The Grand Chilson Home: Casa Loma

The Grand Chilson Home: Casa Loma. . Casa Loma, or "Knoll House," served as the private residence for Ernest Chilson and his descendants from 1928 to 1949. Designed by Chilson in Art Deco style and constructed in cement and steel, it presented a sleek, linear appearance with stylized, geometric ornamentation. , The house featured 18 rooms, 6 bathrooms, 3 kitchens, a huge ballroom, swimming pool, and large garden, which is now part of the parking lot. The roof was copper, and the walls a full 18 inches thick., Chilson, who was designated Raleigh County's "most distinguished citizen" at the time, had barely lived in the home for a year when he passed away there unexpectedly on Sunday, January 4, 1931, of a heart ailment at age 62. The funeral was held at Casa Loma few days later during a terrible snowstorm, which did not deter an enormous turnout of mourners-"more than 100 automobile loads" as described in the Beckley Post-Herald at the time. All local businesses were closed between 2:00 and 3:00 that afternoon in recognition of the event., The property remained a popular, stylish location for the next 18 years, although family members later spoke of feeling "isolated" from the rest of the city due to the home's location on the outskirts of town. It was sold to the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in 1949, who initially used the facility as a district headquarters., Today, Casa Loma hosts offices of the UMWA and other unions. While time has eroded some of the mansion's grandeur, the structure still exhibits enormous charm, taste and class due to the design of Colonel Ernest Chilson. And the original nameplate is still displayed at the entrance gate.