Five and Dime stores earned their name from the prices of merchandise-with no items being priced about ten cents. Local variety stores like this were common throughout the United States, and while inflation required them to raise prices beyond their original range, the stores remained popular with bargain hunters. Today, chain stores like Family Dollar trace their lineage back to the original Five and Dime stores, most of which were locally-owned and operated. A trip to Berdines is a trip back in time, as the store owners decided to remove many of the modern shelves and displays a few decades ago in an effort to re-create the historic feel of the store.

Berdines holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously-operated five and dime store in America. 

KC Berdine outside of the original store location at Court & Main Streets following the departure of former business partner Lafayette Hunt. 

Video

Website

NY Times article on the closing of Woolworth's-the nation's largest Five and Dime chain 

More Info

This local retail establishment opened in 1908 as Hunt and Berdine's Five and Dime. The business was established by K.C. Berdine and his brother, Lafayette Hunt, who left the business in 1909. The store was first located at corner of Court and Main Street from 1908 to 1915, when K. C. Berdine purchased the present lot and built this building to expand his business, which he renamed "Burdine's Variety Store." Once common in big and small cities alike, few locally-owned five and dime stores have survived to the present. The store includes its original antique confection counter, oak shelves and counters, and tin ceilings.

Berdines Five and Dime

Contributor

Drive along US Route 50 from Parkersburg to Clarksburg and see a variety of historical locations. The tour includes elements of transportation history, music, and local business. This road was a major commercial transportation route and was essential to the development of the area. Start in Parkersburg or Clarksburg and spend the day traveling this historical route.

Money from the oil and natural gas industry led to an economic boom in Parkersburg and surrounding areas in the late 1800s. Responding to the demand for a luxury hotel, the Blennerhassett Hotel was designed and built by a local businessman named William Chancellor. It took six years to construct, and it was originally leased to George Campbell and opened on May 6th, 1889. The hotel was quickly became a local landmark. It had about 50 guest rooms stationed around a central staircase. There were restrooms on each of the four guest floors and the kitchen was located on the fifth floor. It had two parlors and a restaurant which could seat up to 80 guests at a time. Plumbing, gas, electric, windows, and even furniture were locally sourced. The hotel's current game room once housed the First National Bank of Parkersburg, one of the first businesses in the area equipped with electricity. The hotel was built to captivate the gaslight era. The builders brought together different architectural styles by combining Victorian, Queen Anne and some Romanesque Revival design elements. A Parkersburg businessman named Johan Kaltenecker, built the Kaltenecker building next door. The outside of the building was designed to match the hotel. In 1985-1986, a renovation brought both buildings together, and the Kaltenecker building is now the hotel dining area.  While the hotel was originally going to be called "The Argyle," the hotel ended up being named after Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett. In 1789, this couple settled on an island in the Ohio River and constructed a mansion. The island, now called Blennerhassett Island, became well known because of Mr. Blennerhassett's association with Vice President Aaron Burr. Because of their involvement with Burr's attempt to gain control of the region Southwest of the area, the Blennerhassett’s fled the island and traveled down the Ohio River to escape possible conspiracy charges.  The hotel has been updated at various points throughout the 20th century and remains a popular place for accommodating guests to the area. From 1944 to 1945, William Chancellor's grandson, Nelson C. Burwell, operated the hotel. Three major renovations happened during the his time. In 1979, there were around 30 elderly residents living at the hotel. On May 9th, 1979, their was a fire that badly damaged the building. It was extinguished right before it hit the 5th floor. In the 1980s, a group of Pennsylvania-based investors decided to pay for renovations to the building. The hotel underwent a complete restoration in 1986. In November of 2002 the hotel underwent another renovation costing over 10 million dollars. The hotel now has 89 guest rooms and a patio outside. The building is currently listed on the National register of Historic Places and is still operating as a hotel.

