National Register Listing

Abell-Kilbourn House

1018 Winchester Ave., Martinsburg, WV

The Abell/Kilbourn House is significant for its association with John N. Abell for his contribution to the urban design of Martinsburg associated with the Abell Addition0; and for its association with the development of the textile industry in Martinsburg through the Interwoven Mill. It is also significant under Criterion B for its association with John N. Abell; and for its association with Charles W. Kilbourn, president of the Interwoven Mill Company. It is significant under Criterion C as a good example of the Early Colonial Revival style of architecture. The period of significance, 1895 to 1937, is represented by the construction of the house in 1895 by John N. Abell and in 1937 Charles Kilbourn died and specified in his will that all his real estate was to be sold.

Under Criterion A and B the Abell/Kilbourn House is significant for its association with John N. Abell. John Abell was born in 1831. He was a prominent businessman, banker, developer, and builder in Martinsburg. He served as the president of the old National Bank and retired due to ill health in 1886. He married Miss Nora Henshaw of Berkeley County and they had four children. He was significant in the development of Martinsburg through his real estate and development activities. He purchased acreage and
out the city and developed them or sold them as is.

His most important contribution to the city's built environment is the 500 block of West Burke Street. He originally lived in a residence on this street prior to 1886. He began developing the block around that time when he retired from the banking industry. The section is notated as Abell's Addition in the 1904 city maps. Prior to that time, Abell's residence terminated Burke Street. It was relocated off of the street to its present location at 506 West Burke Street. The remainder laid out and covenants put on the deeds restricting the use and design characteristics of the houses to be built on the lots. This resulted in one of the most harmonious and architecturally interesting sections of the city, which is noted in the 1986 National Register nomination for the Downtown Martinsburg Historic District. All of the houses on the block date from the 1886 to 1903 period and are all good examples of the various styles of the period including Carpenter Gothic, Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne. Also associated with the covenants are restrictions on the sale of the properties to persons of colored or mixed descent, the same restrictions placed on Abell's site on Winchester Avenue.

Abell also constructed a cottage on West Burke Street as part of the addition. Apparently, he was mobile at this time period and subsequently constructed a mansion in the then suburbs of Martinsburg and moved to the Winchester Avenue house. He is also listed as the builder for most of the houses in the addition, as well as the Abel1/Kilbourn House.

John Abell purchased the site of the Abell/Kilbourn House from D.W. Shaffer in January of 1895 for $1,075.00. Prior to this time the property was owned and divided by the Martinsburg Mining Manufacturing and Improvement Company. They owned much of the land in this section of town and also provided the land for the construction of the mills which were to become the Interwoven Mills. Along the rear of their development, to the east, ran the electric street railway.

Abell completed the present house in 1895. He and his family lived in the house until his death on May 12, 1905. His wife, Nora, kept the house until 1910. In June of 1910, Nora and her children sold the house and lot to Thomas B. Underhill who sold it within the same week to E.F. Millard. Apparently Underhill was acting as an agent for Millard, as Millard is the person responsible for subdividing the area and developing the Windewald Addition No. 1 to the City of Martinsburg. The sub-division plat is recorded in the courthouse in 1910. Millard and his wife kept the house for a year and then sold it to John W. Wilen. Several other lots were conveyed to Wilen at that time. When Wilen, a bachelor, sold the house the following year he specified these restrictions; maintaining a right-of-way along Winchester Avenue for a public sidewalk, no house built along Winchester Pike will cost less than $1,500.00, no commercial storage buildings to be built, the set-back of new buildings to be 100'-125', and "that said lots fronting on the Winchester Avenue herein conveyed or buildings thereon hereafter erected, shall never be rented, leased, sold, transferred to nor shall the same be occupied by any negro or colored person of negro blood." Wilen sold the house and other lots to J.M. Rothwell on July 24, 1912, for $3,780.00. Rothwell sold the house and lots to Charles W. Kilbourn on May 23, 1918, for $8,500.00. Charles Kilbourn lived in the house until his death on November 28, 1937. He left a will stating that the executor of his estate was to sell the real estate. The Abell/Kilbourn House was sold to George 0. Martin on April 25, 1938. George Martin was a well-known medical doctor who served as the B&O Company and Morgan County Sand Company doctor for many years. He operated his office in Martinsburg for over 50 years. The Abell/Kilbourn House remained in the Martin family until 1987 when it was sold to the present owners.

The Abell/Kilbourn House is significant under Criterion A and B for its association with Charles W. Kilbourn and the Interwoven Mill in Martinsburg. Charles Kilbourn was born in Norfolk, Connecticut on August 25, 1857. His father invented the knitting machine and began the Kilbourn Knitting Machine Company in 1899 organized under the laws of New Jersey. Charles acted as VicePresident and Secretary of the company under his father's tutelage. Charles came to Martinsburg in 1893 and took over the operation of the Middlesex Mill. The Middlesex Mill used Kilbourn's knitting machine, the first to do so locally, and was owned and operated by Colonel R.J. Hickman. Charles operated the mill after Hickman's death and he soon expanded this company which included the relocated Kilbourn Knitting Machine Company. The Kilbourn Mill relocated to Martinsburg due to a fire in their operations in New Jersey. The mill, still extant, became the Interwoven Mill and was located on King, Porter, and John Streets in Martinsburg. Charles Kilbourn died on November 29, 1937, at his home. Charles Kilbourn was instrumental in bringing industrial development to Martinsburg. He also was involved in the city's public waterworks system. Charles also owned the lots surrounding his home at the time. His obituary describes the house as a suburban home.

The Interwoven Mill was the largest single manufacturing company in the eastern panhandle. It was a boon for the local population. Residential sections sprang up around town along with businesses to serve the mill workers. Population figures for the city reflect this growth - in 1897 there were 9,500 persons; in 1922 13,000 persons. The development of the mill parallels this population development. In 1897 the mill employed 600 hands with two-night watchmen. It had steam and hot air heat, electric lights, and a large capacity cistern to serve the mill. By 1922 the mill had expanded to nearly triple its 1897 size to accommodate the increased workers and development.

The Abell/Kilbourn House is significant under Criterion C as a good example of the Colonial Revival Style of architecture. The style is characterized by the use of classical elements in different treatments than the previous more simple and symmetrical styles such as Federal or Greek Revival. It is also a reinterpretation of America's settlement period architecture, combining different styles and details in one structure. The large hip roof with different levels and massing of dormers is characteristic. The tower on the side elevation is also a common detail. The wraparound porch and irregular massing also contribute to this style. The roof skirt on the first floor is also another characteristic of the style. In all the house is a good example of this style in Martinsburg.

In summary, the Abell/Kilbourn House is significant under Criterion A for its association John N. Abell for his contribution to the urban design of Martinsburg, associated with the Abell Addition. He guided the development of this section of the city and was responsible for its appearance today. It is also significant under Criterion A for its association with the development of the textile industry in Martinsburg through the Interwoven Mill, and through its association with Charles Kilbourn. It is also significant for its association with John N. Abell; and for its association with Charles W. Kilbourn, president of the Interwoven Mill Company. It is a good example of the Early Colonial Revival Style of architecture.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.