List of the oldest buildings in West Virginia explained

This article lists the oldest extant buildings in West Virginia, including extant buildings and structures constructed prior to and during the United States rule over West Virginia. Only buildings built prior to 1800 are suitable for inclusion on this list, or the building must be the oldest of its type.

In order to qualify for the list, a structure must:

This consciously excludes ruins of limited height, roads and statues. Bridges may be included if they otherwise fulfill the above criteria. Dates for many of the oldest structures have been arrived at by radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology and should be considered approximate. If the exact year of initial construction is estimated, it will be shown as a range of dates.

List of oldest buildings

BuildingImageLocationFirst builtUseNotes
Morgan's GroveShepherdstown, West Virginiac. 1734Residence and springhouseThe springhouse is the only remnant
Robert Worthington Housenear Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1734ResidenceOriginal portion dated to 1734, larger house appended in 1784, and later expanded further
Shepherd's MillShepherdstown, West Virginiaprior to 1739MillExpanded through 1800s
The Hermitage (Charles Town, West Virginia)Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1740ResidenceStone structure on property is possibly the oldest building in West Virginia.
White House Farm (Jefferson County, West Virginia)Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1740Residence and farmHouse c. 1740, barn is oldest in West Virginia
Aspen Hall (Martinsburg, West Virginia)Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1741ResidenceMain house built 1775, earliest portion 1741
Maidstone-on-the-PotomacMartinsburg, West Virginiac. 1741ResidenceDamaged by fire 2009
Thomas Brown House (Inwood, West Virginia)Inwood, West Virginiac. 1741ResidenceMain house built 1775, earliest portion 1741
Snodgrass TavernHedgesville, West Virginiac. 1742Residence and tavern
Hays-Gerrard HouseGerrardstown, West Virginia1745Residence
Hedges-Lemen Housenea Hedgesville, West Virginia1748ResidenceExpanded 1792
Baldwin-Grantham HouseShanghai, West Virginia1749ResidenceEarliest portion built 1749 and expanded
Wilson-Wodrow-Mytinger HouseRomney, West Virginiac. 1750ResidenceKitchen building built c. 1750
William Boggs FarmBerkeley County, West Virginiac. 1750Residence and farm
Redbud HollowMartinsburg, West Virginiac. 1750Residence and farm
The BeverleyCharles Town, West Virginiac. 1750ResidenceWorking farm since 1750 with buildings on the farm dating to founding of the farm[1]
Union Bryarly's MillDarkesville, West Virginia1751ResidenceMiller's house dated to 1751
Ar-Qua SpringsArden, West Virginiac. 1751ResidenceProgressively expanded from original log structure
Strode-Morrison-Tabler House and FarmHedgesville, West Virginia1752Residence
Peter Burr HouseShenandoah Junction, West Virginiac. 1753ResidenceBuilt for a cousin of Aaron Burr, an opponent of the Washington family
Fort Van Meter (Hampshire County, West Virginia)Glebe, West Virginiac. 1754Fortification
Fort AshbyShenandoah Junction, West Virginia1755FortificationBuilt by order of George Washington, commanded by John Ashby
York HillShenandoah Junction, West Virginiac. 1755ResidenceOldest section of house dated to mid 1750s
Stone House Mansionnear Martinsburg, West Virginia1757Residence
John, David, and Jacob Rees HouseBunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1760Residence
Miller's House, Tuscarora Creek Historic District[2] near Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1760Residence
Cool Spring Farm (Gerrardstown, West Virginia)near Gerrardstown, West Virginia1761Residence
William Grubb Farmnear Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1763Residence
Hopewell (Millville, West Virginia)near Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1765Residence and mill complexHouse and cottage built about 1765
Boidstones Placenear Shepherdstown, West Virginia1766ResidenceExpanded in the 1850s
Lick Run PlantationBedington, West Virginiabefore and after 1770Residence and farmBuilt for Samuel Washington
