Avery Street Civil War hospital building purchased, will be renovated | News, Sports, Jobs

The former Civil War hospital on Avery Street in Parkersburg has been purchased by Wood County Economic Development who plans to renovate it and use it as their office. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

PARKERSBURG — A building that has stood for more than 180 years will be renovated and become the new home of two area agencies.

Wood County Economic Development announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that it purchased the former Civil War hospital on Avery Street.

According to WCED Executive Director Lindsey Piersol, WCED purchased the building in June for $111,000 with federal earmark funds it received for 2022/2023. According to Wood County Assessor records they purchased it from 4Vision LLC.

She said they originally received the funds for industrial redevelopment on Depot Street.

“The price tag there just wasn’t feasible,” Piersol said.

The inside of the former Civil War hospital on Avery Street in Parkersburg is pictured. Wood County Economic Development purchased the building in June and plans to renovate and locate their offices in it. (Photo Provided)

The former Civil War hospital on Avery Street in Parkersburg was purchased by Wood County Economic Development in June with plans to renovate and locate their offices in it. (Photo Provided)

So instead they asked Congress if they could change the use of the funds for the redevelopment of Downtown Parkersburg and Congress approved it, she said.

Piersol said WCED picked the building because of its historical significance and because it is located on a main downtown thoroughfare.

According to the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Historic Guide to Wood County, the building, also known as the Henry Logan House, is located at 402 Avery St. and is a two-story Federal style brick home built in 1842.

The guide said the building was purchased from Henry Logan and then operated as one of five United States Army hospitals from 1863-1865. It said that the building is the only one of the five hospitals still standing.

Pictured is a staircase inside the former Civil War hospital on Avery Street in Parkersburg. Wood County Economic Development purchased the building in June and plans to renovate and locate their offices in it. (Photo Provided)

According to the guide, the building was a civilian hospital in the 1890s and an addition was added in 1986 on the south side of the building.

The sign from when the property was an eye clinic can still be seen in front of the building.

According to Piersol, WCED plans to renovate the building.

“The outside … it will be redone, new roof, new windows, new door, repainted,” she said, but the outside will have the same look.

She also said that the inside will be renovated and WCED and Downtown PKB will move into the building and use it for their offices.

According to its website, Downtown PKB is a nonprofit that works to improve downtown Parkersburg to better support existing commercial establishments, foster investment and entrepreneurial activities, create downtown living opportunities and promote tourism.

Piersol said there are still several steps that have to be taken before renovations can start due to the funds for the building coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The steps include conducting a phase I environmental study and working with the State Historic Preservation Office. She said they also have to hold an open bid process for the renovation work.

“I would hope by this time next year we would be in the building or close to being in the building,” Piersol said.

The reaction from the community has been positive, according to Piersol.

“People seem very excited that a building is being renovated instead of torn down,” she said.

According to Piersol, WCED is excited about renovating the building and they plan to share updates on their social media pages. She said they want to be as open as they can about the whole process so they can encourage more historic preservation in Parkersburg.

“We’re excited to have a home there,” Piersol said about the building.

Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com

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