Historical Marker

Berkeley Springs/James Rumsey

US 522 (S. Washington Street), at junction with Fairfax Street, Berkeley Springs · Berkeley Springs · Morgan

West Virginia marker

Inscription

Washington first came here, 1748. Fairfax gave the springs to the public. Established as town, 1776. Virginia treated her sick soldiers here. Gen. Washington, Gen. Buchanan, Gen. Gates, Charles Carroll, and others bought lots, 1777.

[Reverse]

Here, 1782-1785, lived James Rumsey, miller, innkeeper, and inventor of the steamboat. He demonstrated a model of his boat before Washington, 1784. He continued his experiments here and elsewhere until his public demonstration of 1787.

Location

AddressUS 522 (S. Washington Street), at junction with Fairfax Street, Berkeley Springs
CityBerkeley Springs
CountyMorgan
StateWest Virginia
Coordinates39.554380, -78.265840

Sources

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