Written by Aaron-Michael Fox.
Anybody who knows me or follows one of my pages Vintage Huntington or Vintage West Virginia on Facebook knows that I am a collector of vintage Huntington pictures. So I thought I’d take the next step and match a few old pictures with their modern equivalents. I hope you enjoy and it gives you a new perspective on Huntington, West Virginia!
1. Marshall University
Founded in 1837, Marshall University is unofficially West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher learning.
2. Heritage Station
The old Ohio River Railroad Depot was constructed in the late 1800s. It was then purchased by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad around 1900. The depot was converted into a shopping center called “Heritage Village” in the 1970s. It was redeveloped into its current role as a business incubator called “Heritage Station” in 2009.
3. The Veterans Memorial Arch
Huntington’s Veterans Memorial Arch was constructed in 1929 to honor soldiers from Cabell County who were killed in World War I. It is the only triumphal-style arch in West Virginia.
4. Third Avenue
Looking east on Third Avenue from Ninth Street.
5. Huntington Dry Goods/The Huntington Store
The southwest corner of Third Avenue and Ninth Street. Originally constructed in 1885.
6. Fourth Avenue
Looking southeast on the 800 block of Fourth Avenue.
7. Ninth Street.
Looking northeast on the 400 block of Ninth Street.
8. College Corner
Originally the center of happenings at Marshall University, the corner of Fourth Avenue and Hal Greer Boulevard was known as “College Corner” for years.
9. The Hotel Governor Cabell/Morris Building
More recently known as the Morris Building, the Hotel Governor Cabell was originally constructed in 1918 as the “Hotel Farr.” The original 125-room hotel was sold in the 1930s and renamed in honor of Cabell County’s namesake. The hotel ceased operations around 1965 and was converted into an apartment building.
10. Newspapermen
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! For the modern version of this, Dave Lavender of the Herald-Dispatch poses as a traditional newspaper salesman on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue.
11. Ninth Street
Looking northwest on the 400 block of Ninth Street.
12. Ninth Street at Third Avenue
Looking southeast across Third Avenue from Ninth Street.
13. The Keith
The Keith Albee Performing Arts Center was originally constructed in 1929 and was the second-largest theatre in the United States at that time.
14. Fourth Avenue
Looking east on the 800 and 900 blocks of Fourth Avenue.