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Contributing structures: 209 W Congress Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1930s. Large school building. Significance as the Charles Town Academy.”Currently Wright Denny Elementary. In the 1920s the graded and high schools operated together in a building on the next block, but expanding population created a need for a separate high school. This property was purchased by the school board in 1922; known as the Timberlake property, the high school originally operated in the Timberlake house until the student population outgrew the building. This building opened as the Charles Town High School in 1929. After a new high school building was constructed in 1959, this became the Charles Town Junior High School. In the 1970s, another switch of the school buildings occurred, and the Wright Denny Elementary relocated here after its previous structure was destroyed in a fire. 214 W Congress Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, two bay gable fronted brick building with probable original commercial or small manufacturing function. Enclosed gabled front porch obscures original first story.”208 W Congress Street: “Foursquare, c. 1915. Two bay wide façade. Original door with oval glass pane. Across the front porch. An important early 20th century residential type.”206 W Congress Street: “Slight Colonial Revival influence, c. 1915. Two story, two bay stuccoed gable fronted house with a pent roof. Across the front porch. Representative of early 20th century dwellings in the downtown area.”

National Register of Historic Places Registration

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Phot of the Timberlake House, Jefferson County Museum

Historic Photographs of Charles Town schools, Jefferson County Museum

Historic District contributing structures: 209 W Congress Street (Wright Denny Elementary), 214 W Congress Street, 208 W Congress Street, and 206 W Congress Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block West Congress Street

Charles Town was established in 1787 by Charles Washington, younger brother to George Washington. George and Lawrence Washington both owned large amounts of land in (then) Berkeley County, and when Lawrence died in 1752 younger brothers Charles and Samuel inherited land in the area. Charles’ property was called “Happy Retreat” and he had eighty acres divided into ½ acre plots to lay out the town in 1786. Charles named the streets after his family—Lawrence, Charles, Samuel, George, Mildred, and Washington—and for the new United States—Liberty and Congress. In his plan Charles designated the corner lots at George and Washington Streets as a public square—the Court House, City Hall, Market House, and Jefferson County Jail (now post office location) were constructed in these lots. Jefferson County separated from Berkeley County in 1801 (named for President Thomas Jefferson) and Charles Town was chosen as the county seat due to its location and the public square laid out by Washington. Charles Town was the site of the 1859 trial and execution of John Brown after his raid on Harper’s Ferry. Brown and two of his men were tried at Charles Town because it was the county seat and Brown was hanged on December 2, 1859 at a site on the east side of S. Samuel Street. During the Civil War, Charles Town was constantly in the path of the armies due to its location at the top of the Shenandoah Valley near both Harpers Ferry and the B &amp; O Railroad. The town was occupied for much of the war and eighteen engagements occurred at Charles Town, including two major engagements in May 1862 and October 1863. Charles Town was the site of the first experimental Rural Free Delivery of Mail in 1896. While mail delivery was standard in urban areas, there was no mail delivery for the 65% of Americans who lived in rural areas. After a couple years of hashing out the proposal and budget in the U.S. Postal Service and Congress, Postmaster General William L. Wilson was able to start the first experimental service in Charles Town and the service quickly expanded nationwide. Charles Town was also the site of the 1922 treason trials of union leaders and miners from the 1919-1922 Mine Wars in Logan County. The Downtown Charles Town Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. At the time, the historical integrity of the district was high, with only 13% of the structures labeled as non-contributing. The District extends down Washington, Liberty, and Congress streets and dominant architectural styles include Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Classical Revival.

Charles Town was laid out and established in the 1780s by Charles Washington around a public square where the Jefferson County Court House stands. In addition to the connection to the Washington family, Charles Town was the site of the 1859 trial and execution of John Brown, several Civil War engagements, the first Rural Free Delivery of Mail in 1896, and the treason trials of Logan County miners and union leaders after the Mine Wars. The Downtown Charles Town Historic District includes the central blocks of the town extending down Washington, Liberty, and Congress Streets. Of the 238 structures documented within the Historic District boundaries, 87% were considered contributing to the historic and architectural nature of the District. 

Contributing Structures: 427 E. Congress Street: “Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, three bay stuccoed house with door, window, window façade arrangement.” 417 E. Congress Street: “Tutor Revival, c. 1930s. One and a half story house with multiple steeply pitched gables. Projecting gabled entrance bay. Example of an early 20th century Revival type.” 203 S. Church Street: “Bungalow, c. 1920s. One story with unusual three part front windows with peaked muntin repeating gable angle. An excellent and unusual example of its type, more like California bungalows.”

Historic District Contributing Structures: 427 E. Congress Street, 417 E. Congress Street, and 203 S. Church Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 400 Block East Congress Street

Contributing Structures: 301 E. Congress Street: Zion Episcopal Church. “Gothic Revival, 1851. Decorative Corbeling and multi-paned windows with pointed arched heads. Square bell tower. Church of the Washington family.” The Zion Episcopal Church was constructed in 1815 to replace St. George’s Chapel outside of Charles Town. A bigger church replaced the original structure in 1847-48, but was destroyed in a fire soon after. The current structure was constructed in 1851. The church was heavily damaged during the Civil War when it was used as a barracks and hospital, and the interior had to be replaced after the war.The church cemetery contains the graves of 85-90 Confederate soldiers and two Revolutionary War officers. Around 70 members of the Washington family are buried here, including Colonel John A. Washington, the last owner of Mount Vernon. Also in the cemetery are Colonel Preston Chew, commander of horse artillery in the Confederate Army, and John Yates Beall who was convicted of espionage and hanged in 1865.  314-316 E. Congress Street: “Italianate, c. 1890s. Two story, four bay duplex. Prominent bracketed cornice. Example of an Italianate style duplex.” 310 E. Congress Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1900. L-shaped two story, two bay frame house with extension at rear. Forward projection gabled section.” 308 E. Congress Street: “Turn-of-the-century Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, three bay frame house with central entrance. Partially enclosed front porch.” 304 E. Congress Street: “Turn-of-the-century Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, three bay frame house with central entrance. Porch across the front.” 121 S. Mildred Street. Zion Episcopal Church Rectory: “Colonial Revival, c. 1910. Two story, five bay brick house. Central entrance. Main roof is hipped. Excellent example of Colonial Revival Rectory of Zion Episcopal Church.”

Historic District contributing structures: 301 E. Congress Street (Zion Episcopal Church), 314-316 E. Congress Street, 310 E. Congress Street, 308 E. Congress Street, 304 E. Congress Street, and 121 S. Mildred Street (Zion Episcopal Church Rectory).

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 300 Block East Congress Street

Contributing Structures: No longer standing: 225 E. Congress Street (corner lot): Italianate, c. 1860s. An excellent example of an Italianate dwelling, very intact. Two story, two bay main block with recessed wing to west. Very notable original entrance porch with Italianate and Stick style detailing.” 211 E. Congress Street. Charles Town Baptist Church office: “Stick style influence. C. 1890. Two story, L-shaped frame dwelling. Notable porch with double square posts with diagonal brackets. Italianate and Stick style design elements.” 203 E. Congress Street. Charles Town Baptist Church: “Late Gothic, c. 1900. Red brick church building with a square entrance and bell tower embellished with corner turrets. Cast stone trim. Cruciform plan.”“The Baptist Church of Christ Zoar” was constituted in 1792 in the home of Christopher Collins and the first meeting house was built in 1801. The church in Charles Town was constructed in 1856 but heavily damaged during the Civil and demolished in 1913. The present church was constructed in 1914 with additions in 1952, 1966, and 2009. No longer standing: 210 E. Congress Street: “Cottage type, c. 1880s-90s. Two story frame Victorian period cottage, gable fronted with two bays.” Replaced with 2015 construction house. 121 S. Samuel Street: “Late Gothic and Eastlake influence, c. 1890. An excellent and notable two story, three bay brick house. Cruciform plan. Main entrance, west side with elaborate Eastlake porch across the front.”

