Middleway Historic District

Middleway, WV is known for its high concentration of eighteenth and nineteenth century architecture and in-tact community structure as a crossroads town. Settlement of the area began in 1729 with the arrival of John Smith Sr. and his sons, John Smith, Jr. and Rees Smith. The Smiths set up a grist and hemp mill on Turkey Run by 1734 which gradually led to a concentration of farmers around the mill and later tradesmen settling in the new town. The layout of the town and roads was likely completed prior to the Revolution since the two main roads are “King” and “Queen” Streets. The Smiths wanted to develop a full corporate entity with their town, and they added a sawmill to their operations sometime in the late 1780s or early 1790s. In 1794 they launched the “Smithfield Promotion” to draw more people to settle at Smithfield and build homes and businesses. The town of Smithfield was officially incorporated in 1798.

In the 1790s one of the most infamous occurrences of the town’s history happened, what is known as the “Wizard Clip.” Adam Livingston, a farmer just to the north of Smithfield, took in a traveler one night in 1797. The stranger died that night in Livingston’s home and tradition states that as he was dying he asked for a Catholic Priest to administer last rites, which was not provided. After the stranger’s death, the Livingston house was plagued with all sorts of hauntings, the most notable being the sounds of scissors and the shape of the crescent moon being cut into fabric in the house. Adam Livingston finally called for the help of a Catholic Priest who was able to stop the hauntings. Livingston eventually converted to Catholicism and donated his property to the Church; this is now the site of Priest Field Pastoral Center, to the north of town and outside of the Historic District. The crescent moon and scissors are symbols used frequently in the town of Middleway.

While the town was officially chartered as Smithfield the name Middleway was frequently used because of its location in the middle of Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Harpers Ferry, and Winchester. After being constantly confused with another Smithfield, VA, the name was officially changed to Middleway. Middleway experienced its highest period of prosperity between 1810 and the Civil War because of its location as a crossroads town between the surrounding major towns and the presence of several commercial businesses during that period. The Civil War marked the turning point of downturn in Middleway. The town did see some damage from the war itself, due to its location as a crossroads. More importantly, however, was the impact of the railroad. In the 1850s the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad constructed a route to the south of Middleway and by the 1870s the town was no longer an important crossroads for transportation and shipping of goods. There was little development of Middleway after this point, which has resulted in a community almost frozen in time in terms of the structures and layout. Much of the town is unchanged since the nineteenth century, which contributes significantly to the Historic District. 

List of structures included in the MIddleway Historic District (description in quotes from the 1979 NRHP nomination)

1. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century house)”

2. “Typical small, two story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (199 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #41)

3. “Typical small, two story log (at least in part) dwelling. This building has recently burned and is now in a deteriorated state.”

4. “Non-conforming intrusion (mobile home).”

5. “This is a newer building, but it does not detract from the district. Size, design and materials are such that it blends well.” (149 King Street)

6. “Pivotal structure. Good example of a double house with sections of log and brick. The former is a typical, two-story unit with plaster-covered exterior.” (129 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #38)

7. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with ell.” (99 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #36)

8. “Non-conforming intrusion (new two-story, round-log house)”

9. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with rear extension or addition.” (9 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #33)

10. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling” (254 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #43)

11. “Larger two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with ell. Aluminum siding is now replacing clapboards and several alterations have been made to doors and windows.” (218 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #42)

12. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (182 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #40)

13. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century cinder block house).”

14. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (142 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #39)

15. “Typical small, two story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (112 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #37)

16. “Pivotal structure. This example of the typical three-bay, single-pile, two-story log house with stone exterior and chimney and clapboarded façade, although deteriorating, may represent a directional force. Whether it is torn down or rehabilitated and reused can influence Middleway’s future.” (98 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #35)

17. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (80 King Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #34)

18. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, single-story house).

19. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with a frame addition to the east side.” (7 South Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #32)

20. “Typical small, two story (at least in part) dwelling. It has been covered with a false-brick siding.” (47 South Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #31)

21. “Pivotal structure. Substantial two-story log house with plaster-covered exterior. The property includes a large open space, and the dwelling (with associated log smokehouse) is important as a northern boundary to the district. The potential exists for use of its surrounding land for newer housing.” (7513 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #1)

22. “Pivotal structure. Although plain in appearance except for detailing in a brick cornice and open bell tower, the brick Methodist Church of 1883 (it has a newer addition) has a long tradition in community religious and social history.” (7435 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #2)

23. “This dwelling is probably partly of log construction, but it has had a number of alterations to basic lines.” (7417 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #3)

24. “Typical small, two story log (at least in part) dwelling with associated log smokehouse. It has been covered with a false-brick siding.” (7405 Leetown Road/Queen Street)

25. “This old storage and work shop or garage consists of a stone rear section and a frame addition at the front.” (Between 7405 and 7379 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #4)

26. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with rear extension. A log smokehouse is on this lot.” (7379 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #5—the number on the map is in the wrong place)

