<div>The present courthouse building replaced the original courthouse, a wood-frame Greek Revival structure built in 1843 which had been used to house Union troops during the American Civil War. J. Charles Fulton of Uniontown, Pennsylvania was contracted in 1901 and designed the building in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The structure&nbsp;was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. A restoration effort began in 1995 and included the repair and replacement of the stained glass interior dome. This project was named Best Interior Rehabilitation Project in 1999 by the Main Street Project of the West Virginia Development Office. </div><div> </div>

Barbour County Courthouse was completed between 1903 and 1905. 

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This historic courthouse was constructed between 1903 and 1905 and features the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture. The building reflects the growth of the region at the turn-of-the-century and the desire of residents to construct an impressive symbol of the county government and their ambition to make Philippi one of the leading communities in the region. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Barbour County Courthouse

This tour begins in downtown Philippi with stops at several historic landmarks before making its way to the campus of Alderson Broaddus University. This tour is a work in progress and we look forward to adding new locations with the support of local residents and institutions.

Tour of Historic Philippi and Alderson Broaddus University

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In the late 1800s, Barbour County and Taylor County leaders worked together and raised funds to build a railroad that would run from Philippi to Grafton, West Virginia. the two counties were able to contribute about $60,000 each as residents purchased shares in the railroad. Regular passenger service began on January 21, 1884, and the current depot was constructed in 1911. The depot was abandoned in 1956 as passenger service ended. In 1979, the Barbour County Historical Society raised over $100,000 to restore the station. After their successful fundraiser, the current museum opened on June 3, 1985.

This local history museum is located inside the former Philippi railroad station that was constructed in 1911 and connected this community to the Baltimore an Ohio rail line. The Barbour County Historical Museum includes a variety of exhibits from the colonial period to the present. These exhibits include Civil War era weapons, various railroad artifacts, and exhibits of clothing from the antebellum period as well as a large display of flags. The Hamrick Mummies are a highlight of the museum and were once one of the leading attractions of the traveling P.T. Barnum Circus. The Museum has many objects from the county’s abundant coal history.

Barbour County Historical Museum

In 1850, Lemuel Chenoweth – a poor carpenter with no professional training – arrived in Richmond, Virginia with his tiny model of a bridge. He joined throngs of other hopeful architects, prepared to bid for the contract of a new bridge crossing Tygart’s Valley River at Philippi. However, Chenoweth quickly realized his model bridge lacked the flair and panache of the more established and professionally trained architects present. As part of a risky ploy, he rested each end of his model on a chair and then stood on it to demonstrate its strength. He challenged his competitors to do the same with their models, but knowing their structures would fail, none rose to the occasion. Chenoweth was subsequently awarded the contract. This tale is often repeated about Chenoweth, and regardless of its veracity, his impact on West Virginia through the Philippi Covered Bridge is undeniable.Construction on the Philippi Covered Bridge began in 1852. Emmett J. O’Brien constructed the stone abutments on each end with a central pier to support the weight of the bridge. Chenoweth constructed the superstructure of the bridge with help from his brother, Eli. Chenoweth utilized wood almost exclusively for the superstructure. Though some metal components are present to join major pieces of the bridge, none of them take any part in load bearing or stability. The sides of the bridge were boarded with simple vertical planks, and though there is no mention of the roofing, it is likely it was a wood shake roof as these were standard on covered bridges in the nineteenth century. The total cost of the bridge was $12,180.68 – approximately $400,000 adjusted for inflation.The Philippi Covered Bridge measures twenty-six feet wide by three hundred eleven feet long. It utilizes Burr arch trusses, a design patented by Theodore Burr in 1817. The design incorporates multiple kingpost trusses where vertical posts are connected by diagonal beams which point towards the center. In addition to the kingpost trusses, the Burr arch also uses an arch spanning the space between piers. Because the Burr arch truss combines two standard bridge-building techniques, it allows for the stability of both. The Philippi Covered Bridge saw action in the Civil War when Union troops under the command of General George B. McClellan were sent to protect the B&amp;O railroad. On June 3, 1861, Union and Confederate troops clashed at the Philippi bridge resulting in the retreat of Confederate forces. This skirmish is often considered the first land battle of the Civil War. In 1863, the bridge was again embroiled in the war when Confederate General William Jones intended to burn the bridge. However, local southern sympathizer Joshua Corder convinced Jones to spare the bridge. In 1864 the Philippi Covered Bridge was again a target for Confederate destruction. However, plans to burn the bridge were discovered by Philippi citizens and the mission was aborted. The first major modifications to the Philippi Covered Bridge occurred in 1934. An influx in vehicle traffic necessitated the addition of two concrete piers between the existing three. The wooden floor was torn up and replaced with a concrete one supported by steel girders. Several other modifications were made to the structure to facilitate truck traffic. An external walkway was also added to better accommodate pedestrian traffic. In 1989, disaster struck the Philippi Covered Bridge when a car spark inadvertently ignited spilled gasoline near the bridge. Approximately sixty percent of the bridge was destroyed by the fire. In the face of tragedy, the local community and legislators banded together to find funding to restore the bridge. Meticulous research was conducted, and the bridge was rehabilitated to its 1861 condition – though with the addition of a sprinkler system. This restoration project was so dedicated to preserving authenticity that it even included sourcing original material types rather than using modern equivalents. The Philippi Covered Bridge is arguably West Virginia’s most important extant covered bridge. It is both the oldest and longest covered bridge in West Virginia. It is an important architectural monument, especially due to the local impact of Lemuel Chenoweth. The bridge is one of only six two-lane covered bridges left in the United States, and the only covered bridge that serves a United States Federal Highway (U.S. Route 250). As the site of the first Civil War land battle, the Philippi Covered Bridge also has historical ties. Finally, the bridge maintains integrity of structure and purpose as it continues to serve Philippi’s community today.

