Wheeling, once a prominent city in Virginia and later West Virginia, now faces enduring challenges. Despite landmarks like Centre Market, West Virginia Independence Hall, and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, there’s a sense of something missing.
Wheeling, once a prominent city in Virginia and later West Virginia, now faces enduring challenges. Despite landmarks like Centre Market, West Virginia Independence Hall, and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, there’s a sense of something missing.
Population decline is evident, dropping from over 61,000 seventy years ago to just under 29,000 today. The downtown, though historic, lacks vibrancy, with few open businesses and pedestrians.
Yet, I appreciate Wheeling for its gritty charm. It boasts remarkable historic structures, like Italianate row houses and brick buildings dominating the skyline. Despite neglect in some areas, it maintains well-kept side streets and a friendly atmosphere, earning it the nickname “The Friendly City.” There’s also a growing rail-to-trail network and park system.
During a recent visit, we encountered the Jefferson School, a former school building repurposed for businesses. However, the interior revealed neglect, reflecting a broader issue of neglecting historic properties.
Exploring further, we stumbled upon the Reymann Brewing Company, a long-abandoned brewery. It became clear from the deterioration and condition of the various floors that this factory was sealed off from the top down. The first floor had paperwork and materials dating to the late 1980s, and the stairwell leading up to the second floor featured a floor door locked and barricaded at one point. Another set of steps led downward into stone cellars, although flooded and inaccessible. The second floor was devoid of much of anything interesting, sans a stack of blueprints, various doors, and a crude pinball machine. The third floor, which was also sealed at one point in the staircase, featured various sizable rooms built into the hillside that had obviously been abandoned for over thirty years.
However, our journey wasn’t complete without a visit to the impressive Schmulbach Brewery, once an integral part of the city’s rich German heritage. The Schmulbach Brewing Company was forced to close in July 1914 after the state passed Yost’s Law. During World War II, the caves and cellars that extended from the former brewery were once considered the site of an air-raid shelter for the city. In 1978, Miller Brewing Company considered reusing the building. Today, the complex is used for storage and light industrial uses.
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Add Yours →Building at base of hill was once housed a glass business in the 60's and 70's. It was on a road that once served as a route from Wheeling College area to downtown before the tunnel opened. I can't remember the names of business or road as it has been too many years since I lived in Wheeling. Original bridge over adjacent Wheeling Creek was one lane at one time.
Loved your photos. If only there was a market for lofts in Wheeling, these buildings would be ideal for that.
Ah, looking at your blog, you were the one who made the post at Skyscraper Page. I am wanting to come up next weekend (August 6) to photograph more of this neighborhood. Explored much of Wheeling – this is devastating news.