Morgantown in West Virginia is rich in history and 123 Pleasant St. has played a huge part in that history over the last century.
Although the venue as it is now known was opened in 1998, its location was built in 1891 as a large apartment block building where locals and families lived. Thirty years later, the area began to take on a different character and many shops started to pop up on Pleasant St.
123 Pleasant Street remained vacant until 1921 when the first radio store in the region was opened by the Radio Appliance Company. However, after two years in business, the store was closed. For the next 60 years or so, the area saw several short-term businesses pop up and close down.
It wasn’t until 1982 when the Morgantown music Community took over that the space got its first long term shot as a venue. The venue stayed open with an ethos of liberation and equality right up until 1989. The next 9 years or so, brought an air of uncertainty as the building was bought but deemed unsafe by the city of Morgantown.
However, in 1998, a local named LJ, who was a longtime fan of the location, stepped in and insisted that demolition would not take place. After months of restoration, the venue was re-opened as it is known today.
Today, the venue hosts concerts five nights a week with the aim of promoting community awareness and inclusivity. They work with groups such as Morgantown Pride and host stand-up comedy evenings and local open mic sessions.
Artists that have played 123 Pleasant St include RJD2, SOJA, The Avett Brothers, Surfer Blood, Wishbone, The Felice Brothers, Kimya Dawson, Wax, Brightside, Twin Peaks, and many more.