Opening in 1889 during the "Gaslight Era," this hotel became the center of Parkersburg society during and after the region's oil and gas boom. The hotel, nearby island, and several other places in the city were named in honor of the famous Blennerhassett family. The family were local power brokers who captured the nation's attention after their association with then Vice President Aaron Burr and his attempt to capture the American West. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and a full restoration took place in 1986.

The Blennerhassett Hotel

In the mid-eighteenth century, surveyors determined western Virginia was rich in oil and natural gas. Native Americans already utilized oil seeping from the ground for a variety of purposes, but it was not a major source of fuel until it was drilled in large quantities. In 1842, oil was accidentally discovered in Wirt County, WV. While drilling for salt on their property, the Rathbone family found that oil was getting in the way. One year after Edwin Drake successfully established the nation's first oil well in Pennsylvania, the Rathbones drilled West Virginia's first oil well in Burning Springs, Wirt County, in July 1860. Johnson Newlon Camden, later a state senator, established an oil refinery in Parkersburg where much of this oil was prepared for use. The oil rush quickly expanded throughout Wirt, Wood, and Ritchie County. With huge quantities of oil being produced, money was quickly coming to this area, which was a huge influence in the Civil War and was one of the reasons West Virginia became a state. With all this money, the owners did not want it to go to the Confederates. Oil was selling for about $30 a barrel, and with oil only a hundred feet under the ground, it created quick millionaires. Some of Parkersburg's mansions are the result of oil fortunes.Natural gas, a byproduct of the creation of petroleum in the earth, also had use in nineteenth century western Virginia. As early as 1831, the Kanawha salt manufacturers were producing heat by using wooden pipes to move natural gas from wells. As oil production declined in the twentieth century, natural gas gained popularity as a more efficient and cost-effective option. The Parkersburg Oil and Gas Museum explores the history and technologies of these fossil fuels in West Virginia, along with some history of the Civil War in this area. The Museum is located in the historic W.H. Smith Hardware Company building, completed around 1900 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It retains unique, original features such as a historic Romanesque facade with the hand-painted sign, hardwood floors, light fixtures, hardware store shelving, and heating units. The Hardware Company was established in 1874 on this site and produced items for agriculture and industry; home items ranging from doors to stoves to roofing; and tools for Blacksmiths, wagonmakers, and saddlers. The original building burned in August 1899 and the current structure built on the former's original foundations. The Hardware Company kept shop at this site until the 1980s when they moved out of downtown; they remain in business today.

This museum in downtown Parkersburg offers a collection of artifacts, exhibits, and documents related to the history of the oil and gas industry in the region and beyond. The museum also includes a replica of an old oilfield office. It is a blast from the past when walking inside this old building, which dates back to 1900 after the original building was destroyed by fire. The grounds of the museum include a collection of different engines and machinery dating back to West Virginia's first oil boom.

Parkersburg Oil and Gas Museum

The North Bend Rail Trail was created from a former part of the CSX Railroad system. The section of track that North Bend Rail Trail is part of was constructed between 1853 and 1857 before the Civil War began and before West Virginia was even a state. This railroad, owned by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad companies, was state of the art at the time of construction, including even a 337 ft. long tunnel carved through solid rock. However, with the increasing technology and rise of automobiles in America, railroads became much less used as means of travel for civilians, so in 1988, the train running through this area was finally eliminated. The State of West Virginia bought this section of track and created the Rail Trail.The Rail Trail is part of the 5,500 mile long American Discovery Trail that spans across the United States. The North Bend Portion is about 72 miles long and stretches from Parkersburg, WV to Wolf Summit, WV along Route 50. In this stretch there are many points of interest including thirteen tunnels, thirty-six bridges, hand-blown glass factories, sites of train robbers, and old, historical buildings.There are many folk legends and stories passed down about the trail. One of the greatest and most popular stories is the story of the Ghost of Silver Run Tunnel, which is located on the trail in Ritchie County. According to legend, there is a ghost of a woman in a long, flowing white dress that resides in the tunnel. When the train was still running, conductors would see the woman and try to stop the train, but it always turned out that no one was there. Legend says that she was on her way to Parkersburg and was killed somewhere near Silver Run Tunnel along the way. Today, many people visit this tunnel as well as other tunnels with rumored ghosts to try to track paranormal activity.Today the tunnel can be visited for free by anyone and can be accessed from anywhere, but is best accessed from North Bend State Park located in Cairo, West Virginia. It passes through various state, county, and local parks. The trail is crushed limestone and is great for hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

