Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, within the state's northern panhandle. Wheeling is the fifth-most populous city in West Virginia and the largest city in the northern panhandle.

The city was settled in 1769 on land between the Province of Pennsylvania and the Colony of Virginia. During the American Civil War, Wheeling held important meetings called the Wheeling Conventions, which helped create the state of West Virginia. Wheeling was the state capital of West Virginia from 1861 to 1870, and again from 1875 to 1885.

Wheeling became a manufacturing center in the late 1800s because of its location along major transportation routes, including the Ohio River, the National Road, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. After World War II, heavy industry declined. Today, the city's major industries include healthcare, education, legal services, entertainment, tourism, and energy. The city is about 60 miles (97 km) west of Pittsburgh and 120 miles (190 km) east of Columbus via Interstate 70.

History

The name "Wheeling" may come from a phrase meaning "place of the head." Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlers arrived.

The area was first explored by the French. Later, important figures like George Washington helped survey the land. In 1769, Ebenezer Zane claimed the land and started the first permanent settlement. By 1795, Wheeling became an official town and later grew into a city.

Fort Henry was a key defense spot. During difficult times, defenders helped keep the fort safe. In the early 1800s, important roads and bridges were built, connecting Wheeling to other places. The city became a busy place for trade and travel.

Wheeling played a role during the Civil War, supporting the new state of West Virginia. In the late 1800s, it became known for making iron and steel products. Over time, the city has worked to preserve its history and architecture.

Geography

Wheeling is a city in the northern part of West Virginia. It is next to the Ohio River where Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia come together. This area is called the Ohio Valley.

The city covers 16.01 square miles, mostly land with some water. A small river named Wheeling Creek runs through the city and meets the Ohio River in the downtown area. Wheeling is on the West Virginia side of the river and includes an island called Wheeling Island.

The city has many neighborhoods, including Arbordale, Benwood (mostly in Marshall County), Bethlehem, Center Wheeling, and others.

Wheeling has warm summers and cool winters, with rain spread out through the year.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 census said Wheeling had 27,052 people. The middle age was 44.2 years. About 19.1% were younger than 18, and 23.2% were 65 or older. For every 100 girls and women, there were 94 boys and men. For every 100 girls and women aged 18 and up, there were 90.3 boys and men aged 18 and up.

Most people lived in cities, making up 86.9% of the population. The other 13.1% lived in the countryside. There were 12,359 homes. About 22.6% of these homes had children under 18. About 35.2% were couples who were married. Many homes had just one person living alone.

2010 census

In 2010, the city had 28,486 people and 12,816 homes. The population density was 2,065.7 people for every square mile. Most people were White, with smaller groups of African American, Native American, Asian, and others. Hispanic or Latino people were a small part of the population.

Many homes had just one person living in them. This was true for 40.4% of homes. The usual home had 2.11 people. Families were a bit bigger, with 2.84 people. The middle age was 45.2 years. Many people were between the ages of 45 and 64.

2000 census

The 2000 census counted 31,419 people in 13,719 homes. The population density was 2,258.4 people for every square mile. Most people were White, with smaller numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, and others, including a very small number of Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino people were a small part of the population.

Many homes had just one person living in them. This was true for 38.3% of homes. The usual home had 2.17 people. Families were a bit bigger, with 2.89 people. The middle age was 42 years. People of all ages lived in the city. The usual home made $27,388 each year. Many families had less money than the poverty line.

Arts and culture

West Virginia Independence Hall was important in 1861 when people in northern Virginia decided to stay in the United States and formed the new state of West Virginia. The oldest building there is Shepherd Hall (Monument Place), built in 1798.

Centre Market has two buildings from the 1800s that now have shops and restaurants.

Wheeling has one of twelve Madonna of the Trail monuments that honor early women pioneers in the United States.

The first memorial in West Virginia for those who died in the Vietnam War was put up in Wheeling in 1986.

Music and theater

Wheeling has a long history of live music and radio. The Capitol Theatre, the largest theatre in West Virginia, opened in 1928 and has had famous performers like Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Bob Dylan. The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra performs there.

The Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre has put on plays for over 35 years. The Victoria Theater, West Virginia’s oldest theater, once had the WWVA Jamboree, a long-running country music show.

Live music is also enjoyed at the Wheeling Heritage Port amphitheatre in the warmer months, where the park has many events and visitors.

Sports

Wheeling, called Nail City, has two main sports teams: the Wheeling Nailers hockey team and the Wheeling Miners football team. The Nailers play at the WesBanco Arena and are part of the ECHL. The Miners play in the National Arena League.

