Davis and Elkins Historic District facts for kids
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Davis and Elkins Historic District
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The Gate House, part of the Historic District, in July 2014.
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Elkins, West Virginia |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architect | Charles T. Mott, Baldwin and Pennington |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001129 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 19, 1996 |
| Designated NHLD | June 7, 1998 |
The Davis and Elkins Historic District is a special historical area at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history.
This district includes two large, historic homes: Senator Stephen Benton Elkins House (also called Halliehurst) and Graceland. These homes are also listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places, another list of important historical sites. The district also has a gatehouse and an icehouse.
These four buildings are connected to the families of Henry Gassaway Davis (1823-1916) and Stephen Benton Elkins (1841-1911). Davis and Elkins were very important people in West Virginia's government and economy in the late 1800s. The district was named a National Historic Landmark in 1998.
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Exploring the Davis and Elkins Historic District
The Davis and Elkins Historic District is made up of four separate parts on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. Each part holds a building linked to the lives of Henry Davis or Stephen Benton Elkins.
Henry Davis was a successful businessman who earned his money in railroads. He then worked with Stephen Elkins, his son-in-law, on many successful coal projects. Both Elkins and Davis served as U.S. Senators. They were key figures in West Virginia and national politics after the Civil War in the 1800s.
Graceland Mansion: A Historic Home
Graceland was finished in 1893 for Henry Davis. It is a large and fancy example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture. The building was designed by Baldwin and Pennington from Baltimore, Maryland.
It is mostly made of stone and has many different architectural details, typical of the Queen Anne style. It also features a Colonial Revival-style porch at the front. Graceland was the main building of a large 360-acre estate. It sits on one of the highest points of the college campus. Today, it serves as an inn and conference center for the college.
Halliehurst Mansion: Stephen Elkins' Home
Halliehurst was completed in 1890 for Stephen Elkins. It was designed by Charles T. Mott from New York City. This mansion is also a big and detailed Queen Anne Victorian style home.
Its outside is mostly made of wooden clapboards and stone. The inside is especially grand, with a large main hall and dining room. Hallie Elkins, Stephen Elkins' widow, later gave Halliehurst to the college. The college has used it for many different purposes since then.
The Icehouse: A Cool Place for Students
The icehouse is a round stone building. It was built for the Elkins family to store ice for keeping food cold. Today, the college often uses it as a coffeehouse. It's a popular spot for students to gather and relax.
The Gatehouse: A Small but Important Building
The gatehouse is located at the corner of Campus Drive and Sycamore Street. It was built for the Elkins family at the same time as Halliehurst. The gatehouse looks similar to the main mansion, but it is much smaller. For many years, it was the home of the estate's groundskeepers. This role continued even after the college took over the property.