The State of West Virginia created the North Bend Rail Trail from 150-year-old rail road tracks in 1996 to create “one of the most renowned recreational trails through the Appalachians.”  This trail showcases the great historical highlights of the area including old buildings, factories, small Appalachian towns, and ghost tunnels. Today, visitors can hike, bike, or ride horses along this 72 mile trail across the state. 

North Bend Rail Trail

Shortly after John Bunnell moved to Ritchie County in 1800 as one of the first European settlers in the area, John Webster purchased this property and began construction on Old Stone House in 1810. The home is sometimes referred to as the Webster-Martin-Ireland House after its previous owners. Webster sold the home to the newly arrived James Martin and his wife Edith, the daughter of Colonel Benjamin Wilson.  The Martins converted the home into an inn and the home housed travelers for over a century. The inn was located near a state road that connected Parkersburg and Clarksburg. Because of this location, the inn was likely very profitable. Martin was able to expand the home and added several outbuildings to the property. The home was also the site of several early court sessions after Ritchie County was formed in 1843. Local rumors imply that General "Stonewall" Jackson and Sam Houston each stayed at the inn. Though these rumors aren't verified, they are plausible given the inn's popularity and proximity to a major turnpike.    The Martin family owned the property until it was sold to A. J. Philip Ireland in 1908. Ireland paid for many alterations to the home's original structure, adding a twelve-room addition at the back of the home and renovating original sections of the home to match twentieth-century tastes. The expansion of rail travel in the area since 1854 and the general transportation improvements eventually led the Old Stone House to turn into a boarding house as fewer travelers stopped in Pennsboro. Most of the rooms in the boarding house were occupied by young newlyweds. After Ireland's death, the Old Stone House stopped serving as a boarding house too.  The property was owned by the Ireland family until it was purchased by the Ritchie County Historical Society in June of 1977. The Society renovated the former inn and converted the space into the Old Stone House Museum. The museum features artifacts from different periods of the county's history. Regional genealogy and a historical library are also present in the museum which is still open with limited hours today. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s.

The Old Stone House and Museum, sometimes referred to as the Webster-Martin-Ireland House, was built in 1810 and served as an inn and boarding house for over a century. The many additions and renovations done to the home over the years give it features from a variety of time periods and styles. After the formation of Ritchie County in 1843, the inn sometimes served as the site of early court meetings. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s. 

