7 Oldest Founded Towns To Visit In West Virginia

West Virginia and history are inseparable, and one only needs to visit some of its ancient towns to agree. The mountain state is proudly home to some of the oldest-founded towns in the United States, with so much history to offer. Hence, there's no shortage of old towns to explore for history buffs looking to go back in time or experience a unique vacation steeped in history. From Romney to Shepherdstown and Charles Town, a rustic and tranquil atmosphere reigns supreme, and while some of these towns are easy to reach, they are certainly hard to forget. Want a complete dosage of history in West Virginia? Come check out these seven old towns.

Charleston

Charleston is the state capital, the state's largest city, and one of the oldest. It was founded in 1788 but incorporated in 1794 by the Virginia House of Delegates. The city was first known as Charlestown. However, it was shortened to Charleston to avoid confusion with another city of the same name founded by Charles Washington. As history goes, the city was deeded to Thomas Bullit, a military officer who inherited the land from his brother Cuthbert Bullit. Within years, the city grew in leaps and bounds, thanks to abundant natural resources like salt and coal.

Today, it is a bustling capital with over 45,000 residents and boasts many urban parks, such as Danner Meadow Park, Magic Island, and Cato Park. It is also home to the 9,300-acre Kanawha State Forest, the University of Charleston, the Juliet Art Museum, the Clay Center for Arts & Sciences, the West Virginia State Museum, and the West Virginia Capitol.

Charles Town

Charles Town is a city in Jefferson County, founded by Charles Washington, the youngest brother of President George Washington, in 1780. He built his estate, "Happy Retreat," in the town in the same year and also began laying out the streets of the town. However, the town was officially established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1787. Later, in 1801, the Jefferson County Courthouse was built on the land he donated, which is now part of the Downtown Charles Town Historic District, the town's commercial nerve center worth visiting. Other places of interest within the historic district include the New Opera House, Market House, Post Office, and Sheetz House, which were built in 1797. In addition, visitors should also check out the founder's estate - Happy Retreat in Blakeley Plaza, which still retains its revival-style architecture.

Buckhannon

Buckhannon is an incorporated city in Upshur County, West Virginia, and, indeed, one of the oldest in the state. The city lies by the Buckhannon River and at the foothills of the Allegheny Range. It was officially established as a city in 1816. But before then, it was the home of its early settlers - The Pringle Brothers, John and Samuel Pringle, two soldiers of the English army during the French and India war. According to history, the soldiers abandoned their posts in Fort Pitt and traveled southward through the stream to settle in Buckhannon River in 1764. They lived in the hollow stump of a sycamore tree in the town for three years. Today, the third generation of the tree, which is now known as the Pringles Tree, is still standing for visitors to see. The city is also renowned for hosting the Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival in May, which features parades, community events, and more than enough strawberries for everyone.

Wheeling

Wheeling is a much bigger city on the list, with a population of about 27,000. The city is located in the state's Northern Peninsula, nestled between the Ohio River and the border with Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1769 and was a former settlement in the British Colony of Virginia, which later rose to become the second-largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Wheeling was also the state capital of West Virginia and Virginia for three months in 1863 between the period when West Virginia became a state and the Restored Government of Virginia moved to Alexandria.

Visitors to this town can enjoy live music and theatrical performances at Capitol Theatre or Victoria Theater - the oldest in West Virginia. On its historical side, the West Virginia Independence Hall in the city was the site of the Wheeling Conventions that led to the formation of West Virginia during the American Civil War. For outdoor recreation, there is the 1,650-acre Oglebay Park, which features a lake, golf courses, walking trails, an outdoor pool, a zoo, gardens, and a Mansion Museum to explore. 

Petersburg

Petersburg is one of the oldest cities in West Virginia. It was founded in 1745 by Jacob Peterson, owner of the first merchandising store in the area. This city is located in Grant County and has a population of around 2,250 residents, which makes it more of a sleepy city. Over the years, its population has remained almost static, leaving its small land mass for farmers and livestock rearers. 

Historic sites in the town include the Manor, Grant County Courthouse, Rohrbaugh Cabin, and The Hermitage Motor Inn. The town is also remarkable for housing the Smoke Hole Canyon - a 20-mile gorge created by the flowing Potomac River, which is a good place to visit. Legend says native Americans smoked meat inside a cave in the Canyon, hence the naming. This area is also perfect for hiking for those who want to see the beauty of one of West Virginia's wild landscapes. 

Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown was founded alongside Romney in 1762, making both the oldest towns in West Virginia. The town was established by the same act that founded Romney and was previously known as Mecklenburg. Located along the Potomac River in Shenandoah Valley, the town boasts six natural springs that perfectly blend history and sightseeing for visitors. The Shepherdstown Museum is an ideal place to learn about the town's history. However, there are rumors of Ghosts and paranormal activities around the museum, which was previously a historic hotel. So, it's either a call for some spooky adventure or to avoid the museum if one has a phobia for mystery. Alternatively, the Shepherdstown Opera House, built in 1910, is a good place to enjoy a musical concert or see an interesting film. There is also a Bavarian Inn in the town that treats visitors to an assortment of international cuisines, exotic wines, and German meals, such as Bratwurst and knackwurst. 

Romney

Romney is revered as West Virginia's oldest town, officially founded in 1762 by consecutive acts of the Virginia House of Burgesses. However, by 1725, the town was already a settlement for traders and hunters and later became the site of a French fort. It was named after the English port town of Romney in Kent, and after the Civil War, the town became famous as the location of a school for the deaf and blind.

Visitors can delve into history at the Taggart Hall Civil War Museum to feed their eyes with remnants of the town's Civil War past. The town is also home to several battlefields, historic sites, and cemeteries, notably the Indian Mound for Hopewell Indians, 41 East Main Street, and Hampshire County Courthouse. The Potomac Eagle - a scenic train ride excursion to see bald eagles is the perfect way to spice up a visit here. This trip takes visitors across a rail line over the Potomac River canyon, where bald eagles call their home, and if lucky, one can spot them feasting on fish in the water. 

West Virginia is one of the smallest states in the United States both in size and population. Probably as compensation, it holds many claims to fame with historical towns, which are some of the oldest east of the Mississippi River. This comes in addition to its vast array of wilderness and unspoiled nature, making it a scenic retreat for nature and history lovers alike. Whether it's a vacation to check out historic architecture or a walk down the paths of 18th-century streets, these towns have it got it all.