Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Upshur County Courthouses
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Rainbow Restaurant
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 1, 2021
1. Upshur County Courthouses side of the marker
Upshur County Courthouses. Built in 1899, the current courthouse structure replaced the original 1854 structure on the same site. Upshur County was formed in 1851 and Buckhannon was named the County Seat. The first building served as a community meeting place and was badly damaged during the Civil War by soldiers billeted there. The present Neo-Classical Revival structure was designed by Charleston architect, Harrison Albright with Draper Camden Hughes of Buckhannon as site supervisor. The total construction cost in 1899 was $37,650. Neither building was ever destroyed by fire as some believe and the original building's bell still sounds over Buckhannon today.
Rainbow Restaurant. Where the Courthouse Annex sits today was once the location of the Rainbow Restaurant, "The City's Finest." Established by Mollie Culp in 1952, this popular spot was unique to its name with interior "rainbow" lighting in a coffered ceiling. The building complex, which also included the Poundstone Drug Store, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and Chadwick's Restaurant, was destroyed by fire in 1979.
Erected by Buckhannon Historic Landmarks
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 38° 59.627′ N, 80° 13.87′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It is on West Main Street (County Road 151) just east of Chancery Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 W Main St, Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: C.E. Mylius Building (a few steps from this marker); J.A. Davis Ice Cream Parlor / 1894 Fire on West Main Street
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 1, 2021
3. Upshur County Courthouses / Rainbow Restaurant Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 600 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
