Wheeling!

[Evergrey]

I had posted these in the Pittsburgh forum months before the WV forum was created (since it's only an hour from PGH).

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.

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

WV's first capitol; where the 1860 debates to secede from Virginia were held

home of the Wheeling Symphony and Jamboree USA

looking at the Wheeling Island neighborhood from downtown...

heading towards Centre Market area

Victorian Olde Towne

Victorian Olde Towne

[SimCity]

These are fascinating pictures. Wheeling has some interesting, old architecture. It's hard to believe that the city only has 30,000 residents. You can tell from the pictures that the population should be much bigger.

[pompusmaximus]

Wow, I have neither been to or even heard of this place but it seems to have a TON of potential.

[Oherian]

Thank you for posting these! Wheeling is a lovely town, and I can't wait to visit there again.

[gs3]

This is a great photo thread!

I've only been through Wheeling once....several years ago. Didn't have time to really stop. My impression was a little depressing. Obviously through your photos I can see the city has LOTS to work with!! Great looking place!! Hope the future is bright for Wheeling.

[RestedTraveler]

This is one AWESOME photo tour of Wheeling. In just looking at the architectural gems in these photos, the amount of potential in Wheeling (I dare say) far surpasses that of both Charleston and Huntington combined.

The population is only around 30,000 now, but between 1920 and 1960, there were twice as many people living there. Wheeling was at one time a bustling steel-producing city, much like Pittsburgh. And, during Wheeling served as State Capitol for West Virginia twice during the 1800s ... a little known fact.

[mjcatl2]

Yeah and now the Northern panhandle is just a place to get raped by Charleston. Charleston is more than happy to take the tax money from Wheeling and Weirton, they don't like to support the panhandle