Constructed in 1852 by Emmett J. O’Brien and Lemuel and Eli Chenoweth, the Philippi Covered Bridge is West Virginia’s oldest and longest extant covered bridge. The almost exclusively wooden structure utilizes the Burr arch truss design for support. The bridge was the site of the site of the Battle of Philippi, often cited as the first land battle of the Civil War. Narrowly escaping destruction several times over the course of the war, the Philippi Covered Bridge was modified and strengthened in 1934. Tragedy struck the bridge in 1989 when a large portion of it burned. However, the bridge was authentically restored to its original design. One of only two covered bridges in Barbour County, the Philippi Covered Bridge is also the only covered bridge in the United States to serve a Federal Highway. 

Philippi Covered Bridge 

&nbsp; &nbsp; Born in New Hampshire in 1807, General Benjamin Franklin Kelley moved to Wheeling, WV in 1836. While there he began working as a merchant. Eventually, in 1851, he began to work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as a freight agent. When the Civil War began 10 years later, Kelley helped to form the 1st West Virginia Infantry and was named colonel of the unit. The group fought at Philippi in 1861. During the battle, Kelley was severely wounded. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After the battle at Philippi, Kelley was named brigadier general and was charged with protecting the B&amp;O railway lines from attack. Kelley’s troops often protected the line and its depots from attacking Confederate parties, most often led by Gen. McNeill who operated out of Moorefield, WV. Kelley’s 5th Brigade attempted to hinder the advance of the Jones-Imboden raid of 1863. The Union troops destroyed bridges and other infrastructure to slow the Confederates as they made their way through central West Virginia. Later that year, after the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, Gen. Kelley and his troops helped to pursue Gen. Lee through Northern Virginia. During the war, Gen. Kelley bought 600 acres of land in Maryland known as Swan Meadows. The property was used to treat injured soldiers and rest overworked horses during the war. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That year Gen. Kelley also ordered the arrest of the wife and young son of Confederate Captain McNeill. In retaliation, McNeill’s men infiltrated Kelley’s headquarters, capturing Kelley and Gen. George Crock. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After the end of the war, Kelley worked for almost 10 years as an internal revenue collector. In 1877, he was appointed the first superintendent of Hot Springs Reservation in Arkansas. During his time at this position, Kelley had hundreds of campers in the park removed and relocated lower down the mountain; this second settlement was nicknamed “Kelleytown.” Gen. Kelley also built the first park headquarters and helped to design a plan for the first thermal water reservoirs. Kelley left the position in 1882 as his health was declining. In 1865, Gen. Kelley returned to Maryland and moved to Swan Meadows where he died in 1891. Gen. Kelley was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;

Union General Benjamin F. Kelley was injured as he led troops at Philippi against Confederate soldiers. Gen. Kelley participated in the chase of General Lee’s army in 1863 and is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This marker stands in honor of Kelley’s service in the Union army. 

Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley Historic Marker

William D. Zinn was born in 1857 at his family's home on&nbsp;Woodbine Farm near Philippi, WV. During his childhood, Zinn spent his time working the family farm and attending Barbour county public schools. Zinn graduated from West Virginia College at Flemington and went on to teach. By 1881, Zinn had been elected Superintendent of Schools in Barbour County, serving two terms.&nbsp; Zinn is best known for his work as an agriculturalist and writer. As a young man, Zinn was known to use scientific methods in the daily operations of his farm. He&nbsp;believed that understanding and cultivating healthy soil was the key to a successful&nbsp;farm. The farm's success prompted local farmers&nbsp;to seek Zinn's advice. In 1898, Zinn began publishing columns in The Barbour Democrat. These articles were written as answers to questions and common issues farmers faced, and the column helped Zinn build a reputation as an agriculturalist. As his&nbsp;reputation grew, he was appointed by Governor Albert B. White to the State Board of Agriculture in 1901. Zinn continued publishing and also began to travel to other states to give lectures and hold forums, most frequently to Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. These lectures and several pieces featured in the National Stockman and Farmer and the Pennsylvania Stockman helped Zinn develop a national reputation as an agriculturalist. In 1913, Zinn was one of the first County Agricultural Agents in the state and served Ohio and Brooke Counties. In later years, Zinn fulfilled the same position in Harrison County.&nbsp; A leading member of his community, Zinn held several other important positions but is best known for his work advocating on behalf of the agricultural industry. He served as the first president for the West Virginia Live Stock Shippers Association. He was also one of the original organizers of Grange Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a group focused on providing the often unmet financial service needs of farmers. This organization was based in Philippi. Later, Zinn served as the president for the West Virginia Farm Bureau. Zinn's autobiographical work The Story of Farm&nbsp;Woodbine Farm was published in 1931. The book gave insights to both Zinn's farming techniques, those both successful and otherwise, as well as his daily life. Because of the book's popularity, it was printed a second time. Zinn died at the age of 81 while in his home in Philippi, WV.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

William D. Zinn was a Philippi native who was a notable author, agriculturalist, and public servant. Zinn served in a variety of education and agriculture-related roles from the turn-of-the-century to the 1930s. In recognition of his life's contribution, he was enshrined in the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. Zinn's work as an agriculturalist and lecturer allowed him to advocate for a more scientific approach to farming. This marker lies about a mile west of Woodbine Farm which was Zinn's birthplace as well as the setting of his autobiography titled The Story of Farm Woodbine Farm and many of his articles in agriculture periodicals. 

