Last updated: December 30, 2021
Place
Wheeling, West Virginia
"Wheeling, West Virginia - Wheeling Bridges" by Ryan Stanton is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Quick Facts
Location:
Wheeling, WV
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The town of Wheeling, West Virginia, was first founded in 1769 by Colonel Ebenezer Zane. After Fort Henry was established in 1774 by Captain Crawford from Fort Dunmore, West Virginia, the town continued to grow around the military installation. It wasn’t until 1795, however, that it was finally established as a formal town.
When the Meriwether Lewis passed through the area in September of 1803, he described Wheeling as:
"...a pretty considerable Village [that] contains about fifty houses and is the county town of Ohio (State of Virginia); It is situated on the east side of the river on an elivated bank; the landing is good, just below the town and on the same side big Wheeling creek emtys itself into the Ohio, on the point formed by this creek and the river stands an old stoccade fort, now gone to decay; this town is remarkable for being the point of embarkation for merchants and Emegrants who are about to descend the river, particularly if they are late in getting on and the water gets low as it most commonly is from the begining of July to the last of September; the water from hence being much deeper and the navigation better than it is from Pittsburgh or any point above it—I went on shore waited on a Mr. Caldwell a merchant of that place to whome I had consigned a part of my goods which I had sent by land from Pittsburgh; found the articles in good order; her[e] met with Colo. Rodney one of the commissioners appointed by the government to adjust the landed claims in the Mississippi Territory. in his suit was Majr Claiborne and a young gentleman who was going on to the Territory with a view to commence the practice of the law. he is a pupil of Czar Rodney of Deleware remained all night.”
Lewis stayed in Wheeling for two nights, allowing his men some time to refit the boats. He purchased a pirogue and some other supplies. He nearly recruited a local physician for the expedition, Dr. William Patterson. However, Dr. Patterson did not make it to the boat by the 3:00 PM time of departure on September 9, and the expedition continued downriver.
Today, Wheeling is considered the birthplace of West Virginia and was named a National Heritage Area in 1996. The town boasts many recreational activities, including a 3,200-acre municipal park, a zoo, and Wheeling’s Heritage Trail System consisting of an 18-mile network of biking and walking trails. Home to a certified arts community, Wheeling is also home to the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, the historic Capitol Theatre, and the Stifel Fine Arts Center. Several museums are also located throughout the city, including the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum, the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum, the Oglebay Institute Glass Museum, and the Children’s Museum of the Ohio Valley.