ROOTED IN HISTORY
The Historic Tygart Hotel was built in 1906 as the grand hotel of Elkins . It is one of the city ’ s oldest buildings , is still one of the tallest buildings in Elkins to date and is recognized as an anchor of the city ’ s Downtown Historic District . The Tygart Hotel played an important role in the development of the region and continues to do so today .
Originally called Hotel Gassaway after Senator Henry Gassaway Davis , it operated as a high-end hotel for over sixty years . John T . Ward , one of the most prominent builders associated with the Elkins Downtown Historic District , constructed many commercial buildings in the downtown area and Hotel Gassaway was his most ambitious project .
The hotel catered to the wealthy clientele drawn to Elkins in the early to mid-twentieth century , first for the city ’ s early railroad and industrial opportunities and later as a thriving economic hub of the region . Eventually after changes in ownership , it was renamed the Hotel Tygart in 1923 .
The hotel hosted many famous visitors of the years and was a center of operations for significant events like the Mountain State Forest Festival and the Augusta Heritage Festival - both still happening in Elkins today . The hotel was a tour stop for Franklin D . Roosevelt Jr . on behalf of John F . Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign .
In the early 1970s , the building transition from a hotel into an apartment complex which it remained until 2018 . Despite its general decline over recent decades , the Tygart Hotel remained as an essential piece of the community ’ s heritage .
Robert C . Whetsell Collection , 1976
Robert C . Whetsell Collection , Construction of Tygart Hotel , 1906
8