The Jefferson County School District is in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Originally Jefferson County was a part of Berkeley County, Virginia before the two divided in 1801 (Jefferson County Historical Society, 2006). The district received its name in honor of the United States President-elect Thomas Jefferson. Although Jefferson did not win the Presidential election he served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington’s Administration (“Jefferson,” 2006).
However, before being identified as Jefferson County, the first President of the United States, George Washington, surveyed the region when he was only sixteen years old (“Jefferson,” 2006). Impressed by the area, Washington purchased land in 1750 near Bullskin Run. As the years progressed he continued to buy land in the eastern panhandle region, and, at one time, owned about 2,300 acres (“Jefferson,” 2006).
Nonetheless, George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles Washington, inherited property in the county by their half-brother, Lawrence. During 1786 Charles petitioned to incorporate a town to the Virginia General Assembly. The petition received approval and Charles named the town after himself (City of Charles Town, 2011). In honor of the Washington family Charles also named the town’s streets after relatives. Washington Street is the …show more content…
The historical population assessment obtained from the United States Census Bureau (2015) indicated Jefferson County Schools serve about 55,713 residents. In 2010 the estimated population calculated 53,508 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). The population increased slightly by 4.1 percent (“U.S.,” 2015). West Virginia’s projected population suggests a slight growth rate over the next decade. The state estimated as one of the fastest-growing states by percent change in population from 1995 to 2025 ranks as the lowest (U.S. Census Bureau,
However, before being identified as Jefferson County, the first President of the United States, George Washington, surveyed the region when he was only sixteen years old (“Jefferson,” 2006). Impressed by the area, Washington purchased land in 1750 near Bullskin Run. As the years progressed he continued to buy land in the eastern panhandle region, and, at one time, owned about 2,300 acres (“Jefferson,” 2006).
Nonetheless, George Washington’s youngest brother, Charles Washington, inherited property in the county by their half-brother, Lawrence. During 1786 Charles petitioned to incorporate a town to the Virginia General Assembly. The petition received approval and Charles named the town after himself (City of Charles Town, 2011). In honor of the Washington family Charles also named the town’s streets after relatives. Washington Street is the …show more content…
The historical population assessment obtained from the United States Census Bureau (2015) indicated Jefferson County Schools serve about 55,713 residents. In 2010 the estimated population calculated 53,508 residents (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). The population increased slightly by 4.1 percent (“U.S.,” 2015). West Virginia’s projected population suggests a slight growth rate over the next decade. The state estimated as one of the fastest-growing states by percent change in population from 1995 to 2025 ranks as the lowest (U.S. Census Bureau,