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The Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Wheeling, West Virginia is a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia located in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. Built in 1907, the building still serves its original function, and was renovated and expanded in 1937, and again in 2004. In 1979, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as a contributing building to the Wheeling Historic District.
U.S. Post Office and Courthouse | |
U.S. Historic district Contributing property | |
 | |
   | |
| Location | 1125 Chapline Street, Wheeling, West Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°4′7″N 80°43′17.5″W / 40.06861°N 80.721528°W |
| Built | 1905 |
| Architectural style | Beaux-arts |
| Part of | Wheeling Historic District (ID79002597) |
| Designated CP | December 31, 1979 |
Building history
In 1849, the first suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River was constructed at Wheeling, providing a new route to the West along the National Road. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad mainline reached Wheeling in 1853, prompting a dramatic increase in population, commerce, and industry. As a result of its proximity to important transportation routes, Wheeling prospered. It served as the capital of West Virginia from 1863 to 1870 and 1875 to 1885. Consequently, Wheeling outgrew the 1859 U.S. Custom House (now West Virginia Independence Hall) designed by Ammi B. Young. In 1902, federal officials obtained a site for a proposed new structure. The public initially criticized the site selection because it was located away from the center of the city. However, following the 1907 completion of the building, which included a post office, courthouse, and custom house, development soon shifted to the north.
The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was constructed under the Tarsney Act of 1893, which allowed the United States Department of the Treasury to hold competitions for the design of select federal buildings with the intention of improving governmental architecture's quality. The Wheeling federal building, designed in the Beaux Arts Classicism style, set a high standard for architectural excellence. , a prominent firm with several Washington, D.C., commissions, designed the building. Wheeling architect served as the local project superintendent.
The building has been expanded and altered several times. In 1937, as Wheeling required increased services, architect designed an addition that complemented the original building's Beaux Arts character. Completed in 1938, this expansion accommodated a new post office and district courtroom. Petticord, a Wheeling native, also completed plans for a dramatic interior renovation that replaced many original finishes. In 1999, a small wing was added to the rear of the building to create more secure holding and circulation areas for detainees. Most recently, with , designed a dramatic glass annex. Completed in 2004, it contains federal agency offices and court-related spaces.
Architecture
The courthouse is a stately example of Beaux Arts Classicism architecture, providing downtown Wheeling with an elegant building that conveys the federal government's former dignity. The granite building displays many character-defining features of the Beaux Arts Classicism style, including a symmetrical, monumental facade and paired columns. The first-story stonework is rusticated with incised horizontal bands, contrasting with the smooth blocks of the upper stories. The recessed main entrance is framed by a wide surround, which is in turn encircled by a carved garland. An ornate oval medallion with a garland, acanthus leaves, and a shell motif tops the doorway. Rectangular, first-story windows have flat arches with projecting keystones. A colonnade that features paired Ionic columns with stylized foliated motifs and unusual tassel ornamentation dominates the three central bays of the second and third stories. Small balustrades with urn-shaped members extend between the columns. Large tripartite, multi-pane, double-hung windows are located on the second story between the columns. Spandrels separate the large windows from smaller tripartite windows on the third story. A key motif and centrally placed projecting keystones top the windows. Also on the second story and flanking the colonnade are windows with elaborate semi-circular hoods featuring scrolled brackets supporting oval medallions. Decorative balustrades are located below each window. The columns support a classical entablature that consists of a molded architrave, an incised frieze with an , and a cornice that features a dentil course. A balustrade tops the building.
The interior of the original portion contains the postal lobby. Although modified during the 1930s, the lobby remains a significant interior space. The terrazzo flooring forms a checkerboard pattern. Marble pilasters, baseboards, and wainscot and aluminum doors, grilles, and postal service windows are present. The two-story district courtroom has a low-relief plaster ceiling with a simple border. Walnut is used for the wainscoting, judge's bench, jury box, public benches, and door surrounds.
