The Mohler house AKA Hill Grove

This house has always intrigued me, but I didn’t know exactly what to call it or much else about it until a couple years ago when I was looking at some articles another historian posted on his Facebook page. Not everyone knows the name of this house, but it is a landmark in St. Albans, West Virginia. I’m of course talking about the Mohler house AKA “Hill Grove” This mansion on Pennsylvania Ave. is considered by many to be the best, or at least one of the best, examples of Victorian Queen Anne Architecture in the state. This house had a twin in Charleston, but it was demolished. It was built for William Mohler in approx. 1900 William Mohler Mr. Mohler was an impressive man. He owned 13 other houses in St. Albans and was a very successful businessman. He owned Mohler lumber company, sat on the board of several banks and was president of the St. Albans electric and water company. He was also a stockholder of the Boone County Bank in Madison and stockholder of Panaguio Mine co. in Mexico and of the Mexican Mill and Transportation company. Mr. Mohler died of a stroke at home in 1935, he was 82. The Mohler lumber company owned 7,000 acres along the Coal River, and I’m told the Mohler family still owns some of that. The House This fine example of Victorian Queen Anne architecture on Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Albans features 13 rooms, 6 of which are bedrooms. The house also has a ballroom! It has four brick chimneys and my favorite- it has a turret. I always loved those on houses, but I have thought several times it must be a nightmare to roof. Sources Mohler house, stalbanshistory.com William Edward Mohler (1852-1935), Geni.com
photo sourced from stalbanshistory.com

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