Mahood Architectural Collection – Eastern Regional Coal Archives in Bluefield, WV
-Submitted by Patrick Corcoran, PreserveWV AmeriCorps Volunteer, Eastern Regional Coal Archives in Bluefield, WV
Alexander “Alex” Mahood, Sr. was born on March 7, 1888, in Lynchburg, Va. After studying architecture, most notably at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he began practicing in southern West Virginia. In 1912, he began work in burgeoning downtown Bluefield, on design and construction of the Law and Commerce Building. The penthouse atop this five-story neoclassical commercial structure became home of the Mahood architectural firm for decades to come.
Law and Commerce Building (circa 1922) – Home office building of the Mahood architectural firm. Notice the steel frame of the Commercial Bank Building to the right. This bank, along with the future West Virginian Hotel (located on the same city block) were both Mahood projects, in part funded by the Cole family, who still remain influential in the Bluefield area. (ERCA image)A son, Alex, Jr. was born in 1920 and later worked in the family business, although reluctantly. After Alex, Sr. died in 1970, this son continued the architectural business. In 1995, Alex, Jr. passed away and his widow donated the contents of the entire firm to Eastern Regional Coal Archives, which was conveniently located a mere block away from the Law and Commerce Building. The laborious effort of moving blueprints, drawings, specifications, ledgers, correspondence, drafting equipment and furniture from the penthouse office to the archives took place. The former archivist, Dr. Stuart McGehee secured the collection donation and, then curator, now Library Director Eva McGuire spearheaded the physical transfer.
When Alex Mahood, Sr. suffered a stroke on the 12th of December 1970, he was admitted to Bluefield Sanitarium, a building he designed extensive additions and alterations for, during his professional career. He died on Christmas Day and was entombed in Monte Vista Park Cemetery Mausoleum, a beautiful sanctuary that he had also designed.
Alexander Blount Mahood, Sr. (1888-1970), prominent southern West Virginia architect, designed many iconic structures throughout the region and state. Archival exploration of his collection at Eastern Regional Coal Archives suggests that one of his farthest flung projects was a mid-century housing development in Florida. Closer to home, Mahood, Sr. designed some of the finest mansions in Bluefield, WV, the majority of which remain polished architectural gems. The diversity of both his residential and his commercial projects exemplifies his eclectic and artistic design ability. (ERCA image)During his monumental architectural tenure in Bluefield, Mahood, Sr. took full advantage of the coal boom, designing the most iconic buildings of that city, and even influencing the street layout, being a leader in the city planning committee. Other Bluefield, WV buildings of note, designed by him, are the West Virginian Hotel, Peery Building, Commercial Bank Building, Beaver High School, Christian Church, and multiple Bluefield State College structures. Bluefield College, Concord University, and West Virginia University are three other academic institutions he designed buildings for. Public schools, as well as coal company stores (particularly those of Pocahontas Fuel Company) were drawn up by Mahood and scattered throughout the region of southern West Virginia/southwestern Virginia.
Current picture of the Law and Commerce, Commercial Bank and West Virginian Hotel buildings, all designed by Alex, Sr. Substantial exterior changes have been made to the ground level exterior of the Law and Commerce Building, as can be seen by comparing with the historic photograph. At 12 stories, the West Virginia Hotel remains, to this day, the tallest building in the southern WV coalfields. (Image taken by author.)
The Creative Arts Center (CAC) under construction at West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV (ca. 1968). This ambitious project was a last of Alex Mahood, Sr., as he died in Bluefield, WV on Christmas Day 1970. This conceptual circular structure encourages a blending together of the multiple creative arts disciplines housed and taught within. (WVRHC Image)
Mahood, Sr. was a meticulous record-keeper, which became apparent to Eva McGuire, when she began transporting the contents from the penthouse office. Nicknamed “Siberia” by Alex, Sr., this multi-room expanse included areas for: reception, meeting, drafting, and an office for the boss. According to McGuire, every square inch of the office made use of space, including many pigeonholes being designed into the walls between doorways. The entire Mahood architectural firm, from beginning to end, was encapsulated into this modest space. Although meager in size, this office commanded a grand view of the city and railyard, giving a perspective to watch the area explode with industrialization and possibly giving Mahood, Sr. occasion to ponder city development plans.
As of the time of this blog, much of the Mahood Architectural Collection has been cataloged and processed at Eastern Regional Coal Archives. The seeming archival-quality original order imposed by Mahood, Sr., in regard to the blueprints, has now been lost, through the subsequent management of Mahood, Jr. and then the transportation to ERCA. Therefore, the majority of the blueprints remain rolled, yet individually labeled with pencil and organized by state, county, town, and building type (church, school, residence, etc.). Some of these blueprints are stored in the original wooden chest-of-drawers of Mahood, while others reside in more modern compartments within the archives. The last components of the collection that have not been processed are the architectural specifications, which seem to be a rare archival contingent in regard to West Virginia architectural firm collections.
About the author: Patrick Corcoran is a PreserveWV AmeriCorps Volunteer stationed at Eastern Regional Coal Archives in Bluefield, WV. For further information concerning the archives, please contact he or Becky George, ERCA Curator at 600 Commerce Street; Bluefield, WV 24701; (304) 325-3943. For further information concerning the AmeriCorps heritage conservation program, click here.