05/05/2026
Are you interested in the history behind Pence Springs Resort and how it came to be?
Follow along with our 4 part series..
Part 4
In 1946 the Moundsville prison had significant overcrowding and the state of West Virginia needed more space. The Pence Springs Hotel was not in active use and, as a move to benefit the State, was converted into the West Virginia State Prison for Women. Several interior structure changes took place during that time, including upgraded plumbing, heating and security features like metal room doors and maximum security cells on the third floor, though very few exterior architectural changes were made. The prison operated for about 37 years, and was ultimately shut down in the mid 1980’s.
As a prime example of adaptive reuse, this was a very cost efficient way for the State to solve the issue of overcrowding in Moundsville. By moving the female prisoners to a separate pre- existing facility, requiring only capital improvements to the infrastructure, the State was able to preserve funds and solve an ongoing and worsening problem.
Without this important part of its history, the hotel would likely have been lost entirely. The prison conversion supported significant upgrades and changes that preserved the building and gave it a new life after its slow decline during the Great Depression and the public's decreased use of the railroad system. The prison conversion saved this building, supporting the reuse again in later years, to a hotel and later, a girl's academy.
These maximum security jail cells still exist in the 3rd floor.
