Charles James Faulkner 

Walking through Martinsburg, I wanted to capture as many of the landmarks and stories as possible that might have been familiar to my father during his youth. One of the markers I encountered honored Charles James Faulkner, one of the most distinguished citizens ever to come from the town.

Born in Martinsburg in 1806, Faulkner rose to prominence as a lawyer, legislator, and congressman. He represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives and was appointed United States Minister to France by President James Buchanan in 1860. When the Civil War broke out, he returned home and eventually served on the staff of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Following the war, he resumed his public career and again served in Congress.

The marker also notes that his son would go on to become a United States Senator, making the Faulkner family one of the most influential in the history of Martinsburg. Their home, Boydville, still stands nearby as a reminder of that legacy.

Finding this marker while walking the quiet streets of Martinsburg reminded me that behind the familiar homes and neighborhoods are stories that connect this small West Virginia town to some of the most important events and personalities in American history. Discovering places like this made my visit much more than a trip through my father’s hometown—it became an opportunity to appreciate the rich history that surrounded the community where his life began.