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Boswell native gained fame for architecture
Well-known architect and former Johnstown resident Henry Theodore Elden died Jan. 17 in Charleston, W.Va. He was 94.
Although he designed many buildings, Mr. Elden probably was best known for Top-O-Rock, his home and studio in Charleston.
Constructed in 1968 on a property that was deemed unusable, the glass-and-steel structure consists of two interlocking circles. It is sculpted into a steep, densely wooded hillside overlooking the Kanawha River Valley and the city, nearly 1,000 feet below.
The home has been featured in various publications and recently on HGTV’s “Dream Builders.”
Mr. Elden was born in Boswell, where his father, Frank, had a barbershop and then a movie theater. When the boy was 8, his father caught pneumonia and died after aiding a motorist stranded in a winter storm.
The family eventually moved to Johnstown.
A $3,000 inheritance from his father was invested and eventually funded five years at Carnegie Institute of Technology for Mr. Elden, who earned a bachelor of architecture degree.
His aptitude for architecture had emerged in mechanical drawing classes in high school.
After graduation, he took a job in Charleston, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Mr. Elden’s career was interrupted in 1943 when he answered his country’s call following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eight battle stars and a commendation ribbon attest to his service in the Pacific with the Navy.
He produced nearly 800 projects, including post offices, hospitals, two high-rises and the Vining Library at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery.
The construction value of his projects totaled nearly half a billion dollars.
“He had an inquiring mind,” said his son, Ted, who also lives in Charleston.
Visitors from around the world have visited Top-O-Rock, and its creator played host to celebrities such as operatic soprano Beverly Sills and TV newsman Edwin Newman.
Mr. Elden also opened his home to young lovebirds who wanted to be married there.
He lived life to the fullest.
He and his wife, the former Evelyn Carskadon, traveled to many locales including China, Italy, Sweden, Holland and Austria. Mr. Elden sailed on the Baltic and Mediterranean seas; water skied and snow skied in Italy, Switzerland and the Sierras; and rode his bicycle 10 miles a day until he was 92.
Traveling alone, Mr. Elden crossed the country by train twice when he was older than 90.
He and his son attended Johnstown’s Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally last year.
Although Mr. Elden saw many sights around the world, his property at Top-O-Rock was always home. It was there that he died.
“He loved it here,” his son said.
Although his son watched over his father through his later years, it was not a burden, the younger Mr. Elden said.
“Many of my relatives say I was very nice taking care of this old person. But this was my friend,” he said. “We were interactive.”
Mr. Elden was preceded in death by his wife.
In addition to his son, he is survived by a daughter, Barbara Scavullo of San Francisco; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
More information on the architect and pictures of his famous house are available online at www.abodia.com/h.
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