Empire National Bank Building

Empire National Bank was organized in 1903 by Virgil L. Highland. The bank first operated from the Oak Hall Building on West Main Street before commissioning a purpose built headquarters at the corner of West Main and Fourth streets. The new seven story building opened in 1907.^[3]

The building served as the home of what was regarded as the oldest bank charter in Clarksburg.^[4] In the early twentieth century the basement housed the printing facilities of the Clarksburg Publishing Company, which produced the local newspaper.^[5]

On August 25 2023 the building was auctioned for 231000 dollars to an online investor who asked to remain anonymous.^[6]

The Empire National Bank Building was designed in the Renaissance Revival style by architect Ernest C. S. Holmboe of Holmboe & Lafferty. The structure rises seven stories and occupies a narrow triangular lot created by the angle of West Main and Fourth streets. Its steel frame supports a rusticated brownstone base with brick above, and the facade is capped by a prominent bracketed cornice.^[7]

The building has two principal entrances, each framed with white terra cotta Corinthian frontispieces topped by female busts. The overall design represented a more elaborate commercial project than was typical for Holmboe and Lafferty, reflecting the ambitions of Virgil L. Highland who commissioned the work in 1907.^[8]

The interior retains significant elements of its early twentieth century bank layout, including an original spiral staircase and decorative lobby features. The building contains about 25000 square feet with a mix of offices, lounges, libraries, and conference rooms.^[9]