Hermitage Motor Inn, historic building in West Virginia, US
The Hermitage Motor Inn is a historic brick building in Petersburg, West Virginia, constructed around 1840 with two original stories before a third floor was added in the early 20th century. The front facade features an extensive two-story porch supported by turned posts and decorated with balusters, displaying classical Greek Revival details.
The building was originally constructed around 1840-1841 as a private house using locally made bricks and served as part of a working property under owner Jacob Kenny Chambers. In 1881, John and Mary Cunningham transformed the house into a hotel, which has operated continuously as a lodging facility ever since.
The building received its current name Hermitage in 1904 when a visitor painted over the old sign at night and applied the new name, which has remained ever since. The two-story porch with turned posts and decorative balusters shows the craftsmanship that visitors notice immediately when approaching the entrance.
The building is located on Virginia Avenue in Petersburg and is accessible by walking through the town center, with parking available on site. Access to the historic features is visible from the exterior, and visitors can view the architectural details of the porch and brick facade from the public street.
During World War II, military mountain climbers trained at nearby Seneca Rocks and stayed at the inn, showing how the property was part of local history during different conflicts. The building was occupied by federal troops during the Civil War and served as a base near Fort Mulligan.
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