What is the history of Winchester, Virginia?
The Shawnee Indian tribe had a headquarters here at Shawnee Springs. The father of the historical Shawnee chief Cornstalk had his court here. Winchester was established in 1752, and was first called ‘Fredericktown’. Its name was changed to Winchester in honour of Winchester, capital of England before 1066. George Washington spent a good part of his life in Winchester, and represented it in the House of Burgesses. Winchester was the site of five major battles during the American Civil War * First Battle of Winchester * Battle of Winchester IISecond Battle of Winchester * Battle of Opequon * First Kernstown * Second Kernstown In fact, during the Civil War, Winchester changed hands over 72 times, and three times in one day. Battles raged all along Main Street. At one stage, Union General Philip SheridanSheridan and Stonewall Jackson had their headquarters just one block apart. Among those who took part in battles at Winchester were future U.S. presidents William McKinleyMcKinley and Ruthe