The 1938 addition, built to accommodate a district courtroom, altered the symmetry of the building. The addition uses materials and architectural details that are compatible with the original building. The first-story granite walls are also rusticated, but the second-story window hoods are less detailed than those of the original building. In 1999, a small addition on the rear of the building was constructed to accommodate holding cells and secure circulation. Construction of an 86,900-square-foot (8,070 m2) annex to house new courtrooms began in 2002 and was completed in 2004 under GSA's Design Excellence Program. The entrance incorporates a striking glass-curtain wall with twenty-five images of the Great Seal of the United States screened on five-by-five foot glass panels. The remaining exterior walls are constructed of limestone and brick and rest on a granite base.
A four-story atrium links the annex with historic portions of the building. The granite wall of the 1938 addition is preserved inside the sun-lit lobby. The limestone flooring is embedded with fossils. Integrated into this space is a sculpture called River of Light by Mikyoung Kim. The artwork features layers of glass implanted with fiber optic rods that slowly change color. The sculpture evokes both the movement of the Ohio River and Wheeling's industrial heritage as a glass-making center. Kim's work received a 2004 Design Excellence Citation for Art in Architecture from the U.S. General Services Administration. View from Suspension Bridge, a painting by West Virginia artist located adjacent to the second-floor elevators, depicts the Ohio River as seen from the suspension bridge.
The new second-floor district courtroom overlooks the atrium lobby and contains dark cherry paneling and metal light fixtures. Other spaces include a bankruptcy courtroom, magistrate courtroom, jury assembly room, and offices. The project won Buildings magazine's new construction award in 2004.
Significant events
- 1859 Original U.S. Custom House constructed
- 1905-1907 Building constructed
- 1938 First addition completed
- 1999 Rear extension added
- 2004 Award-winning annex completed
Building facts
- Location: 1125 Chapline Street
- Architects: Marsh & Peter with Frank Faris; George W. Petticord; HLM Design with Goody, Clancy & Associates
- Construction dates: 1905-1907; 1937–1938; 2002–2004
- Architectural style: Beaux-Arts Classicism
Attribution
![image]()
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the General Services Administration.
References
- General Services Administration page on the Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Wheeling, West Virginia).
Author: www.NiNa.Az
Publication date:
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The Frederick P Stamp Jr Federal Building and U S Courthouse Wheeling West Virginia is a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia located in the city of Wheeling West Virginia Built in 1907 the building still serves its original function and was renovated and expanded in 1937 and again in 2004 In 1979 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as a contributing building to the Wheeling Historic District U S Post Office and CourthouseU S Historic district Contributing propertyShow map of West VirginiaShow map of the United StatesLocation1125 Chapline Street Wheeling West VirginiaCoordinates40 4 7 N 80 43 17 5 W 40 06861 N 80 721528 W 40 06861 80 721528Built1905Architectural styleBeaux artsPart ofWheeling Historic District ID79002597 Designated CPDecember 31 1979Building historyIn 1849 the first suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River was constructed at Wheeling providing a new route to the West along the National Road The Baltimore amp Ohio Railroad mainline reached Wheeling in 1853 prompting a dramatic increase in population commerce and industry As a result of its proximity to important transportation routes Wheeling prospered It served as the capital of West Virginia from 1863 to 1870 and 1875 to 1885 Consequently Wheeling outgrew the 1859 U S Custom House now West Virginia Independence Hall designed by Ammi B Young In 1902 federal officials obtained a site for a proposed new structure The public initially criticized the site selection because it was located away from the center of the city However following the 1907 completion of the building which included a post office courthouse and custom house development soon shifted to the north The Federal Building and U S Courthouse was constructed under the Tarsney Act of 1893 which allowed the United States Department of the Treasury to hold competitions for the design of select federal buildings with the intention of improving governmental architecture s quality The Wheeling federal building designed in the Beaux Arts Classicism style set a high standard for architectural excellence a prominent firm with several Washington D C commissions designed the building Wheeling architect served as the local project superintendent The building has been expanded and altered several times In 1937 as Wheeling required increased services architect designed an addition that complemented the original building s