Old Stone House and Museum

The Pennsboro B&amp;O Train Depot was built in 1883 and was in use until the late 1960s. Pennsboro, WV was once a central location on the Parkersburg Branch of the B&amp;O Railroad. This location made the town a hub of economic activity as travelers passed through. Pennsboro was a much smaller town before the addition of the railway line and its primary function was as a rest stop for travelers on the Northwest Turnpike which connected Clarksburg to Parkersburg and on to Marietta, OH. The town's Old Stone House Inn was a well-known resting point for Turnpike travelers.   The railway line running through Pennsboro was built by the Northwestern Virginia Railroad Company but was eventually leased by B&amp;O. The B&amp;O railway lines helped to create better access throughout the Appalachian region and would play a role in West Virginia's acquisition of statehood. Improved transportation encouraged businesses and immigrants to settle throughout the state. The Parkersburg Branch and others were integral in the transportation of Union soldiers and supplies. In particular, the Parkersburg Branch was a pivotal line of communication between Union forces in the eastern and western regions.   As Pennsboro continued to grow, often have at least six passenger trains daily, the town prospered. Pennsboro offered several general stores, a suspender factory, bottling companies, and a tin shop among other new establishments. The depot was expanded in 1900 to help accommodate the growing needs of the railway. In 1873 an addition railroad line was added that connected the town with Harrisville, the county seat, and a second addition connected the line to Pullman.   As automobile transportation improved and became more accessible for lower and middle-class people, the demand for railway travel lessened. Passenger train frequency continued to decrease as newer roads were added in the area. The entire B&amp;O company had suffered financial difficulties after the Great Depression. These financial setbacks earlier in the century were only compounded by technological advancements.  By 1974, the Depot was closed and the majority of the Parkersburg Branch of the railroad was to be abandoned and sections of the rails removed. The Parkersburg Branch was one of many sections of the railroad that were abandoned around this time.    In 1988 the railroad tracks were removed and the Pennsboro Depot was abandoned and falling into disrepair after a long period of being left unused. Just two years later a local group known as the "Save the Depot" organization ran fundraisers to repair and repurpose the building. Repairs were begun almost immediately and the depot is used as a historic center for the town of Pennsboro. Other historic buildings remain including the Wells Building, the Bank Building, and the Penn Movie Theater, all built in the early twentieth century. A walking path known as the North Bend Rail Trail or the Pennsboro B&amp;O Railroad Depot Trail runs where the B&amp;O lines once laid. In 2006, the Pennsboro B&amp;O Train Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pennsboro B&O Train Depot was built in 1883 and was in use until the late 1960s. Pennsboro, WV was once a central location on the Parkersburg Branch of the B&O Railroad. The line contributed to the economic development of the town until its decline after the Great Depression. The depot closed in 1974, and in 1990 a group fought to save the property from possible demolition. It now serves as a local cultural and historical center and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. 

Pennsboro B&O Train Depot

&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Many residents of Doddridge County have answered the call to
duty and have placed themselves in harm’s way serving the armed forces of the
United States, in both wartime and peacetime.&nbsp;
The patriotism found in Doddridge County is deep rooted and goes back
generations.&nbsp; The Doddridge County Veterans
Memorial and Honor Roll is a unique county monument that honors all veterans,
living and deceased, for their service and sacrifices to secure the freedoms of
these United States of America from WWI to the current War on Terror. &nbsp;The memorial is comprised of several parts,
the most inspiring is the hand-written names of those who have served on the
Honor Roll wall which is encased inside a small brick building and behind glass
for viewing.&nbsp; The original Honor Roll of
Doddridge County was hand painted on a white wooden wall by the Ladies
Auxiliary of veteran’s organizations, listed alphabetically and grouped by war,
with names added as needed.&nbsp; As the wars
of the recent eras have again became abundant, the names of those who have gone
off to war for the United States have again needed to be added and the wall is
beginning to fill.&nbsp; A huge endeavor is
being undertaken by the Doddridge County Heritage Guild and the VFW Post 3408
to create a digital version of the honor wall to also include from WWI –
present day as well as the Civil War and the Spanish-American War when those
names are known to them.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The land that the
Veterans Memorial and the Doddridge County courthouse stands upon was donated
to the county by Nathan Davis, jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;Nathan Davis came to what is now Doddridge
County, West Virginia between 1801-1807.&nbsp;
The first court session in the county happened in his home – where the
courthouse and the Veterans Memorial now stands – which he later left to the
county for the erection of a permanent courthouse.&nbsp; Nathan Davis was a prominent figure in
Doddridge County history and owned most of, if not all the land, in what is now
the county seat of West Union.&nbsp; Nathan
Davis was a mail carrier, militia captain, director of the West Union Academy,
Justice of the Peace, and the Sheriff of Harrison County.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; While directly nestled
below the county court house, as well as sitting on a knoll above the main town
and Doddridge county seat of West Union, the memorial provides a powerful
reminder of the rich military history of the citizens of Doddridge County as
well as a place to reflect and meditate over the hundreds of men and women from
this West Virginia county that have served in the United States Armed Services.&nbsp; The wall is a lasting tribute to the heroes
of Doddridge County and with this memorial those who look upon it will be able
to treasure and honor that respect and acknowledgement even after those men and
women have passed.&nbsp; The Doddridge County
Veterans Memorial and Honor Wall show the community and the youth that freedom
is never free and that many from this community came before them to serve so
that they may live free in the United States of America.

