EASTERN PANHANDLE COUNTIES The Eastern Panhandle is a region  encompassing three counties (Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson) and is home to approximately six percent of the population of West Virginia. In one sense, this region is typical of all of West Virginia - it is home to a rich variety of ethnic backgrounds and innumerable nationalities. Families representative of virtually every ethnic group discussed in this report can be found in the region. However, there are very few distinct ethnic communities in the Eastern Panhandle, in contrast to other regions of the state. Although there are families with Greek heritage, for example, there is no Greek Orthodox church in the Eastern Panhandle. In this sense, the Eastern Panhandle is more representative of the smaller counties in the state; lacking a large metropolitan area, the region is ethnically diverse but it has few large distinct communities in which traditions are readily maintained. It is a melting pot that has melted. The earliest settlers in this tri-county region were Germans, and with almost 50 percent of the population today claiming German roots, this remains one of the most common ancestral groups in the region. Similarly, Irish, English, Scottish, Dutch, and French roots are common in the Eastern Panhandle. Though these early settler groups left their cultural mark on the area (particularly German and Dutch), there are currently no distinct communities for these groups. A second major wave of Irish immigrants came to the Eastern Panhandle in the mid-to late nineteenth century to work in railroad and highway construction, but there are no known contemporary Irish communities. Of the more recent immigrant groups, Italian, Polish, and other Eastern European and Russian groups are also reflected in the ancestry in the region, although in the Eastern Panhandle there are no known churches or organizations associated with these groups as there are in other parts of the state. An interesting exception is the Hungarian community in Berkeley Springs, which represents the cultural hub of a far-reaching community. The African American community has very old roots in the Eastern Panhandle, and the contemporary community is large, diverse, and active. In Martinsburg, Beth Jacob Synagogue on Martin Street holds monthly services conducted by a visiting Lay Rabbi; this Jewish community, which includes approximately 20 families, also has old roots in the region, dating to the late nineteenth century. In particular, there are numerous Mexicans in Berkeley County, mostly migrant workers associated with the orchards. There are also Mexican-owned groceries and other businesses, reflecting the development of a more permanent community. According to the 1990 census, the Eastern Panhandle also has a small populations of several other nationalities and ethnic groups, for whom we currently have no contact person. These include a small Japanese population in Berkeley County, and a small Asian population throughout the region, including Chinese, Korean, and Thai. There is a small population of West Indians in Berkeley County. The 1990 census indicates approximately 200 Native Americans live in the Eastern Panhandle. |