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Martinsburg, West Virginia

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Martinsburg, West Virginia
City
City of Martinsburg
Location of Martinsburg in West Virginia
Location of Martinsburg in West Virginia
CountryUnited States
StateWest Virginia
CountyBerkeley
Government
 • MayorGeorge Karos
Area
[1]
 • City
6.67 sq mi (17.28 km2)
 • Land6.65 sq mi (17.22 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
453 ft (138 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • City
17,227
 • Estimate 
(2012[3])
17,513
 • Density2,590.5/sq mi (1,000.2/km2)
 • Urban
43,441
 • Metro
263,753
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
25401–25405
Area code304
FIPS code54-52060Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1542824Template:GR

Martinsburg is a city in the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia, USA. Its population was 17,227 at the 2010 census making it the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle and the eighth largest municipality in the state.[4] Martinsburg is the county seat of Berkeley CountyTemplate:GR and one of the core cities in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Martinsburg was founded in 1778 by General Adam Stephen who named it in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin, a nephew of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron.

Aspen Hall is a Georgian mansion, the oldest part of which was built in 1745 by Edward Beeson, Sr. making it the oldest house in the city. Aspen Hall and the people who lived there played important roles in the agricultural, religious, transportation, and political heritage of the region. Significant events related to the British, French, and Indian War; the Revolution, and the Civil War took place on the property. Three original buildings are still standing including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort.

The first post office in what is now West Virginia was established at Martinsburg in 1792.

The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad reached Martinsburg in 1842. The B&O Roundhouse and Station Complex was first constructed in 1849.

According to William Still, "The Father of the Underground Railroad," a freedom-seeking slave made an interesting escape from Martinsburg on the Underground Railroad, Christmas night, 1856. Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, fled by riding a horse while it swam across the freezing Potomac River. After riding forty miles, he walked in cold wet clothes for two days, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He received assistance there, and then went by train to Philadelphia, and the office of William Still with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Brown's wife and four children had been sold, and all he had was a likeness of his wife, and locks of hair from each of them.

In 1854, ten-year-old Isabelle "Belle" Boyd, later a famous spy for the Confederacy, moved to Martinsburg with her family, where her father Benjamin opened and operated a general merchandise store. After the Civil War began, Benjamin joined Second Virginia Infantry, which was part of the Stonewall Brigade. As a result, his wife Mary was in charge of the Boyd home when Union forces under General Robert Patterson took Martinsburg. When a group of Patterson's men tried to raise a Union flag over the Boyd home, Mary refused. One of the soldiers, Frederick Martin, threatened Mary, and Belle promptly shot him. Although acquitted of wrongdoing in the matter, she soon became involved in espionage, sending information to Confederate generals Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart. Often she was helped by Eliza Corsey, a Boyd family slave whom Belle had taught to read and write. In 1863, Belle was arrested in Martinsburg by the Union Army and imprisoned. The Greek Revival home that Benjamin Boyd had built in 1853, and which he had sold in 1855, was purchased in 1992 by the Berkeley County Historical Society. The historical society renovated the building and now operates it as the Berkeley County Museum, also known as the Belle Boyd House.

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

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began July 14, 1877 in Martinsburg and spread nationwide.

Telephone service first began in Martinsburg in 1883.

In 1889, electricity began to be furnished to Martinsburg as part of a franchise granted to the United Edison Manufacturing Company of New York.

The Interwoven mills began operations in Martinsburg in 1891 and grew to be the largest manufacturer of men's hosiery in the world.

Construction of the "Apollo Civic Theatre" was completed in 1913.

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

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

Beginning in the late 1940s and through the 1950s, many of the mills and factories operating in Martinsburg shut down and went out of business, dealing a major blow to the local economy.

Demographics

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

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $29,495, and the median income for a family was $36,954. Males had a median income of $29,697 versus $22,212 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,314. About 14.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 17,227 people, 7,293 households, and 4,106 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,590.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,000.2/km2). There were 8,408 housing units at an average density of 1,264.4 per square mile (488.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.5% White, 14.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population.

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

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

Geography

Location and topography

Martinsburg is located at 39°27′33″N 77°58′4″W / 39.45917°N 77.96778°W / 39.45917; -77.96778 (39.459207, −77.967814).Template:GR As per MapQuest, Martinsburg is approximately 92 miles (148 km) driving distance northwest of Washington, D.C.. U.S. Route 11 runs through the center of town, and Interstate 81 passes along the northern side of the town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.67 square miles (17.28 km2), of which, 6.65 square miles (17.22 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[1]

Climate

Martinsburg lies in the transition from a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) to a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold with a January daily mean temperature of 30.9 °F (−0.6 °C) and an average seasonal snowfall of 26.6 inches (68 cm), while summers are hot and humid with a July daily mean temperature of 74.7 °F (23.7 °C) and 27 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ readings annually. Precipitation is moderate, with winter being the driest period and May thru July the wettest. Extreme temperatures range from −18 °F (−28 °C) on January 21, 1994 up to 112 °F (44 °C) on July 11, 1936.