Historic District contributing structures: 211 E. Congress Street (Charles Town Baptist Church office), 203 E Congress Street (Charles Town Baptist Church), and 121 S. Samuel Street. Two of the original contributing historic structures no longer stand.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block East Congress Street

Contributing Structures: 202 S. Samuel Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890s. Altered frame house. Three bay, central entrance façade. Doubled second story windows with peaked architraves. Central pediments on porch.” 109 E. Congress Street: “Italianate, c. 1880s-90s. Three story, three bay brick commercial type building. Front demarcated with brick corbeled pilasters, frieze and horizontal dentils between stories. An excellent and intact example of its type.” 105 E. Congress Street: “Vernacular, c. 1810-1820. Two story, three bay vinyl sided log house with exterior stone chimney. Central entrance. Standing seam roof. L-extension to the rear. Possible one of Charles Town’s first period houses.” 201 (203?) S. George Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1860. Excellent example of a Greek Revival residence. Six over six windows, widely spaced. Central entrance. Entrance porch supported by four Doric columns.”203 S. George Street is the Thomas Green House. Green practiced law in Charles Town starting in 1843 and became a judge and Mayor of the town. He served as interim legal counsel to John Brown, alongside colleague Lawrence Botts, during the 1859 treason trial before Brown's chosen counsel arrived. Green and his family lived in the home until 1889. The house is currently owned by the American Public University System (APUS) as part of its Charles Town campus. APUS purchased and restored the Thomas Green House in 2009 and in 2012 APUS won the Community Preservation Award from the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia for their restoration work in Charles Town.

Historic District contributing structures: 202 S. Samuel Street, 109 E. Congress Street, 105 E. Congress Street, and 203 S. George Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 Block East Congress Street

Contributing structures: 200 S. George Street: “Vernacular, late 19th century, c. 1870s. Two story, three bay frame house with replaced exterior features. L-extension to rear.” (now part of the American Public University System campus) 111 W Congress Street: Knott Home (Old Hospital): “Italianate influence, c. 1860s-70s, with additions, c. 1890s. Two story, five bay brick house with a central entrance and a hipped roof. Third story added. Significant as early hospital of Charles Town.” (now part of the American Public University System campus).Samuel Washington sold this property to James Duke, a freed indentured servant, in 1799 and then the property was purchased by Dr. Charles Taylor Richardson who ran his medical practice from the house. In the first decades of the 1900s the building was Charles Town's first hospital and then it was converted to a retirement home (Knott Home). Now called Etter Hall, the building was purchased and renovated by the American Public University System in 2003. Etter Hall is named after Major James P. Etter, the founder of American Public University System. 115 W. Congress Street: “Foursquare and Spanish Colonial Revival, c. 1915. An unusual Foursquare style house with Spanish Colonial Revival influence. Distinctive false joists at cornice and on porch cornice. Wraparound porch.” (now part of the American Public University System campus)This house was constructed between 1900 and 1914 by the Blum family, but is most connected in local history to the residency of Dr. Leah Mildred Williams. Williams purchased the home in 1954 and ran a family medical practice until 1986. She also served as Jefferson County Medical Examiner, Chief of Staff at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and with the Independent Fire Company. Dr. Williams lived in the house until her death in 2008. The American Public University System purchased the property and restored it in 2009. 120 S George Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1920s-30s. Two story five bay brick office building with stone raised basement. Hipped roof, central entrance.” 108 W Congress Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1840-60s. Two story, three bay dwelling converted to law office. Central entrance. An excellent example of its type and of adaptive reuse.” (now part of the American Public University System campus) 118 W Congress Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890. An unusual and very intact late 19th century two story L-shaped brick house, two bays wide. Forward projecting gable with entrance and entrance porch in corner of L.” (now part of the American Public University System campus) 124 W Congress Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1900. Two story stuccoed frame L-shaped house with forward projecting gable. Gable has decorative imbricated wooden shingles. Example of a modest Queen Anne style dwelling of the turn of the century.

Historic District contributing structures: 200 S. George Street, 111 W. Congress Street (Etter Hall/Knott Home/old hospital), 115 W. Congress Street (Williams Hall), 120 S. George Street (Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney office), 108 W. Congress Street, 118 W. Congress Street, and 124 W. Congress Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 Block West Congress Street

Contributing structures: 209 W Congress Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1930s. Large school building. Significance as the Charles Town Academy.”Currently Wright Denny Elementary. In the 1920s the graded and high schools operated together in a building on the next block, but expanding population created a need for a separate high school. This property was purchased by the school board in 1922; known as the Timberlake property, the high school originally operated in the Timberlake house until the student population outgrew the building. This building opened as the Charles Town High School in 1929. After a new high school building was constructed in 1959, this became the Charles Town Junior High School. In the 1970s, another switch of the school buildings occurred, and the Wright Denny Elementary relocated here after its previous structure was destroyed in a fire. 214 W Congress Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, two bay gable fronted brick building with probable original commercial or small manufacturing function. Enclosed gabled front porch obscures original first story.” 208 W Congress Street: “Foursquare, c. 1915. Two bay wide façade. Original door with oval glass pane. Across the front porch. An important early 20th century residential type.” 206 W Congress Street: “Slight Colonial Revival influence, c. 1915. Two story, two bay stuccoed gable fronted house with a pent roof. Across the front porch. Representative of early 20th century dwellings in the downtown area.”

Contributing structures: 305-307 W Congress Street: “Italianate influence, c. 1880s-90s. Two story, four bay stuccoed frame house with two west bays beneath a front facing gable. Example of a modest residence from the late 19th century.” 311 W Congress Street: “Gothic Revival, c. 1880-90. Two story, three bay L-shaped, stuccoed house with central entrance and cross gable.” 317 W Congress Street: “Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, two bay L-shaped frame house with recent exterior finishes. Original late Italianate porch. L-extension to rear.” No longer standing, corner lot: “Early 19th? Century, additions, 1930s-40s. Enclosed on three sides by additions is a gabled wood sided building with a central chimney, possibly of log construction. Possibly an early period house.” 116 S Lawrence Street: “Second Empire, c. 1880. Two story, three bay stuccoes dwelling with entrance tower. Original top of tower removed. Colonial Revival entrance porch added. This was once a distinguished house in a style with few representations in Charles Town.”

Historic District contributing structures: 305-307 W Congress Street, 311 W Congress Street, 317 W Congress Street, and 116 S Lawrence Street. One original structure no longer stands. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 300 Block West Congress Street

Contributing structures: 415 W Congress Street: “Virginia-I, c. 1820s. Two story, three bay frame house with stone and brick exterior chimneys. Central entrance. Notable three bay Eastlake style porch. Important as a Virginia farmhouse type within the town limits of Charles Town.” 422 W Congress Street: “Vernacular, c. 1820s-30s. One story, four bay log dwelling covered with asbestos shingle siding. Significant as an early vernacular type and possibly a first period house for Charles Town.”

