By William “Skip” Deegans
Located in the far northwest corner of the fairgrounds in Fairlea, the small bungalow shown in the photo belies its once prominence. The house was built in 1928 by the Meadow River Lumber Company (MRLC) and named “Meriluco” to showcase its building materials, including trim, molding and flooring. For a few years, MRLC manufactured furniture that was displayed in the house. When the house first opened it was promoted by a model home building contest for school children. Later, MRLC held an essay contest, and the winner received a maple bedroom suite.
Initially, the house was located near the front of the grandstand and had a brick chimney and partial brick porch posts. Research by former State Fair Manager Marlene Ferguson indicates the house was later rotated slightly so the entrance faced east instead of north. The chimney, part of the porch fence, and a picket fence were probably eliminated during this rotation. Once MRLC discontinued its use of the house, it served for several years as a museum for the State Fair. Before its latest move away from the grandstand it was a pop-up museum for the town of Rainelle, home of the MRLC.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. It may very well be the oldest building at the West Virginia State Fair.
Sources: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form, The West Virginia News, Hinton Daily News.
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