Built in a time of prosperity, the Blennerhassett Hotel stands as a testament to Colonel William Nelson Chancellorâs grand vision. Established over a six-year construction period, it opened its cherished doors on May 6, 1889. Chancellorâs ambition was to create a hotel that not only captured the opulence of the era but also surpassed any lodging within West Virginiaâs bordersâa feat achieved by the Blennerhassett.
During the oil and gas boom of the 1880s, Parkersburg surged with wealth, and it was Chancellorâs intent for his hotel to mirror this affluence. The city itself had only been electrified a year before the hotelâs inauguration, with street lighting powered by generated natural gas. The Blennerhassett was modernized from the outset, equipped with both electric and gas lighting, steam heating, and the prestigious workmanship of local companies that ensured its electrical and plumbing systems were state-of-the-art for the time.
George C. Campbell, the first to manage the Blennerhassett, was tasked with bestowing a name upon Chancellorâs establishment. Initially favoring âHotel Argyle,â he ultimately settled on âThe Hotel Blennerhassett,â honoring Harmon Blennerhassettâan Irish noble who once inhabited a nearby island now marked as a state park.
Chancellor enlisted the Bentley and Gerwig furniture company to adorn the hotelâs interior with exquisite furnishings. Specialists from Cincinnati were commissioned to deliver the finest window treatments and intricate fresco work, which adorned the lobby and restaurant. The hotel boasted innovative amenities, including an electric passenger and service elevatorâa novel luxury of the time.
An elegant restaurant seating up to 80 patrons resided on the second floor, while the kitchen was strategically placed at the buildingâs pinnacle to mitigate fire risksâindicative of the safety standards of that era. Guests could enjoy leisurely strolls through double parlors on the same level, one graced with an upright piano. A grand mirror stood in the lobby, shielded by a wire cage to deter any potential damage stemming from the lively streets below. A majestic central staircase spiraled through all five stories, overlooked by public restrooms on each floor, and offering privacy in all 50 guest rooms.
Chancellorâs other enterprise, the First National Bank of Parkersburg, initially secured its place within the hotel, symbolizing the synthesis of commerce and hospitality under one roof. Through history, Chancellor himself ascended from a humble teller to vice president, and later to bank president, paralleling the development of the Northwestern Bank of Virginia into the First National Bank of West Virginia during the Civil War. This bank, after several transitions, exists today as United Bank.
Originally, the bank claimed entrance at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, which later became the hotelâs main entry after renovations in 1985-1986. Historical records suggest the bank may have been operational prior to the hotelâs completion. Todays, the Blennerhassett Hotel is revered not only for its luxury but also as one of the pioneering establishments in Parkersburg to harness modern-day electricity.
In its century-spanning legacy, the Blennerhassett Hotel remains a beacon of elegance, heritage, and innovationâan enduring icon in Parkersburg.
Oil & Gas Museum, 3rd Street, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 0.13 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers
View Listing
Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 0.19 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers
View Listing
Julia-Ann Square Historic District, Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 0.46 mi (straight line)
Unicorn Wine Guild, Washington Boulevard, Belpre, OH, USA
Distance: 2.14 mi (straight line)
Blennerhassett Mansion, Island View Drive, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 2.14 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours Walks and Hikes Outdoor Experiences
View Listing
Kreinik Manufacturing Co Inc., Gihon Road, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 2.18 mi (straight line)
North Bend Rail-Trail, Parkersburg, WV, USA
Distance: 4.46 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes
View Listing
Busy Bee, Gilman Avenue, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.48 mi (straight line)
Harmar Historic District, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.51 mi (straight line)
Cultural Districts Guided Tours
View Listing
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Waverly-Williamstown Road, Williamstown, WV, USA
Distance: 11.52 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes
View Listing
27515 State Rte 7, Marietta, OH 45750, USA
Distance: 11.54 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes RV and Camping
View Listing
101 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio, 45750
Distance: 11.64 mi (straight line)
Marietta Levee, Post Street, Marietta, Ohio, USA
Distance: 11.65 mi (straight line)
202 Bellevue St, Marietta, OH 45750, USA
Distance: 11.68 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes Viewpoints
View Listing
Marietta Adventure Company, 2nd Street, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.81 mi (straight line)
Peoples Bank Theatre, Putnam Street, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.92 mi (straight line)
Valley Gem Sternwheeler, Front Street, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.94 mi (straight line)
Ohio River Museum, Front Street, Marietta, OH, USA
Distance: 11.98 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours
View ListingOur bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.