Historic District contributing structures: 415 W Congress Street and 422 W Congress Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 400 Block West Congress Street

Contributing structures: 421 W Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1870s. Two story, five bay two-part frame and log house, with rusticated wood siding on the front and German siding on the sides and rear. The Three west bays appear to be of log and may be older. Exterior features are Italianate with a prominent bracketed cornice and frieze.” 319 W Washington Street: “Federal, c. 1820s-30s. This five bay, central entrance brick house has an all stretcher brick façade and stepped parapet at the gables.” 309-311 W Washington Street: “International, c. 1930s-40s. Large three story stuccoed building, with horizontal window bands and “Chicago-style windows.” 305 W Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1880s. This brick two bay, two story commercial building is distinguished by extensive brick corbeling beneath its cornice, forming a series of Gothic arches, and a cast iron balustrade at the second floor level.” 303 W Washington Street: “Vernacular, Italianate, c. 1820, 1880s. Two story, three bay residential building, likely of log construction, covered with rusticated wood siding.” 301 W Washington Street: “Vernacular, Italianate, c. 1820, 1880s. Three bay, two story building of log or frame construction, covered with rusticated wood siding at front elevation.” 306 W. Washington Street: “Vernacular-mixed, c. 1800, 1890s, 1960s. This very altered house and commercial space may be an early dwelling, renovated in the late 19th century and again in the mid 20th century.”        304 W. Washington Street: “Second Empire and High Victorian Gothic, c. 1890s. Two story, two bay house is nestled among larger commercial buildings on W. Washington Street,” 302 W. Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1890. This three bay, two story commercial building is little-altered.” 300 W. Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1890, Although drastically altered in the 1960s or ‘70s, this commercial building probably resembled its neighbor to the west.” Two buildings in the Historic District were demolished in 2012 to construct the CVS: 324 W. Washington Street: “Italianate, c, 1880s. This three story, three bay commercial and residential building has a prominent bracketed cornice and windows with peaked hoods.” 310 W. Washington Street: White’s Supermarket: “Italianate, c. 1880s-90s. This six bay, two story structure appears to have been substantially altered especially at the first floor level.”

Historic District contributing structures: 421 W Washington Street, 319 W Washington Street, 309-311 W Washington Street, 305 W Washington Street, 303 W Washington Street, 301 W Washington Street,  306 W Washington Street, 304 W Washington Street, 302 W Washington Street, and 300 W Washington. Two buildings within the Historic District were demolished in 2012 to construct the CVS.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 400 & 300 Block West Washington Street

Contributing structures: 235-237 W Washington Street: “Federal-Georgian influence, c. 1800-1810. Flemish bond façade, cornice with modillions and dentils, nine over nine light sash. This five bay brick building represents the formative years of Charles Town.” 231 W. Washington Street (Former Bank of Charles Town): “Classical Revival, c. 1915-1920 (1907?). Brick building with three bays separated by pilasters. Cast stone trim.” 227 W Washington Street: “International style influence, c. 1940s-1950s. This is a brick commercial building with horizontal window bands.” 225 W Washington Street (American Legion): "20th century commercial vernacular, c. 1920. Brick building with stepped parapet, horizontal and vertical bands of corbeling, suggesting Art Deco.” The Pitts-Jefferson Theater operated as a local movie house from its opening in February 1932 to the early 1960s. In recent years it has been the home of American Legion Jackson-Perks Post 71. Founded in late 1919, the posts was originally named the Patrick Henry Post but was renamed Jackson-Perks in memory of the first two Jefferson County men to die in WWI: Wade H. Jackson and Joseph W. Perks. 213-215 W Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1890s. Four bay, three story brick structure.” 209-211 W Washington Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1915-1920. Two story, three bay commercial/office building constructed of multi-colored brick.” 205-207 W Washington Street: “Vernacular, Georgian-Federal influence, c. 1800. This stuccoed building is of timber framed construction.” 201-203 W Washington Street: “Vernacular, Georgian-Federal influence, c. 1800-1820. This stuccoed building is of timber frame with brick nogging.” 110 S Charles Street: “Mixed, c. 1900. Two story, four bay frame gable fronted building with oriel window at second level.” 230 W. Washington Street: “Late Federal?, c. 1820-40, c. 1890, c. 1970. This much altered building contains the remnants of an early 19th century two story, three bay brick house.” 222-228 W. Washington Street: “Federal with Italianate modifications, c. 1820s-30s. Six bay, two story commercial and residential building.” 216-218-220 W Washington Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1915. Three story, five bay building with a central palladian window and flanking semi-hexagonal bays.” 206 W Washington Street: “Morgan Building”“Vernacular, c. 1830, modified c. 1920s. This three bay, two story brick building has a Flemish bond façade suggesting initial construction was in the first half of the 19th century.” 202 W Washington Street: “Commercial, c. 1920s. This 1920s period brick commercial building follows the simple lines of the early 20th century.” 200 W Washington Street: “Commercial, c. 1920s. This building from the early 20th century is similar to its companion to the west.” N Charles Street—attached to back of 200 W Washington: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1900. One bay, one story brick storefront attached to rear of 200 W. Washington Street. Shed standing seam roof with brick parapet front.”

Historic District contributing structures: 235-237 W Washington Street, 231 W Washington Street, 227 W Washington Street, 225 W Washington Street. 213-215 W Washington Street, 209-211 W Washington Street, 205-207 W Washington Street, 201-203 W Washington Street, 110 S Charles Street, 230 W Washington Street, 222-228 W Washington Street, 216-220 W Washington Street, 206 W Washington Street, 202 W Washington Street, 200 W Washington Street, N Charles Street (attached to 200 W Washington Street).

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block West Washington Street

Contributing structures: 129-131 W. Washington Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1900. Two story brick building characterized by arcaded windows in groups of twos and threes.” 125-127 W. Washington Street: “Second Empire, c. 1880. This five bay, two and a half story brick building is dominated by a slate mansard roof.” 121-123 W. Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1890-1900. This commercial building is a three story, three bay Italianate brick structure.”A hardware store operated in the building from 1897 (under the name Valley Hardware after 1924) to 2019. 117-119 W. Washington Street: “Federal, c. 1820s. This brick building is six bays with Flemish bond façade and parapets with double inside-end chimneys” 115 W. Washington St: “Italianate, c. 1880s. This small commercial building is a one story, two bay section of frame infill.” 105-113 W. Washington Street (Sadler Block): “Italianate, c. 1870-1880s. Two story eight bay brick building with a three section façade divided by brick pilasters”The L. L. Sadler family operated a cabinet making shop here. In 1859 the Sadlers made the coffin for John Brown and their freight wagon was used to transport Brown to his execution. 101 W. Washington Street: Post Office (see separate entry) 132 W Washington Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1850s. Corbeled pilasters suggest the temple form on this Greek Revival, three story building.”John Frederick Blessing opened a confectionary shop here in 1845. When John Brown was imprisoned in the jail in 1859, Blessing brought him food and showed him other kindnesses, and as a result Brown gave his Bible to Blessing on the day of his execution. During the Civil War Blessing served as a commissary sergeant in the Stonewall Brigade. The Spirit of Jefferson once had its offices on the second floor. 128-130 W Washington Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1850s. Brick corbeling creates the appearance of pilasters and a frieze band on this two story, three bay building.” 124-126 W Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1880s. This three story, four bay brick building has a dominant cornice with brackets and arched-topped window hoods.” 120-118 W Washington Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1920. Three story, four bay brick building characterized by brick corbeled pilasters and cast stone trim forming flat arches with keystones.”  100 W Washington Street: Charles Washington Hall/Market House: “Romanesque, Georgian Revival, 1874. This building is of brick pilasters, pedimented gables and a central pedimented bay.” The original Market House was constructed on this corner in 1806, but was burned in 1862 by Union soldiers retreating through Charles Town. This building was constructed in 1874 and named for the town's founder, Charles Washington. Several businesses have operated from the first floor, including the U.S. Post Office, and the second floor was used as an auditorium until the New Opera House opened. In 2017 the building underwent a $4 million renovation. 108 N George Street (Rouss Memorial Hall/Washington Street Artists &amp;Jefferson Arts Council): “Romanesque Revival and Second Empire, c. 1877. Brick three and a half story, three bay fire hall with five story square tower with open top supported by round columns and hipped roof. Mansard roof. Early surviving fire hall and among the larger buildings in Charles Town.”This building was constructed in 1896 with support from philanthropist Charles Broadway Rouss as the home of the Independent Steam Fire Company No. 1. It was designed by local architect Julius C. Holmes and served as a fire station for more than 100 years.

