Downtown Morgantown Elmer F. Jacobs Architectural Tour

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The Donley Building was built in 1895 in the Richardson Romanesque Revival style. It was initially intended as a building for the post office but has hosted a variety of establishments such as a theater, bank, restaurant, and Elmer F. Jacobs’ office. The structure acquired its name when purchased by Edward G. Donley and John L. Hatfield in 1950. Currently, the nonprofit Arts Monongahela is housed in the Donley Building.

2. Judge Frank Cox House

Local architect Elmer F. Jacobs designed the Judge Frank Cox House, which was built in 1898. The Queen Anne Revival style home was built for Judge Frank Cox, a Morgantown lawyer. Cox was appointed prosecuting attorney in Monongalia County before serving on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. His home remained in the Cox family for much of the nineteenth century, though it was rented to businesses rather than used as a residence after Cox’s death in 1940. In the early 1980s, the home was acquired by John P. Ball and Robert Dinsmore. The two men reversed many later additions and alterations to the building, largely restoring the historic character. The Judge Frank Cox House continues to serve as a rented space for businesses today.

3. Shisler House

The Shisler House was built in 1902 for E. Shisler, a wealthy Morgantown resident. Elmer F. Jacobs designed the home, which is an example of Colonial Revival architecture. Two additions to the home were made, likely in the 1920s. Following E. Shisler’s residence, her home has hosted Morgantown’s Elks Lodge, and the Morgantown Beauty College.

4. Appalachian Gallery

The Appalachian Gallery is an art gallery, gift shop, and framing studio that promotes the work of West Virginia artists. Opened in 1987, the Appalachian Gallery features a variety of arts, crafts, and gift items. The gallery is located in the historic W.E. Price house, designed by famed Morgantown architect Elmer Jacobs.

5. Aull Center for Local History and Genealogy Research

A branch of the Morgantown Public Library established in 2004 and dedicated to local history and genealogy, the Aull Center is located in the historic Garlow House. The house was built in 1907 and was home to the family of Aaron J. Garlow, president of the Second National Bank. Researchers at the Aull Center are welcome to explore collections of books, photo albums, yearbooks, and a plethora of family histories. The Aull Center is also home to the J. D. Rechter Holocaust Memorial Library and a portion of the Appalachian Prison Book Project collection. The building serves the public as a research center and forum for discussing the past.

6. Spruce Street United Methodist Church

Built in 1908, the Spruce Street United Methodist Church is a striking religious example of Elmer F. Jacobs’ architectural style.

7. Rohr Chabad Jewish Center

Originally built between 1900 and 1901 for local Morgantown resident Mary S. Walters, the building and land that has housed West Virginia University's Rohr Chabad Jewish Center since 2007 earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The brick late-Queen Anne Revival structure is one of the last remaining residences from this time period in downtown Morgantown, during which many local elites built elaborate homes around the core of what was then the area's business district. The house served as a private residence, boarding house, fraternity house, campus ministry building, and business office, before its purchase for the use of the Rohr Chabad Jewish Center in 2007.

8. Second National Bank Building

Elmer F. Jacobs designed the Second National Bank Building in a Romanesque Revival style. The structure was completed in 1894. The building takes its name from its commissioner and first occupants, Morgantown’s Second National Bank. The building hosted the Farmers and Merchants Bank in the mid-twentieth century and has been owned and utilized by the WCLG radio station for close to the past seventy years.

9. Morris Building

Constructed in 1896, the Morris Building is a three-story Romanesque Revival structure. Many modifications have been made to the façade, particularly to the first floor storefront. The masonry letters at the top of the building still commemorate Dr. George Morris, who commissioned construction. Morris stipulated in his will that the letters could not be removed.

10. Dering Building

Constructed in 1896, the Dering Building is a unique architectural work in downtown Morgantown. The façade of the building belongs stylistically to the Romanesque Revival tradition. Other than the front face of the Dering Building, the design and ornamentation is simple and utilitarian. The structure was designed by famous Morgantown architect, Elmer F. Jacobs to house Edward Dering’s harness and tool business. When the automobile began gaining popularity over horses, Dering shifted business strategies and replaced his supply store with a funeral home. The Dering Funeral Parlor continued operation in the Dering Building until 1965, and remained in the Dering family until 1985. These days, the Dering Building hosts the Wild Zero Studios tattoo parlor.

11. Brown Building

Built in 1898, the Brown Building was the first four-story building in Monongalia County. It was designed by Elmer F. Jacobs, the most prolific local architect. The building acquired its name from the Brown family, who owned the structure from 1900 until 1907. The building has been home to a variety of businesses including Kellar and Company Dry Goods Store, Morgantown’s Farmers and Merchants Bank, Reams Pharmacy, and several clothiers. The exterior has experienced a few modifications but largely retains its original historic character. At the turn of the nineteenth century, the Brown Building stood at the forefront of Morgantown’s population expansion, and cultural and economic evolution.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Downtown Morgantown Elmer F. Jacobs Architectural Tour

Created by Iain MacKay on October 6th 2020, 9:10:51 pm.

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Description

This relatively short walking tour takes users to eleven historic Elmer F. Jacobs buildings in downtown Morgantown. Primarily active just before and after the turn of the nineteenth century, Jacobs was a prolific architect who designed buildings in an array of Romanesque, Gothic, and Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles. Enjoy exploring the civic, commercial, and religious contributions of "the man who built Morgantown." For more of Jacobs' work, also see the entries for the Seneca Center and Woodburn Hall.

Entries on This Tour

Downtown Morgantown Elmer F. Jacobs Architectural Tour

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