Documentary History of American Water-works

Martinsburg

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Martinsburg was incorporated as a city in 1868.

The city built a Holly water works system that used water and steam power. It began service on January 13, 1874.

The waterworks are currently owned by the City of Martinsburg.

References
1872 Spirit of Jefferson (Charles Town, West Virginia), September 17, 1872, Page 3.
Matinsburg voted on Monday of last week for the construction of water works.

1882 Martinsburg, from Engineering News 9: (February 11, 1882)

1882 Martinsburg, from "The Water-Supply of Certain Cities and Towns of the United States," by Walter G. Elliot, C. E., Ph. D.

1888 "Martinsburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 "Martinsburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Martinsburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1897 "Martinsburg," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.

1941 "Development of Public Water Supplies in West Virginia", by H. K. Gidley, Journal of the American Water Works Association, Vol. 33, No. 5 (May, 1941), pp. 948-952

2009 "Railroad Helps to Develop County," by Don C. Wood, Journal News.Net, June 7, 2009
Wells and cisterns had been the main source of water for downtown Martinsburg. In 1850, the city spent $60 to have a well put in at thecorner of John and Queen streets. On March 28, 1873, the mayor called a special council meeting for the corporation of Martinsburg to consider the proposition of the Holly Manufacturing Company to erect a water works in Martinsburg. Philip Showers had agreed to sell land to the city for the erection of the water plant. Just eight years after the Civil War, Martinsburg installed a public water system, which was put into operation on Jan. 13, 1874.

2011 History of Berkeley County, West Virginia, by Willis F. Evans. Reprint of 1928 edition