Historic District contributing structures: 129-131 W Washington Street, 125-127 W Washington Street, 121-123 W Washington Street, 117-119 W Washington Street, 115 W Washington Street, 105-113 W Washington Street (Sadler Block), 101 W Washington Street (Post Office), 132 W Washington Street, 128-130 W Washington Street, 124-126 W Washington Street, 120-118 W Washington Street, 100 W Washington Street (Charles Washington Hall), and 108 N George Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 Block West Washington Street

The Jefferson County Jail was constructed in 1806. After John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, John Brown and his raiders were taken to the Charles Town jail. It sat diagonally across from the courthouse, where the post office now sits. Brown was beaten by Lt. Israel Green during his capture and requested a delay for his trial due to injury, which was not granted. He received medical attention while in jail and was carried to court on a stretcher. He refused rescue attempts and spent his time furthering the cause of abolition through letter-writing and interviews with journalists. While incarcerated he also developed a friendship with his jailer, John Avis. During the Civil War the jail was destroyed and rebuilt on the same site in 1873. A new jail was constructed in 1919, one block north on George Street, and after the jail moved this lot was purchased by the United States Post Office. The current Post Office building was constructed in 1922. The Post Office building is listed as part of the Downtown Charles Town Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Though it was torn down in 1919, the old Charles Town jail was where John Brown was held before his hanging, sitting diagonally across from the courthouse. John Brown was taken by Robert E. Lee and his men on October 17, 1859 and transported to the jail while awaiting trial. He remained there until his hanging on December 2, 1859. In it's spot now stands the Charles Town post office.

Old Charles Town Jail Site (Charles Town Post Office)

Contributing structures: 105 S. George Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1900. Three story, six bay brick commercial building with stone lintels and sills.” 101 E Washington Street. City Hall: “Classical Revival, c. 1915. Tan brick with cast stone trim and a tile roof. Arcaded windows.”This corner was originally the site of the county clerk's office and became known as "Lawyer's Row" for the office buildings occupied by local attorneys. In 1906 the Farmers and Merchants Deposit Company bought the lot and constructed the current building. The Bank of Charles Town occupied the building from 1938 to 1966 when it moved to its current location. This building is now Charles Town City Hall. 105? E. Washington Street (Bank of Charles Town Trust Dept): “Classical Revival, c. 1915-20s. Three Bay, two story tan brick building with cast stone trim.” 119 (listed as 121) E Washington Street: “Federal influence, c. 1830-50. Two story, five bay house with a raised basement.”The Travers-Coe House was built in 1830 by the Sappington family and in 1850 it was purchased by Mrs. Rebecca Hunter. Two more generations of the Hunter family lived in the house: daughter Elizabeth Pendleton Hunter and her husband William Hicks Travers, attorney for the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, and then granddaughter Sallie Riddle Travers Coe and husband William W. Coe. The building is now part of the American Public University System campus. 100 E Washington Street--Jefferson County Courthouse (see separate entry) 106 E Washington Street. Jefferson County Planning Commission: “Classical Revival, c. 1915. This one bay, two story building of the early 1900s is of two tone tan brick at the front elevation.” 108-110-112 E Washington Street. Jefferson County Tax Office: “Classical Revival, c. 1910. Two story, five bay tan and brown brick building is dominated by Classical Revival façade veneered over red brick.” 114 E Washington Street: “Italianate, c. 1900. This two bay, two story frame commercial building probably dates from about 1900.” 124 E Washington Street: “Federal, c. 1820-30s. This brick house has an all stretcher brick front, and is three bays wide with a door, window, window pattern.”This was the residence of Andrew Hunter, chief prosecutor in the John Brown trial, before the construction of Hunter's Hill. The turret was added in the late 19th century by William Carroll. 104 N Samuel Street: “Greek Revival influence, Vernacular, c. 1850s. This two story, four bay brick building has a low pitched gabled roof, fenestration in a door, window, window pattern.”

Historic District contributing structures: 105 S George Street, 101 E Washington Street (City Hall), 105? E Washington Street, 119 E Washington Street, 100 E Washington Street (Jefferson County Courthouse), 106 E Washington Street, 108-110 E Washington Street, 114 E Washington Street, 124 E Washington Street, and 104 N Samuel Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 Block E Washington Street

Jefferson County was created from portions of Berkeley County by the Virginia legislature in 1801. Charles Town, named after George Washington’s brother Charles, was designated as the county seat. Charles, who had died in 1799, stipulated in his will that a portion of his property would be donated for use as the town square. A modest two-story courthouse was soon constructed on the site in either 1803 or 1808. The demands of the new county soon outgrew the small building, and in 1836 a new courthouse was constructed on the same site. The brick structure was designed in the Georgian Colonial style and was modeled off a Greek Doric temple. This same building remains in use as the seat of county government today, although it has been renovated and expanded over the years.The Jefferson County Courthouse became permanently embedded in American history when it hosted the trial of John Brown in 1859. On October 16, Brown and a group of followers attempted to seize the federal arsenal in nearby Harpers Ferry and instigate a slave insurrection. The raid, which received nationwide attention, ultimately failed and Brown was brought to Charles Town for trial. Local district attorney Andrew Hunter served as the prosecutor. The trial only lasted five days from October 26 to October 31; Brown was swiftly pronounced guilty and sentenced to execution. After his conviction Brown gave a speech declaring that the teachings of the Bible legitimated his actions. He was hanged a few blocks away on December 2, 1859. Today a marker stands in front of the courthouse acknowledging it as the site of John Brown’s trial.Charles Town changed hands multiple times during the Civil War, and the courthouse suffered as a result. On October 13, 1863 a battle between surrounding Confederate troops and Union troops barricaded inside left the building badly damaged. For the rest of the war it was used as a stable. Meanwhile the county seat was transferred from Charles Town to Shepherdstown under the new West Virginia government. The seat was finally returned to Charles Town in 1872, and the courthouse building was restored and renovated. From 1873 to 1912 it also served as the home of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.In 1922 the Jefferson County Courthouse became the scene of another sensational trial, this time involving coal miners. Attempts among miners to form a labor union in Logan County were met with fierce resistance from mine operators. Thousands of armed miners from around the region marched towards Logan County to force unionization. Local police forces and mercenaries hired by the coal companies confronted the miners, resulting in the Battle of Blair Mountain in 1921. The miners were forced to back down, and hundreds were eventually detained and tried. In order to ensure a fair trial and prevent more violence, many were moved to the courthouse in Charles Town. Among those tried were union leader Bill Blizzard. The trials were later moved again to Morgan, Greenbrier, and Fayette Counties. In 2017 controversy arose over the presence of a Confederate plaque near the front entrance of the courthouse. Installed in 1986 by a local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, it honors Confederate soldiers from Jefferson County in the Civil War. Several locals submitted a letter urging the plaque to be removed in the summer of 2017, arguing that it is offensive to African Americans. Other locals defended the plaque, arguing that it memorializes history. After much publicity and debate in local meetings, the Jefferson County Commission voted not to remove the plaque.

