Information
Landmark: Old Central CityCity: Huntington
Country: USA West Virginia
Continent: North America
Old Central City, Huntington, USA West Virginia, North America
Overview
Old Central City in Huntington, West Virginia, is the historic heart of town, with brick-lined streets and the early shops and homes that first shaped its downtown.Once a busy 19th‑century railroad hub, this district has grown into a vibrant urban center, where brick facades meet cultural landmarks and the air still carries a trace of Huntington’s industrial and civic past.Old Central City sits in downtown Huntington, clustered around Third Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Washington Street, then stretching toward the Ohio River where you can smell the water on a warm day.Brick and stone buildings line the streets, some with worn doorsteps that have been there since the late 1800s or early 1900s.The narrow sidewalks, old iron street lamps, and a few rough cobblestones underfoot bring back the feel of another time.The district feels tight-knit and easy to explore on foot, with cafés, storefronts, and offices tucked beneath weathered brick facades.Trees and pocket plazas break up the view, while the nearby river offers brief glimpses of the Ohio shimmering beyond the downtown blocks.Huntington’s story begins in 1871, when Collis P. Huntington laid its foundations beside the rail lines.Huntington, a powerful railroad magnate, chose the city as a key terminus for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, where the scent of coal dust often hung in the air.Old Central City sprang up fast, becoming the busy hub with banks on every corner, storefronts buzzing with trade, tidy offices, and rows of homes for railroad crews, shopkeepers, and the town’s leaders.The architecture shows the wealth of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shifting from ornate Victorian and sturdy Romanesque Revival to the clean lines of early commercial brickwork, red as fresh clay.Many buildings boast ornate cornices, intricate stone carvings, and wide display windows where sunlight glints off the glass, showing the era’s craftsmanship.As the city pushed outward with shiny new developments, Old Central City held on to its historic weight, its brick storefronts and faded signs standing as a reminder of Huntington’s roots and industrial past.In Old Central City, historic commercial and residential buildings still stand with their original facades-faded brick and ornate trim-now home to boutique shops, offices, and apartments.In the district, you'll find historic theaters with worn velvet seats, sunlit galleries, and stately civic buildings, all busy hosting community events and live performances.Public squares and plazas, from leafy pocket parks to open stone courtyards, draw people in and highlight the district’s walkable design.Vintage lampposts, brick sidewalks, and wrought-iron accents shape the streetscape’s old-world charm, drawing photographers and guiding visitors on cultural tours.Bright murals and striking installations cover certain walls and building fronts, weaving together Huntington’s history, its homegrown industries, and the rich cultural heritage-one shows a coal miner’s hands dusted in black.Well-kept buildings, quiet stretches of greenery, and bursts of public art come together to pull visitors into a vivid sense of history-you can almost hear footsteps echo on the old stone paths.In Old Central City, history meets everyday life-cafés spilling warm light onto brick sidewalks, restaurants tucked into century-old storefronts, and small shops mixing fresh goods with the district’s vintage character.The district comes alive with cultural gatherings, lively street fairs, and festive seasonal markets, pulling locals and visitors alike into its cobbled, historic lanes.Local groups lead walking tours that bring Huntington’s past to life, pointing out ornate facades, telling old neighborhood tales, and sharing the history of its founders and first residents.Some historic buildings now house art galleries, buzzing offices, or airy lofts, keeping the district’s brick-and-mortar charm intact while breathing life into today’s city scene.These activities keep Old Central City lively, blending its historic charm-like the brick façades along Main Street-with the practical needs of a modern city.Walking through Old Central City feels like slipping into the past, yet you’re still in a neighborhood where laundry flaps on the line and shop doors stand open.The narrow streets invite you to wander, where a rusted iron railing or faded brickwork hints at Huntington’s industrial climb.You might stop at a historic café for a quick espresso, take in the gleam of freshly restored facades, or snap a photo of the curled cornices, warm brick, and vintage hand-painted signs.Thanks to its compact size and lively streets, the district makes it easy to take a pleasant walk-past cafés with warm bread in the window-to reach most spots on foot.Seasonal decorations, bursts of public art, and the sound of a violin from a street corner all add to the charm, creating layers of experience that go far beyond the buildings themselves.Old Central City carries a warm, historic charm-you can almost hear the echo of footsteps on its worn brick sidewalks.Aged brick and stone, cool shaded sidewalks, and pockets of modest greenery give the street an intimate, human feel you rarely find in today’s sleek commercial districts.It reflects the city’s origins and gritty industrial past, yet stays alive with modern shops and weekend street fairs that fill the old cobblestones with noise and color.In the district, the past slips easily into the present-footsteps ring against old brick sidewalks, traffic hums low beneath leafy shade, and now and then music drifts from a street corner, mingling with the area’s historic charm.Old Central City is Huntington’s historic heartbeat, where brick storefronts, worn cobblestones, and familiar street corners keep alive the architecture, streetscapes, and cultural memory of the city’s early growth.It’s both a bustling city hub and a historic district, where you can trace Huntington’s early roots in the brick-lined streets while still diving into the energy of modern downtown life.With its layered history, striking architecture, and lively street gatherings, it’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to grasp how the city grew and what gives it its character.