Beaux Arts character Completed in 1938 this expansion accommodated a new post office and district courtroom Petticord a Wheeling native also completed plans for a dramatic interior renovation that replaced many original finishes In 1999 a small wing was added to the rear of the building to create more secure holding and circulation areas for detainees Most recently with designed a dramatic glass annex Completed in 2004 it contains federal agency offices and court related spaces ArchitectureThe courthouse is a stately example of Beaux Arts Classicism architecture providing downtown Wheeling with an elegant building that conveys the federal government s former dignity The granite building displays many character defining features of the Beaux Arts Classicism style including a symmetrical monumental facade and paired columns The first story stonework is rusticated with incised horizontal bands contrasting with the smooth blocks of the upper stories The recessed main entrance is framed by a wide surround which is in turn encircled by a carved garland An ornate oval medallion with a garland acanthus leaves and a shell motif tops the doorway Rectangular first story windows have flat arches with projecting keystones A colonnade that features paired Ionic columns with stylized foliated motifs and unusual tassel ornamentation dominates the three central bays of the second and third stories Small balustrades with urn shaped members extend between the columns Large tripartite multi pane double hung windows are located on the second story between the columns Spandrels separate the large windows from smaller tripartite windows on the third story A key motif and centrally placed projecting keystones top the windows Also on the second story and flanking the colonnade are windows with elaborate semi circular hoods featuring scrolled brackets supporting oval medallions Decorative balustrades are located below each window The columns support a classical entablature that consists of a molded architrave an incised frieze with an and a cornice that features a dentil course A balustrade tops the building The interior of the original portion contains the postal lobby Although modified during the 1930s the lobby remains a significant interior space The terrazzo flooring forms a checkerboard pattern Marble pilasters baseboards and wainscot and aluminum doors grilles and postal service windows are present The two story district courtroom has a low relief plaster ceiling with a simple border Walnut is used for the wainscoting judge s bench jury box public benches and door surrounds The 1938 addition built to accommodate a district courtroom altered the symmetry of the building The addition uses materials and architectural details that are compatible with the original building The first story granite walls are also rusticated but the second story window hoods are less detailed than those of the original building In 1999 a small addition on the rear of the building was constructed to accommodate holding cells and secure circulation Construction of an 86 900 square foot 8 070 m2 annex to house new courtrooms began in 2002 and was completed in 2004 under GSA s Design Excellence Program The entrance incorporates a striking glass curtain wall with twenty five images of the Great Seal of the United States screened on five by five foot glass panels The remaining exterior walls are constructed of limestone and brick and rest on a granite base A four story atrium links the annex with historic portions of the building The granite wall of the 1938 addition is preserved inside the sun lit lobby The limestone flooring is embedded with fossils Integrated into this space is a sculpture called River of Light by Mikyoung Kim The artwork features layers of glass implanted with fiber optic rods that slowly change color The sculpture evokes both the movement of the Ohio River and Wheeling s industrial heritage as a glass making center Kim s work received a 2004 Design Excellence Citation for Art in Architecture from the U S General Services Administration View from Suspension Bridge a painting by West Virginia artist located adjacent to the second floor elevators depicts the Ohio River as seen from the suspension bridge The new second floor district courtroom overlooks the atrium lobby and contains dark cherry paneling and metal light fixtures Other spaces include a bankruptcy courtroom magistrate courtroom jury assembly room and offices The project won Buildings magazine s new construction award in 2004 Significant events1859 Original U S Custom House constructed 1905 1907 Building constructed 1938 First addition completed 1999 Rear extension added 2004 Award winning annex completedBuilding factsLocation 1125 Chapline Street Architects Marsh amp Peter with Frank Faris George W Petticord HLM Design with Goody Clancy amp Associates Construction dates 1905 1907 1937 1938 2002 2004 Architectural style Beaux Arts ClassicismAttribution This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the General Services Administration ReferencesGeneral Services Administration page on the Federal Building and United States Courthouse Wheeling West Virginia