| Businessman Ralph Darden built the house in 1904. He owned a dry
goods business dealing in grain, coal, and building materials. It is interesting
that Mr. Darden was born in 1867 in North Carolina. He studied Law and became a
Lawyer. Due to his failing eyesight he was no longer able to practice law so he did
the next best thing and moved to Elkins where he got into the insurance, real estate, and
mercantile business. He was instrumental in the growth of Elkins during the late
1800's and the early 1900's serving on many boards and the Elkins City Council. In 1898 he married the former Ada May Harwood from Hardy County, WV. In 1904 Mr. Darden built a "first class" house for the day which featured three stories of brick with elegant stained glass windows, a front tower, and a gracious amount of quality indoor woodwork. The Darden House now belongs to the City of Elkins. The Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission leases the property and is in the process of renovation. Their purpose is to provide a comfortable area for the town's historic records and to hold meetings. |
| The first picture below shows the side view looking from the City Hall parking lot. The second picture gives a close-up view of the foundation (probably from sandstone mined from the Kaufman quarry in Harding). |
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| The first picture below gives a view from the dining room into the living room area. Note the stained glass above the front door and living room window. The second picture is from the living room looking into the hallway where the staircase is. The large oak pocket doors work very smoothly after almost 100 years. The third picture shows an interesting wood decoration in the upstairs hallway while the last picture gives a close-up view of the upper staircase. |
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| The once thriving Darden Mill still stands next to the now defunct railroad yard. |
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