The city of Elkins was officially incorporated in 1890, though the settlement began to take shape a year earlier on the site of a small community called Leedsville. The city owes its existence and its name to two influential figures of the time—US Senators Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen Benton Elkins. They chose this area in the picturesque Tygart River Valley to create a new industrial and transportation hub.
Key Factors of Development
The development of Elkins was rapid and predetermined by several important circumstances:
The Railroad: The construction of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway played a decisive role. The city was designed as a key railroad hub with a depot and repair shops.
Natural Resources: Access to rich timber and coal reserves in the surrounding mountains turned Elkins into an important center for the extraction industry.
Political Influence: Thanks to the authority of its founders, in 1899 the city became the administrative center of Randolph County, winning this right from the neighboring town of Beverly after a fierce legal and political struggle.
Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Elkins experienced an economic boom. Sawmills, tanneries, and brickyards were built here. The wealth brought by industry was reflected in the architecture: wealthy citizens and the founders themselves built luxurious mansions, such as Graceland and Halliehurst, which have survived to this day. A vital stage in cultural development was the founding of Davis & Elkins College in 1904, which cemented the city's status as not only an industrial but also an educational center for the region.
Timeline
Key Development Milestones
The history of Elkins is inextricably linked with the railroad and industrial development, and in modern times, with the preservation of its cultural heritage.
1889: Senators Henry Davis and Stephen Elkins begin building the city on the site of the small farming settlement of Leedsville.
1890: Elkins is officially incorporated and receives its current name.
1899: The city becomes the administrative center of Randolph County, winning this right from neighboring Beverly after long disputes.
1904: Davis & Elkins College opens, becoming a key educational and cultural institution for the region.
1908: Construction of the grand railroad depot is completed; today, it is one of the main attractions.
1930: The Mountain State Forest Festival is held for the first time, becoming an annual autumn tradition.
1936: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Elkins to participate in the Forest Festival events.
1985: A devastating Election Day flood causes serious damage to infrastructure, leading to large-scale restoration and flood protection work.
1995: The city's historic center is included in the US National Register of Historic Places thanks to its well-preserved architecture.
2000s: Active development of the tourism sector begins, including the launch of popular excursion trains from the restored depot.
Milestones
Creation of a transport and industrial hub (late 19th century). The construction of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway was the city-forming factor. This transformed an isolated valley into a logistics center for coal and timber exports, defining the industrial vector of the economy for decades and establishing the linear structure of the urban layout.
Attaining administrative status (1899). Moving the Randolph County seat to Elkins was a victory for the political influence of the city's founders. This event stimulated the construction of monumental administrative buildings, including the Romanesque Revival courthouse, and attracted the business elite, lawyers, and officials to the city.
Formation of an educational cluster (1904). The founding of Davis & Elkins College diversified the city's social structure. The arrival of a higher education institution transformed the industrial town into a regional intellectual center, and the college campus became a site for preserving the founders' unique historic mansions.
Birth of a festival tradition (1930). The establishment of the Mountain State Forest Festival in the midst of the Great Depression was a bold economic move. This event not only supported local businesses during difficult times but also created a lasting tourism brand for Elkins, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Architectural conservation (late 20th century). The inclusion of the Downtown Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places halted the demolition of old buildings. This decision allowed for the preservation of a cohesive Victorian-era architectural ensemble, which is now the city's primary visual asset.
Revitalization of railroad heritage (2000s). Reassigning the historic depot and launching the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad excursion trains marked a transition from a resource-based economy to an experience-based economy. The railroad, which once exported resources, has now become a tool for attracting tourists.
Architecture
Urban Planning and Development
Unlike many settlements in the region that grew organically, Elkins was developed as a meticulously planned city. In the late 19th century, its founders—railroad tycoons and senators—commissioned engineers to design a clear street structure. The urban grid is oriented toward the railroad and the Tygart River, highlighting the settlement's industrial origins. A distinctive feature of the center is its wide streets and the presence of service alleys, which was an advanced urban planning solution for its time.
Architectural Eras and Dominant Styles
The appearance of Elkins was primarily shaped during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era (1890–1930). The city's architecture reflects a transition from Victorian eclecticism to more austere classical forms, symbolizing stability and wealth.
Victorian and Queen Anne Styles (Late 19th Century): The era of the initial boom. This style is most vibrantly represented in residential architecture and the founders' mansions. It is characterized by asymmetry, complex rooflines, turrets, and abundant decoration.
Examples: The Halliehurst and Graceland mansions on the college campus. Graceland is often called the jewel of West Virginia's Victorian architecture.
Richardsonian Romanesque (Early 20th Century): A style popular for public buildings, intended to inspire respect and a sense of reliability. It features massive stonework, arched windows, and portals.
Examples: The Randolph County Courthouse—a monumental structure dominating the city center—as well as elements of the old rail depot.
Neoclassicism and Renaissance Revival (1900–1930s): Used for bank and administrative buildings to emphasize civic responsibility and economic power.
Examples: The Old Post Office building (now City Hall) and historic bank buildings downtown (such as the Davis Trust Company).
Early 20th Century Commercial Style: Functional brick architecture of the Downtown business district. Buildings typically have two to three stories, storefront windows on the ground level, and decorative cornices at the top.
Iconic Districts and Heritage Preservation
The city's architectural fabric is divided into several key zones of historical significance:
Downtown Historic District: The heart of the city, where early 20th-century commercial and administrative buildings are concentrated. The integrity of the architectural ensemble has been preserved here, including the restored train station.
Wees Historic District: A residential area demonstrating the evolution of middle-class architecture. Here, one can see the transition from richly decorated Victorian homes to more modest bungalows and the American Foursquare style of the 1920s.
Davis & Elkins College Campus: A unique zone containing the historic estates of the city's founders, which are architectural monuments of national significance.
Notable People
Founders and Dynasty
The history of Elkins is inextricably linked to influential families who not only built the city but also shaped US policy at the turn of the century.
Henry Gassaway Davis Industrialist, US Senator (1871–1883). A "railroad king" and one of the wealthiest men of his time. It was he who saw the potential in the Tygart River Valley and brought the railroad here. Davis built the famous Graceland estate (Graceland), which is now part of the local college campus.
Stephen Benton Elkins US Secretary of War, Senator, Lawyer. Son-in-law of Henry Davis and the man after whom the city is named. His political influence helped transform the small settlement into the county's administrative center. He built the Halliehurst mansion (Halliehurst), which became the city's architectural centerpiece.
Hallie Davis Elkins Philanthropist, public figure. Daughter of Henry Davis and wife of Stephen Elkins, she united two powerful families. She played a key role in preserving the city's heritage by donating family land and mansions to Davis & Elkins College, defining the region's cultural future.
Davis Elkins Banker, US Senator. Son of the city's founder, who continued the political dynasty. A World War I veteran and influential financier, he actively contributed to the economic development of Elkins in the first half of the 20th century.
Statesmen
Elkins is often called the "Home of Governors," as the biographies of several state leaders are closely tied to the city.
Herman Guy Kump 19th Governor of West Virginia (1933–1937). Before being elected to the state's highest office, he served as the mayor of Elkins. He had to lead the region during the height of the Great Depression. His historic home (Kump House) in Elkins is now an educational center and museum.
William Wallace Barron 26th Governor of West Virginia (1961–1965). He began his career as a lawyer in Elkins and also served as the city's mayor. He is known for his efforts in developing the state's road infrastructure.
Sports and Art
Marshall Goldberg Professional Athlete. An Elkins native who became an American football legend in the 1940s. A star NFL player (Chicago Cardinals) and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, he brought national sporting fame to his hometown.