When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, the region's social and government institutions were thrown in turmoil.

After several unsuccessful attempts to quell the protests, Governor Henry M. Mathews called for federal troops.

[5] The Martinsburg shops were used until March 14, 1988 (a year after the B&O folded into CSX), when all local operations were transferred to other locations.

The Berkeley County Commission purchased the historic railroad property in February 1999 for $150,000 from CSX Transportation Inc.

The roundhouse authority, a public, nonprofit corporation was established by an act of the West Virginia Legislature in 1999.

Efforts to preserve and redevelop the historic railroad site, which dates to the 1840s, is ongoing, but the buildings are open for public tours and can be rented for special events.