Parkersburg in Wood County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Burr-Blennerhassett

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

1. Burr-Blennerhassett Marker

Inscription. Harman Blennerhassett purchased island in 1797, and built for his bride a mansion which became the showplace of the Ohio Valley. Aaron Burr was his guest in 1805. Here they planned a military expedition with the intention to conquer the Southwest.

Erected 2008 by West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.

Location. 39° 15.974′ N, 81° 33.951′ W. Marker is in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in Wood County. Marker is on Little Kanawha Connector (2nd Street) near Ann Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parkersburg WV 26101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vital Transportation Center (here, next to this marker); Albert J. Woofter (here, next to this marker); Escape to Freedom / Women of Courage (a few steps from this marker); Historic Blennerhassett Hotel (a few steps from this marker); George Rogers Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Women of Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Railroads (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkersburg.

More about this marker. This marker is not on Blennerhassett Island. The island is more than a mile away to the west and can be reached via hourly steamer (11 AM to 4 PM) Tuesday to Sunday from the dock at 137 Juliana Street nearby.

Regarding Burr-Blennerhassett. Harman Blennerhassett was the codefendant in Aaron Burr’s treason conspiracy trial.

Also see . . .
1. The Tragedy of Harmon Blennerhassett. Article by Thomas Jewett. “The island mansion was built with taste and beauty. No expense was spared in its construction that could add to its usefulness or splendor. It consisted of a main building, fifty-two feet in length, thirty in width, and two stories high. Porticos, forty feet in length, in the form of wings, projected in front, connected with offices, presenting each a face of twenty-six feet, and twenty feet in depth, uniting them with the main building, forming the half of an ellipse, and making in the whole a front of one hundred and four feet. The

Burr-Blennerhassett and Vital Transportation Center Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2018

2. Burr-Blennerhassett and Vital Transportation Center Markers

lefthand office was occupied for the servant's hall, and the right for the library, philosophical apparatus and study. A handsome lawn of several acres occupied the front ground, while an extended opening was made through the forest trees on the head of the island, affording a view of the river for several miles above, and bringing the mansion into the notice of descending boats. Nicely graveled walks, with a carriage way, led from the house to the pillars. A fine hedge of native hawthorn bordered the right side of the avenue to the house, while back of it lay the flower-garden, of about two acres, enclosed with neat palings, to which were trained gooseberry bushes, peaches and other varieties of fruitbearing trees, in the manner of wall fruits.” —Dr. S.P. Hildreth (Submitted on October 4, 2018.)

2. Wikipedia Entry for Harman Blennerhassett. “As the result of the President Thomas Jefferson's call for the arrest of Burr, Blennerhassett, and their ca. 70 followers, the mansion and island were occupied and plundered in December 1806 by local Virginia militia. Blennerhassett fled, was twice arrested, and finally imprisoned in the Virginia state penitentiary. He was only released following Burr’s acquittal at the end of a long 1807 treason trial at Richmond, Virginia. The Blennerhassetts never

Drawing of the dwelling Harman Blennerhasset erected on an island in the Ohio River. image. Click for full size.

From Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography via Wikipedia Commons, 1861

3. Drawing of the dwelling Harman Blennerhasset erected on an island in the Ohio River.

returned to their island home, which in 1811 was destroyed by fire.” (Submitted on October 4, 2018.)

Aaron Burr (1756-1837)<br>Vice President of the United States image. Click for full size.

University of Chicago Collections, via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1800

4. Aaron Burr (1756-1837)
Vice President of the United States

Harman Blennerhassett (1765-1831) image. Click for full size.

Miniature by H. Davidson, via Wikipedia Commons, 1796

5. Harman Blennerhassett (1765-1831)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 279 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 4, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.