Empire National Bank Building
Empire National Bank Building | |
 Empire Bank Building, Clarksburg, WV | |
| Location | 406 W. Main St., Clarksburg, WV, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Holmboe & Lafferty |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Part of | Clarksburg Downtown Historic District (ID82004794) |
| Designated CP | February 17, 1982 |
The Empire National Bank Building is a seven-story commercial building located in downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia. It was designed by Ernest C. S. Holmboe of Holmboe & Lafferty, then the area’s largest architecture firm, and was completed in 1907. It was commissioned by Virgil L. Highland for what was regarded as the oldest bank charter in Clarksburg.[1] The building is a contributing property to the Clarksburg Downtown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and is noted for its flatiron-shaped plan at the intersection of West Main Street and Fourth Street, as well as its steel-frame construction with brownstone and brick facing.[2]
History
Empire National Bank was organized in 1903 by Virgil L. Highland. The bank first operated from the Oak Hall Building on West Main Street before commissioning a purpose built headquarters at the corner of West Main and Fourth streets. The new seven story building opened in 1907.[3]
The building served as the home of what was regarded as the oldest bank charter in Clarksburg.[4] In the early twentieth century the basement housed the printing facilities of the Clarksburg Publishing Company, which produced the local newspaper.[5]
On August 25 2023 the building was auctioned for 231000 dollars to an online investor who asked to remain anonymous.[6]
Design
The Empire National Bank Building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style by architect Ernest C. S. Holmboe of Holmboe & Lafferty. The structure rises seven stories and occupies a narrow triangular lot created by the angle of West Main and Fourth streets. Its steel frame supports a rusticated brownstone base with brick above, and the facade is capped by a prominent bracketed cornice.[7]
The building has two principal entrances, each framed with white terra cotta Corinthian frontispieces topped by female busts. The overall design represented a more elaborate commercial project than was typical for Holmboe and Lafferty, reflecting the ambitions of Virgil L. Highland who commissioned the work in 1907.[8]
The interior retains significant elements of its early twentieth century bank layout, including an original spiral staircase and decorative lobby features. The building contains about 25000 square feet with a mix of offices, lounges, libraries, and conference rooms.[9]
References
- ^ "Empire National Bank". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
- ^ "Historic Sites". City of Clarksburg. City of Clarksburg. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
- ^ "Empire National Bank Building". Clio. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
- ^ "Empire National Bank". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
- ^ "Clarksburg Downtown Walking Tour". Clio. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
- ^ Murray, Cameron (2023-08-25). "Historic bank in Clarksburg sells for $231k at auction". WDTV. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ pls4e (2018-08-01). "One Valley Bank (Empire Bank Building)". SAH Archipedia. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ pls4e (2018-08-01). "One Valley Bank (Empire Bank Building)". SAH Archipedia. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Want to own a historic 7 story building in downtown Clarksburg? Nows your chance". WBOY. 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
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