The Waldo

Last updated on March 2, 2026

The Waldo Hotel was once among West Virginia’s premier accommodations.

The Waldo Hotel stood as one of West Virginia’s premier accommodations in downtown Clarksburg. Constructed between 1901 and 1904 in the Beaux-Arts style, the seven-story building was designed by Harrison Albright and financed by Nathan Goff Jr., a prominent lawyer and businessman. Built at a cost of $400,000, the hotel was regarded at its completion as among the most luxurious in the state. It became a regular setting for weddings, civic banquets, and political gatherings.

As commercial hotel use declined in the mid-20th century, the Waldo Hotel was converted into apartments. Portions of the interior were renovated and a modern HVAC system was installed, allowing the structure to remain occupied for a time under a different function.

By 2000, the building’s condition had deteriorated. The McCabe Land Company purchased the Waldo Hotel for $150,000 with the intent of preventing demolition. A year later, it was sold to the Vandalia Heritage Foundation for $195,000. The Foundation proposed a comprehensive $22 million restoration plan that called for a full interior rehabilitation, exterior repairs, and a new roof. An initial phase included partial roof repairs costing approximately $100,000, funded through state historic preservation grants. In 2010, contractors removed interior metal piping and heating units in an effort to generate funds for continued stabilization.

Despite these efforts, progress slowed following the economic downturn. A later interior assessment indicated that while the structural shell remained generally sound, deferred maintenance posed increasing risks. Continued water intrusion—particularly on the upper floors—highlighted the need for additional roof repairs and stabilization work.