Located in front of the Doddridge County Court House, in West Union, WV, stands a memorial, hand made in part, to all those persons who have served in the wars of the United States and were from the county of Doddridge, WV. 

Doddridge County Veterans Memorial

The owner and namesake of the opera house, Silas P. Smith was believed to have been born in Doddridge County around 1860. He was a jack of all trades and lived in the town of West Union. In 1889 for around $1800, Smith bought the lot adjacent to his house. Although construction did not begin until a decade later, a simple Romanesque style building was eventually completed, and was turned into the Silas P. Smith Opera House. In February of 1900, an ad ran in the local paper, The West Union Record, stating that the new opera house in the small town of West Union, which was not yet completed, would be open to the public on the following Monday. The opening three night engagement at the Silas P. Smith Opera House was performed by R. J. Elwood’s stock company, which after the first night returned numerous times to preform. Sadly, due to lack of funding, the opera house had to limit the engagements that took place there. Events were no longer scheduled after that year, but religious, civic, and school events still took place there.  The Silas P. Smith Opera House changed over the years to fit the needs of the town as they progressed. In 1915, both floors of the house were used as apartments for the glass factory workers until the factory was closed down. Between 1930 and 1936, the 6th through 8th graders of West Union Grade School were housed on the second floor while the first floor was still being used as apartments. In 1958, the opera house was sold through the West Union Bank to Virgil Hall who maintained it as an apartment building. Seven years later, the Doddridge County Library Corporation bought the building for $7000. At first, the Doddridge County Library was only the left side of the first floor while apartments still remained in most of the building. It wasn’t until the library started growing that it expanding through the first floor, using the second floor for storage and library activities. In 2015, the Doddridge County Library outgrew the Silas P. Smith Opera House and was relocated to Marie Street. Now, the building the building has yet to be re-purposed again and remains largely unused.

Built from the bricks of the Doddridge County Courthouse which burnt down in 1898, the Silas P. Smith Opera house was created in 1900. Silas P. Smith was a town staple. He served as postmaster, mayor and publisher of the local newspaper and was very influential in the town. Once the building was built, it was adorned with large bay windows and arches the building shows the architecture of the time. When opened, the opera house was a prominent in West Union. Acts would come in and out bringing with them tourism to the small town. Several decades later, the house was bought by the town and turned into the Doddridge County Public Library in 1965. Since 2015, due to the relocation of the county library, the building has been used as office buildings while the Doddridge County Courthouse gets a renovation. 

Silas P. Smith Opera House

Construction of Fort New Salem began in 1971 and the museum officially opened in 1974. Most of the log structures on site are made from parts of historical buildings that were relocated to Fort New Salem. The museum started as a part of the Appalachian studies program at Salem College, now Salem International University. When the museum first opened, Salem College students would live at the fort to learn the ways of life of early settlers in Appalachia. After changes at Salem College, the site was at risk of being sold to developers with the possibility of being torn down. After this news, the Fort New Salem Foundation was created.The Fort New Salem Foundation took over ownership of the site in December of 2005 and has since renovated more than ten structures on the site. Fort New Salem is popular destination for school groups to visit as it provides students with a valuable learning experience outside of the classroom. As a living museum, visitors have the opportunity to learn the history of traditional Appalachian culture, craftmaking, and lifestyles of the people who lived on the Appalachian frontier prior to the Civil War. The Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to connecting people of today with the lifestyles of the past, and hopes to expand the fort in future years. The fort is now closed on a day to day basis, but opens for special events and tours throughout the year.

