The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg, West Virginia, is a historic hotel on what is now known as Blennerhasset Island. The grand hotel was built in the late 1800’s and is reported to be haunted by several ghosts.
Night Auditors at the hotel overnight have reported hearing a loud sequence of knocks around 4 am. They checked the security monitor for that area, but no one was there. The mysterious “4 O’Clock Knocker” has been reported at the doors of guest rooms. When the door is opened, no one is in sight.
There are several ghosts associated with the Blennerhasset. Hotel. One ghost is the builder of the hotel, named William N. Chanceller. People have reported smelling cigar smoke or seeing smoke circle the portrait of Chanceller. The elevators seem to have a mind of their own. The elevators often stop on the second floor, even when a button has not been pushed. A gentleman dressed in gray is seen walking on the second floor.
History of The Blennerhassett in Parkersburg, West Virginia
Money from natural gas and oil flooded into Parkersburg, WV in the late 1800’s. The town quickly adapted to their wealth and welcomed visitors and businessmen from all over the country.
The Blennerhassett was designed and built by William Chanceller, who was a prominent businessman in town. The hotel opened in 1889 and became a grand showcase for what would later become called the Gaslight Era.
Originally the hotel consisted of 50 guest rooms placed around a central staircase. The restrooms were in common areas on each floor.. The First National Bank of Parkersburg was located in what is now the hotel’s game room.
The hotel was named after a couple named Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett. The couple had settled on an island in the Ohio River in 1798. They built a Palladian style mansion on the European styled estate. The island that the couple lived on is now named Blennerhassett Island.
Harman Blennerhassett was a wealthy Irish aristocrat, who lived in grand style with his wife. The beautiful Blennerhassett estate was the envy of the locals.
The island became famous nationally when Vice President Aaron Burr used the island as a base of operations for a military exhibition. This move was labeled by some as a conspiracy. The Blennerhassets fled down the Ohio River to escape the militia when they invaded the island.
President Thomas Jefferson accused both Aaron Burr and Harman Blennerhassett of plotting treason, attempting to establish an empire in the Southwest. Blennerhasset had fled the island, but was captured and put into the Virginia State Penitentiary. Burr was tried and acquitted. Blennerhassett was released from prison. The lives of both men were ruined.
The Blennerhassett Hotel has been updated over the years. A full restoration took place in 1986. The hotel is registered as a National Historic Landmark and is a Historic Hotel of America.
Today The Blennerhassett Hotel is an elegant hotel with amenities including a business center, fitness center, library and Spats Dining.