Climate data for Martinsburg, West Virginia
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27) 		83
(28) 		88
(31) 		96
(36) 		100
(38) 		106
(41) 		112
(44) 		108
(42) 		103
(39) 		98
(37) 		86
(30) 		78
(26) 		112
(44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 39.5
(4.2) 		43.2
(6.2) 		52.6
(11.4) 		64.0
(17.8) 		72.7
(22.6) 		81.7
(27.6) 		85.8
(29.9) 		83.9
(28.8) 		76.7
(24.8) 		65.4
(18.6) 		54.3
(12.4) 		42.8
(6.0) 		63.6
(17.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 22.3
(−5.4) 		24.4
(−4.2) 		31.4
(−0.3) 		40.8
(4.9) 		49.6
(9.8) 		58.9
(14.9) 		63.7
(17.6) 		61.8
(16.6) 		53.9
(12.2) 		42.3
(5.7) 		34.1
(1.2) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		42.4
(5.8)
Record low °F (°C) −18
(−28) 		−10
(−23) 		−3
(−19) 		19
(−7) 		26
(−3) 		36
(2) 		41
(5) 		40
(4) 		29
(−2) 		17
(−8) 		6
(−14) 		−12
(−24) 		−18
(−28)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.44
(62) 		2.34
(59) 		3.52
(89) 		3.34
(85) 		4.09
(104) 		3.76
(96) 		3.67
(93) 		3.08
(78) 		3.56
(90) 		3.05
(77) 		3.13
(80) 		2.63
(67) 		38.59
(980)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.3
(24) 		7.5
(19) 		4.4
(11) 		.4
(1.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.1
(2.8) 		3.8
(9.7) 		26.6
(68)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.4 8.9 10.6 10.5 12.6 11.0 10.1 8.7 8.8 8.5 9.3 9.1 117.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.7 2.2 1.7 .2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .5 2.1 10.4
Source: NOAA (normals 1981−2010, extremes 1926−present)[5]

Commerce

Major private employers in and around Martinsburg include Quad/Graphics, EcoLab, Orgill, World Color, Sino-Swearingen, General Motors, and FedEx.

The city also has numerous federal government employers including the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Coast Guard Operations Systems Center, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Veteran Administration Center.

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

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

Martinsburg had its own automobile company from 1912 to 1922, called Norwalk. The cars that were assembled there are the longest-made known cars to be built in the state of West Virginia.[6]

Healthcare

  • Berkeley Medical Center (formally WVUH-East City Hospital and City Hospital)
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Shopping

Martinsburg has one Shopping Mall

  • Martinsburg Mall: 551,351 square feet (51,222.2 m2) with approximately 50 stores and anchored by Walmart, JCPenney, and The Bon-Ton. Opened in 1991. Location: Foxcroft Avenue, Interstate 81 Exit 12 & 13.

Other retail centers/areas in Martinsburg include:

  • The Commons Shopping Center: 400,000 square feet (37,000 m2) anchored by Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Staples, Books A Million, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels, Petsmart, and Five Below. Opened in 2009. Location: Retail Commons Parkway, Interstate 81 Exit 12.
  • Old Courthouse Square: 201,350 square feet (18,706 m2) anchored by Food Lion, Schewels, and Auto Zone. Opened in 1987. Location: Edwin Miller Blvd.
  • Apple Harvest Drive: K-Mart, Food Lion, Lowes, and Advance Auto.
  • North Queen Street: Weis Markets, Tractor Supply, Big Lots, and Aarons.
  • Other shopping areas in the city are the Berkeley Plaza on Williamsport Pike and Martinsburg Plaza on Winchester Ave.

Education

Middle Schools

  • North Middle School
  • South Middle School
  • Spring Mills Middle School
  • Hedgesville Middle School
  • Musselman Middle School

High Schools

  • Martinsburg High School
  • Musselman High School
  • Hedgesville High School
  • Spring Mills High School (Summer of 2013)

Colleges and universities

Transportation

B&O Roundhouse and Station Complex

Major highways

Mass transportation

See also: Martinsburg (Amtrak station)

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

Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, known more popularly as "Pan Tran," operates bus routes in Martinsburg, surrounding Berkeley County, and neighboring Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Eastern WV Regional Airport, south of the city, handles general aviation. The closest airport with commercial air service is Hagerstown Regional Airport, that is about 25 miles (40 km) driving distance north. The closest international airport is Washington Dulles International Airport, which is about 60 miles (97 km) driving distance east.

Media

Print

  • Martinsburg has one daily community newspaper, The Journal.
  • Martinsburg has a bi-monthly magazine, Around the Panhandle magazine. www.aroundthepanhandle.com

Radio

Television

  • Martinsburg is home to W44AA Channel 44 (WV Educational Broadcasting) and (WWPX 60 (ION), all part of the Hagerstown sub-market that is further grouped under the Nielsen-designated Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown, Md. market, the ninth largest market in the nation.[7] The box below lists television stations available in the region.
  • Martinsburg, WV was the setting of the X-Files episode "Small Potatoes" (Season 4, episode 20). However, the filming did not take place in the vicinity.

Notable natives and residents

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  4. ^ Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in West Virginia, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008, U.S. Census Bureau. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-07-01]
  5. ^ "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  6. ^ The Norwalk: Martinsburg's Motor Car
  7. ^ Local Television Market Universe Estimates, Nielsen, 27 September 2008. Retrieved 02 November 2008.
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