The Jefferson County Courthouse was originally built between 1803-1808 in Charles Town on a plot of land donated by Charles Washington. It was replaced by a larger structure in 1836. Due to damage incurred during the Civil War, the Jefferson County seat was temporarily moved to Shepherdstown, and then moved back to Charles Town in 1872. The Jefferson County Courthouse is famous for housing two treason trials: John Brown's trial after his raid on the Harpers Ferry armory in 1859, and the trial against unionizing coal miners from Logan County in 1922. Today the courthouse remains in operation and is open to the public. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Jefferson County Courthouse

Contributing structures: 201 E. Washington Street (Tate-Fairfax-Muse House): “Georgian influence, c. 1800. Brick house is constructed with Flemish bond at the north and west elevations. Glazed headers.” This house was built around 1800 on a lot owned by Magnus Tate II (1760-1823). Tate was a justice of the Berkeley County Court in 1798, sheriff of Berkeley County in 1819-1820, member of the Virginia House of Delegates four times (1797, 1803, 1809, and 1810), and was elected to the Fourteenth Congress 1815-1817. Tate rented the house to Ferdinando Fairfax (a descendent of Lord Fairfax) in 1804. Tate's daughter, Margaret Muse, inherited the house in 1808 and lived here until 1829 when she sold the property. It is now home to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. 215 E Washington Street. Zion Episcopal Church, Parish Hall: “Tudor Revival, c. 1930s-40s. A brick structure with false half timbering in the gable.” 221 E Washington Street. Zion Episcopal Church, Parish House: “Greek Revival and Italianate influence, c. 1850-60. Brick three bay, two story central block with attached one story wings”This plot was the home of Dr. Mason Gerard in 1859 when John Brown attacked Harpers Ferry and stood trial here in Charles Town. Dr. Gerard was asked to tend to Brown's wounds after the raid and he determined that Brown was physically able to stand trial. The Mason house was burned during the Civil War and the present house was built by Dr. Gerard's daughter Mary and her husband Braxton Davenport Gibson. 220 E Washington Street. Charles Town Presbyterian Church: “Greek Revival, 1851. This brick church building is an excellent example of the Greek Revival style.”The Presbyterian Church was originally located at Congress and West Streets and moved to this location in 1851. The land for the church was donated by John Stephenson. Like many of the churches in Charles Town, the Presbyterian Church was used as a hospital during the Civil War. 222 E Washington Street: “Greek Revival, 1854. Two story, three bay Greek Revival style residence with an all stretcher brick façade.” Two houses missing between the Charles Town Library and Charles Town Presbyterian Church? 208 E Washington Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890-1910. Gable fronted three bay frame house.” 210? E Washington Street: “Foursquare, Queen Anne influence, c. 1910-1920. Frame three bays with hipped roof.”

Historic District contributing structures: 201 E Washington Street, 215 E Washington Street, 221 E Washington Street, 220 E Washington Street (Charles Town Presbyterian Church), and 222 E Washington Street. Two structures included in the historic district appear to no longer stand: 208 E Washington Street and 210 E Washington Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block E Washington Street

Contributing structures: 301 E. Washington Street: “Italianate influence, c. 1850-60. This two story, two bay brick house is constructed with a very low pitched roof, hipped with a large overhang.” 307 E. Washington Street (Getzendanner House): “Federal influence, c. 1820, Classical Revival renovation c. 1910. This two-story, six bay building, presumably of log construction may be a two-part structure with the older part being possibly the east three bays.” Henry Clay Getzendanner purchased this home around 1900 from the widow of William Lyne Wilson. Getzendanner was a captain in Company M, 2nd West Virginia Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War and was president of the draft board during WWI. Between 1924 and 1928 he served as Postmaster of Charles Town. Getzendanner also operated several businesses in the area, including a cattle operation, the local telephone company, owned several buildings in town, and had four farms. He also owned the Shannondale Resort between 1902 and 1919, and operated the resort and a timber operation there. 311 E. Washington Street: “Queen Anne house, c. 1900. Four bay with entrance in the second bay from the east end.” 315 E. Washington Street: “Queen Anne house, c. 1900. Polygonal corner tower, and semi-hexagonal projecting bay” 323 E Washington Street (Flagg House): “Federal style building, c. 1810-1820s. Two story, five bay brick house with raised basement.”This plot was originally part of the land that Samuel Washington inherited from his brother Lawrence and it has passed through many owners as an investment or rental property. John R. Flagg and his wife lived in the house by 1869 (John Flagg was Deputy Sheriff and Sheriff of Charles Town) and the house is known as the Flagg House largely for their son, George H. Flagg, who served in Co. G of the 2nd Virginia Infantry ("Botts Grays"). George Flagg was Accessor of Jefferson County in the 1890s and was Postmaster in 1896 when the first Rural Free Delivery began. Flagg's second wife, Elizabeth, was of the Washington family and they lived at this house until George Flagg's death in 1900. At that point Elizabeth Flagg went to live with her brothers John A. and S. Walter Washington on George Street. When Elizabeth Flagg died in 1911 the Flagg House property was acquired by her brother S. Walter Washington who renovated the home, added plumbing, and divided it into a double house. To improve the house as a rental property he changed windows and removed two fireplaces to let more light into the rooms. The house stayed in the Washington family until 1973 when it was sold to Colonel and Mrs. Joseph Russel Groves; the Groves did more renovations but tried to keep the historic design unchanged. 302 E Washington Street (Neill House): “Queen Anne, c. 1900. Frame house with aluminum siding.”The Neill House was built buy Julius C. Homes for Dr. William Neill in 1883. Neill was elected president of the Electric Light Company in 1892 and served on the board of management for the Charles Town Hospital (organized 1912). 310 E Washington Street: “Colonial Revival with Queen Anne influence, c. 1910. Two story, five bay brick house with a hipped roof.” 316 E Washington Street: “Vernacular, Victorian, c. 1890s. Two story, three bay frame house with central front entrance.” 320 E Washington Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890s. T-shaped German sided frame house.” 324 E Washington Street: “Early 19th century Vernacular, c. 1810-20. This five bay, two story log and frame house, covered with stucco.”