Fort New Salem is a living history museum located in Salem, West Virginia. This eight-acre outdoor museum consists of a collection of 18 log structures intended to take visitors back into the 19th century Appalachian frontier. The museum provides glimpses into the crafts, lifestyles, and history of early Appalachia. Fort New Salem offers visitors a unique educational and entertaining experience that provides an escape from modern life. The museum is ran by the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc., which is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and culture of early western Virginia. 

Fort New Salem

The Brandy Gap Tunnel (also known as the Brandy Gap Tunnel #2 or Flinderation Tunnel) is located near Salem in Harrison County, West Virginia. The tunnel is part of the 72-mile-long North Bend Rail Trail system and is a popular destination for ghost hunters across the region.(1) The Brandy Gap Tunnel also runs under the Brandy Gap Cemetery, which is said to contribute to paranormal activity within the tunnel.(1) 	The Brandy Gap Tunnel was commissioned by the Northwestern Virginia Railroad for the Boston &amp; Ohio Railroad.(1) Thomas B. Spates was the contractor who started the work in August 1852 at Brandy Gap Tunnel (Tunnel Hill in Tenmile District).(2) The tunnel was completed in January of 1857, and was “taken fully out of commission” in the 1990s.(1) This was due to the decline of railroad use in this part of West Virginia, along with locomotive engineers who had “religiously wanted to avoid”.(3) The Brandy Gap Tunnel served the purpose of connecting rail service between Grafton and Parkersburg.(1)	One conclusion that could be drawn out as to why these engineers avoided this part of the railroad is the amount of ghost tales and folklore that creep from the tunnel. One of the leading legends involves a three-man crew doing repairs on the track within the tunnel(3), when suddenly the sound of a train whistle echoes through-out the tunnel.(1) The train engineer was reported to be unaware of the repairs being made within the tunnel, and consequently struck two of the workers who could not make it to the alcoves inside the tunnel.(1) The collision with the two bodies and the incomplete rail work led to the train derailing.(3) 	This story is not the only one that contributes to the ghostly activity that happens at the Brandy Gap Tunnel. It has been noted that the tunnel runs “directly under the large, yet historical Brandy Gap Cemetery”.(1) Legends frequently mention “the idea that decaying bodies of the cemetery drip remains into the tunnel”.(1) It also has been said the dark tunnel was the location of KKK lynching’s in the early 1900’s.(3) Each of these factors has led to the belief that the tunnel is haunted. 	Today, the old tunnel is a part of a scenic hiking trail that allows foot traffic in addition to bicycles and horses. It is a hot spot for ghost hunters and has even been brought to national attention by being featured in several popular TV shows.(1)

The Brandy Gap Tunnel is a former railway tunnel that has gained notoriety as a popular destination for those interested in the paranormal. Several stories of hauntings have been told about the site dating back to the early 1900s when the tunnel was the site of several lynchings. The tunnel opened in 1857 and was not closed until the 1990s as railway use had heavily declined in the region. Today, the tunnel can be accessed as a part of the North Bend Rail Trail System which allows hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders to travel along the former B&O line. 


