John Davis, Bathkeeper

1834 – 1860 — It was the custom of the socially prominent to circulate among various Virginia spas in the region. Berkeley Springs was no exception. The area around the springs was known as “The Grove” and was under the care of bathkeeper, John Davis.

1834 — Colonel John Strother arrived from Martinsburg and rebuilt the hotel industry.

1835 — The turnpike from Winchester opened. Travel improved.

1839 — The C&O Canal opened on North Bank of the Potomac River.

1842 — A duel was fought over Sally McDowell, the wife of Governor McDowell of Virginia, which affected national politics.

1843 –– The B&O Railroad arrived at Sir Johns Run. Berkeley Springs became the only fashionable Virginia spa accessible by rail.

1844 — FIRE! Fourteen buildings were destroyed including several hotels. Downtown redevelopment resulted.

1848 — Strother completed the elegant Berkeley Springs Hotel. President James K. Polk visited the town and stayed there.

1850 — The Paw Paw Tunnel was completed.

1852 — President Millard Fillmore visited.

1852 — David Hunter Strother began writing and drawing as “Porte Crayon.”

1853 — The baths improved. A 90-foot Ladies Bath House, an 82-foot Gentlemen’s Swimming Baths and Gentlemen’s Spring House pavilion was built. The Gentlemen’s Spring House is still standing today.

1853 –– Author Washington Irving visited.

1854 — The Reciprocity Treaty defining fishing territories for the US and Great Britian was negotiated and signed at Berkeley Springs.

1860 — Tension was brewing on the eve of the Civil War as Berkeley Springs was considered a border town with mixed sentiments about whether to align with the Union or the Confederacy.