Ranson, West Virginia
Ranson is a place of 5,729 people in Jefferson County, West Virginia, founded in 1890.
Why visit Ranson
Townapedia lists 33 museums and landmarks, 11 parks and trails, 37 places to eat, 8 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include New Opera House, Level Green Farm, Altona and Aspen Hill.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 87°F; January lows average 24°F.
Weather in Ranson
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Ranson
Ranson is a corporation in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 5,433 at the 2020 census. It is part of the northwestern fringes of the Washington metropolitan area.
From the Wikipedia article Ranson, West Virginia (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
New Opera House
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Theater in Charles Town, West Virginia, United States
Catholic Distance University
School · 1.8 mi
Worldwide Catholic university based in Hamilton, Virginia, U.S. offering theological instruction and degrees via Internet
Museums and landmarks33
Altona
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Historic farm in West Virginia
Aspen Hill
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Historic farmhouse north of Charles Town, West Virginia, United States
Barleywood
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Human settlement in United States of America
Beall-Air
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi
Human settlement in United States of America
Belvedere
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Mansion in West Virginia
Beverley
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.9 mi
Human settlement in West Virginia, United States of America
Blakeley
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
Historic house near Charles Town, West Virginia, United States
Cedar Lawn
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Human settlement in Charles Town, West Virginia, United States of America
Claymont Court
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Human settlement in United States of America
Downtown Charles Town Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Historic district in West Virginia, United States
Gap View Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Historic house in West Virginia, United States
Gibson-Todd House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Building in West Virginia, United States
21 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds11
Restaurants and cafes37
Applebee's
Diner · American · 2.0 mi
129 Jefferson Crossing Way, Charles Town
Su-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00
Pizza Hut
Restaurant · Pizza · 2.2 mi
184 Flowing Springs Road, Charles Town
Su-Tu 11:00-23:00, Fr-Sa 11:00-24:00
Charles Town Family Diner
Restaurant · American, Breakfast · 2.1 mi
811 Willow Spring Drive, Charles Town
Mo-Th 06:00-23:00; Fr 06:00-12:00; Sa 06:00-12:00; Su 07:00-22:00
IHOP
Restaurant · Breakfast, Pancake · 2.1 mi
134 Jefferson Crossing Way, Charles Town
24/7
25 more on the map.
History
The Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing, and Improvement Company played an instrumental role in creating this new town. In 1890, the company bought 850 acres (3.4 km2) adjoining the western and northern corporate limits of Charles Town, and commissioned D.G. Howell, a civil engineer and architect, to lay out the town. The largest tract of land purchased was from the Ranson family. Ranson, in Jefferson County, West Virginia, was officially incorporated in 1910, when residents, by a vote of 67–2, decided to form their own town. It was named in honor of Dr. James Ranson, a dentist and farmer living in the area.
The early growth and development of Ranson reflects the late 19th century boom of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas associated with the rise of the railroads, mining, and manufacturing. Early photographs of Ranson show the offices of the Charles Town Mining, Manufacturing & Improvement Company, and the Hotel Powhatan, along with a few residential structures nearby. The community grew north from Lancaster Circle. Some of the companies that located in Ranson early on included the Hotel Powhatan, the Goetz Saddlery, the Shenandoah Brass and Iron Works, the Elemer E. Beachley Saw and Planing Mill, the John Farrin Boiler and Machine Shop, and the Vulcan Road Machine Company.
From the History section of Ranson, West Virginia on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay8
Days Inn by Wyndham Charles Town/Harpers Ferry
Motel and hotel · 1.9 mi
642 East Washington Street, Charles Town
Americas Best Value Inn
Motel and hotel · 2.2 mi
807 Willow Spring Drive, Charles Town
Churches and places of worship13
Halltown Union Colored Sunday School
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Shopping10
Harbor Freight Tools
Hardware store · 2.2 mi
182 Flowing Springs Road, Charles Town
Gas and EV charging11
Schools, colleges and libraries20
C. W. Shipley Elementary School
School · 5.5 mi
652 Shipley School Rd, Harpers Ferry
Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy
School · 3.4 mi
449 Rose Hill Drive, Kearneysville
Jefferson High School
School · 4.1 mi
4141 Flowing Springs Rd, Shenandoah Junction
South Jefferson Elementary School
School · 4.5 mi
4599 Summit Point Rd, Charles Town
T A Lowery Elementary School
School · 3.8 mi
103 Shenandoah Junction Rd, Shenandoah Junction
Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia
School · 3.4 mi
449 Rose Hill Drive, Kearneysville
Healthcare4
Map of Ranson
150 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 24°F | 2.6 in |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 2.1 in |
| Mar | 54°F | 32°F | 3.4 in |
| Apr | 65°F | 42°F | 3.4 in |
| May | 74°F | 51°F | 4.0 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 60°F | 3.9 in |
| Jul | 87°F | 64°F | 3.8 in |
| Aug | 85°F | 62°F | 3.0 in |
| Sep | 78°F | 55°F | 4.0 in |
| Oct | 67°F | 44°F | 3.0 in |
| Nov | 55°F | 34°F | 2.7 in |
| Dec | 45°F | 27°F | 3.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Martinsburg E Wv Rgnl Ap Hcn (9 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jefferson County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2020-04-03: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-07-12: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
- 2012-10-29: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2012-07-23: Severe Storms And Straight-Line Winds (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (Shepherd Field) (MRB) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Charles Town 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- Bolivar 7 mi east, about 11 min by car
- Inwood 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
- Martinsburg 12 mi northwest, about 19 min by car
- Berryville 12 mi southwest, about 20 min by car
- Lovettsville 13 mi east, about 21 min by car
- Brunswick 14 mi east, about 22 min by car
- Purcellville 15 mi southeast, about 24 min by car
- Keedysville 16 mi northeast, about 25 min by car
- Winchester 18 mi southwest, about 29 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Robert Worthington House, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- PRATO RIO, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Beverley near Charles Town, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Cedar Lawn, West Virginia, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Happy Retreat WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Blakeley, West Virginia, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tackley Farm WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Peter Burr House, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Beall-Air WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Altona, West Virginia, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Halltown Union Colored Sunday School, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rion Hall, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Opera House Charles Town WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2016-09-27 12 32 38 The Jefferson County Court House at the intersection of West Virginia State Route 115 (George Street) and West Virginia State Route 51 (Washington Street) in Charles Town..., Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Harewood, West Virginia, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Charles Town City Hall WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Claymont Court Front Entrance, ArchonMeld, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chew's Hermitage, Nyttend, Public domain
- Perkins House Charles Town WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Woodbury near Leetown, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Hillside near Charles Town, Nyttend, Public domain
- Richwood Hall, West Virginia, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gap View Farm, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Ranson City Hall WV1, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Halltown Colored Free School, Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0
_and_West_Virginia_State_Route_51_(Washington_Street)_in_Charles_Town,_Jefferson_County,_West_Virginia.jpg){kind=link}
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