Historic District contributing structures: 301 E Washington Street, 307 E Washington Street, 311 E Washington Street, 315 E Washington Street, 323 E Washington Street, 302 E Washington Street, 310 E Washington Street, 316 E Washington Street, 320 E Washington Street, and 324 E Washington Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 300 Block East Washington Street

Contributing structures: 403 E Washington Street: “Greek Revival with Italianate influence, c. 1850s. Two story, three bay house with a raised basement and a low pitched hipped roof with interior chimneys.” 417 E. Washington Street (“Rutherford House”/Carriage Inn): “Greek Revival house with Italianate Influence, c. 1850s. Three bay, two story brick house with a low pitched hipped roof and interior chimneys.”This house was constructed by Dr. Taliafero Stribling around 1740 and was owned by Thomas and Mary Rutherford during the Civil War. The Rutherfords were sympathetic to the Confederacy and hosted Confederate officers Turner Ashby, J.E.B. Stuart, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and Robert E. Lee in the home. Charles Town changed hands several times during the Civil War and in fall of 1864 the Union occupied the town. Confederate sympathizers like the Rutherfords had to be careful as some of their neighbors had property damaged or burned due to their loyalties, such as neighbor Andrew Hunter. In September 1864 Union General Ulysses S. Grant met with General Philip Sheridan at the Rutherford House to plan the 1864 Shenandoah Campaign. Grant needed Sheridan to drive Confederate forces under General Jubal Early out of the Shenandoah Valley and striking range of Washington, D.C., and Grant decided to visit Sheridan in person instead of sending a message. Leaving Petersburg, VA on September 15, Grant met with Sheridan in Charles Town on September 17. Grant ordered Sheridan to strike immediately against Early's forces and to carry out a campaign to destroy food and supplies in the Valley. This strategy in the Valley is called "The Burning" and it was both a continuous military campaign against Early's Confederate troops and one to systematically destroy farms and resources to prevent the Confederacy's use of what they considered their "bread basket." After the Sheridan-Grant meeting Sheridan moved against Early within three days and defeated the Confederates at Winchester on September 19. After this victory Sheridan moved through the Valley destroying resources and won a second battle agaisnt Early at Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864. 400 E Washington Street: “Georgian influence, c. 1790-1800. Significant early log or timber frame house with original siding and windows.” 410 E Washington Street: “Late Greek Revival influence, c. 1870. L-shaped frame dwelling with one story wing.” 418 E Washington Street: “High Victorian Gothic, C. 1880s-90s. Two story, four bay frame, two forward projecting gables.” 420 E Washington Street: “Italianate-Greek Revival influence, 1860s-70s. Two story, three bay stuccoed.”

Historic District contributing structures: 403 E Washington Street, 417 E Washington Street (Rutherford House/Carriage Inn), 400 E Washington Street, 410 E Washington Street, 418 E Washington Street, and 420 E Washington Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 400 Block East Washington Street

Contributing structures: 515 E Washington Street (Stephenson’s Female Seminary): “Greek Revival, 1884. Three story, five bay brick with common bond façade and brick pilasters separating bays. Raised basement. Three bay entrance porch.”The Stephenson Female Seminary opened here in 1883 on land donated by John Stephenson and operated as a school for girls until 1921. After the school closed the Briscoe family opened the Charles Town Inn which operated until 1941. 525 E Washington Street: “Gothic Revival and Colonial Revival influence, c. 1890-1900. Two story, three bay stuccoed with three bay wide cross gable. Across-the-front porch with round columns.” 527 E Washington Street: “Late Queen Anne influence, c. 1900. Gable-fronted house. Two bays wide. Front semi-hexagonal projecting bay beneath gable with fancy brackets. Entrance with transom and sidelights. Wraparound porch with Doric columns. Example of early 20th century Queen Anne transitional.” 539 E Washington Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1920. Excellent example of a Colonial Revival house. Stuccoed with five bays and a central entrance. Federal style entrance with elliptical fanlight and sidelights. Gabled entrance porch.” 500 E Washington Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910. Brick, three bays, central front entrance.” 508 E Washington Street: “Colonial Revival c. 1910. Two story, two bay brick, trimmed with stone lintels.” 524-526 E Washington Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910. Brick duplex, window, door, door, window façade.” 528 E Washington Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910. Brick, door, window façade.” 530 E Washington Street: “Colonial Revival and Queen Anne influence, c. 1900-1910. Stucco and brick house, two bays, two stories.” 532 E Washington Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910. Brick pilasters at the corners and center front. Large overhang at the roof with false joists ends. Example of a favorite early 20th century house type. 534 E Washington Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910. Door, window façade arrangement. Six over one light sash with segmentally arched window heads. Transom and sidelights. Example of a favorite house type from the early 20th century.” 536 E Washington Street: “Bungalow, c. 1920. Stuccoed, two bays wide. Recessed shed dormer forms upper level porch. An excellent and early example of a Bungalow.

Historic District contributing structures: 515 E Washington Street, 525 E Washington Street, 527 E Washington Street, 539 E Washington Street, 500 E Washington Street, 508 E Washington Street, 524-526 E Washington Street, 528 E Washington Street, 530 E Washington Street, 532 E Washington Street, 534 E Washington Street, and 536 E Washington Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 500 Block East Washington Street

Contributing structures: 547 E Liberty Street: “Bungalow, c. 1930s. Frame, gable-fronted, three bays wide.” 545 E Liberty Street: “Bungaloid, c. 1930s, Gable-fronted, three bay frame house.” 112 N Court Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920. Brick, unusual front with gabled Tudor arched roof.” 115 N Court Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1920. Two story, three bay stuccoed house.” 515 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920. Double or triple six over one light windows.” 511-509 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920. Duplex with double six over one light windows.” 505 E Liberty Street: “Bungaloid, c. 1930s. First story bricked, second story stuccoed.” 501 E Liberty Street: “Bungaloid, c. 1930s. Gable presentation to street, overhanging roof of east forms porch.” 542 E Liberty Street: "Colonial Revival influenced, c. 1930. Two story, two bay brick.” 540 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920s.” Brick, hip-roofed entrance, hip roofed frontal dormer.” 526-528 E Liberty Street: “Early 20th century, c. 1920. Two story, four bays, brick.” 524 E Liberty Street: “Early 20th century, c. 1920. Two story, three bay stuccoed house.” 518 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920. Stuccoed, two bay.” 514 E Liberty Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1930. Two story, two bay, triple window at first story front.” 506 E Liberty Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1920s. Two story, two bay, brick.”

Historic District contributing structures: 547 E Liberty Street, 545 E Liberty Street, 112 N Court Street, 115 N Court Street, 515 E Liberty Street, 511-509 E Liberty Street, 505 E Liberty Street, 501 E Liberty Street, 542 E Liberty Street, 540 E Liberty Street, 526-528 E Liberty Street, 524 E Liberty Street, 518 E Liberty Street, 514 E Liberty Street, and 506 E Liberty Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 500 Block East Liberty Street

Contributing structures: 423 E Liberty Street: “Colonial Revival influence, c. 1920. Two story, two bay brick house.” 419 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1920. Central front entrance, hip roofed front dormer with double windows.” 411 E Liberty Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890-1900. Two story, two bay, gable front.” 407 E Liberty Street: “Queen Anne influence, c. 1890. Two story, two bay, gable front.” 418 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910-1920. Three bay, two story.” (414 E Liberty?) 412 E Liberty Street: “Turn of the century Vernacular, c. 1900. Two story, three bay stuccoed frame house.” 410 E Liberty Street: “Late 19th century Gothic influence, c. 1900. Two story, three bay frame house, central cross gable.” 406 E Liberty Street: “Late 19th century, 1890-1900. Two story, two bay frame house.” 404 E Liberty Street: “Late 19th century, c. 1890-1900. Two story, three bay frame.” 400 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, late 19th century. Two story, three bay, stuccoed house, possible log construction.”