Harewood (West Virginia)Charles Town, West Virginia1770ResidenceBuilt for Samuel Washington
Col. James Graham HouseLowell, West Virginia1770Residence
Byrnside-Beirne-Johnson Housenear Union, West Virginia1770Residence and fortificationExpanded 1855
Graham HouseLowell, West Virginiac. 1770ResidenceSquared log structure
Hiett House, North River Mills Historic District[3] North River Mills, West Virginiac. 1770Residence
Samuel Hedges Housenear Hedgesville, West Virginia1772ResidenceExpanded 1850s
Adam Stephen HouseMartinsburg, West Virginia1772-1789Residence
Hughes-Cunningham Housenear Hedgesville, West Virginia1772ResidenceExpanded c. 1784
Kern's FortMorgantown, West Virginia1772Residence
The Willows (Moorefield, West Virginia)near Moorefield, West Virginiabefore 1773Residence
Van Swearingen-Shepherd Housenear Shepherdstown, West Virginia1773ResidenceProgressively expanded in the 19th century
Traveller's Rest (Kearneysville, West Virginia)near Kearneysville, West Virginia1773ResidenceBuilt for General Horatio Gates
Sloan–Parker Housenear Junction, West Virginia1774ResidenceFront section built 1790
Gap View Farmnear Charles Town, West Virginia1774ResidenceMain house built 1774, small building 1750
Gilbert and Samuel McKown Housenear Charles Town, West Virginia1774Residence
Prato RioLeetown, West Virginia1775Residence[4]
Stump Family Farmnear Moorefield, West Virginiac. 1775Residence
Hays-Pitzer Housenear Martinsburg, West Virginia1775ResidenceStone section built about 1800, log section 1775
Springfield, Mill Creek Historic DistrictBunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1775Residence
Henshaw Miller House, Mill Creek Historic DistrictBunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1780Residence
Levi Shinn HouseShinnston, West Virginia1778Residence
John Fryatt House, Darkesville Historic District[5] Darkesville, West Virginiac. 1780Residence
Thomas Swearingen House, Jones Mill Run Historic District[6] near Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1780Residence
John VanMetre Housenear Kearneysville, West Virginia1780sResidence and farm1780, enlarged 1800
Media FarmCharles Town, West Virginia1780sResidence and farmOriginal structure built 1780s and progressively expanded
Happy RetreatCharles Town, West Virginia1780sResidence and farmOriginal kitchen built about 1780 and expanded from there
Rockland (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)near Shepherdstown, West Virginia1780sResidence and farmOriginal structure built 1771-1785 and progressively expanded
Fort Pleasantnear Moorefield, West Virginiac. 1780s-1790sResidence and fortificationFortification built 17802, house built 1790s
Walnut Grove (Union, West Virginia)near Union, West Virginia1780sKitchen built 1780s
Jacob Prickett Jr. Log Housenear Montana, West Virginia1781Residence
White Bushnear Falling Waters, West Virginiac. 1781-1785Residence
Old HemlockBrandonville, West Virginiac. 1782Residence
Captain William Lucas and Robert Lucas Housenear Shepherdstown, West Virginiac. 1783Residence
The Homestead, Burlington Historic District (Burlington, West Virginia)[7] Burlington, West Virginiac. 1784Residence
Johnston-Truax HouseWeirton, West Virginia1785ResidenceRepeatedly expanded
Rehoboth ChurchUnion, West Virginia1785-86Churcha log church, which is the oldest church in WV
Rumsey Hall (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)Shepherdstown, West Virginia1786 onwardsResidence and hotelProgressively expanded
Renick Farm (Renick, West Virginia)Renick, West Virginia1788Residence and farm
Old Stone Tavern (Moorefield, West Virginia)Moorefield, West Virginia1788Residence and tavern
Nicholas Switzer Housenear Wardensville, West Virginia1788Residence
Nathaniel and Isaac Kuykendall Housenear Romney, West Virginia1789Residence
Stuart ManorLewisburg, West Virginia1789Residence1778 building on site
Poor House, Tuscarora Creek Historic Districtnear Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1788Residence
Ben Boyd Store, Darkesville Historic DistrictDarkesville, West Virginia1789ResidenceExpanded in 19th century
Allstadt House and Ordinarynear Harpers Ferry, West Virginiac. 1790Residence and tavernWas involved in John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
