Crim, J. N. B., House
WV 57, Elk City, WVThe J.N.B. Crim House at Elk City, Barbour County, West Virginia is significant because it is a well-preserved and unique example of Italiatestyle architecture in this area, and because it is associated with a prominent citizen of local 19th-century society in the environment of a rural county seat.
Plans for the Crim House were drawn up by J.N.B. Crim in the late 1850s (using pattern books probably) and delayed because of the Civil War until the 1970s. N.N.B. Crim and his wife, Almira Jane Hall Crim, had lived in a log dwelling house on this property for many years. John Nelson Hall, a prominent and wealthy farmer on Elk Creek had set aside one hundred acres of this farm for his son, Jasper L. Hall, and one hundred acres for his daughter, Almira. J.N.B. bought the deceased's acreage law to adjoin his wife's one hundred acre dowry. (The Hall farm is still in the family but the other Hall residences have disappeared.) Thus, the Crim residence is the only surviving testament of two prominent county families in this area.
It is also significant to note that there are deeds (1857 and 1873), giving one-fourth and a three-fourth acre of the John Nelson Hall land at the southwest corner of the J.N.B. Crim 200-acre farm, to build a Methodist-Episcopal Church and cemetery. The White frame church (1872) and cemetery are in sight of the J.N.B. Crim house.
The citizens of Barbour county for whom the Elk City farmhouse was built, the Honorable J.N.B. Crim (Joseph Napolean Bonaparte - 1835-1905), was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and settled with his parents, Michael and Catherine Strickler Crim, in the early 1840s at Sugar Creek, Barbour County, West Virginia. He went into business and by 1861 owned stores at five locations in Barbour County. He organized, was president of, and on the Board of Directors of the Tygart Valley Bank. After its liquidation, he became president of the First National Bank in Philippi. He was Justice of the Peace, Mayor of Philippi, and member of the Constitutional Congress of West Virginia (1872). With his son, Edmund Hall Crim, he founded E.H. Crim and Company. Two of the most prominent brick multi-story buildings on Main Street, Philippi, Crim East, and Crim West both since sold were built in the 1880s by him. A third was built by him and his son-in-law, Melville Peck. Crim Avenue (Main Street, Belington, West Virginia) is named for him. The Crim Memorial United Methodist Church, Philippi was built by him as a memorial to his wife. Upon his death, the newspaper obituaries stated that he was "the foremost businessman and financier in the county."
Local significance of the building:
Plans for the Crim House were drawn up by J.N.B. Crim in the late 1850s (using pattern books probably) and delayed because of the Civil War until the 1970s. N.N.B. Crim and his wife, Almira Jane Hall Crim, had lived in a log dwelling house on this property for many years. John Nelson Hall, a prominent and wealthy farmer on Elk Creek had set aside one hundred acres of this farm for his son, Jasper L. Hall, and one hundred acres for his daughter, Almira. J.N.B. bought the deceased's acreage law to adjoin his wife's one hundred acre dowry. (The Hall farm is still in the family but the other Hall residences have disappeared.) Thus, the Crim residence is the only surviving testament of two prominent county families in this area.
It is also significant to note that there are deeds (1857 and 1873), giving one-fourth and a three-fourth acre of the John Nelson Hall land at the southwest corner of the J.N.B. Crim 200-acre farm, to build a Methodist-Episcopal Church and cemetery. The White frame church (1872) and cemetery are in sight of the J.N.B. Crim house.
The citizens of Barbour county for whom the Elk City farmhouse was built, the Honorable J.N.B. Crim (Joseph Napolean Bonaparte - 1835-1905), was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and settled with his parents, Michael and Catherine Strickler Crim, in the early 1840s at Sugar Creek, Barbour County, West Virginia. He went into business and by 1861 owned stores at five locations in Barbour County. He organized, was president of, and on the Board of Directors of the Tygart Valley Bank. After its liquidation, he became president of the First National Bank in Philippi. He was Justice of the Peace, Mayor of Philippi, and member of the Constitutional Congress of West Virginia (1872). With his son, Edmund Hall Crim, he founded E.H. Crim and Company. Two of the most prominent brick multi-story buildings on Main Street, Philippi, Crim East, and Crim West both since sold were built in the 1880s by him. A third was built by him and his son-in-law, Melville Peck. Crim Avenue (Main Street, Belington, West Virginia) is named for him. The Crim Memorial United Methodist Church, Philippi was built by him as a memorial to his wife. Upon his death, the newspaper obituaries stated that he was "the foremost businessman and financier in the county."
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The first rural free mail delivery service in the United States was established in Charles Town, West Virginia, in 1896.
About Barbour County
Barbour County Timeline
Barbour County, located in West Virginia, has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Delaware, who utilized the region's abundant natural resources for hunting, fishing, and gathering.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
European settlers began arriving in the late 1770s, with the first permanent settlement established in 1780. The county was officially created in 1843, named after Philip Pendleton Barbour, an influential Virginia politician. During the 1800s, Barbour County became an important center for agriculture, logging, and later, coal mining.
Barbour County played an important role during the American Civil War. It was the site of several battles and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces, including the Battle of Philippi in 1861, which is considered the first organized land battle of the war. Following the war, the county experienced economic growth as industries such as lumber and textiles flourished.
In the 20th century, Barbour County continued to evolve, with the advent of modern transportation and infrastructure. The construction of railroads allowed for easier access to markets, while the expansion of roads and bridges further connected the county to neighboring areas. Today, Barbour County is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and tight-knit communities that preserve its historical heritage.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Barbour County, West Virginia.
- 1789: Barbour County is established as a county in what was then Virginia.
- 1820: Philippi becomes the county seat of Barbour County.
- 1861-1865: Barbour County is deeply affected by the American Civil War.
- 1863: The Battle of Philippi takes place, marking the first organized land action of the war.
- 1929: A flood devastates the communities in Barbour County.
- 1972: Audra State Park is established in the county.
- 1990: The Barbour County Historical Museum is opened in Philippi.