Pedigo & Garry

Garry & Sheffey

Company type	Private
Industry	Architecture
Founded	1920
Founder	Martin J. Garry, Robert A. Sheffey
Defunct	1941
Headquarters	Bluefield , United States
Area served	Southern West Virginia and surrounding regions

Garry & Sheffey was a distinguished architectural firm headquartered in Bluefield, the largest urban center in southern West Virginia. Established in 1920 by Martin J. Garry and Robert A. Sheffey, the company remained active until 1941 and ranked just behind Alex. B. Mahood in regional prominence.

History and legacy

The origins of the firm trace back to Pedigo & Garry, a partnership formed by Garry and builder Mack Henry Pedigo, marking one of Bluefield’s earliest architectural enterprises. Following the dissolution of that partnership in 1920, Garry briefly operated independently before joining forces with Sheffey. Upon Garry’s retirement in 1941, the practice continued under Robert A. Sheffey’s sole leadership.

Both Garry & Sheffey and Pedigo & Garry were responsible for designing at least three buildings individually recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and also contributed to four other designated historic districts.

Pedigo & Garry, until 1920

• 1909 - Joseph M. Sanders House, 117 Oakhurst Ave, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1912 - Huff, Andrews & Thomas Warehouse, Princeton Ave, Bluefield, West Virginia (no longer standing)
• 1915 - Former Masonic Building, 109 Wyoming St, Welch, West Virginia
• 1915 - Scott Street Baptist Church, 600 Scott St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1917 - McNary & Johnson Building, 119 Wyoming St, Welch, West Virginia
• 1919 - Former Beulah A. M. E. Church, 901 Bland St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1919 - First National Bank Building, Center St, Iaeger, West Virginia

Garry & Sheffey, 1920–1941

• 1921 - Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2005 Washington St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1922 - Hotel Carter (also known as Tyson Towers), 80 McDowell St, Welch, West Virginia
• 1923 - Bailey Building, 704 Bland St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1924 - Former Bluefield Municipal Building, 514 Bland St, Bluefield, West Virginia
  • Designed in collaboration with Wilbur T. Mills from Columbus, Ohio
• 1925 - Mingo County Memorial Building, Logan St, Williamson, West Virginia
• 1926 - Ramsey School, 300 Ramsey St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1927 - Elks Building, 405 Raleigh St, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1928 - E. W. Horton House, 615 Oakhurst Ave, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1928 - Mercer County Memorial Building, 1500 W Main St, Princeton, West Virginia
• 1929 - Bland County Courthouse (renovation), 612 Main St, Bland, Virginia
  • Addition of the portico to the structure
• 1930 - Gordon C. Felts House, 404 N Main St., Galax, Virginia
• 1930 - President’s House at Bluefield State College, Bluefield, West Virginia
• 1931 - Big Creek High School located on Center St., War, West Virginia
  • Destroyed by fire in 2015
• 1931 - U.S. Post Office at 921 Mercer St., Princeton, West Virginia
  • Currently serves as the Princeton Public Library
• 1934 - Former Bramwell High School on Bluestone Ave., Bramwell, West Virginia
• 1935 - Sidney J. Kwass House at 730 Parkway Ave., Bluefield, West Virginia
  • Recognized locally for its Art Deco architectural style
• 1936 - Concord Masonic Lodge on Main St., Athens, West Virginia
• 1941 - Marsh Library at Concord State Teachers College (present-day Concord University), Athens, West Virginia

Robert A. Sheffey, circa 1941

• 1949 - Collins Middle School, located at 601 Jones Avenue, Oak Hill, West Virginia
• 1951 - Science Hall at Concord College, Athens, West Virginia