East Washington Historic District

Courtesy of Lee Paxton

1 May 2010

Location:

North, East, and Wade Aves., Wheeling, Beau, and Chestnut Sts., East Washington, Pennsylvania

Description:

The East Washington Historic District, located in East Washington, Pennsylvania, holds a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It has also been designated as a historic district by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation.

In 1984, the Washington County History and Landmarks Foundation achieved the inclusion of a section of East Washington, comprising 120 Victorian houses, into the National Register of Historic Places. The designation faced opposition from Washington & Jefferson College, which expressed concerns regarding its expansion plans towards the Wade Avenue area. College President Howard J. Burnett stated that the district seemed structured to impede the college's expansion efforts, particularly towards the east, as outlined in the 1968 "Master Plan." Despite objections filed by the college, they were deemed untimely.

Following the designation, the college adopted a policy of acquiring properties within the area, leading to the purchase and subsequent demolition of several buildings, including 308, 314, and 322 E. Wheeling Street, to make room for the Burnett Center. Additionally, a 140-year-old farmhouse at 137 South Wade Street, vacant for several years, was acquired by the college in 1977 and relocated to another site. By 1995, the college had acquired approximately 30 properties within the historic district.