Buyer plans to turn 99-bedroom Elkins IOOF Home into elderly care facility

ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) — A physician at Davis Medical Center is the buyer of the International Order of Odd Fellows home in Elkins , and he told 12 News that he wants to use it to give back to the community.

Garrett Bulter, who practices family medicine less than two miles away, purchased the 99-bedroom, 21-bathroom facility for $550,000 at auction last week. He told 12 News that although it may take some time, his vision is to turn the more than 110-year-old building into a fully self-sufficient facility for the elderly, like a nursing home or assisting living facility. One of his main goals is to have most, if not all, of the food used at the facility be raised and grown on the premises, which is about 16 acres.

The property was built as an orphanage but was converted into a home for the elderly in the 1950s.

The first thing Bulter plans to do is deal with upgrades to the plumbing, electrical and heating systems, and then he said he will figure out the layout.

“There is so much remarkable history there. I love the history in and around the Elkins area. I’d like to maintain as much of that history as I can,” Butler said.

He told 12 News that he hopes to keep as much of the original architecture and woodwork as possible during the renovation.

As far as timeline, Butler said he hopes to get some operation started within the next year or two, but he wants to focus on “doing it right,” so he estimates that things like patient care and housing will not be fully functional for another 5-10 years.

“This is my first large-scale project. I’ve always been part of a system and a helper. I love working hard and being part of a team. Now it’s my turn to be the leader,” Bulter told 12 News.

Ultimately, Butler said his goal is to leave a legacy in Elkins by creating something in the community that will outlive him and “continue to thrive for generations to come.”

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