Moorefield was originally chartered in 1777; it was named for Conrad Moore, who owned the land upon which the town was laid out.

The historic Shawnee people, who spoke a Central Algonquian language in the same family as other tribes in their region, occupied this area when Anglo-European settlers began arriving in the early 18th century, attracted by the fertile land.

Conflict between the mostly British settlers and Native American peoples broke out during the French and Indian War.

The British colonists constructed two fortifications to guard the South Branch Valley in the vicinity of Moorefield.

Fort Buttermilk was erected in 1756 and garrisoned by Captain Thomas Waggoner's Virginia Regiment Company.

[5] A second fortress, Fort Pleasant, situated at Henry Van Meter's Farm at Old Fields, guarded the northern side of the valley.

[6] In the spring of 1756, soldiers from Forts Buttermilk and Pleasant clashed with Shawnee warriors under Bemino (also known as Killbuck) at the Battle of the Trough.

[11] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.