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Romney is a city in Hampshire County, West Virginia, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city and its environs population was 5,873 *, 1,940 of which live within the city limits. It is the county seat of Hampshire County. Originally settled in 1725 by hunters and traders, Romney was known as Pearsall's Flats and was the site of the French and Indian War stockade Fort Pearsall. Romney holds the title of West Virginia's oldest town, chartered December 23, 1762. Named for the Cinque Ports city of Romney, Kent, England by Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the town still bears placenames and symbols from its colonial past such as its Marsham Street, named for Robert Marsham, 2nd Baron Romney. It is also home to the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind and the nation's First Confederate Memorial in Indian Mound Cemetery.
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Geography
Romney is located at (39.344915, -78.756960).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²), all land.
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Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,940 people, 884 households, and 454 families residing in the city. The population density was 814.2/km² (2,114.3/mi²). There were 974 housing units at an average density of 408.8/km² (1,061.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.91% White, 1.91% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.
There were 884 households out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. 44.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.97 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 76.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,261, and the median income for a family was $34,271. Males had a median income of $28,667 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,765. About 17.2% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.
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Assembly of God
Romney Assembly of God Church, Parsons Heights
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Baptist
Covenant Baptist Church, US Route 50 East
First Baptist Church, 325 West Main Street
Maranatha Baptist Church, Parsons Heights
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Brethren
Romney Church of the Brethren, Parsons Heights
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Christian
Romney Christian Church, 132 North Charlevoix Place
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Church of Christ
Romney Church of Christ, 293 North High Street
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Church of God
Romney Church of God, 128 Everett Place
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Church of the Nazarene
Romney First Church of the Nazarene, 339 Elk Place
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Episcopal
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, 310 East Main Street
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Jehovahs Witness
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, US Route 50 East & Stayman Drive
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Methodist
Ebenezer United Methodist Church, US Route 50 East
First United Methodist Church, 49 North High Street
Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, North High Street
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Mormon
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, US Route 50 East
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Presbyterian
Romney Presbyterian Church, 100 West Rosemary Lane
Saint Luke Presbyterian Chapel, South Branch River Road (CR 8)
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Roman Catholic
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 299 School Street
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Seventh-day Adventist
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Romney during the American Civil War
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Historic Sites
Arnold House (1770) The families Millar, Parker, and Arnold are associated with this house built in 1770. It was the home of Isaac Millar, a prominent officer during the American Revolutionary War, businessman and civic leader.
Blue House (1900) This has been home to descendants of Lieutenant John Blue, famed Confederate spy, whose memoirs were published in Hanging Rock Rebel.
Boxwood (1800) Reortedly sold for about $10 for unpaid taxes, the house was used as an American Civil War hospital. It is said that each of the 56 changes between the Northern and Southern armies during the Civil War in Romney took place under the great elm in the front yard.
The Buffalo House at Fern Cliff (early 1800s) Isaac Pancake built the original log portion in the early 1800s. Recently restored with additions made, it is the home of John and Barbara Pancake.
The Burg (c. 1769) Built around 1769, this property has been in the original family (Williams) for seven generations. It was used as headquarters by both armies during the Civil War.
Cookman Building (1906) Built originally as the Bank of Romney building and currently serves as the offices for the Hampshire Review newspaper.
County Poor Farm (late 1700s) Originally a glebe-house for the local Episcopal church and then Hampshire County's "poor farm."
Davis History House (1798) The Davis House was home to the Davis family which sent two sons to fight for the Confederacy and one for the Union. Now a museum, it features Civil War artifacts and period furnishings.
Farmer's Exchange (late 1800s) At one time Shorty Mauk's store, the Farmer's Exchange has served as a store for the Romney community in some capacity for over one hundred years.
First United Methodist Church (1904)
Green Meadows (c. 1900) This farm served as the first sweet corn truck farm in Hampshire County.
Hickory Grove (1838) Adam Stump and wife, Mary Gregg Parsons, built the brick house in 1838. Their son, Captain George Stump, was killed by Yankee soldiers a short distance from his house just before the end of the war. The seventh generation of the family continue to live there.
Kerns House (c. 1780) Now the home of the American Legion, it was built by Hessian former prisoners of war soon after the American Revolutionary War ended. The front is Flemish bond construction, the sides of American bond. Much of the window glass is original.
Kuykendall-Hicks House (mid-1700s) The north portion of the present structure was Fort Kuykendall built during the French and Indian War. Additions were made in 1814 by Isaac Pancake and a two story addition was completed in 1987.
Liberty Hall (1858) Traditionally referred to as Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's headquarters, the house and grounds were used by both Union and Confederate troops at various times during the Civil War. It was built in 1858 by John B. White, clerk of the circuit and superior court in Hampshire County, who fled to Richmond to escape arrest and served in the Treasury Department of the Confederacy.
Pancake-Kuykendall House (1872) Situated on lot 12 of the Fairfax South Branch River Survey, it was built in 1872 by Joseph A. and Susan Parsons Pancake. Third generation Pancake family continue to live there.
Romney Classical Institute (1846) Extensively remodeled after 1870 when it became the administration building for the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Wings were added to the original Institute and another building was added in 1900 (the taller building in the picture shown to the right).
Old Romney High School (1930) Originally built as a high school to replace the Old Romney Public School, and then converted into a junior high in the 1960s after the creation of Hampshire High School, and then into a middle school until the new Romney Middle School was opened in 2005.
Romney Presbyterian Church (1860) It was used as a hospital and stable during the Civil War. Originally it had a bell tower and steeple, but those were removed because of the weakened condition of the building. Iron rails outside and rods inside were added to reinforce the walls.
Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church (1885) Built in 1885 for $1800, this small brick church features Gothic windows and tiny porticos. The Tiffany-style alter window is in memory of the minister who served from 1886 to 1915. The marble baptismal font predates the church building.
School House (1825) Built as a church around 1825, it suffered a fire in 1853. From 1866 to 1906 it served as public school, with primary grades continuing to be housed there for some time after. It became a private home in 1914.
Valley View (1855) Built for Hannah Parsons Harlan by her father, James "Big Jim" Parsons. Sold in 1927 to Joseph O'Hara, who was instrumental in bringing electric power to Romney. Currently a private home.
Van Meter Fort (1754) Used as a French and Indian War fort, this structure is adjacent to the Kuykendall house. It shows the gun slits and relatively fireproof construction.
Wappacoma (1773) The main part of the house was built in 1773 from bricks used as ballast on English ships, off-loaded at Newport News, and hauled across the mountains by oxen. It has been home to six generations of the original family.
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Parks and recreation
Baseball Field, Cross Country Trails, Running Track, Soccer Field, Softball Field
Hampshire Park & 4-H Camp, South Branch River Road (CR 8)
Picnic Pavilions, Baseball Field, Basketball Court, Volleyball Court, Tennis Courts
Old Romney High School, 111 School Street
Baseball Field, Basketball Courts, Football Field, Running Track
Romney Recreation Center, 260 School Street
Baseball Field, Basketball Courts, Picnic Pavilions, Running Track, Soccer Field, Swimming Facilities
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Additional Romney Articles
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Town of Romney Links
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Romney Business & Tourism Links
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Romney Maps & Satellite Images
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