Address: 320 Market Street, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101
Phone: 304-422-3131
Website: booktheb.com
History of the Blennerhassett Hotel
The Blennerhassett Hotel, located in downtown Parkersburg, West Virginia, opened in 1889. It was the creation of local businessman William Nelson Chancellor, who wanted to build a luxurious retreat in the heart of the Ohio River Valley. Designed in the Queen Anne style, the hotel quickly became one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, featuring a richly detailed red-brick exterior and ornate Victorian interiors.
At the time of its opening, the Blennerhassett was considered a modern marvel. It featured about 50 rooms, a kitchen on the fifth floor, and shared bathrooms on each guest floor. A section of the building even housed the First National Bank of Parkersburg. Over the years, the hotel endured floods, fires, and the challenges of modernizing an old structure, but in 1986, a large-scale restoration preserved its historic charm while bringing it up to modern standards.
The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, ensuring that its architectural and cultural legacy would be preserved. Its name honors Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, who famously built a European-style estate on nearby Blennerhassett Island and were caught up in Aaron Burr’s alleged treason conspiracy in the early 1800s.
Ghost Stories and Paranormal Activity
The Blennerhassett Hotel is not only known for its history and elegance—it is also considered one of the most haunted places in the state. Guests, staff, and paranormal investigators have all reported unusual activity within its walls.
The Lady in White
Perhaps the most well-known apparition is a woman dressed in 1920s–30s clothing. She is often seen hurrying toward the elevator, sometimes stepping inside before vanishing completely. Witnesses describe the faint smell of lavender in her presence.
William Chancellor’s Watchful Eye
The portrait of William N. Chancellor, the hotel’s founder, hangs in the lobby. Staff and visitors claim his presence lingers, with cigar smoke sometimes detected near the painting. During one renovation when the portrait was removed, paranormal disturbances reportedly increased until the painting was returned to its place.
Elevator Mysteries
The hotel’s elevator has long been the focus of strange reports. Guests say it often stops on the wrong floor, opens without being called, or delivers riders to unexpected locations.
The Library (Former Bank Room)
In what was once the First National Bank and is now part of the hotel’s library, books have been seen flying from shelves on their own. Local lore also tells of a woman killed when a vehicle struck the bank’s entrance, with some believing her spirit remains there.
Room 409
This room is frequently mentioned in connection with the hotel’s paranormal reputation. Visitors have reported moving furniture, footsteps in the night, and full apparitions, including men in bowler hats appearing briefly before fading away.
Haunted Tours and Investigations
The hotel embraces its haunted reputation. The Haunted Blennerhassett Tour, led by local paranormal investigators, runs throughout the year. Guests are taken through the most active parts of the building, equipped with ghost-hunting tools like EMF meters and audio devices. During October, the tours expand into Halloween-themed events that draw visitors from across the region.
The Blennerhassett is also a featured stop on the popular Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours, which explore the city’s many historic and haunted landmarks.
Final Thoughts
The Blennerhassett Hotel remains a jewel of Parkersburg—an elegant, historic building where the past lingers not just in its architecture but, some believe, in the spirits that refuse to leave. For travelers interested in both history and the paranormal, it’s a destination that blends luxury with mystery.
Never trespass on property that isn’t yours without permission. Ghost hunting can be dangerous—always use caution.
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