Huntington at Sunset

 

Well over a year ago, I photographed downtown Huntington, West Virginia near sunset. Despite its reputation as one of the unhealthiest cities in the United States and in the rust belt, I have loved coming back and exploring its downtown and neighborhoods. Since the completion of Pullman Square, there has been much new activity along 3rd and 4th Avenues. What was a languishing city center has seen the construction of many new condominiums and apartments, new retail - including chains from local malls and plenty of new restaurants.

 

Starting from atop an old parking garage, I peered over and photographed east downtown looking towards Marshall University. This area of the city has been in decline for years, although its location between Pullman Square and Marshall University is bringing forth some new investment. A revised 4th Avenue corridor helps.

 

 

 

The Morris Building is located in at 4th Avenue and 9th Street and and opened as the Hotel Farr. It later operated as the Governor Cabell Hotel. Although never finished to its original specifications or design, it's still an elegant building and a critical piece of downtown's renaissance.

 

 

The Frederick Hotel was the largest hotel in the state with 250 rooms and 65 offices, lavishly embellished inside with Turkish baths, steam rooms and hand crafted furniture. Although the hotel closed decades ago, much of its upper floors have been rehabilitated into upscale apartments.

 

 

 

I walked down to 5th Avenue and photographed the Campbell-Hicks House at 11th Street. This Queen Anne-styled residence was built in 1896 for Charles W. Campbell, and consists of a two-story circular tower, a Free Classic front porch and elaborate architectural embellishments.

 

 

 

Nearby was the First United Methodist Church / First Methodist Episcopal Church that was constructed from 1913 to 1914 in the Gothic Revival style. Each of the stone towers, with elaborate turrets, was built to a height of 100 feet and were reproductions of the Magdaline towers of Oxford.

 

 

 

 

The Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 11th Street at 5th Avenue in and was constructed in 1884 in the Gothic Revival architectural style.

 

 

I finished the evening with a walk over the Ohio River along the Robert C. Byrd Bridge, which was completed in 1995.

 

 

 

 

 

Nice job.

Yes, Huntington has a great little skyline.  The city always seemed to be the 'little big city', and its neat how they have that parkway and fairly nice area so close to downtown (direclty south of downtown).    Interesting place.  Oh...& great shots too!

Tear down Pullman Plaza!

^You mean Pullman Square or that little one off to the side of it with the rail car parked there? I like 'em both. Don't make me open a store in the Huntington Mall 'cause I'll do it! Maybe... might have trouble getting the old games traded in.

^Pullman Plaza is that big white 1970's-era hotel.

Oh yeah, that thing. Looks like one of the buildings surrounding the fire station on Emergency!