The Clay County Landmarks Commission met in a public forum to get public interest and comments in the disposition of the old county courthouse in the County Commission chamber of the new courthouse on Tuesday, June 26, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Four of the five Landmark Commissioners were in attendance. They were: Duane Legg, also a County Commissioner; Jerry Stover, also a part of the Clay Historic Society; Kristen Hanshaw, alsoaccompanied by her husband Clay County’s representative and WV Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw; Jo Anne Exline, accompanied by her husband retired printer and businessman Alan Exline; while Misty Turner, final commissioner was not present.
At 6:00 pm before inviting public comment, Commissioner Legg gave a public presentation with slides that not only gave a brief history of the historic building but gave a crash course in what the Landmark Commission has been up to, to map, document and assess the structure. He gave recommendations that the architect who had been contracted to make this assessment, presented to the board. These initial maps, surveys and assessments were already bid, and have already been fully paid out, any cost going forward would have be bid out.
Here is the proposed plan from the selectedarchitect The MillsGroup from Morgantown.
First, the building in structurally in better shape than expected. To make the building compliant, the water system, plumbing and electrical systems would require major upgrades as expected. A doorway through one stone wall inside would be the only structure inside that would need to penetrate a solid stone wall. All other walls and floors are wooden and would be restored to the extent they could be. To use the second and third floor (above the first floor basement) an outside elevator would need to be attached to the building (in the back) and a fire escape (somewhere close to, but not on the front.) Proposed plans place it on the side opposite of the present parking lot.
Where possible any outside structures would be designed to reflect the original 1900 courthouse design: construction, fire escape built in ornate wrought-iron and, elevator to look like the stone presently comprising the rest of the building.
Where possible, lighting fixtures inside, any existing wooden structures and floors would be restored to their original look where possible.
Here’s where the big differences come. The contractor suggested making the first floor a bed and breakfast. They had already completed a restoration in another county and said it was bringing in income for that county. The design included four AirBnB units on that floor. The basement has three open rooms that could be used for anything in the future, but the outside entrances on the sides could make them useful as a possible Clay County Welcome Center, tourist information stop, souvenir sales office or more. There are two conference room style offices on that level as well.
The upper floor is where things get interesting. The courtroom will be expanded out to its biggest available size, with bathrooms and a kitchen like area (a warming area for catering) is on the side of the building that has the fire escape. The big open, almost ballroom like event hall could be used for just that. Huge indoor events. Catered. Reunions, conventions, special Apple Festival events, even huge wedding parties.
Between bed and breakfast rentals downstairs, and the rental of the great hall, that should be enough to cover monthly power, water, heating, insurance, maintenance and the cost of a director to maintain a schedule for all of that.
Once this presentation was made, he opened the floor for public comments. Many with the Historical Society asked about the possibility of rooms for museums. Commissioner Legg suggested that the walls in the long hall on the first floor, even the AirBnB rooms could display treasured sealed relics and photos or paintings. Even suggested that between the windows of the great hall could do the same. And maybe, once income is established in the other portions of the building, some of those rooms in the basement could be used for that purpose. Same with people who asked about a permanent home for the VFW. One of the rooms might be available in the foreseeable future.
Those present were very open to using those lower two entrance rooms for a Welcoming and Tourist Center. There were a few who suggested other business, such as bakeries or other commercial businesses, while others wondered outloud if an AirBnB was appropriate. And Commissioner Legg gave the numbers based on other such conversions, how just four BNB rooms on that floor would take care of future utilities on the site.
As far as the major renovations and repairs both inside and outside, these would need to be bid out based on what was proposed. Once there is an actual cost, grants and other funds would be sought. Outright grants or matching ones, or whatever they needed to do.
He was just looking for a place to start. He said, “This is a good start. If we bid this and down the road we see it isn’t working. We have a structure in place, and we make new plans.” He then asked for a show of hands of the people who were in the room who liked the idea as presented.
There were barely two dozen people there. And while it is disappointing to see so few people in this county care about its history, its present and its future, there were at least two dozen people in this room who genuinely cared. There was no need to ask for any hands voting against as the overwhelming majority liked the plan they saw.
The proposal as selected by a show of hands will now go out for bid. This could be sometime in development, but at least the courthouse is getting the attention it so badly deserves.
