Shepherdstown, West Virginia is one of the most charming small towns I have visited to date. Like my experience in McKinney, Texas, I felt at home in a place I never knew I missed. Shepherdstown is unique in that many elements of the town—such as the architecture, the tight-knit community, and the slow-paced lifestyle—take you back to the past. I even noticed some vintage cars lining the street as townsfolk strolled by puffing on their cigarettes. At the same time, the town has a hippy, progressive culture. Many of the businesses have pride flags and LGBTQ friendly signs; a majority seemed to be women-owned. And you have the students from Shepherd University, a liberal arts institution, that bring with them their own forward-thinking perspectives.
history
Aside from looking like a painting with its whimsical storefronts, quaint homes, and colorful fall foliage, Shepherdstown also has a rich historic past. The geographic location of the town has been a site of activity as early as 1734. It was officially named Shepherd’s Town in 1798 to honor its founder, Thomas Shepherd. Many firsts for West Virginia took place in Shepherdstown, including the state’s first newspaper publication and post office.
Shepherdstown is known to have been occupied by both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. In September 1862, the Battle of Antietam took place across the Potomac, about 4 miles west of Shepherdstown. While the Union claimed a victory here, it was the deadliest single-day battle in US history, with approximately 22,717 casualties. Many believe that this painful moment in history has contributed Shepherdstown’s reputation for being extremely haunted. If you’re interested in that side of things, check out Ghosts of Shepherdstown on Amazon Prime (I must admit, this is what piqued my interest to visit in the first place).
Shepherdstown’s main street (German Street) is lined with beautiful historic buildings repurposed into eclectic coffee and tea shops, cozy restaurants, art galleries, inns, museums, and retail stores for all interests. There are also several churches, a university, a public library, and even a town hall and police department. Fun fact: the Shepherdstown Chief of Police, Mike King, appeared on the Amazon Prime show, Ghosts of Shepherdstown. You really have everything you need within just a few steps in Shepherdstown!
historical buildings
Shepherd University
Shepherd University sits in the center of Shepherdstown and is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Standing out as a landmark on German Street with its tall, ivory Corinthian columns and impressive clock tower is Shepherd University’s McMurran Hall. It even has a little brook running in front of it, which makes it look even more picturesque.
The Shepherdstown Public Library
The Shepherdstown Public Library was built in 1800 and has had a dynamic past. It served as a market for farmers, the Shepherdstown Fire Department, town council offices, a schoolhouse, a butcher shop, and even a jail. It began its transition into a public library in 1922! I did not get to go in the library since it is closed on Sundays, but I certainly plan to visit when I go back.
Trinity Episcopal Church
I had to point out this church simply because of its beautiful Gothic Revival exterior. A plaque outside the church explains that the church was established in 1745/1747 and has a brick in it that was taken from the first Episcopal Church in Jamestown, Virginia. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers attended service here. They still hold holy communion at 8AM and 10AM on Sundays.
Register Building – 1894
I could not find much on the Register Building other than when it was built. This building is a stunning work of architecture that has been repurposed into modern day apartments. There is also retail space on the first floor, including a cute little wine shop, Grapes & Grains Gourmet.
Mecklenburg Inn
This place looked super cozy but I did not get a chance to go in. The Mecklenburg Inn is a teensy bed and breakfast with a total of three units! On the first floor is a pub where it seems the locals like to hang out. The building has more or less remained untouched since it was built around the late 1700’s when George Washington was President. The Mecklenburg Inn has good reviews on Trip Advisor if you are interested in scoring a room!
FOOD
I spent the next day after my visit feeling sick from all the (delicious) food I ate in Shepherdstown. There were so many options, I couldn’t just pick one.
Shepherdstown Sweet Shop & Bakery
First, I had to visit Shepherdstown Sweet Shop & Bakery for coffee and a cheese danish and they did not disappoint. You can stop in at this homey bakery to grab pastries, muffins, artisanal bread, sandwiches, and even locally made honey, jam, and syrup. The shop itself sits on the first floor of a 200-year-old building. It is light and airy, with huge storefront windows opening to face Shepherd University’s McMurran Hall. The Shepherdstown Sweet Shop & Bakery was a primary feature in the Ghosts of Shepherdstown series, but to my dismay I didn’t see any ghosts during my visit.
