Waldo Hotel

Waldo Hotel. . , This hotel was designed by Harrison Albright and constructed in 1901-1904. It is a seven-story "Moorish" style design. Construction was financed by Nathan Goff, Jr. and named for his father Waldo P. Goff. From 1904-1940's the Waldo was one of the most luxurious hotels in West Virginia. Nathan Goff, Jr. built the hotel so he could "entertain prominent and important guests in magnificent style." The hotel was once the social center of Clarksburg. The ballroom on the second floor was a gathering place for parties, weddings, civic meetings, and social events. During the years of World War II, many draftees were housed here before being sent off to boot camp., Salem College purchased the hotel in 1965 and began remodeling. The former hotel became the "Grand Dormitory" for over 300 college students. The upper floors were made into dorm rooms and the lower floors were made into classrooms and offices for teachers., In 1969 Salem College received funding to build a new campus, office, and school buildings at its original location in Salem, so the college left the building. By 1971 the building was mostly vacant, except for four business renters. The Arnett family purchased the Waldo on May 10, 1971. Chicago Dairy moved into the building, and by 1975 there were 75 apartments being rented inside the former hotel. On Oct. 14, 1979, an arsonist set fire to the Riverboat Lounge that occupied the first floor of the Waldo. Due to "fireproof" construction, the rest of the building was not destroyed by the flames. By the early 1990s, the last of the tenants moved out of the Waldo. The City of Clarksburg has condemned the building, and prospective buyers are being sought.