Birthplace - W. D. Zinn Historic Marker

The 1861 western Virginia campaign occurred when that region was still part of Virginia, but was already thinking about breaking away due to their closer ties with Pennsylvania and Ohio. Within the western portion of the state lay mineral deposits useful for the production of arms and ammunition and transportation networks between Virginia and the mid-west. To secure these for the Union, George B. McClellan invaded western Virginia as commander of the Department of the Ohio against the Confederate forces there.Philippi was not of great military importance, but the juncture of the Parkersburg-Grafton Railroad and the Baltimore &amp; Ohio lay 25 miles north at Grafton, connecting the eastern states and the mid-west. Robert E. Lee, then in command of all military forces in Virginia, ordered Colonel George Porterfield to recruit a Confederate force in the western counties to hold the rail lines at Grafton. Porterfield was largely unsuccessful due to the Union loyalties and resentment against the Richmond government. He did raise three ill-equipped companies and he occupied Grafton on May 25, 1861. To help defend his position, Porterfield ordered Colonel William Wiley to burn several bridges on the Grafton-Wheeling line to slow enemy movements.With Porterfield's destruction of railways, McClellan decided to move troops and supplies into western Virginia to occupy the area and protect Unionist civilians. Troops, including the first regiment recruited in (West) Virginia [the 1st Virginia Infantry (Union)], moved south from Wheeling on May 27th.When Porterfield learned of the Union troop movements, he withdrew further south to Philippi. The Union force arrived at Grafton to find the Confederates gone. Indiana Brigadier General Thomas Morris orchestrated a plan to use a two-pronged assault to trap Porterfield at Philippi. Two columns would move south from Grafton on each side of the Tygart Valley River. The Union plan was for both columns to arrive at Philippi at 4:00am on June 3. One column would engage the Confederates at dawn while the other the other column cut off the Confederate retreat on the Beverly-Fairmont Road.On the night of June 2-3, 1861, the two Union columns marched through the rain to converge on Philippi. Colonel Benjamin Kelley of the 1st Virginia Infantry (Union) led a column of approximately 1,600 men including the 9th Indiana Infantry and six companies of the 16th Ohio Infantry. Kelley’s force boarded a train at Grafton, suggesting that they were moving towards Harpers Ferry, but just past Thornton the troops got off the train and marched south. Kelley’s column had 22 miles to march to reach Philippi. The second column of approximately 1,400 men was commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Dumont and consisted of the 7th Indiana Infantry, five companies of the 14th Ohio Infantry, six companies of the 6th Indiana Infantry, and two artillery guns of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Dumont had the shorter route with a 12-mile march to Philippi.While both columns traveled by train before disembarking and marching south on foot to mask their destination, two Fairmont women took notice of the troop movements and rode south to warn Porterfield at Philippi. When they shared the news, citizens in Philippi panicked and many fled the city, but Porterfield wanted to wait until dawn believing that the Union army would not be able to march in the storm. He ordered his men to be ready to move and sent his cavalry out as scouts on the road to prevent any surprise attacks. However, the officer in charge of the sentinels did not perform his duty and around midnight the guard and cavalry sought dry refuge from the storm.The two Union columns pushed through the thunderstorm, although the rain did delay their progress. Dumont’s column was running late but he pushed the pace of his men to make up the time, assisted by Colonel Frederick W. Lander. Lander managed to get the two artillery guns in place above Philippi just in time before the fog lifted, with Dumont and the infantry close behind. In position, Lander waited to hear the signal shot from the other Union column. The second column under Kelley fared worse on their march. Their local guide tried to lead them astray down the wrong road. Kelley sensed that the path was wrong and sent the 9th Indiana Infantry down the other road. Kelley’s force was supposed to be in position south of Philippi to block the Confederate retreat, but his column was well behind schedule.As Dumont’s column marched south on the road, local resident Mrs. Thomas Humphreys put her 10-year-old son on their horse to ride and warn Porterfield at Philippi. The Union troops easily caught the child and pulled him off the horse, which caused Mrs. Humphreys to assault the men with rocks and insults until they released her son. She attempted to get him back on the horse, but the soldiers pulled him off again. At this, the woman pulled out a pistol and fired a shot.Lander and the 1st Ohio Light Artillery heard Mrs. Humphreys’ pistol shot and took that as the signal to fire on Philippi. As the two guns opened fire, Dumont’s infantry rushed forward towards the town, crossing over the covered bridge. At that point, Dumont’s column could finally see Kelley’s force approaching on the other side of the river, neither section was in place to block the Confederate path of retreat. In the excitement, Colonel Lander galloped down the hill and across the bridge to join the Union assault, meeting Colonel Kelley’s column who swept in from the other direction.The artillery fire woke the sleeping Confederates who had no warning because their cavalry and sentinels were not in place. Men rushed to get out of their beds, dressed, and ready for combat. For most, the confusion and surprise assault led to a hasty retreat out of the town. The Union columns flooded into Philippi and Colonels Lander and Kelley rode through town chasing the fleeing Confederates, although their progress was checked when Kelley was shot in the chest (he would recover). Porterfield had 775 men in the face of the Union’s 3000 and the Confederates quickly retreated towards Beverly. The twenty-minute engagement was nicknamed "the Philippi Races."The Union men did not chase the retreating Confederates, instead claiming Philippi. The result of the engagement was five Union wounded and two Confederate wounded, plus several Confederate prisoners captured. The Union victory at Philippi is considered the first land battle of the Civil War, although it is overshadowed by the later First Battle of Manassas.Philippi was also the site of the first amputation of the Civil War. 18-year-old James E. Hanger of the Churchville Cavalry was in the hayloft of the Garrett Johnson barn when the engagement began. A Union artillery solid shot came through the barn and shattered his left leg. He was found and taken to the Philippi Methodist Episcopal Church where his leg was amputated seven inches below the hip by Dr. James Robinson, 16th Ohio Infantry. While recovering Harper made himself an artificial leg out of barrel staves and he later made wooden limbs for Confederate amputees.The entire summer 1861 campaign consisted of eight small engagements that secured western Virginia for the Union and prevented the Confederates from occupying the area for the rest of the war. The Battle of Philippi secured control of the Baltimore &amp; Ohio Railroad for the Union, a crucial east-west transportation route. This military occupation by Union forces assisted in the political process to split the western counties from Virginia and create a new state in 1863. Eliminating the growing Confederate threat at Grafton/Philippi allowed delegates to attend the Second Wheeling Convention and establish the Restored Government of Virginia. The success of the campaign also placed McClellan in the view of army superiors and after the July defeat at Manassas, McClellan rose to command the Army of the Potomac. On the other hand, Colonel Porterfield was relieved of command after the disaster at Philippi and replaced with Brigadier General Robert S. Garnett.

