Julia-Ann Square Historic District — Attraction in Parkersburg

Julia-Ann Square Historic District – A Gilded Age Gem

If you’re a fan of history and architecture, Julia-Ann Square Historic District in Parkersburg, WV, is a must-see. Despite the name, it’s not where Julienne French fries were invented—but the history here is even more delicious!

This charming neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, boasts stunning examples of Victorian, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Italianate styles. Built by the elite of Parkersburg’s oil and gas boom in the late 1800s, each grand home has its own story, offering a fascinating glimpse into the opulence of the Gilded Age.

Whether you’re admiring the intricate woodwork, taking a guided tour, or enjoying the annual Victorian Christmas Tour, Julia-Ann Square is a time capsule of West Virginia’s past. The community’s dedication to preservation makes it a treasure for history buffs and architecture lovers alike. Five stars (though...

Beautiful area to go and explore. You can get informational pamphlets are the start of the walking tour on the fence of the first house, they are also throughout the neighborhood at various spots on the tour, or the visitor center next to Point Park has them too. You can either walk it or drive it. I walked it because I like to nerd out on architecture and beautiful old homes. If you are like me don’t schedule anything after this so you can enjoy it and just take it all in. If you are parking your car on the street be mindful of not blocking driveways or where it says reserved parking. You can’t tour the inside of the homes but the outside alone of each of these is gorgeous. Well worth...

I came to Parkersburg specifically to do the walking tour (solo female) and felt very comfortable the entire time. You can pick up a map at the Welcome Center near the river or from a streetside box as you enter the district. Parking was plentiful, free, and easy. An interesting tour, took me about 2 hours including a stroll around the cemetery. It definitely made me want to come back in December to see inside the homes! The only thing was that I basically had to just use the map as a jumping off point. It did not give specific directions on which route to take to see all of the homes. As a result, I'm sure I missed a few. But that just gives me a reason...