Parkersburg lies on the east bank of the Ohio River, almost directly across the water from Blennerhassett Island.  As a result of the location, several places, institutions and clubs in the town took the name Blennerhassett, one of the earliest being "Hotel Blennerhassett".

 

Built in 1889, the hotel became well known to travellers on the Ohio River and locally is considered of historic significance. Renamed "The Blennerhassett", it features on the U.S. "National Register of Historical Places".