The Battle of Philippi was little more than a skirmish between Union and Confederate partisans, but its occurrence on June 3, 1861 has led to its historic distinction as the "first land battle" of the American Civil War. At the time, Philippi held some measure of strategic importance to both Union and Confederate supporters due to its location on the Baltimore-Ohio Railroad. Just before dawn on the day of June 3, 1861, Union and Confederate forces clashed in Philippi. Outnumbered, Confederate forces began a quick and steadfast retreat from the area; so quickly was their retreat that it became known as the "Philippi Races."

Battle of Philippi Historic Marker

In 1911, two architects from Clarskburg and S.T.H. Holt of Phillipi began construction on the Hall with a $175,000 grant in hand. The building was constructed of sandstone, red and white brick, and included both gas and electric lighting, plumbing, a functional fireplace, several lobbies, a boiler room, Victorian staircase, and operating showers on each floor. The cornerstone foundation was laid by George M. Whitescarver, which the school named the Hall after him as a gift from the college. The forty by ninety foot three-story Whitescarver Hall is one of the oldest, surviving landmarks, and one of the three original structures on the A-B campus. After its completion in 1912, twenty men moved into the dorm and held several ceremonies for the Hall's completion and for Whitescarver, or as the students referred to him, Uncle George.George Whitescarver (1831-1914) was a carpenter, manager for the Baltimore &amp; Ohio railroad business, and owner of a lumbering business in Randolph County. Amongst his many roles, Whitscarver joined one of the first land battles of the Civil War as a private. In addition, Whitescarver invested in real estate, coal mines, and a brick laying business, which won him an award at the 1893 Chicago's World Fair. Whitescarver also was a stockholder on the Board of Directors of the First National Banks for Gafton and Parkersburg. Whitescarver's connections to the school are emphasizes through his role in the school's Board of Trustees, which he served on until his death, three years after the Hall's completion.Between 1912-1950s, the building served as a male-only dormitory, and later it served as a student residence hall between the 1950s-1970s, which marked the Hall's transition from a male-only dormitory to a co-ed dormitory. Later, it was used as an administrative office until the completion of the new administration building, New Main in 1980.The Hall's structure of the Classical Revival Style is one of the reasons for the Hall's significance because it is an artifact of the architectural style in the Phillipi and Barbour County area. Although there were some damage to the property and additional fire escapes added on, Whitescarver Hall is still preserved as a historical, educational site in West Virginia.

Built between 1911-1912, Whitescarver Hall originally served as a male-only dormitory at Alderson Broaddus University. Listed in the National Historic of National Places in 1990, the structure is an on-going reminder of the Classical Revival architecture. As the oldest landmark on campus, Whitescarver Hall housed students at West Virginia's only American Baptist College until the 1970s when it was converted for use by faculty and administrators. 

Tour of Historic Philippi and Alderson Broaddus University

Barbour County Courthouse

Introduction

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Backstory and Context

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