Brandy Gap Tunnel 

Major Nathan Goff Jr. was the third child of Waldo P. Goff and Harriet Louise Moore Goff. Goff was discharged from the United States military in September of 1864 and then began law school at the Cooper Institute that October. However, he left in December of the same year without graduating. The Circuit Court of Harrison County approved Goff’s admission to the bar, and Goff started practicing law in Harrison and the adjoining counties in 1865. In his first years of practice, Goff gained clients and experience thanks to his family’s popularity in the community. On November 7th, 1865, Nathan Goff Jr. married Laura E. Despard, who welcomed their first child in September of the following year.Goff joined his father in law’s practice soon after his marriage to Laura, and attempted to gain public office in August of 1866. The Harrison County Union Republican convention chose Goff and Solomon S. Fleming as candidates for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Goff, along with the rest of the Union ticket, won on October 25, 1866, and was in Wheeling for the opening of the legislature on January 15, 1867; Goff was the youngest delegate in attendance. Goff was appointed as the United States District Attorney for West Virginia by President Andrew Johnson in November of 1868, and was reappointed in 1872, 1876, and 1880, while continuing to run his private law firm in Clarksburg.When the Waldo Hotel opened in 1904, the ballroom on the seventh floor was illuminated by gaslights with large decorated shades, and a string orchestra played while guests waltzed. Patronesses for the First Assembly Ball were Mrs. Nathan Goff Jr., Mrs. Mord Lewis, Mrs. John J. Duncan, Mrs. Fleming Howell, Mrs. R.T. Lowndes, and Mrs. John Bassel. The Waldo would continue to hold similar events like that of opening night for prominent visitors of Clarksburg, such as John W. Davis, who lost the Democratic nomination for President of the United States after refusing to comply with the Ku Klux Klan. The grand seven-story building was built in a Romanesque Revival style reminiscent of Moorish structures in southern Spain. The Waldo hotel dominated the small local businesses that surrounded it, such as Hursey’s Harness Shop and Dudley’s Floral. The women’s entrance to the hotel was near the corners of Fourth and Pike Streets. The Waldo was equipped with a steam-operated elevator adorned with an open wire cage that opened into the lobby. There was also a narrow stairway made of marble steps and wrought iron railing decorated with gold accents that led to the parlor on the second floor. The main entrance along Fourth Street led to the hotel’s bar, a room with 31-foot high ceilings. The hotel’s dining room along the first floor mezzanine was furnished with tables for two, benches, and large chairs where guests could sit and view the comings and goings of the hotel. The wait-staff of the Waldo wore mistletoe green uniforms with a gold monogramed “W” along with white gloves. The main lobby of the Waldo was 60 feet long, 56 feet wide, and 31 feet high. Ten marble columns adorned with ivory and gold supported the luxurious lobby. The hotel opened with a private water filtration system, an ice plant that produced 1,000 pounds of ice daily, and an electric generator.In 1964, the hotel was sold to Salem College to be used as dormitories. The college occupied the building until 1969. Two years later, the rooms were repurposed into apartments while the ground floor hosted business offices. By the late 1990s, the Waldo no longer met fire code standards. The owner was unable to afford to bring the building up to code, so it was boarded up by the fire marshal. Since then, the Waldo Hotel’s fate has been invariably uncertain. Numerous fundraising efforts and campaigns have promised to restore the building but fallen short on funding or ability at the last minute. The current owners, Vandalia Heritage Foundation, have made some efforts to stall the building’s active deterioration. Proponents of demolishing the structure point to falling bricks and glass as evidence that the Waldo Hotel is irredeemable. Once the most luxurious building in the city, the future of the decrepit Waldo Hotel is now a topic of frequent debate and discussion among Clarksburg representatives.

Nathan Goff Jr. hired architect Harrison Albright to design the Waldo Hotel in 1901, and when the Waldo opened in 1904 it was one of the most luxurious hotels in West Virginia. The Waldo Hotel was named after Nathan Goff Jr.’s father, whose home sits beside the hotel. The Waldo was built with the intent to entertain prominent guests in Clarksburg, and became the hub of social and political life. After serving as a hotel for many decades, the Waldo was converted into dormitories for Salem College and later, apartments. The building currently sits vacant and is uninhabitable. Debate over whether the hotel should be restored or demolished is a common topic in Clarksburg, and the building’s future is uncertain.

