Shepherdstown is a town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States, located in the lower Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River. Home to Shepherd University, the town’s population was 1,734 at the epoch of the 2010 census.

Established on December 23, 1762, by consecutive acts passed by the Virginia House of Burgesses and approved by the governor, Mecklenburg (later renamed Shepherdstown), and Romney in Hampshire County are the oldest towns in West Virginia. On a list of higher than 30 approved “publick and private bills” of that date, the explanation containing An Act for establishing the town of Mecklenburg, in the county of Frederick immediately follows An charge for establishing the town of Romney, in the county of Hampshire, and for supplementary purposes therein-mentioned.

The first British colonial settlers began their migration into the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley in the upfront 18th century. Many crossed the Potowmack (now Potomac) River at Pack Horse Ford, about one mile (1.6 km) down river from the highly developed site of Shepherdstown. The Colony of Virginia began issuing Valley estate grants in the 1730s. In 1734, Thomas Shepherd (1705–1776) was decided 222 acres (90 ha) on the south side of the Potomac, along the Falling Spring Branch (now known as the Town Run). From that tract he selected 50 acres (20 ha) and laid out a town. Naming his town Mecklenburg, he petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for a charter, which was established in 1762.

Shepherd was the sole trustee, owning the town and being blamed for its government. More than six natural springs feed Town Run past it enters the south decline of town. It never floods, nor runs dry; it meanders through backyards, under houses, across alleys and beneath five streets. This quality was conducive to millers, tanners, potters, smiths and new artisans. As a result, by 1775, the town boasted 1,000 inhabitants. In 1775, General George Washington issued a call for “Virginia Volunteer Riflemen.” Captain Hugh Stephenson filled the ranks of his company here. The troops departed from “Morgan’s Spring,” about one-half mile (0.80 km) south of the town limits, on July 16, 1775. This famous “Beeline March to Cambridge” covered 600 mi (970 km) in 24 days. Thirty-eight Revolutionary veterans are buried in the surrounding area.