Middleway, WV

Middleway, WV

Step back in time, as you ride through the town of Middleway, WV. 

On January 15, 1786 the Virginia General Assembly passed an act establishing the town of Smithfield on land owned by John Smith II and William Smith.  A post office was established in 1806; and since there was another town called Smithfield in the state, a different name was needed to avoid confusion.  Because Smithfield had become a center of commerce between several other towns, the post office became known as "Middleway."  Middleway remains a small village and retains many of its historic buildings.

The Middleway Historic District comprises sixty major buildings from the late 18th century and early 19th century in Middleway, West Virginia. Middleway was a crossroads town on the Shepherdstown-Berryville road and the Charles Town turnpike.  The town was established by John Smith, Sr. and Jr., along with son and brother Rees Smith, who had established grist and hemp mills by 1734 along Turkey Run.  The town was not, however, officially established until 1798.  Middleway never followed up on its original growth, allowing the older stone, brick and log houses to be preserved.

The Middleway Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.