Historic District contributing structures: 423 E Liberty Street, 419 E Liberty Street, 411 E Liberty Street, 407 E Liberty Street, 418 E Liberty Street, 412 E Liberty Street, 410 E Liberty Street, 406 E Liberty Street, 404 E Liberty Street, and 400 E Liberty Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 400 Block East Liberty Street

Contributing structures: 327 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1880s? One story, vinyl siding.” 321 E Liberty Street: “Turn-of-the-century, c. 1900. L-shaped, gable fronted frame.” 313 E Liberty Street: “Foursquare influence, c. 1910. One story, brick, three bay hip roofed house.” 311 E. Liberty Street: “Foursquare, c. 1910-1920. Two bays, windows one over one.” 121 N Mildred Street: “Italianate, c. 1870. Two story, five bay stuccoed.” 115 N. Mildred Street: “Gothic Revival, c. 1870s. Two story, five bay, frame, central cross gable.” 326 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, mid 19th century. Two story, three bay stuccoed house, possibly log construction.” 322 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1860s-70s. Two story, three bay, all stretcher brick surfaces.” 318 E Liberty Street: “Gothic Revival influence, c. 1860s-70s. Two story, three bay house, possibly log construction.” 314 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1890s. Two bay, two story L-shaped dwelling, hip roofed entrance porch with four turned posts.” 306 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1840s-60s. Two story, three bay, German sided log house.” 304 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1890. Two story, two bay gable fronted frame house covered with vinyl siding.” 300 E Liberty Street: “Italianate influence, Vernacular, c. 1850s. Two story, three bay brick, common bond façade,”

Historic District contributing structures: 327 E Liberty Street, 321 E Liberty Street, 313 E Liberty Street, 311 E. Liberty Street, 121 N Mildred Street, 115 N. Mildred Street, 326 E Liberty Street, 322 E Liberty Street, 318 E Liberty Street, 314 E Liberty Street, 306 E Liberty Street, 304 E Liberty Street, and 300 E Liberty Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 300 Block East Liberty Street

Contributing structures (200 Block): 224 E. Liberty Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1850s-60s. Two story, five bay vinyl sided house, possibly of log construction.” 218 E. Liberty Street: “Queen Anne and Foursquare influence, c. 1910. Excellent and intact late Queen Anne style with Foursquare influence.” 212-214 E Liberty Street: “Mixed, Italianate, Italian Villa influenced, c. 1860s and later. Larger T-shaped multi-part house unified by stucco.” 210 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1840? This building is probably of log construction, with the two eastern bays possibly an addition.” 202 E Liberty Street: “Commercial, Industrial, c. 1910-20. Two story, six bays wide.” Two structures missing from 200 Block: 207 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1870. Two story, three bay frame house, German siding.” 203 E Liberty Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1900. Small frame, one story, parapet roof.” Contributing structures (100 Block): 119 N George Street: “Colonial Revival, c. 1920. Large two story brick building, embellished with cast stone quoins, spandrels, and keystones.”Today this building houses offices for the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, but it was originally constructed in 1919 to replace the original Jefferson County Jail (the original jail where John Brown was held was located where the Post Office is today on Washington Street). Known as the Jefferson County Old Jail Annex some of the defendants in the 1922 treason trial of union leaders and miners were held here. 112-114 E Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1900-1910. Gable-fronted stone industrial building with extension to the east.” 201 N George Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1915-1920. Two story red brick commercial building.”

Historic District contributing structures: 224 E. Liberty Street, 218 E. Liberty Street, 212-214 E Liberty Street, 210 E Liberty Street, 202 E Liberty Street, 119 N George Street, 112-114 E Liberty Street, and 201 N George Street. Two structures in the National Register of Historic Places registration no longer stand: 207 E Liberty Street and 203 E Liberty Street.

 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 & 200 Block East Liberty Street

In the early 1900s
Annie G. Packette, a noted local and descendant of the Washington family,
sought to increase the role of the performing arts in the Charles Town
community. In 1910 she spearheaded an effort to raise $50,000 for building an
opera house on North George Street. Washington D. C. architect Thomas A.
Mullett was commissioned to design the structure. The New Opera House, as it
was originally called, was given a simple design, with seating for at least
500, an orchestra pit, and a curved balcony. The house had its grand opening on
February 14, 1911 with a performance of the comedy play Bachelor Girls’
Federation of Clubs, featuring local actors. Proceeds from the show went to the
local United Daughters of the Confederacy branch to care for Confederate
veterans. 

The New Opera House
originally hosted theatrical performances but also included vaudeville,
minstrels, readings, circuses, and even basketball games and boxing matches.
Occasionally it held church services and election returns, and at one point it
stored supplies for disaster relief. The first films began to be screened in
1915. By the 1930s, with the introduction of the “talkies,” the opera house was
serving primarily as a movie theater. Business declined as movies overtook live
entertainment, and in 1948 the opera house closed. The building was converted
into commercial space and for the next few decades it served variously as a
florist shop, antique store, apartments, and a bowling alley. Gradually it
began deteriorating and accumulating waste, including a large amount of pigeon
droppings in the auditorium.

In 1971 a group of
local citizens, including Dixie Kilham, owner of the Hilltop House hotel in
Harpers Ferry, arranged to clean out the inside of the building. In 1973 the
Old Opera House Theatre Company was formed with the intention of acquiring,
restoring, and reopening the theater for performances. The Todd family, which
owned both the theater and an adjacent building constructed in the 1890s,
agreed to donate both structures to the group. The next several years were
spent fundraising and doing restoration work. The theater ceiling was re-plastered,
a new floor and new seats were installed. The second building meanwhile was
converted into space for a theater workshop, offices, and a rehearsal area. In 1978
the New Opera House, renamed the Old Opera House, was added to the National
Register of Historic Places. 

The opera house
reopened to the public in October 1976 with a production of My Fair Lady. Today the theatre company
hosts six plays, a one-act play festival, a ballet, and a summer youth theatre
camp at the opera house. In 2008 the Old Opera House Arts Centre was
established to offer lessons in acting, dance, and voice to people of all ages.
The lower level of the building is now also home to the Jean Heiler Gallery,
showcasing the work of local artists. The opera house also operates a thrift
store on North Charles Street as a fundraising initiative.

The Old Opera House is a historic performing arts center in Charles Town. It opened in 1911 under the direction of Annie Packette, a prominent local who sought to bring more culture to the community. The opera house hosted a number of plays, vaudeville shows, minstrels, sporting events, and film screenings before closing in 1948. In 1973 the building was donated to the newly-formed Old Opera House Theatre Company which worked to restore and refurbish the old theatre. It reopened to the public in 1976 and today hosts a variety of plays along with an art gallery and acting, dance, and singing lessons. The Old Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 

Old Opera House 

Contributing structures: 110 N George Street (St. Margaret's Building):When the National Register of Historic Places was recorded in 1997 there were two structures here, recorded as such:? N George Street. St. Margaret’s Building: “Classical Revival, c. 1920. Three story, four bay brick building with prominent modillioned cornice. Formerly served as post office. One of several monumental buildings in the first block of N. George Street.”? N George Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1900. One story, three bay brick hip roof with central entrance.” The three-story building known as St. Margaret's building was built in the early 1900s (sources differ on the construction date) by H. C. Getzendanner. Getzendanner was a captain during the Spanish-American War, started the local telephone company, and owned Shannondale Springs and many other local buildings and businesses. The building was named St. Margaret's after Captain Getzendanner's daughter, Margaret Getzendanner Williams, died in childbirth in 1919 giving birth to twin sons. Soon after the NRHP process, the St. Margaret's building and adjacent building were acquired in 1997 by the First Charles Town Group, Inc. who did a major renovation and expansion of the building in 1998-1999. The renovated structure is now the Jefferson County Judicial Center. 122 N George Street: “Classical Revival, c. 1915-1920. Three story brick commercial and office building with yellow brick and cast stone trim.” 125 N Charles Street: “Vernacular, c. 1890. Seven bay, two story brick building with central gable with a stepped parapet.” 109 N Charles Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1890-1910. One story gable roofed storefront with standing seam roof.” 200 N George Street (204? Opera House)--see separate entry“Classical Revival, 1912. This two story, five bay building is an example of the Classical Revival style, similar to it neighbors on the other three corners of George and Liberty Streets.” 102-104 W Liberty Street: “Turn-of-the-century commercial/industrial, vernacular, c. 1910. It is a three story, six bay brick gable roofed building with two side-by-side storefronts.” No longer standing: 110 W Liberty Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1920. This is a simple frame commercial structure from the 1920s.” (demolished in 2014)