27. Pivotal structure. Large two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with clapboarded sides and board-and-batten sided front. This is a good example of the five-bay log house found on Queen Street. A small stone barn is at the rear of the property.” (7365 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #6)

28. “This is a sizable log and stone house with a small stone barn on the back lot.” (7337 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #7)

29. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (between 7337 and 7313 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #8)

30. “Typical small, two story log (at least in part) dwelling. There is also a log smokehouse on this property.” (7313 Leetown Road/Queen Street)

31. “Pivotal structure. Another good example of the longer log house; a small, one-story brick office is on the south side.” (7295 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #9)

32. “Pivotal structure. This two-section log house includes a one-story ell that may be one of the oldest buildings in town.” (7279 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #11)

33. “Around 1850 a two-story frame store/house was constructed on this lot. Until this day it remains as the only building with its gable facing the street except for the brick churches and lodge).” (7269 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #13)

34. “Typical, small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with a frame addition to the rear.” (7255 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #15)

35. “Pivotal structure. This two-story brick store has inside end chimneys, jack-arch lintels and a corbeled cornice. It was used as a hospital after the battle at Antietam Creek in 1862.” (7211 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #24)

36. “Pivotal structure. Excellent example of the small, two-story log house. The front section is plaster covered, while an ell has clapboards. The north end chimney is stone to the second level and brick above. A stone smokehouse is at the rear.” (7155 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #25)

37. “Pivotal structure. Combination log, frame and half-timber house. A frame section along the north front was added to the original log part, and a half-timbered, brick-infilled passageway was later constructed to attach what was probably a log kitchen at the rear.” (7121 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #28)

38. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, one-story house).

39. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (7035 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #30)

40. “Larger two-story log house. It has had a number of alterations, including changes to windows and door configuration. (historic structure no longer stands)

41. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling. This plaster-covered building has had several small additions; it now lists to one side.” (historic structure no longer stands)

42. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, single-story house).”

43. “Another example of the combination house, part log and part brick.” (7290 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #10)

44. “Pivotal structure. This is a long, two-story brick house with a one-story brick kitchen unit attached at the south end. It includes a good example of the later nineteenth century porch, with saw-worked balusters and brackets, that abounds in the community.” (7268 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #12)

45. “Pivotal structure. This is the only all stone house in town. It is 2.5 stories high with an ell, inside end chimneys and dormers. There is a stone smokehouse at the rear.” (7248 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #14)

46. “Pivotal structure. Log sections of one, 1.5 and two stories combine to form a long and deep ell-shaped dwelling. The property includes a stone smokehouse and small frame barn.” (7226 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #16)

47. “Pivotal structure. Two brick sections (one of two stories and the other 2.5) are to either side of an older log unit. Detailing though not extravagant, is probably the best in Middleway. It includes a geometrically divided fanlight and sidelights around the entrance to the newer brick section and a porch with a rood supported by Ionic capitaled columns. There is also a log smokehouse and small frame barn on the large lot.” (7198 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #23)

48. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling with an ell that includes a small stone unit.” (7170 Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #26)

49. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, one-story house).”

50. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, one-story house).”

51. “Typical small, two-story log (at least in part) dwelling.” (7068 Leetown Road/Queen Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #29)

52. “Pivotal structure. Former Union Church is a large brick edifice of c. 1823 construction with an open bell tower added around 1853. Plain, almost severe lines are part of its attraction. It is now used as an adjunct to Grace Episcopal Church.” (112 East Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #18)

53. “Combination house of brick and frame sections; the latter includes late nineteenth century elements seldom seen (but not distracting) in Middleway. (154 East Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #17)

54. “Pivotal structure. Triluminar Lodge, A.F. & A. K. Simple rectangular, two-story brick building with a 1960s, brick-veneered addition at the rear. This 1851 lodge hall has served an important function in the social life of the community.” (105 East Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #19)

55. “Pivotal structure. The Gothic features of the c. 1851 Grace Episcopal Church, including the high spires of its bell tower, are impressive in this town of simplicity.” (159 East Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #20)

56. “Small, two story log or frame dwelling with ell.” (175 East Street)

57. “Larger house consisting of an older frame section and a more recent stone addition.” (207 East Street) (Middleway Walking Tour #21)

58. “Non-conforming intrusion (mid-twentieth century, one story house).”

59. “Non-conforming intrusion (mobile home).”

60. “Pivotal structure. This small brick church was constructed about 1887. Along with building #22 it represents the long division of American Methodism, this being the Methodist Protestant Church and that being Methodist Episcopal Church, South. It is now used as the Middleway Full Gospel Pentecostal Church.” (55 West Street)

“National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form.” Accessed May 28, 2021. http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/jefferson/80004025.pdf.

"Out story." Priest Field Pastoral Center. Accessed May 28, 2020. https://priestfield.org/our-story/.

“Walking Tour of Historic Middleway, WV.” The Historic Village of Middleway. Accessed May 27, 2021. https://middlewayconservancy.org/walking-tour.