Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in West Virginia, in the United States. Most of the city is in Ohio County, with a small part in Marshall County. It is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State area and is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 31,419 (31,059 in Ohio County, 360 in Marshall County). The population was estimated at 29,101 in 2007 [Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in West Virginia, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-10].
Wheeling was originally a settlement in the British Colony of Virginia and later an important city in the Commonwealth of Virginia until 1861 when the western counties of Virginia seceded from the state. Wheeling was the location of the Wheeling Convention, which established the state of West Virginia, and was the capital of West Virginia from 1861-1870 and 1875-1885. The capital of West Virginia was twice moved from Wheeling to Charleston, due mostly to political reasons and legislative agreements.
Discovery
The name "Wheeling" is of the American Adena tribe derivation for "place of the skull." At the confluence of Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River near what is now 16th and Main Streets, a white settler was scalped and decapitated, and the severed head displayed. Originally explored by the French, Wheeling still has a lead plate remnant buried by Celeron de Bienville in 1749 at the mouth of Wheeling Creek. Later, Christopher Gist and even George Washington surveyed the land in 1751 and 1770, respectively.[ ]
Establishment
Ebenezer, Silas, and Jonathan Zane were the first and original settling family near the present day City of Wheeling. The settlement, called Zanesburg, is believed to have occurred in 1769. Other notable families joined the settlement including the Shepherds (see Monument Place), the Wetzels, and the McCollochs (see McColloch's Leap). It was officially established as a town in 1795 and incorporated in 1806. By an act of the Virginia General Assembly on December 27, 1797, Wheeling was named the county seat of Ohio County.[ ]
Fort Henry
Originally dubbed Fort Fincastle in 1774, the fort was later renamed Fort Henry in honor of Virginia's American Governor Patrick Henry. In 1777, Native American tribes of the surrounding areas joined to attack settlements along the Ohio River. Local men later joined by recruits from Fort Shepherd (in Elm Grove) and Fort Holliday. The native attacking force subsequently burned the surrounding cabins and destroyed livestock.
During the first attack of the year, Major Samuel McColloch led a small force of men from Fort Vanmetre along Short Creek to assist the besieged Fort Henry. McColloch was separated from his men and was chased by attacking tribesmen. Upon his horse, McColloch charged up Wheeling Hill and made what is known as McColloch's Leap 300 feet down its eastern side.
Later in 1777, a native army along with some British soldiers attempted to take Fort Henry. During this siege, Fort Henry's supply of ammunition was exhausted. The defenders decided to dispatch one of its men to secure more ammunition from the Zane homestead. Betty Zane volunteered for the dangerous task. During her departing run, she was heckled by both native and British soldiers. Upon successfully reaching the Zane homestead, she gathered a table cloth and filled it with gunpowder. During her return, she was fired upon but was uninjured. It is believed that one bullet did, in fact, pierce her clothing. As a result of Zane's heroism, Fort Henry remained in American control.
Geography
Wheeling is located at (40.070348, -80.698604).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.8 square miles (41.0 km²), of which, 13.9 square miles (36.0 km²) of it is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²) of it (12.07%) is water.
Wheeling is located in Northern West Virginia, on what is known as the northern panhandle. It is directly across the river from the state of Ohio and only 11 miles west of Pennsylvania.
Wheeling Creek flows through the city, and meets the Ohio River in downtown Wheeling.
The city is located both on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River and on an island in the middle of the river called Wheeling Island.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,419 people, 13,719 households, and 7,806 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,258.4 people per square mile (872.1/km²). There were 15,706 housing units at an average density of 1,128.9/sq mi (436.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.72% White, 4.99% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 13,719 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.1% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.89.
The age distribution is 20.6% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,388, and the median income for a family was $38,708. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $22,099 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,923. About 13.1% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Under West Virginia law, cities may adopt the Manager-Mayor Plan. The elected mayor presides over meetings of the Wheeling City Council, which is comprised of six members elected from geographic wards. City Council members serve four-year terms. The City Council also confirms executive nominations for members to various boards which have limited regulatory authority including the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Traffic Commission.[City of Wheeling, West Virginia] The City Manager serves as Chief Executive and Administrative officer for the city.[City of Wheeling, West Virginia] The current Mayor of Wheeling is Andy McKenzie, and the current City Manager of Wheeling is Robert Herron. The current members of City Council are Gloria Delbrugge (1st Ward), Vernon Seals (2nd Ward), Robert E. "Herk" Henry (3rd Ward), James Tiu (4th Ward), Don Atkinson (5th Ward), and Vice-Mayor Eugene Fahey (6th Ward)
Historical Buildings
The city of Wheeling has a rich and varied history. West Virginia Independence Hall was the site of the Wheeling Convention From 1861-1863, the building housed heated debates on the Virginia Ordinance of Secession, the First Constitutional Convention of West Virginia,[First Constitutional Convention of West Virginia] and naming the State.[The Naming of West Virginia] Recently, Governor Joe Manchin announced a plan to divert $1 million in state funding to Independence Hall for renovations.[http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/508430.html]
Centre Wheeling is home to Centre Market, formerly Wheeling's market house. Built in 1853,[Waterson, Steve. "Reopening of Centre Market today." Wheeling Intelligencer 18 May 1989 13 Apr 2008 ] . the market house and the surrounding area are today home to a plethora of shops and restaurants.
Parks and Recreation
Wheeling features several municipal parks including Oglebay Resort & Conference Center and Wheeling Park. Ohio County is also home to six golf courses including designs by renowned golfer Arnold Palmer and architect Robert Trent Jones. The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which was once the longest suspension bridge in the world, connects downtown Wheeling to Wheeling Island.
In October of 2007 the City of Wheeling opened the State's first concrete skateboard park. The 12,000 square foot facility was designed and built by world-renowned skatepark builder, Grindline, of Seattle, Washington. The park consists of 60% bowls and 40% street elements and is located within the Chambers Ballfield Complex in the Elm Grove section of the City. Additional amenities, including a covered shelter, restrooms, and webcam are scheduled to be installed in late 2008.
K-12
As elsewhere in West Virginia, K-12 schools are organized at the county level of government. The public school system, Ohio County Schools, consists of 14 schools. There are nine elementary schools, four middle schools, and Wheeling Park High School. There also exist several private and parochial schools including Wheeling Central Catholic High School, and the Linsly School.
Colleges and Universities
Wheeling is the hub of higher education in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Wheeling Jesuit University, a private Jesuit university and the only Catholic college in the state of West Virginia,["The Value of a Jesuit education." Wheeling Jesuit University. 13 Apr 2008 .] is located in Wheeling. The main campus of West Virginia Northern Community College has recently been expanding throughout downtown Wheeling and focuses on job training and community development. Also located within close proximity to the city are West Liberty State College, a public four-year college and private Bethany College giving area residents a wide variety of educational options.
Music
Wheeling has an old-style theater, the Capitol Music Hall. The Music Hall, opened in 1928, featured a 2,450 seat auditorium. The Music Hall was home to a popular radio program in the early forties, It's Wheeling Steel, featuring musical performances by workers at a local steel plant. The Capitol Music Hall also featured country artists such as Johnny Cash, June Carter-Cash, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, and the Joneses. Currently, the Capitol Music Hall welcomes musical performances of all types. It is also the performance hall of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. It has also served as the home for Jamboree USA. The Capitol Music Hall is the largest theatre in the state of West Virginia, with some 2,500 seats. The Capitol Music Hall was sold by Clear Channel Communications to LiveNation in the Spring of 2005. Since the purchase by LiveNation the Capitol Music Hall has remained dormant, although a few limited engagements have been held. In August 2007, the Capitol Music Hall was closed due to several fire and building code violations. Since that time, a possible sale to local owners was announced.[http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/500015.html?nav=515]
Held in nearby Belmont County Jamboree In The Hills draws over 100,000 country music fans to the Wheeling area every July.
During the summer months the Wheeling Heritage Port is the home to numerous festivals, concerts, movie nights, celebrations, a regatta and numerous visits from the Delta, Mississippi and American Queens. It holds over 8,000 spectators and has become a focal point to the City.
Sports
Wheeling is also home to the Wheeling Nailers hockey team. The Nailers play in the WesBanco Arena (formerly the Wheeling Civic Center), and participate in the North division, American Conference of the ECHL. High school football and soccer are played at Wheeling Island Stadium. Formerly home to the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, Wheeling will once again be home to an indoor football team in 2009.[Hughes, Mike. "Indoor Football Returning to Wheeling." Wheeling Intelligencer 15 Mar 2008 13 Apr 2008 .] Recently, the team name was revealed to the Wildcats, and the team will play in the Continental Indoor Football League [http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/509389.html?nav=523].
Live Racing and Gaming
Wheeling is the home of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack located on Wheeling Island. Formerly Wheeling Downs the facility features live greyhound racing and slots.
Table Gaming
In accordance with House Bill 271 adopted on March 8, 2007, Ohio County and Jefferson County held special elections on June 9, 2007 to approve the legalization of table games within the respective counties. The Ohio County measure passed, but the Jefferson County one failed. A similar measure was successfully adopted in Hancock County on June 30, 2007.[http://www.theintelligencer.net/News/articles.asp?articleID=19657]
Media
Due to its close proximity to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wheeling is heavily influenced by Pittsburgh's broadcast media outlets, which are easily received in the area. Besides broadcast stations Wheeling's cable providers also carry Fox Sports Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh-centric news/talk channel PCNC as its "home" sports and information sources.
In addition to the Pittsburgh outlets the Wheeling television market is served by CBS affiliate WTRF-TV Channel 7, PBS affiliate W41AA Channel 41, and NBC affiliate WTOV-TV Channel 9 in nearby Steubenville, Ohio. The city is served by cable television provider Comcast.
Wheeling's radio dial is home to WWVA 1170 AM, the state's only 50,000 watt AM station that can be heard throughout the East Coast at night. WVLY 1370 AM and WKKX 1600 AM provide local news, sports, and talk. On the FM dial WVKF 95.7, WKWK 93.7, WOVK 98.7 and WEGW 107.5 provides the area with various music genres. The Wheeling area is also the home of WVJW, a listener supported commercial-free station which also serves as the local Pacifica affiliate. Pittsburgh's radio stations also provide Wheeling with coverage. A number of translators and repeater stations provide NPR and American Family Radio networks.
The city is home to The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register newspapers. Both The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register are owned by Ogden Newspapers Inc., which is also based in Wheeling. The Intelligencer is published weekday mornings and Saturdays, while the News-Register is published weekday afternoons and Sundays. The Times-Leader of Martins Ferry, Ohio, another Ogden Newspapers Inc. paper, also covers Wheeling issues.
Transportation
Interstate 70 and its spur I-470 run through the city east-west and link it with suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the east and Ohio to the west. U.S. Route 40/National Road links downtown with residential neighborhoods to the east. WV Route 2 connects Wheeling with Moundsville to the south and Weirton to the north. U.S. Route 250 also runs through the city.
The Fort Henry Bridge and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge carry I-70 and I-470 respectively over the Ohio River. The historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge carries cars and light trucks as well as pedestrian traffic between downtown and Wheeling Island.
Bus transportation to points throughout North America is available from Wheeling through Greyhound Lines.
Air Transportation
Wheeling is less than an hour away from the Pittsburgh International Airport, which provides most of the domestic non-stop service for the Tri-State area. The city is also served by a small general-aviation field.
