1861 — The Civil War curtailed the resort business as our southern spa town, Berkeley Springs, is considered a Union town. In reality, the resident’s sentiments on its Union alliance were divided.

1862 — Stonewall Jackson invaded and encamped men and horses at the Berkeley Springs Hotel owned by Union stalwarts Colonel John Strother and his son, David Hunter Strother. Jackson hoped to disrupt the B&O Railroad and capture the town.

1863 — Morgan County joins the newly formed State of West Virginia, which opposed slavery.

1864 — Raids and skirmishes continued to plague Berkeley Springs. Southern soldiers actually raided a lodge, held offiials captive, and stole horses.

1865 — After the war’s end, tourism began to attract visitors once again. The visitors were now Northern Industrialists as compared to earlier Southern aristocracy.

1865 — Cottages were built and the railroad came into the town. The social life of a summer spa resort bloomed including parties at Berkeley Castle and its famous end-of-season balls. De Ford Tannery, and its stench, conflicts with healthy resort life.

1865 — President Lincoln’s cabinet members built summer cottages in Berkeley Springs.