In the past, Wheeling had a team called the Wheeling Wildcats, but they stopped playing after 2009. High school football and soccer games are held at Wheeling Island Stadium. The city also hosts the basketball championship for the Mountain East Conference.

Parks and recreation

Wheeling has several beautiful parks for fun activities, including Oglebay Park and Wheeling Park. Oglebay Park has five golf courses, a swimming pool, the Oglebay Mansion, and more. It is also home to the Good Zoo, the only zoo in West Virginia approved by a top group of zoos and aquariums.

Wheeling also has a special place called the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, where people can watch greyhound races and play games. In 2007, the city opened its first concrete skateboard park, which was built by experts from Seattle, Washington. This park has bowls and street-style features and is open all day and night.

Government

Wheeling, West Virginia, uses a special way of running its city called the Manager-Mayor Plan. In this plan, people vote for a mayor who leads meetings of the City Council. The Council has six members, each from a different part of the city, and they serve for four years. The Council also picks leaders for groups that help make rules for planning, building, and traffic.

Right now, the mayor of Wheeling is Denny Magruder, and the city manager is Robert Herron. The City Council includes Tony Assarro, Ben Seidler, Connie Cain, Jerry Sklavounakis (who is the Vice-Mayor), Ty Thorngate, and Dave Palmer. Their terms started on July 1, 2024, after elections on May 14, 2024, and the next elections will be in 2028.

City flag

Wheeling’s current flag was chosen on September 4, 2018, to celebrate the city’s 250th anniversary. The flag has two blue stripes for Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River, with a white stripe in between. The three stripes stand for the three ways people traveled in Wheeling’s history: by river, road, and train. Five stars in the white stripe show five important times in the city’s past.

Education

Wheeling has many schools for children and adults. The public schools are run by the county. They include nine elementary schools, four middle schools, and one high school named Wheeling Park High School. There are also private schools such as Wheeling Central Catholic High School, Linsly School, and Wheeling Country Day School.

For higher education, Wheeling has several options. Wheeling University is a private university and the only Catholic college in West Virginia. West Virginia Northern Community College offers job training and community development. Nearby, West Liberty University and Bethany College provide additional choices for students.

Media

See also: List of newspapers in West Virginia, List of radio stations in West Virginia, and List of television stations in West Virginia

Wheeling is near Pittsburgh, so it shares many TV and radio stations. Local TV channels are WTRF-TV Channel 7, W30CO-D Channel 30, and WTOV-TV Channel 9 in nearby Steubenville, Ohio. Cable TV in Wheeling is provided by Comcast.

The city has several radio stations, such as WWVA 1170 AM, heard along the East Coast at night. Other local stations include WVLY 1370 AM, WKKX 1600 AM, WVKF 95.7 FM, WKWK 97.3 FM, WOVK 98.7 FM, and WEGW 107.5 FM. There is also a small station called WDUQ-LP, and a student-run station, WPHP 91.9, from Wheeling Park High School.

Wheeling has two main newspapers: The Intelligencer and the Wheeling News-Register, both owned by Ogden Newspapers Inc.. A nearby paper, The Times-Leader from Martins Ferry, Ohio, also covers local news. The magazine In Wheeling is published four times a year, and websites like Weelunk and Dateline: Wheeling offer more news about the city.

Transportation

Roads and bridges

Interstate 70 and Interstate 470 go through the city from east to west. They connect Wheeling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. U.S. Route 40 and the National Road link downtown with neighborhoods to the east. West Virginia 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 over the Ohio River. The old Wheeling Suspension Bridge, built in 1849, connects downtown and Wheeling Island but is closed for safety reasons.

Bus

You can take buses from Wheeling to many places in North America through Greyhound Lines. The bus terminal is called the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Transportation Center.

The East Ohio Authority and the Ohio Valley Regional Transit Authority share the Intermodal Transportation Center. They provide bus services through West Virginia and Eastern Ohio.

Wheeling had streetcars from the 1880s until 1943. Buses replaced them because they cost less to run.

Air

Small planes can land at the Wheeling Ohio County Airport. For airline flights, people usually go to Pittsburgh International Airport.

Popular culture

The song "Freekstyle" is set in Wheeling. Most of the movie The Gun on Second Street was filmed there too.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling, West Virginia, has been home to many famous people. Some of these people have done important work in sports, entertainment, and politics. The city is still a place where interesting and successful people live and grow.