Bluefield in Mercer County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Kee Federal Building
601 Federal Street
| | Bluefield Downtown Commercial Historic District | |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones, July 4, 2026
1. Kee Federal Building Marker
Federal Building
hasbeen placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
1911
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 37° 16.032′ N, 81° 13.301′ W. Marker is in Bluefield, West Virginia, in Mercer County. It is on Federal Street (U.S. 52) north of High Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 619 Bland St, Bluefield WV 24701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern 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: Elizabeth Kee (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . Nomination Form for the Bluefield Downtown Commerical Historic District. The Kee Federal Building, as the Elizabeth Kee Federal Building, is part of the Bluefield Downtown Commerical Historic District as a pivotal structure. The nomination form was prepared by Michael J. Pauley, Historian, and Michael Gioulis, Historical Architect, with Gioulis and Pauley in September 1985. The summary statement of significance is on page 17:
The Bluefield Downtown Commercial Historic District, located at the commercial heart of Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia, is significant for being the economic, political and social center of one of the leading cities of southern West Virginia. It is also significantfor having played a pivotal role in the opening of the vast Pocahontas Coal Field and the related rise of the Norfolk and Western Railroad in this region, simulareous events whose overwhelming significance to West Virginia, Virginia, and the entire central Appalachian region cannot be denied. Its period of significance stretches from its founding in 1889 through 1935, by which time Bluefield has acquired, with some few exceptions, its historical architectural context.
The courthouse is described on page 11:
52. Elizabeth Kee Federal Building and Post Office, Federal Street, (Pivotal), 1911. Previously determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, this three story blond brick Second Renaissance Revival building was constructed in 1911. It is seven bays wide and three deep, on a raised ashlar limestone base. The first floor has horizontal brick banding with brick voussoirs and keystone over 12 over 12 windows. The central entrance has a projecting balcony/cornice supported by brackets and surround stones. Two story arched openings with keystones in the central bays have been filled in with marble. These openings are separated by rick pilasters with Doric capitols. A Terra Cota architrave sits below a frieze with triglyths and bracketed corona. It was renamed in the 1960's for Elizabeth Kee, West Virginia's first woman U.S. Representative (1953-65), and member of the powerful Kee family.(Submitted on July 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
