Today in Wheeling History: August 18—The Johnson Camden McKinley House, also known as Willow Glen, was added to the National Register of Historic Places (1983).
The Johnson Camden McKinley House, known locally as “Willow Glen,” is one of Wheeling’s most opulent and historically significant residences. Built between 1914 and 1920, the mansion was a gift from coal magnate Johnson Camden McKinley to his young bride, Agra Bennett McKinley. Johnson, born in Parkersburg and nephew of U.S. Senator Johnson N. Camden, moved to Wheeling in 1893 and became a millionaire by 1908 through coal operations. Agra, from Weston’s prominent Bennett family, had been presented at the British royal court on her 18th birthday. Their home at 147 Bethany Pike was designed by Pennsylvania architect Fred Dempwolf in a grand eclectic style, using locally quarried sandstone.
The estate spans 4.5 acres and features a two-story rotunda, a grand salon, an English-style library, 11 bedrooms, eight baths, and even a basement coal mine to fuel the furnace. The interior was adorned with treasures from the McKinleys’ travels, including a bed once owned by Benjamin Franklin and custom fixtures by Tiffany Studios. At its completion, over 300 guests danced to Fred Waring’s orchestra in the ballroom. Willow Glen remains privately owned and retains its 1920s grandeur, symbolizing Wheeling’s industrial wealth and architectural ambition.
To learn more: Johnson Camden McKinley House - Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yt2zjdb6), McKinley’s Palace - e-WV Encyclopedia (https://tinyurl.com/bdz8cu97), National Register Nomination Form (PDF) ("National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Johnson Camden McKinley House") (https://tinyurl.com/4rk3cxfn)
Photo caption and credit: The Johnson Camden McKinley House at 147 Bethany Pike (S.R. 88) in Wheeling, West Virginia. The house sits atop a hill overlooking a small creek and landscaped gardens and walks. The southern facade is photographed on April 2, 2010. (Bwsmith84 via Wikimedia Commons)
The Johnson Camden McKinley House, known locally as “Willow Glen,” is one of Wheeling’s most opulent and historically significant residences. Built between 1914 and 1920, the mansion was a gift from coal magnate Johnson Camden McKinley to his young bride, Agra Bennett McKinley. Johnson, born in Parkersburg and nephew of U.S. Senator Johnson N. Camden, moved to Wheeling in 1893 and became a millionaire by 1908 through coal operations. Agra, from Weston’s prominent Bennett family, had been presented at the British royal court on her 18th birthday. Their home at 147 Bethany Pike was designed by Pennsylvania architect Fred Dempwolf in a grand eclectic style, using locally quarried sandstone.
The estate spans 4.5 acres and features a two-story rotunda, a grand salon, an English-style library, 11 bedrooms, eight baths, and even a basement coal mine to fuel the furnace. The interior was adorned with treasures from the McKinleys’ travels, including a bed once owned by Benjamin Franklin and custom fixtures by Tiffany Studios. At its completion, over 300 guests danced to Fred Waring’s orchestra in the ballroom. Willow Glen remains privately owned and retains its 1920s grandeur, symbolizing Wheeling’s industrial wealth and architectural ambition.
To learn more: Johnson Camden McKinley House - Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yt2zjdb6), McKinley’s Palace - e-WV Encyclopedia (https://tinyurl.com/bdz8cu97), National Register Nomination Form (PDF) ("National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Johnson Camden McKinley House") (https://tinyurl.com/4rk3cxfn)
Photo caption and credit: The Johnson Camden McKinley House at 147 Bethany Pike (S.R. 88) in Wheeling, West Virginia. The house sits atop a hill overlooking a small creek and landscaped gardens and walks. The southern facade is photographed on April 2, 2010. (Bwsmith84 via Wikimedia Commons)
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