The residence was originally known as Wayside, and was constructed at the bottom of the hill opposite a gatehouse to the properties of Senator Elkins and his father-in-law, Senator Henry Gassaway Davis in 1901. Senator Elkins owned much of the land surrounding his summer home Halliehurst and the Davis home, Graceland. Railroad engineers surveyed and laid out the town of Elkins under the direction of Senator Davis. Elkins did not have company housing, but instead sold lots to individuals and employees who built their own homes. This promoted stability in the community and strengthened the local banks.
Senator Elkins established the Elkins National Bank in 1892. It was located at the corner of Third Street and Davis Avenue and was the first bank in Randolph County. He brought Harry R Warfield to Elkins to run the bank and act as cashier. Senator Davis' mother was a Warfield and it is believed that Harry R Warfield was a cousin. While employed at the Elkins National Bank, Warfield delved into statewide banking activities. He was named president of the West Virginia Bankers Association at their annual meeting in Grafton, WV, in 1900. The following year the association met in Wheeling where he was appointed delegate to the National Convention to be held in Milwaukee. Warfield also owned interest in two downtown buildings until 1903.
Lots close to the Davis' and Elkins' estates were sold to family members or high level managers. Susan Elizabeth Stadtler Warfield, wife of H R Warfield, purchased from Stephen B. and Hallie Elkins two lots: the first in 1897 and the second adjoining lot in 1901. The 1901 tax records assessed the value of the two lots at $20.00. After purchase of the adjoining lot in 1901 work commenced immediately on their home.
According to the weekly Republican newspaper, the INTER-MOUNTAIN, Thursday, July 18, 1901, the Warfield's "handsome new residence near the park and Senator Elkins' Gate House" was nearing completion and "will add considerable to the appearance to that part of town. It is partly built of brick and is a nicely arranged dwelling". The 1902 tax records show the property assessed at $1,820.00. The house first appeared on a Sanborn Map in 1923. This map indicated that the house was frame with a brick facade, two stories, and a shingle roof. The Warfield's lived in this grand house, which has many similarities to Graceland, and Halliehurst, until 1904.
The home is Queen Anne in style, with a large wraparound porch facing the park across the street. Angled bays and repetitious windows add great light to the interior. The large hip roof, dormers, and large corbelled brick chimney elaborate the Queen Anne design. The interior has an entry with bench, stained glass windows on the landing, and a panelled stairway which complements the Queen Anne foyer. It is perhaps the dining room which bears the closest resemblance to Graceland, with the light woodwork and acanthus leaf lighting fixtures which ring the room.
In 1904, Senator Davis went to Washington, DC, to run as vice-president on the democratic ticket. That same year, Harry and Susan Warfield moved to Morgantown, where Harry represented Senator Elkins' interests there until the Senator's death in 1911. Warfield was involved in the purchase of franchises for construction of trolley lines which would connect Morgantown with a system already in operation to Pittsburgh. He was a stockholder and later President of the Union Utilities Company which was incorporated to provide electric, gas, water, and trolley service along with an authorization to engage in ice, brick, tile, glass, pottery, quarrying and mining. When Senator Elkins died in 1911, his financial interests disappeared from Morgantown and so shortly thereafter did the Warfields. When Senator Davis died in 1916, H.R. Warfield returned from Baltimore to be a pallbearer at the funeral. He was at that time vice-president of the Baltimore Trust Company.
In November 1904, Susan Stadtler Warfield conveyed the house "opposite the S B Elkins Lodge House" to Nellie R Dye. The 1910 census indicates the house was inhabited by Nellie Record and Idellus Knott Dye along with their 19 year old son Preston. The Dyes had two other sons Percival and Hanford. Nell and I.K. had eloped in 1881 from Hamlet, NY, when I K Dye was 18 years old and assistant station agent at Forestville, NY. From there they moved to Punxatauney, PA, and then Parkersburg, WV, where he eventually became a superintendent with the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railroad.
In 1902, the WV Central & Pittsburgh Railroad was sold and the proceeds helped Senator Davis start the Coal and Coke Railroad which opened service from Elkins to Charleston. This connected with the Western Maryland Railroad in Elkins and provided service to Cumberland, Maryland.
I.K. Dye became the general manager of the Coal and Coke Railroad and his primary job was to purchase locomotives for the line. Family members have stated that Dye loved the Art Deco designs often incorporated into railroad car designs during the 1930s. The Dye's were responsible for the design of the two Art Deco bathrooms which are said to be reminiscent of the railroad designs. Mr and Mrs Dye resided in the home from 1904 until their deaths; hers in 1939, his in 1944. A dispute arose among the Dye heirs concerning disposition of the property so the house was eventually sold at public auction to coal magnate Sam Polino.
The residence was home to the Warfields during their early married life and Harry Warfield's budding career in banking and commerce. It also served the Dye's who were influential in the railroading interests of the Davis family and town of Elkins. The residence reflects the design characteristics popular in the Queen Anne style of the period, and some of the interior decorative elements found in the neighboring homes of Graceland and Hallihurst. - NRHP, 1 November 1997