For over 74 years the house at the intersection of Seventh Street and Maryland Avenue has been a funeral home.
What most don’t know is that this house (Broad Hall) used to be very popular with the tourist and had a very popular banquet hall. Drawing visitors from as far away as New York and Florida during its 13 years of operation from June 1937 to July 1950.
Let’s step back in time before Broad Hall existed to see who built this very large house. It was home to David Flickwir and he built it Ca 1900. Mr. Flickwir was active in the Land Improvement Company, Furnace and the Railroad Company. He resigned his post with the railroad to accept the presidency of the Shenandoah Furnace Company in Shenandoah in 1895. Mr. Flickwir formed a contracting company in 1896 and was very successfully in that business. Among the first construction work his company did was the building of the branch railroad lines for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac in northern Virginia. Forming the firm of Flickwir and Bush. Mr. Flickwir then undertook one of the most notable construction projects in the history of railroading at Nicholson, Pa. There they built the Tunkhannock viaduct, largest concreted viaduct in the world, which was completed in 1915. After this was finished, he went on to retired the same year. He passed away October 31, 1935 in Roanoke Virginia.
From the December 15, 1935 edition of the Page News and Courier we read: Shenandoah News “The Tom Beaghan property on Seventh Street and Maryland Ave., was sold at public auction on Saturday afternoon to Dr. J. E. Hatfield, for $1,450. This home at one time was considered one of the nicest in the town, having been built by D.W. Flickwir during Shenandoah’s boom. Mr. Flickwir was at one time president of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company. It was later occupied by J. M. T. Smith who was Post Master here. The price is considered very cheap as the property has seven lots in addition to the residence property.”
Above article from Page News and Courier June 1, 1937.
During the thirteen years it was open, there was always something going on at Broad Hall. Listed below is some of the activities and guest that met at Broad Hall that was listed in the Page News and Courier. They had such a successful business that in July 1938, Dr Hatfield added several rooms to Broad Hall to accommodate the increasing demand from guest.
- It was the go-to place for playing bridge, sometimes two and three tables and even bridge banquets.
- VIP’s would stay here when in town. In July 1937 recent guests at Broad Hall were K. L. Trent, of the Motive Power Dept., Roanoke, W.E. Wilcox, representing the Texas Oil Co., Roanoke, and James O’Keefe, Roanoke.
- The Order of Eastern Star held meeting here.
- The County Nurses meet here in1937.
- Lions Club of Luray held meetings here.
- Family dinners were held here, along with New Years Eve Parties.
- American Legion held a banquet here in February 1938.
- The Methodist Church held meetings here, including Workers Class, Methodist Missionary Society and Ever-Ready classes.
- In October 1938, Mrs. Hilda Hatfield entertained the members of her Sunday School Class here.
- Numerous out of town guest stayed here to include some from Philadelphia, Chicago and New York.
- Various clubs met here to include Bata Club in November 1939, Shenandoah High School Hi-Y Girls had a banquet in December 1937.
- Bridal showers even took place here. A wedding took place here on June 26, 1940 at 11 am. It was the wedding of Miss Maxine Hatfield, only daughter of Dr. and Mrs J.E. Hatfield became the bride of Jack Van Hyning. Ceremony took place inside Broad Hall and after the ceremony the bride and groom were honored at a beautifully appointed wedding breakfast. (Note-Mrs. Van Hyning was a teacher at Shenandoah Elementary School for many years.)
- Shenandoah Mayor J.L. Foltz and Judge John H. Booten, trial Justice of the Page County spoke at social events at Broad Hall.
- The last event listed in the Page News and Courier about Broad Hall was on November 15, 1951- Mr. and Mrs. Luther Partlow and son, Martin, of Arlington, spent the week end at Broad Hall and visited her father, G. E. Lester, at the Newman Nursing Home in Grottoes.
Dr. James Elva Hatfield retired in 1960 as a medical examiner for Norfolk and Western Railway employees. He passed away on May 30, 1974. His first wife Hilda Foley Hatfield passed away August 2, 1949. His second wife was Myrtle Alice Breeden Hatfield, a school teacher for 32 years. Teaching at Comertown School, Grove Hill School, and Shenandoah Elementary School. She passed away May 30, 2003.
Dr. James Elva Hatfield April 30, 1890 - May 30, 1974. Picture from book Shenandoah A History of Our Town and Its People on page 223. Dr. Hatfield served as Shenandoah Mayor for a short time in 1935.
Above article from the Page News and Courier August 10, 1950.
Current photo of funeral home was taken on February 24, 2025.
Above photo was found in the history room at the Shenandoah Museum.
David Williamson Flickwir Born September 26, 1852 – Passed away October 31, 1935. Above picture of David Flickwir found on Ancestry.com
Follow link below to see David Flickwir’s impressive accomplishments and obituary as it appeared in The Roanoke Times.
The above picture of the Flickwir Locomotive can be found in the book Shenandoah A History of Our Town and Its People on page 18. Main photo of Broad Hall also can be seen in the book Shenandoah A History of Our Town and Its People on page 23.
