Historic Sites in Jefferson County, West Virginia[edit]

Claymont Court[edit]

History of Claymont Court[edit]

Location: 39°15'57.85"N, 77°54'35.86"W

Frank Stockton, the famous author, desiring the solitude of rural life, sought a home where he might enjoy the seclusion of woods and gardens and far reaching meadows. He found this in Claymont, the fulfillment of his ideal, a garden spot, shut in from the world, amid the hills of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

Besides the attractiveness of its situation and surroundings, "Claymont" is rich in historical associations. The land was originally owned by George Washington, and although he never lived here, he frequently visited the spot. The house, which was built, by one of his family, was modeled after plans that he himself had designed. It is one of the eight homes built in the Shenandoah Valley by the Washington family.

In 1748 George Washington, then a boy of sixteen, surveyed Lord Fairfax's land in this region and for his services was presented with 350 acres. On returning home, George expressed such a warm enthusiasm for the locality that his brother, Lawrence, purchased several thousand acres of it. In 1820, Bushrod Corbin Washington, grand nephew of the president, built, this house at a reported cost of $30,000. It was always regarded as the grandest of the family houses and sometimes referred to as 'Washington's folly.

In 1838, its complete interior was accidentally destroyed by a fire caused by a chimney blaze which spread to the roof. Bushrod Washington, a man with substantial worldly means lost no time in rebuilding the house as it originally existed, Here he lived in the years following, entertaining his many friends "in the grand manner" and supervising the development of his estate of more than 1000 acres, making it one of the finest livestock farms in that part of Virginia.

With his death in 1851, Claymont Court passed first to his son and later his grandson, who continued in the tradition of offering fine hospitality until this way of life came to an end with the Civil War and the formation of the new State of West Virginia.

Thereafter Claymont Court came into the hands of a number of successive owners, being mainly a private residence, but at, one time an exclusive boarding school for young gentlemen,

In 1973, Claymont Court's historical importance was recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1975, the property was acquired by the Claymont Society for Continuous Education.

Historic Marker

Marker #: EG-28 Title: "Claymont Court" County: Jefferson Inscription: Bushrod Corbin Washington, grandnephew of General George Washington, built this home in 1820. It was destroyed by fire, 1838, and rebuilt. Later it was the home of Frank R. Stockton, novelist, who here wrote his last book. (2 Mi. SW) Location: WV 51, at junction with Summit Point Road, west of Charles Town.