Shepherdstown, West Virginia

This small town is named after Thomas Shepherd, who founded the town in 1734. Shepherdstown claims to be the oldest town in the state. The main avenue through town, German Street, is lined with shops and restaurants. Many of these buildings were built before the Revolutionary War. This small town is the home of Shepherd University. This is a state-funded institution with an enrollment of 4,200 undergrads. Its 323-acre campus is adjacent to downtown Shepherdstown. The residents of this small town consist of a nice blend of artists, musicians, professors and students. The Shepherdstown Historic District was established and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 with a boundary increase to include the entire town in 1987. The nearby town of Harpers Ferry is the location of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The Contemporary American Theater Festival is held at Shepherd University each July. Shepherdstown is at the junction of Route 230 and 480 in the far northeast corner of West Virginia.