operates public bus transit routes in Martinsburg, surrounding Berkeley County, and neighboring Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Eastern WV Regional Airport, south of the city, handles general aviation and Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base is located at this airport. The closest airport with commercial air service is Hagerstown Regional Airport, that is about 25 miles (40 km) driving distance north. The closest international airport is Washington Dulles International Airport near D.C., which is about 60 miles (97 km) driving distance east.

Healthcare

Martinsburg is home to two hospitals, namely the Berkeley Medical Center and the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Notable people

References

  1. Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
  2. Records have been kept at Eastern WV Regional Airport since 1926.
  1. "KEVIN JAMES KNOWLES". Voteref. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Martinsburg, West Virginia
  4. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. "An act for establishing the town of Martinsburg, in the County of Berkeley, and for other purposes". VAGenWeb. Vol. 9, Chapter XXXII. Retrieved March 4, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  8. "Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia". The Online Books Page. 1828. p. 71. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  9. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 201.
  10. Snell, Mark A., West Virginia and the Civil War, History Press, 2011, pg. 28, ISBN 978-1-59629-888-0
  11. "Chapter Ten Statehood Referendum". Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  12. "Martinsburg Roundhouse – 304-260-4141". martinsburgroundhouse.com. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  13. Bellesiles, Michael A. (2010). 1877: America's Year of Living Violently. New Press. ISBN 978-1-59558-441-0.
  14. Jenrette, Jerra. "Interwoven Mills". e-WV.
  15. "About". Apollo Civic Theatre. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  16. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  17. "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  18. "Station: Martinsburg E WV RGNL AP, WV". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  19. "Station: Martinsburg Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, WV". U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  20. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  21. "QuickFacts Martinsburg city, West Virginia". US Census Bureau QuickFacts. United States Census. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  22. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  23. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. "Procter & Gamble to bring $500M plant to Berkeley County". The Journal. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  25. The Norwalk: Martinsburg's Motor Car
  26. "Hack Wilson". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  27. "Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson (1926-31)". Chicago Cubs. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  28. Thomas E Schott. "Hack Wilson". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  29. Local Television Market Universe Estimates, Nielsen, September 27, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
  30. EPTA
  31. "Ensign Frazer, Hugh Carroll". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2014-August-23

External links

Radio stations in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
By AM frequency
By FM frequency
By callsign
West Virginia radio markets
Beckley
Bluefield
Charleston
Huntington
Morgantown–Clarksburg–Fairmont
Parkersburg
Wheeling
Other West Virginia radio regions
Cumberland, MD
East-Central
Eastern Panhandle
Elkins–Buckhannon–Weston
Kingwood
Southern
West-Central
Winchester, VA
See also
List of radio stations in West Virginia
Broadcast television in the National Capitol Region (DMV)
This region includes the following cities: Washington, D.C.
Landover/Bethesda/Frederick/Hagerstown, MD
Arlington/Fairfax/Fredericksburg/Winchester, VA
Martinsburg, WV
McConnellsburg, PA
Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Full power
Low power
ATSC 3.0
Cable
Outlying areas
Dover, DE
Hagerstown, MD
Winchester, VA
Martinsburg, WV
WHSV-TV (3.1 ABC, 3.2 NBC, 3.3 Ion, 3.4 MNTV/MeTV, 3.5 CBS)
W08EE-D (24.1 PBS/WVPB, 24.2 World, 24.3 PBS Kids)
WWPX-TV (60.1 Ion, 60.2 Bounce, 60.3 Court, 60.4 Laff, 60.5 Mystery, 60.6 Ion+, 60.7 Scripps, 60.8 HSN)
Defunct
  • Nominally a low-power station; shares spectrum with full-power WRC-TV.
Virginia broadcast television areas by city
Bristol
Bluefield
Charlottesville
Harrisonburg
Norfolk
Richmond
Roanoke
Washington, D.C.
Pennsylvania broadcast television
Erie
Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon/York (Susquehanna Valley)
Johnstown/Altoona/State College (Happy Valley)
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
See also
Maryland TV
West Virginia TV
Municipalities and communities of Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States
County seat: Martinsburg
City
Map of West Virginia highlighting Berkeley County
Town
CDPs
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
Eastern panhandle of West Virginia
Regions
Counties
Communities
Attractions
and natural
features
Municipalities of West Virginia
Cities
Towns
Villages
State of West Virginia
Charleston (capital)
Topics
Society
Insignia
Regions
Metro areas
Largest cities
Counties
flag West Virginia portal
County seats of West Virginia
Categories: