#wheelinghistory

Wheeling, West Virginia

Here’s an image I made in Wheeling sometime in the mid-1980s. We are standing on Wheeling Island, which is in the middle of the Ohio River.

Just out of frame to the left is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which was the longest in the world for a couple of years in the 19th century. (I sincerely hope I pointed my camera at that structure—will have to dig through the negatives—as it is a historically significant bridge.)

Webster Grade School

If you are from Center Wheeling, you probably know about Webster School. You may have spent your early school years behind those walls. Webster was a very large school and it was almost a block long on 26th and Eoff streets. I didn’t attend Webster, but I was very familiar with the school. It was located near the famous 26th Street Playground. It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight a business or building that is “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life and the Ohio Valley. I hope with this series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses that thrived here in the early 1930’s and 1940’s, attracting people from many countries and all walks of life who all helped to make Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia. If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that is gone please submit that to me at [email protected] I will do my best to search out and tell that story.

Hundreds of children roamed the wide hallways of Webster School.

The design of Webster School was very unique for a school structure.

The school building was ominous in this Wheeling neighborhood.

This photo, according to what is written on the back, was taken on photo day at Webster.

This is a rare photo of a group of boys who attended the school.

Webster School was once featured on a postcard

James Thornton James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at [email protected] or visit the Creative Impressions website. The books can be purchased at the Wheeling Heritage Center, Kroger on Mount de Chantal Road, Miklas Meat Market, Nail City Records, the UPS Store in the Washington Avenue Plaza, VC Wares at Centre Market, Bower’s Decorating at The Highlands, and on the website www.wheelinghistory.net.

Webster Grade School

If you are from Center Wheeling, you probably know about Webster School. You may have spent your early school years behind those walls. Webster was a very large school and it was almost a block long on 26th and Eoff streets. I didn’t attend Webster, but I was very familiar with the school. It was located near the famous 26th Street Playground. It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight a business or building that is “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life and the Ohio Valley. I hope with this series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses that thrived here in the early 1930’s and 1940’s, attracting people from many countries and all walks of life who all helped to make Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia. If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that is gone please submit that to me at [email protected] I will do my best to search out and tell that story.

Hundreds of children roamed the wide hallways of Webster School.

The design of Webster School was very unique for a school structure.

The school building was ominous in this Wheeling neighborhood.

This photo, according to what is written on the back, was taken on photo day at Webster.

This is a rare photo of a group of boys who attended the school.

Webster School was once featured on a postcard

James Thornton James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at [email protected] or visit the Creative Impressions website. The books can be purchased at the Wheeling Heritage Center, Kroger on Mount de Chantal Road, Miklas Meat Market, Nail City Records, the UPS Store in the Washington Avenue Plaza, VC Wares at Centre Market, Bower’s Decorating at The Highlands, and on the website www.wheelinghistory.net.

I don’t have many photographs, but you can’t forget Nick’s Music. The business was started by Nicholas Masciola. He lived in Benwood at the time, and was so tired of people mispronouncing his name so he changed his name to Marshall after a street in his hometown. Most of you will remember Jerry Marshall, second generation owner of Nick’s Music. I knew Jerry as I was managing bands in the early 1970’s, and he was always there for young bands to sell, rent, or lend equipment. He did this so they could get through the many pitfalls of bar bands. It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight a business or building that are “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life and the Ohio Valley.

Have An Idea?

I hope with this series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses that thrived here in the early 1930’s and 1940’s, attracting people from many countries and all walks of life to make Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia. If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that is gone please submit that to me at [email protected] I will do my best to search out and tell that story.

Louis' Hot Dog was only a few steps away from Nick Music on Market Plaza.

Nick's Music was located on Market Plaza before the front facade collapsed and was demolished.

Once the front facade collapsed, the building on Market Plaza had to be demolished.

James Thornton James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at [email protected] or visit the Creative Impressions website. The books can be purchased at the Wheeling Heritage Center, Kroger on Mount de Chantal Road, Miklas Meat Market, Nail City Records, the UPS Store in the Washington Avenue Plaza, VC Wares at Centre Market, Bower’s Decorating at The Highlands, and on the website www.wheelinghistory.net.