Beyond the Races and Slots

Mention Charles Town, WV, and fast horses and furious slot playing immediately come to mind. After all, the jingle for Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is virtually super-glued to the cerebrum courtesy of those flashy commercials.

But in this historic town that was founded by George Washington’s youngest brother, it’s the history and character that make the panhandle city an ideal destination. With red brick sidewalks, and gracious homes featuring front porches, stately columns and American flags, Charles Town is generously dappled with small-town charm.

Navigating serpentine turns and imbibing bucolic vistas along the way, the drive to Charles Town is therapeutic and tranquil. You’ll pass at least half a dozen wineries en route that you’ll want to consider exploring on your return trip. Stop in the Charles Town Visitor Center, located at 101 E. Washington Street, to pick up a Walking Tour map of the town. There are more than 30 historic sites contained in an 11-block area.

If you can’t spare an entire day in Charles Town, there are three sites that the visitor center’s William Jordan recommended. “Many people come here for the whole weekend, just walking the town. It’s not all horses or slot machines,” he said. 

Begin your town tour by walking to Zion Episcopal Church & Cemetery, located on Congress Street between Mildred and Church streets. The cemetery “may hold the largest number of Washington family descendants in the United States,” according to the Walking Tour.

The majestic Victorian Gibson-Todd House, located at 515 South Samuel Street, is perhaps most famous for being on the property where abolitionist John Brown was executed. Col. John Thomas Gibson built the stately home in 1892. In 2009, to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry, Charles Town held a reenactment of the execution.

Consider driving to another recommended historical site – Happy Retreat, the estate that Charles Washington built after bringing his family to Charles Town from Fredericksburg, VA. According to Friends of Happy Retreat, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and includes an 18^th century mansion, a stone and brick kitchen/smokehouse and an octagonal wooden schoolhouse.

If you have a weekend to while away here, other sites worthy of exploration include the Old Opera House, Charles Washington’s gravesite, the Old Charles Town Library and the Jefferson County Museum. Said Ashburn resident Barbara Maistros during a recent visit to Charles Town, “There’s more history than you can handle in an hour or two.”

If shopping is on your itinerary, head to Washington Street where you’ll find a jumble of shops, including Bars & Booths, located at 200 W. Washington Street, which features retro furniture and other items from the ‘50s.

“We restore soda machines from the ‘50s, jukeboxes, kiddie rides and gas pumps,” said Deborah Carter, the shipping manager.

Continue your journey back in time at Needful Things, where an eclectic variety of antique items such as furniture, clothing and art are on display in this old-time store. You can even grab a bite to eat in the shop’s ‘50s-style café. Needful Things is located at 218 W. Washington Street.  

Other good bets for quick bites include Skippers Downtown Dips & Deli at 114 W. Washington Street, where you can nosh on paninis, wraps and ice cream, and Jumpin’ Java Café for blended iced coffees, classic melts and more. Jumpin’ Java Café is located at 109 W. Washington Street.

Though it may be the magnetic lure of a big jackpot that takes you to Charles Town, it’s the small-town sensibilities and streets with stories to tell that will bring you back.

For more information, visit the Charles Town Web site at www.charlestownwv.us or call 304-725-2311.