 Waldo Hotel 

The Robinson Grand Theater first opened its doors to the public on February 7, 1913. It was built by the Clarksburg Amusement Company, which was formed in the previous year by Robert Lafferty, Claude Robinson, Charles Alexander, and Reuben Robinson. The original 1913 theater structure sat back from the street 72 feet and had a covered entry way. One of the few photographs of the early theater illustrates the substantial entryway opening onto the street from the covered walkway. The entrance was a segmental arch with globe lights and was flanked by a structure containing a ticket booth and a wall that contained areas to display movie posters. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, the Robinson brothers, Claude and Reuben, were very familiar with the theater business. Claude began selling programs throughout Kentucky and later in New Orleans very early on in his life. He would later become a treasurer and a manager for theaters across the country. Despite being responsible for the creation of the Robinson Grand Theater, historians do not know much about Reuben's life besides the fact that he worked many years as a manager at the Grand Opera House in Clarksburg, West Virginia, which burnt down in 1910. The loss of this establishment caused the area to no longer have a venue for shows and entertainment. Reuben noticed the show-hungry community and was determined to fix the issue. After convincing his brother Claude to relocate to West Virginia, the Robinson Grand Theater became a work in progress."The Case of Becky" starring Frances Starr was the first show to appear within the theater on opening night. This new theater happened to be a part of the Keith-Albee vaudeville circuit. To this day the Keith Albee in Huntington, West Virginia, is still active and open to the public. Some of the famous traveling acts which were hosted by the grand theater were Edgar Bergen along with Charlie and Jack Benny. The theater would also later show blockbuster film hits like Jaws and Star Wars in the 1980s.After being open for fourteen years, the Robinson Grand Theater underwent a remodel in 1927 in hopes of being more appealing to the public. The building was extended onto the street, making more room inside, and increasing the seating capacity from 1,000 to 1,500. The exterior structure is known for being Neo-Gothic with prominent Gothic windows. On the ground level, the main entrance is marked by a Tudor arch and elaborate decorative terracotta details. It is said these renovations reflected the contemporary designs of its time.Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Robinson Grand Theater on May 31, 1939, when the torch of an air conditioner repairman set the structure ablaze, destroying much of the stage and house. Luckily, the front part of the building was still intact despite the damages caused to the structure. After Claude Robinson promised the residents of the Clarksburg area the theater would be rebuilt, the town held a grand reopening on December 24, 1939, which was less than seven months after the heartbreaking event.Still to this day the 1939 structure stands with the original 1927 facade, but contains a new house and stage within. The Robinson Grand Theater was active and open to the public through the 1980s, where plays, concerts, and dance recitals were often hosted. Residents still fondly recall memories of times spent at the theater. As modern times began to arrive and the increase of demand for suburban multiplexes, the Robinson Grand Theater was frequented less and less by the public, causing it to shut down.The City of Clarksburg acquired the building in 2014 and the capital campaign began its public phrase in 2017 to raise money for the $15 million multi-use facility in the North Central area of West Virginia. According to the Clarksburg City Manager, Martin Howe, a recent economic study done within the city expresses that the renovation and restoration project for the former theater will have nearly a $32 million impact over the first five years of its operation. A soft re-opening of the theater was held on August 24th, 2018. The theater is now fully operational, with frequent showings and events.

The Robinson Grand Theater opened its doors in 1913 with the help of its founders William Lafferty, Charles Alexander and Reuben Robinson of the Clarksburg Amusement Company. It was later renovated and enlarged in 1927 to appeal to contemporary designs and society of its time. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in May of 1939 when an air conditioner caught on fire destroying most of the stage and theater house. Luckily, it was able to be rebuilt by December of the same year. This was the place where many locals first saw classics like Jaws, Star Wars and the Sound of Music. The theater continued to show movies and host local events through the 1980s but later shut down due to other popular suburban multiplexes within the area. Thanks to the hardworking people of Clarksburg, the Robinson Grand Theater was completely remodeled.

Northwestern Turnpike Driving Tour

Berdines Five and Dime

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information