Strider Farmnear Harpers Ferry, West Virginiac. 1790Residence and farm
Salt box House, Darkesville Historic DistrictDarkesville, West Virginia1790sResidence
The Rocks (Jefferson County, West Virginia)near Meyerstown, West Virginiac. 1790Residence and farmstead
Miller House, North River Mills Historic DistrictNorth River Mills, West Virginiac. 1790Residence
Henry Sherrard Mill, Mill Creek Historic District[8] Bunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1790Mill
Stephen-Hammond Mill, Spring Mills Historic District[9] near Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1790Residence and mill
John Lyle House, Tuscarora Creek Historic Districtnear Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1790Residence
Robert Daniels House, Mill Creek Historic DistrictBunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1790Residence
Baker HouseShepherdstown, West Virginia1790sResidence
Reed's MillSecondcreek, West Virginia1791Mill
Chapline-Shenton HouseShepherdstown, West Virginia1793Residencelater used as a Civil War hospital after Antietam
Spring Valley FarmUnion, West Virginia1793ResidenceCabin built 1793
Alexander Campbell MansionBethany, West Virginia1793ResidenceRepeatedly enlarged
Cold Spring (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)near Shepherdstown, West Virginia1793Residence
Jonathan Seaman House, Darkesville Historic DistrictDarkesville, West Virginiac. 1795Residence
Old Stone House (Morgantown, West Virginia)Morgantown, West Virginia1796Residence[10]
Orndoff-Cross HouseMorgantown, West Virginia1796Residence[11]
Old Stone Church (Lewisburg, West Virginia)Lewisburg, West Virginia1796Church
Stone ManseCaldwell, West Virginia1796Parsonage
Edward Rumsey House, Tuscarora Creek Historic Districtnear Martinsburg, West Virginiac. 1796Residence
Elmwood (Shepherdstown, West Virginia)near Shepherdstown, West Virginia1797Residence
Richwood Hallnear Charles Town, West Virginia1797ResidenceBuilt for Lawrence Augustine Washington, expanded in 19th century
Miller's TavernWellsburg, West Virginia1797InnDemolished 2019
John Mathias HouseMathias, West Virginia1797ResidenceExpanded 1825
Mill Island (Moorefield, West Virginia)near Moorefield, West Virginiac. 1798ResidenceExpanded 1840
Hillside (Charles Town, West Virginia)near Charles Town, West Virginiac. 1799Residence
Harper's Ferry ArmoryHarper's Ferry, West Virginia1799ArmorySite of abolitionist John Brown's raid in 1859.[12]
Beall-AirHalltown, West Virginiarear section before 1800ResidenceBuilt for Lewis Washington, was involved in John Brown's raid
William Wilson House (Gerrardstown, West Virginia)Gerrardstown, West VirginiaBetween 1792 and 1802Residence
Springhill, Mill Creek Historic DistrictBunker Hill, West Virginiac. 1790Residence

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: These Are 11 of the Oldest Structures in West Virginia That Are Still Standing . 9 July 2018 .
  2. Web site: Wood . Don C. . Tuscarora Creek Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . 1980.
  3. Web site: Rasmussen . Barbara . North River Mills Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . November 17, 2010.
  4. Allen, John C., Jr. (2011). Uncommon Vernacular: The Early Houses of Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1735-1835. West Virginia University Press. pp. 50–51
  5. Web site: Wood . Don C. . Darkesville Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . 1980.
  6. Web site: Wood . Don C. . Jones Mill Run Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . 1980.
  7. Web site: Spyrison . Beth Ann . Burlington Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . May 1992.
  8. Web site: Wood . Don C. . Mill Creek Historical District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . 1980.
  9. Web site: Wood . Don C. . Spring Mills Historic District . West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History . National Park Service . 26 September 2024 . 1980.
  10. Web site: These Are 11 of the Oldest Structures in West Virginia That Are Still Standing . 9 July 2018 .
  11. Web site: These Are 11 of the Oldest Structures in West Virginia That Are Still Standing . 9 July 2018 .
  12. Web site: These Are 11 of the Oldest Structures in West Virginia That Are Still Standing . 9 July 2018 .