Mountaineer Popcorn Company
If I am ever in a town that has either a popcorn shop or a candy store (or both) I go in. Mountaineer Popcorn Company is just a few doors down from the Sweet Shop. It is a small shop that packs in a LOT of popcorn. They had popcorn flavors ranging from classic movie theater butter style to birthday cake. You could buy 2 cups or 80 cups depending on your needs. I got a sizeable bag of the classic stuff and wrecked its salty, buttery deliciousness in one go.
Lilah
My third and final food stop was dinner at Lilah. Its neon green storefront and funky lights caught my eye as soon as I drove into the town. I got a perfect seat right up front in the bay window cove facing out to the street and it was here that I felt a sense of serenity I haven’t felt in a while. I sipped my Arnold Palmer and took in my surroundings. A couple chatted at the bar; a group of friends giggled at a table nearby. One patron had a dog with a pink sweater that matched its pink-dyed tail. The bright paintings on the walls matched the overall cheery vibe of the restaurant. I was pleased to see that restaurant was both vegetarian and vegan friendly. I ordered a Beyond Burger with french fries and caught up on my book, Gothic Tales by Elizabeth Gaskell.
Tonic Therapeutic Herbs Shop & Elixir Bar
I did not go into Tonic Therapeutic Herbs Shop & Elixir Bar, but thought it worth mentioning for a future visit. It serves as another great example of Shepherdstown’s rich homeopathic, all-natural health and wellness culture. At this shop, you can get bulk herbs, muffins, superfood bars, tonic teas, flower teas, cocoa, and health shots (like wheatgrass shots but way more creative).
SHOPPING
Meditative Medicinals
The very first shop I went into in Shepherdstown was Meditative Medicinals. I was greeted by the lovely owner, Samantha Savoca and her floofy dog! Samantha gave me a rundown of the products in her shop and proved to be very knowledgeable and passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of CBD. I am not very familiar with CBD or hemp products in general, so Samantha was very helpful. I browsed around the shop took in the wide spectrum of oils, teas, gummies, sweet treats, salves, bath products, and much more. The shop was decorated beautifully, with crisp white walls, wood floors, plenty of plants and greenery, Hindu statues, arabesque rugs, and chakra tapestries on the walls. I felt right at home. I purchased some detox tea, CBD gummies, and some “Blue Moon Milk”, which is a calming bedtime elixir made with superfoods
On the Wings of Dreams
My favorite shop was On the Wings of Dreams. They provide gifts and tools curated to help guide you on your “journey to Spirit”, which is exactly what I need in my life right now. I have strayed from the path, so I need to get back on the path.
They have crystals, botanical incense, essential oils, jewelry, books and tarot cards, ceremonial herbs, prayer feathers, and much more. I even purchased a “cauldron splash” concoction made by Enchanted Botanicals (you can sprinkle it on your spell papers and incense for a little pizazz and manifesting energy when burning them). Like many of the shops in Shepherdstown, On the Wings of Dreams has a lot of locally sourced products (Enchanted Botanicals is based on out Lovettsville, Virginia), which I found to be refreshing.
Admiral Analog’s
Right next to On the Wings of Dreams is Admiral Analog’s. This vintage record store made me feel like I was on the set of Pretty in Pink. I was just waiting for Iona to come out from the back with her spikey hair and punk-glam get-up to give me advice about love and relationships. I’m not a connoisseur of music by any means, but they did seem to have a wide spectrum of vinyl records ranging from Johnny Cash to Prince to Motorhead and beyond.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
The Historic Shepherdstown Museum
Historic Shepherdstown Museum is housed in the Entler Hotel, built in 1786 and now on the National Register for Historic Places. Though no longer an actual hotel that hosts guests overnight, the Entler Hotel is a venue for weddings, art exhibits, and other special events. I was not able to go into the museum since their hours are limited to 12 – 4pm on Saturdays. However, the museum is active in the community and hosts speaker series and Q&A sessions in May, June, and October.
Kimo Pics Photo Gallery
Kimo Pics Photo Gallery is owned by J. Kimo Williams. Mr. Williams is a talented photographer that decided to pursue his creative dream after retiring as a teacher and moving with his wife from Chicago to Shepherdstown to be closer to his daughter. His photo subjects range from the West Virginia mountains and forests to the streets of DC. His work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine. Mr. Williams was the kindest person I met in Shepherdstown, and I plan to visit his gallery again when I go back to visit!
