Overview

Before the French and Indian War, young surveyor George Washington purchased his first land along the Bullskin Run, a few miles from the present Cottonwood Inn. The Washington family later owned much of the land in this area. Charles Town is named after George's brother, Charles, who donated the land on which the courthouse sits. At nearby Harpers Ferry, John Brown's raid in 1859 helped to ignite the Civil War, and Harpers Ferry itself, a strategic objective throughout the War, was the site of the largest surrender of an American army until wwii. The Charles Town courthouse is famous for the treason trial of John Brown, who was executed by hanging two blocks away from the courthouse. This area was engaged almost continuously in conflict from the beginning until the very end of the Civil War. The Cottonwood is well-located for Civil War battlefield tours with Antietam, Harpers Ferry and Winchester all within 25 miles.