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Wheeling!


Evergrey

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Since there's no West Virginia forum... I figured this would be the best place to post some photos of one of my favorite cities... since Pittsburghers would be more interested in Wheeling than anyone else. I know PGHUSA in particular is a huge fan of Wheeling. It's not in our metro... but it's darn close... only an hour away (I think commuter rail connecting Wheeling would be a marvelous idea).

Wheeling, West Virginia (city pop. 30k, metro 150k) is located in WV's slender northern panhandle, about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh. It is the hub of the Ohio Valley region of eastern Ohio and WV's northern panhandle. For such a small city, it offers a remarkable amount of attractions... from the first WV state capitol and independence hall, Capitol Music Hall (featuring Jamboree USA and the Wheeling Symphony), world-famous Oglebay Park and resort, WesBanco Arena (home of the Wheeling Nailers hockey team), historic Center Market and many historical and cultural attractions. Wheeling was an important "Gateway to the West" and is a key part of the story of America's growth and settlement. It was once a major manufacturing center, producing steel, glass, nails, tubing and countless other products. Unfortunately, Wheeling has suffered the malaise that has afflicted most of Appalachia in the past 50 years, seeing its economic base dwindle with little to replace it. The city now has less than half its peak population of about 70,000.

However, Wheeling has made efforts to revitalize, focusing on its many unique cultural attributes. The city has been designated a national heritage site and markets its enviable collection of Victorian-era architecture. If you're ever driving through WV's northern panhandle on I-70, I recommend taking the time to stop in Wheeling and soak in the ambiance of one of America's most fascinating small cities.

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Wheeling is a very dense and urban city... filled with beautiful rowhomes... some meticulously preserved... some in various states of decay.

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The city's topography is extremely hilly and rugged. The urban fabric snakes and winds around hills and rivers.

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The grand architecture tells the story of Wheeling's glorious past.

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These would command outrageous prices in most cities...

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Large sections are rundown and neglected, but Wheeling is a very safe and friendly city...hopefully gems like these can be saved

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WV's first capitol... before it moved to Charleston... the debates to seperate from the rebel state of Virginia and remain in the Union took place in Wheeling in the early 1860s

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Downtown Wheeling can appear a little ragged and gritty... and has more than its share of unfortunate 1960s-era re-cladding... but it is full of architectural gems... and most storefronts are occupied.

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Looking out over Wheeling Island... in the middle of the Ohio River... filled with gorgeous wood-frame Queen Annes and Second Empires.

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Wheeling Canyon

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Wheeling's transformed riverfront

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Wheeling Elegance

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The Center Market area is a vibrant shopping district

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International Fish Market

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Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

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downtown from Wheeling Island

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waterfront properties

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Wheeling Island housing

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South Wheeling

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Goodbye from Wheeling

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http://www.wheelingheritage.org

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One thing unique abotu Wheeling is that its America's northernmost Southern city. Drive on I-70 and you do kind of feel it. In PA, it feels northern (kind of). Then you get into the WV panhandle and its pretty southern. Then, once you cross into Ohio, its northern again. In fact, the PA, OH, WV tristate area is where the East, South, and Midwest come together.

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Wheeling is nice and it would be greater if the city and the Northern Panhandle (which isn't Southern - there is a distinct difference between the Northern Panhandle and the rest of the state - the the extreme eastern panhandle is also becoming DC Burbs and as such Northern as well) still had the capitol. As it stand, the panhandle gives to the state, but the Charleston sure doesn't like to give back.

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it seems impossible to discuss West Virginia without nitpicking whether it's southern, northern or midwestern... I saw a good north-south map (can't seem to find it right now)... that basically drew the line between north and south about midway through WV... I agree that Wheeling, Weirton, Morgantown, eastern panhandle, Clarksburg, etc are northern.. while Beckley, Bluefield, Princeton, etc are southern... Huntingdon/Charleston is the transition zone.

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^^Very fascinating pics, I had forgot that Wheeling was indeed the capital of WV originally. As different as Wheeling is, I contend that it is starting to orbit more and more around the successes and failures of the Pittsburgh region.

Great pics!

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