Harrisville

Harrisville boasts the oldest 5 & Dime in the nation, which has been continually operated since 1908. Spring will see the pink and white Dogwood trees on the lawn at the majestic and historic Ritchie County Court House. Plan a little roaming time to see the sites while you travel along Route 16 and Route 47 (the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike), where you will find the communities of Burnt House, Smithville and Macfarlan.

Explore

‘The Building’ Cliff’s Museum of Car Memorabilia
Over 13,000 square feet or West Virginia Car Memorabilia presented as a mid-1940s car dealership. Open by appointment or chance, but never on a Sunday or Wednesday night.

• Wholesome family oriented environment

• Building constructed as a dealership in 1932

• auto related memorabilia with: show room, parts room, repair shop and large collection display room

• Restaurant setting with: WV Coca-Cola and antique kitchen furnishings and World War II Coca-Cola Posters

• Most complete collection known of WV automobile license plates

• WV Automobile Registration Cards, Drivers license, chauffeurs license and badges

• WV Disabled American Veterans key chain license tags

• WV State Issued Road Maps from 1928

• Elk Oil and Keystone Gasoline Collection (refinery was on Elk River, Charleston, WV)

• Sterling Gas & Oil collection (refinery was located in St. Marys, WV)

305 East Main St. (Mailing: 405 Goffs Road, Harrisville, WV 26362)
304.643.4227
cliffwvathebuilding.com

Eldon J. Haught Lakeside Recreation Area
Sports Complex Road
Ballfields, Picnic Shelters, Boat Ramp and Fishing Pier

General Thomas M. Harris School Museum
This two-story, brick building was constructed in 1878 with two rooms on the first floor and a double stairway leading to two more second-story classrooms connected by an office for the principal. The school had its first student to finish a high school curriculum in 1891. Thirteen years later, in 1904, eight students graduated and two additional first-floor class rooms and a second-story auditorium were added. High school classes were moved to a new building in 1924, while grades 1-8 remained. The Ritchie County Board of Education began using the building as offices in 1965, upon construction of a new elementary school. The Board continued using the building until 1995, after which the Ritchie County Historical Museum organization was established and purchased the building. Two years later, the National Park Service recognized the historical significance of the building and placed in on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is named in honor of Thomas M. Harris, a Harrisville native, rising to the rank of General while serving the Union cause during The Civil War.
217 West Main Street
304.643.2500

North Bend Golf Course
945 West High Street
304.643.2206

Ritchie County Court House
115 East Main Street
304.643.2164

Ritchie County Humane Society
2220 Pullman Road
304.643.4721

Ritchie County Public Library
608 East Main Street
304.643.2717
ritchielibrary.org

The Court House in Ritchie County is one of the most beautiful in West Virginia. Both the exterior and interior are ornate and the grounds around the Court House are landscaped and well kept. The first Court House came in 1844, one year after the formation of the county. This old time building served the county until 1874, when a brick building took its place and served the county until 1922.

In August of 1922, the Ritchie County Bar Association presented a resolution to the County Court, in which they put forth the idea the Court House was inadequate to meet the needs of the people. They requested the County Court take steps to correct the situation. The attorneys signing the resolution were: R.S. Blair, President; Victor Cooper, Secretary; S. O. Prunty; William S. Clark and S. A. Powell.

A request for bids was published and an architect employed. In December 1922, a contract, for $68,000, was awarded to Forman and Putnam, Contractors of Marietta, OH. Of this amount, $66,000 was for general work and $2,500 for Indiana Limestone for the exterior of the building. Later a bid was submitted to build a portico at a cost of $11,925 and the addition of the tower (without the clock) for $5,817. The project was completed in late 1923. The building had an annex on the right side and was attached to the main building by a walkway. Located in the annex were the offices of the County Clerk and the Circuit Clerk. When the building was remodeled extra space was added and the original building and the annex were incorporated into the building, as it appears today.

The Harrisville Woman's Club raised funds to purchase the clock for the Court House Tower in 1924. The County Court gave the Woman's Club permission to use two rooms in the basement of the Court House for meeting rooms for both their meetings and other community meetings. These rooms continued to be used for meeting rooms until 1973. At this time it became evident to the County Commission more office space was needed for county offices and the commission asked the Woman's Club to vacate the rooms. At this time several offices were remodeled and relocated in the building, all-the-while efforts were made to keep the original decor. The Circuit Court room and the adjoining judge's chambers are especially outstanding with the original woodwork preserved.

The County jail was built in 1869 and served the needs of the people until 1977 when it was closed by the County Commission because of the fire marshal's finding the facility was unsafe and recommended the old facility be replaced. The county used the jail facility at West Union, Doddridge County, until the new jail was built on the former jail site at 109 North Street. It began operations on September 1st, 1982.

Published by The Ritchie County Historical Society, Inc. in "The History of Ritchie County, West Virginia, To 1980."

SHOP

Arlo's Indoor Antiques & Flea Market
413 South Spring Street
304.643.4247

Berdine’s 5 & Dime
America's oldest 5 & Dime! Since 1908 we've sold almost everything.
Browse and discover tin toys, bulk candies, practical and unusual items from yesteryear. Closed Sundays and major holidays.
106 North Court Street
304.643.2217
berdinesdimestore.com

Centaur Art & Framing    
112 East Main Street
304.643.4230
https://www.loc8nearme.com/west-virginia/harrisville/centaur-arts-and-framing/6402193/

The Flower Basket
219 East Main Street
304.643.2394
theflowerbasketharrisville.com

Lakeview Market
2450 Ellenboro Road
Facebook: @lakeviewmarketwv

Par Mar Store
820 East Main Street
304.6434993

Ritchie County Farmer’s Market
Saturdays May-October, from 9 am - 1 pm
Harrisville Municipal Building Parking Lot

Ritchie Community Pharmacy
138 Cherry Street
304.643.2900

Shop ‘n Save
1617 East main Street
304.643.2230

Stout Hardware
116 South Spring Street
304.643.2737

DINE

Carolyn’s Sandwich Shop
117 East Main Street
304.643.2187

Peking Restaurant
920 East Main Street
304.643.2223

Pizza House Family Restaurant
902 East Main Street
304.643.2675
pizzahousefamilyrestaurant.com

Subway
214 Main Street
304.643.2800