Companies based in Wheeling
 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Global Operations Center)
WesBanco Banks
Stone & Thomas (defunct department store chain formerly headquartered in Wheeling)
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel
Swisher International (makers of Mail Pouch tobacco)
Marsh Wheeling (Americas oldest cigar manufacturing plant)
People from Wheeling
Leon "Chu" Berry, jazz saxophonist
Jack Canfield, motivational speaker
John Corbett, actor
Rebecca Harding Davis, author
Faith Daniels, network broadcaster
Joyce DeWitt, actress
Joanne Dru, actress
Kimberly Hatcher, one of the most amazing, smart and sexiest woman on the planet.
Doug Fetherling, writer
Walter L. Fisher, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Gene Freese, baseball player
Jack Glasscock, major league baseball player[ ]
Chuck Howley, football player
Bill Mazeroski, Hall of Fame second baseman
Cy Morgan, a Major League Baseball pitcher
Bob Ney, former U.S. Representative from Ohio
Tim O'Brien, bluegrass musician
Walter Reuther, labor leader
Eleanor Steber, American operatic soprano associated with the Metropolitan Opera
Nan Wynn, big-band singer and actress
John Yarnall, naval officer during War of 1812
Wheeling in fiction
Wheeling is referred to in as the nearest large town to Hope Falls, where the story takes place. It is also the home of the mysterious 'Institute', representatives of which come to capture the protagonist in the show's finale just moments too late.
Wheeling is referred to in an episode of the sitcom Family Ties, set in Columbus, Ohio, when Michael J. Fox's character Alex P. Keaton says, "let's go down to Wheeling, West Virginia," because the legal drinking age in West Virginia at the time was eighteen, while in Ohio the drinking age had been raised to twenty-one.
Billy Joel's hit song "Billy the Kid" identifies the birthplace of the ballad's antagonist as Wheeling.
In Season 2 of The West Wing, the episode "In This White House" names Wheeling as a location where two would-be assassins purchased firearms in their mission to kill the show's President, Josiah Bartlett. NBC later apologized for the reference and agreed to make two other mentions of Wheeling in a more positive light. One included a reference as a flyover location in a scene set on Air Force One.
John Corbett's character, Chris Stevens (Chris in the Morning), in Northern Exposure is from Wheeling. (John Corbett is also from Wheeling in real life.)
"Life in the Iron Mills", a short story by Rebecca Harding Davis, was set in the factory world of nineteenth century Wheeling, Virginia, now Wheeling, West Virginia. It was her first published work, and it appeared anonymously in April 1861 in the Atlantic Monthly where it caused a literary sensation with its powerful naturalism that anticipated the work of Theodore Dreiser and Emile Zola. The story is emphatically on the side of the exploited industrial workers, who are presented as physically stunted and mentally dulled but fully human and capable of tragedy.
Gretchen from Prison Break is a native of Wheeling.
Whatever is a 1998 independent film, shot mostly in Wheeling, about teenagers facing the difficulties of growing up in Northern New Jersey.
A West Virginia-centric episode of Murder She Wrote, Coal Miner's Slaughter, has Megan Mulally's character passing the bar exam in Wheeling.
Wheeling, West Virginia was a hit song for Neil Sedaka in 1970. The song tells of an actor from Wheeling who works at MGM and has changed not for the better from the person who grew up there.
See also
Ohio County, West Virginia
List of cities and towns along the Ohio River
References
Minder, Mike. Wheeling’s Gambling History to 1976. Wheeling: Nail City Publishing, 1997.
Schramm, Robert W. The Linsly School. Mount Pleasant, S. Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2003.
External links
City of Wheeling, West Virginia Official Site
Wheeling Convention and Visitor's Bureau
Memorials, monuments, statues & other outdoor art in & around Wheeling (with pictures)
The Highlands Shopping and Entertainment Complex
Listing of all major events in Wheeling WV, especially the Wheeling Heritage Port
Wheeling National Heritage Area
History of Ohio County, WV
West Virginia Department of Transportation - Wheeling-Ohio County Airport
Wheeling Island
Website of the Wheeling Police Department
The Intelligencer and The News-Register
Ohio County Public Library
History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia compiled by the Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer
Creative Impressions Publisher of Wheeling Island: A Photographic History by Robert W. Schramm
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