Bennett Cockayne House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bennett Cockayne House
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Front and northern side
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1111 Wheeling Ave., Glen Dale, West Virginia |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | c. 1850 |
| Architectural style | I-House |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001521 |
| Added to NRHP | December 12, 2002 |
The Bennett Cockayne House is a very old and important home located in Glen Dale, West Virginia. It was built around 1850. This two-story house is made of wood with a special slate roof. It also has an old shed and a water pump from around 1900. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it is recognized as a special place in history.
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A Home with a History
The Bennett Cockayne House was built by Bennett Cockayne, who was the postmaster of Moundsville. It was built around 1850. This house was not just a home. It also served as the very first school in what is now the town of Glen Dale, West Virginia. Imagine going to school in a house!
The Cockayne Family's Legacy
Bennett's son, Samuel A. J. Cockayne, later owned the house. He left his mark in a unique way. His footprints and initials are still pressed into the stone fireplace hearth! During Samuel A. J.'s time, the farm became famous worldwide. It was known for its amazing merino wool. Samuel A. J. worked hard to get the best sheep and other animals. He wanted to produce the finest wool.
In 1877, the farm was even featured in a special book. It was called the Illustrated Atlas of the Upper Ohio River Valley from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. This book included a picture of the farm. Samuel A. J. and his wife, Hannah Jane Alexander, worked on the farm their whole lives. By 1917, when their son Samuel A. inherited the farm, it was known as Glendale Farm.
Glendale Farm and the Town of Glen Dale
Samuel A. continued the family's farming traditions. In 1917, he became known as the "county wool dealer." He collected wool from local farmers. Then, he combined it with his own wool. He sent all this wool to markets in the eastern parts of the country.
In 1924, Samuel A. helped name the town of Glen Dale. He chose the name in honor of his family's famous farm. Later, in the 1930s, he became a member of the local board of education. He also served as the postmaster for the city of Glen Dale.
Preserving Family Treasures
Samuel A.'s son, Samuel A. J. (the grandson), took over the farm after serving in World War II. After the war, he became very private. He continued to farm the land for a while. In 1965, he sold some land for the new John Marshall High School.
Even though he farmed, he spent most of his life in only two rooms of the house. The house stayed much like it was in the 1800s. Today, it holds more than 1,500 family items. These include old photos and paintings of family members. There's even a grand piano from 1881. You can also find books from the 1700s and handwritten letters from the 1800s. Plus, there's handmade furniture that is over 200 years old!
A Historic Landmark
Samuel A. J. donated the house and everything inside it when he passed away in 2001. The city quickly teamed up with the Marshall County Historical Society. They worked together to save and restore the Cockayne properties.
The first big success was getting the Cockayne Property listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This was done by the Cockayne Historical Preservation Committee. They work within the Marshall County Historical Society. This listing helps protect the house for future generations.
