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Berkeley Springs is located in Morgan County in the Eastern Panhandle of
West Virginia. The town is situated is a narrow valley east of Warm
Springs ridge. This topographic
map shows the locations of the town and the branch line running north
to the Potomac River.
The Berkeley Springs & Potomac Railroad began as a venture by local
businessmen to increase resort traffic into the Town of Bath. After the
Civil War, resort business had declined somewhat in Berkeley Springs. To
provide economic stimulus, the town decided that new bathing facilities
for the famed warm springs and a railroad line would be the top
priorities.
On September 4, 1885 the News reported that S. W. M. Peters subscribed
10 shares to the BS&PRR. On October 25, 1885, the Morgan Mercury
reported that D. F. DeFord, the president of the BS&PRR had reached
an agreement with the B&O to connect with the BS&PRR and take
over operation of the line. Two more years would pass before the county
residents would approve the necessary bonds.
The voters on September 8, 1887 approved the building of the railroad
by a margin of 719 - 475. Residents of the town had torch light parade on
the Saturday following the victory. Berkeley Springs's Cornet Band led
the parade throughout town ending with a concert in the public square.
The first crossties were brought to town on September 16 and more were
placed at Alpine Station near Hancock, WV. After seven months of
construction the line was completed but with a casualty. A blasting
accident took the life of John H Shackelford on August 2, 1888.
November 1, 1888 was an exciting day with the Berkeley Springs Cornet
Band leading the entertainment. The first two coach train headed by
B&O Winans Camel 128 entered town with engineer Hez Williams, fireman
Joseph Tyson, brakeman Frank Kesecker, baggage master Emory Elliot, and
station agent and telegraph operator R. L. (Murry) Starnes. Several of
Berkeley Springs residents traveled to Hancock to pay ten cents for the
first train ride to town.
Passenger service ended until April 23, 1932 with the last scheduled
train. The B&O decided that passenger service was not profitable and
replaced the service with a bus line.
The line now only goes as far as the U.S. Silica plant south of
Berkeley Springs. Freight traffic into town ended in the early 90s.
Last Runs:
Passenger Service - April 23, 1932
Pulp Train from Westvaco yard - May 14, 1991
Removal of tracks for Berkeley Springs to US Silica - March - May 1996.
Mineral Resources:
Sandstone
and it History
Resource Development History:
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