Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Shinn Building 1892
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 1, 2021
1. Shinn Building 1892 Marker
Inscription.
Shinn Building 1892. . This is one of the oldest buildings in the Downtown Historic District. Luther P. Shinn purchased this land from Leonard S. Farnsworth in 1891 and completed the construction of this building in 1892. During a recent restoration, a brick with 1892 decoratively carved in it was found at the top right of the far left, upper story window. Luther P. Shinn was born near Shinnston, WV in 1850, upon moving to Buckhannon he operated a store and the old Phillips Hotel on North Kanawha Street. He became one of the leading merchants in town, operating his dry goods store on the first floor of this building with a photo and printing studio on the second floor. After selling this building in 1903, he partnered with French Sexton to create The Shinn and Sexton Store down the block. In 1916 A.K. Watkins moved his store into this building and operated it until 1928, when the G.C. Murphy Company took over this building and the adjoining building to the west, for their department store. G.C. Murphy operated a successful department store for decades until finally closing in 1997 as commercial development outside of historic downtown reduced their volume of business. Doug and Yvonne Stewart purchased this property in 1998 and operated Main Street Antiques for 10 years before moving across the street to their current location. A distinctive characteristic of this building is that it is one of only three buildings in the Historic Downtown District where the upper façade of the building is made of pressed metal. It would have been ordered from a catalog, shipped in crates to be assembled along the top of the building. The leading manufacturer was Geo. L. Mesker and Company of Evansville, Louisiana. Mesker's 1911 catalog map shows 158 storefronts had sold in the state of West Virginia up to that time. The lasting beauty of this metalwork was brought out with the recent restoration for the Chamber and Visitors Center. . This historical marker was erected by Create Buchanan; Historic Landmarks Commission. It is in Buckhannon in Upshur County West Virginia
This is one of the oldest buildings in the Downtown Historic District. Luther P. Shinn purchased this land from Leonard S. Farnsworth in 1891 and completed the construction of this building in 1892. During a recent restoration, a brick with 1892 decoratively carved in it was found at the top right of the far left, upper story window. Luther P. Shinn was born near Shinnston, WV in 1850, upon moving to Buckhannon he operated a store and the old Phillips Hotel on North Kanawha Street. He became one of the leading merchants in town, operating his dry goods store on the first floor of this building with a photo and printing studio on the second floor. After selling this building in 1903, he partnered with French Sexton to create The Shinn & Sexton Store down the block. In 1916 A.K. Watkins moved his store into this building and operated it until 1928, when the G.C. Murphy Company took over this building and the adjoining building to the west, for their department store. G.C. Murphy operated a successful department store for decades until finally closing in 1997 as commercial development outside of historic downtown reduced their volume of business.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 1, 2021
2. The Shinn Building
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Doug & Yvonne Stewart purchased this property in 1998 and operated Main Street Antiques for 10 years before moving across the street to their current location. A distinctive characteristic of this building is that it is one of only three buildings in the Historic Downtown District where the upper façade of the building is made of pressed metal. It would have been ordered from a catalog, shipped in crates to be assembled along the top of the building. The leading manufacturer was Geo. L. Mesker & Company of Evansville, Louisiana. Mesker's 1911 catalog map shows 158 storefronts had sold in the state of West Virginia up to that time. The lasting beauty of this metalwork was brought out with the recent restoration for the Chamber & Visitors Center.
Erected by Create Buchanan; Historic Landmarks Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 38° 59.645′ N, 80° 13.801′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. Marker is on East Main Street (County Road 151) just west of North Spring Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 E Main St, Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
This is one of the oldest buildings in the Downtown Historic District. Luther P. Shinn purchased this land from Leonard S. Farnsworth in 1891 and completed the construction of this building in 1892. During a recent restoration, a brick with 1892 decoratively carved in it was found at the top right of the far left, upper story window. Luther P. Shinn was born near Shinnston, WV in 1850, upon moving to Buckhannon he operated a store and the old Phillips Hotel on North Kanawha Street. He became one of the leading merchants in town, operating his dry goods store on the first floor of this building with a photo and printing studio on the second floor. After selling this building in 1903, he partnered with French Sexton to create The Shinn & Sexton Store down the block. In 1916 A.K. Watkins moved his store into this building and operated it until 1928, when the G.C. Murphy Company took over this building and the adjoining building to the west, for their department store. G.C. Murphy operated a successful department store for decades until finally closing in 1997 as commercial development outside of historic downtown reduced their volume of business. 