Historic District contributing structures: 110 N George Street (Jefferson County Judicial Center/St. Margaret's Building), 122 N George Street, 125 N Charles Street, 109 N Charles Street, 204 N George Street (Opera House), and 102-104 W Liberty Street. One structure no longer stands at 110 W Liberty Street. 

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 100 Block West Liberty Street

Contributing structures: 116 N Charles Street: “Italianate, c. 1900. An excellent, and largely intact Italianate commercial building from the turn of the century period. Two three bay central entrance storefronts separated by an entrance to the upper portion of the building. Pressed metal façade. Transom and sidelights. Cast iron cornice. North storefront is original.” 122 N Charles Street: “Commercial, Vernacular, c. 1890. Gable fronted, brick, turn-of-the-century period.” 205 W Liberty Street: “Commercial Vernacular, c. 1920. Gable fronted rusticated block commercial building.” 219 W Liberty Street (Sheetz Florist): “Georgian influenced, c. 1797? This is among the oldest standing buildings in Charles Town.”The Sheetz Florist complex take up this entire corner. 119 North Lawrence (the Griggs House) is the contributing structure to the Historic District and many of the other buildings on the property are not contributing. The plot was owned by Charles Washington and purchased by Thomas Griggs, Sr. in 1788. The oldest part of the home, made of log and brick, was constructed in 1971. The H. Vernon Sheetz family greenhouse operated here for almost a century. 202 N Charles Street: “Italianate influence, c. 1860s. Two story, three bay frame Italianate-influenced building.” 210 W Liberty Street. Edward Tiffin House: “Vernacular, Federal influence, c. 1830s-40s. Two story, three bay brick dwelling with a Flemish bond façade and six over six windows within a narrow frame.”Dr. Edward Tiffin was born in England in 1766, apprenticed with a physician in Great Britain 1778-1783, and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1783. He came to Charles Town in 1784, attended the University of Pennsylvania, and returned to Charles Town to practice medicine. Tiffin purchased this lot from Charles Washington on June 22, 1788. In 1798 Tiffin and his brother-in-law, Thomas Worthington, left for Ohio with a letter of introduction from George Washington that Tiffin used to meet with the territorial governor, Arthur St. Clair. St. Clair appointed Tiffin as chief clerk of the Northwest Territory’s Court of Common Pleas and in 1799 he joined the territorial legislature and was elected its first Speaker of the House. In 1802 Tiffin was the president of the Ohio Constitutional Convention which drafted the constitution to admit Ohio as a state. Once Ohio was granted statehood in 1803, Tiffin was elected the state’s first governor and Thomas Worthington served as Ohio’s first Senator. After two terms as governor, Tiffin was selected by the state legislature in 1807 to fill a seat in the U.S. Senate. In 1809 he stepped down from that seat, was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, and was chosen as Speaker of the House. He returned to Washington, D.C. in 1812 when President James Madison made him the chief commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office and then went back to Ohio in 1814 as Surveyor General of the Northwest. Tiffin served in that position until his death in 1829. 214 W Liberty Street: “Foursquare with Queen Anne influence, c. 1915. This residential building is a brick Foursquare with Queen Anne influence in its semi-hexagonal projecting bay.” 201 N Lawrence Street: “Gothic Revival, c. 1833-1839. Gable fronted, three bay stone lecture room for the Episcopal Church.”

Historic District contributing structures: 116 N Charles Street, 122 N Charles Street, 205 W Liberty Street, 219 W Liberty Street/119 N Lawrence Street (Sheetz Florist), 202 N Charles Street, 210 W Liberty Street (Edward Tiffin House), 214 W Liberty Street, and 201 N Lawrence Street.

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block West Liberty Street

Contributing structures: 110 N Lawrence Street: “Turn-of-the-century, c. 1900. One story, three bay gable fronted house with a central entrance.” 118 N Lawrence Street: “Italianate, c. 1870s. Two story, three bay square stuccoed house. Central entrance with transom and sidelights. Bracketed frieze and cornice. Low pitched hipped roof.” 309 W Liberty Street (Rankin House): “Vernacular, Federal period influence, c. 1800-1810. Two story, four bay log house with stone foundations. Original siding replaced or covered with vinyl. Three bays are concentrated toward west side of the front. Fourth bay separated suggesting that it may be an early addition. Significant as an early period house in Charles Town.” Judith Rankin operated a tavern here as early as 1786 as well as a farm outside of town. Her husband, Benjamin Rankin, was one of the men who petitioned in 1786 for the establishment of Charles Town and he served as a trustee of the town until his death in 1787. 200 N Lawrence Street: “Greek Revival, c. 1850. Greek Revival influenced three bay brick house, with wide wooden lintels with plain corner blocks.” 306 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1920. Frame, gable fronted two bay house, probably dating from c. 1920.” 310 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1920. Overall form, steep roof pitch and small windows with heavy, wide frames suggest 18th century construction for this stuccoed log house.” 312 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, “Cape Cod,” c. 1890s? One and a half story, three bay frame house with two gabled front dormers. Central entrance. Exterior renovated to appear like a mid 20th century Cape Cod house but actual structure may be much older.” 318 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1870s-80s. Two story, three bay frame dwelling with wood siding. L-extension to rear. Entrance in west front bay.” 322 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, c. 1790s. Two story, three bay stuccoed house, probably of log construction. Steeply pitched roof. Attached to building to its west. May be a first period house in Charles Town.  324 W Liberty Street: “Vernacular, Federal period influence, c. 1790-1810. Two story, three bay stuccoed house attached to its neighbor at 322 W Liberty Street. Central entrance. Significant as being among Charles Town’s older houses.  Two structures in the Historic District were demolished in 2012 in the construction of the CVS. 117 N West Street: “Vernacular, c. 1800-30. Two story, four bay log house following a door, window, door, window façade plan. Examples of early log architecture of Charles Town, dating from the town’s first main period of development.” 115 N West Street: “Vernacular, c. 1790-1820. Two story, three bay log or frame house with central entrance. Examples of early log architecture of Charles Town, dating from the town’s first main period of development.”

Historic District contributing structures: 110 N Lawrence Street, 118 N Lawrence Street, 309 W Liberty Street, 200 N Lawrence Street, 306 W Liberty Street, 310 W Liberty Street, 312 W Liberty Street, 318 W Liberty Street, 322 W Liberty Street, and 324 W Liberty Street. Two structures in the Historic District were demolished in 2012 in the construction of the CVS: 117 N West Street and 115 N West Street.



Downtown Charles Town Historic District

Downtown Charles Town Historic District: 200 Block West Congress Street

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information