Clarksburg in Harrison County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Palace Furniture Building

168 West Main Street

Photographed by Bradley Owen, November 7, 2021

1. Palace Furniture Building Marker

Inscription. A seven-story building, the first concrete-steel building to be constructed in West Virginia. The first three stories were constructed in 1911 to house the Palace Furniture Company. In 1921 four stories were added to the building, as was the Neo Classical facade with its Italianate-Fascia cornice. The building which housed the Palace Furniture Company, as is evidenced by the lovely 1930 era metal and neon sign that is suspended between the third and sixth floors of the building's central bay was designed by engineer Frank Duff McEnteer. McEnteer was a pioneer in the new field of structural reinforced concrete construction. Prior to the 20th century, concrete existed, but had not been extensively exploited in conjunction with the tensile strength that steel could provide. With this new composite material, McEnteer could design graceful, functional structures, such as the Palace Furniture Building.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 39° 16.737′ N, 80° 20.246′ W. Marker is in Clarksburg, West Virginia,

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in Harrison County. It is on West Main Street just east of South 2nd Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 168 W Main St, Clarksburg WV 26301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Little Kanawha Valley.

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: First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); John S. Carlile (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freedom & Independence (about 300 feet away); Harrison County Soldiers Monument (about 300 feet away); Clarksburg Convention (about 300 feet away); Traders Hotel / Union National Bank (about 400 feet away); In Honor of Staff Sergeant Richard Jackson Swiger (about 500 feet

Palace Furniture Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, November 7, 2021

2. Palace Furniture Building

Marker is located at the front far left of the building.

away); Stealey-Goff-Vance House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,158 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.