HILLS AND HOLLOWS: Raising a Pint to West Virginia’s Moonshine Heritage Kyle Knox July 31, 2020 In the deep woods, along the cool creek (pronounced crick), the moon rises over the sugar maples, locusts, elms and sycamores of West Virginia and bounces off the copper twisting tubes of a still. That’s when a...
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: Disaster on the Ohio on July 4, 1882 Taylor Abbott July 20, 2020 On July 4th, 1882, the steamboat Scioto would make its final journey down the Ohio River. Taylor Abbott, a descendant of the boat's captain, tells the story of the disaster that would grip the nation.
Bottled Treasure: Discovery Leads to Investigation Alex Warren July 14, 2020 The Stratford Springs Bottling Company may have been closed for over 50 years, but their glass bottles can still be found. One Wheeling family discovered a massive collection in their own backyard.
April 1865: A Burst of Historic Events Barb Pirhalla July 13, 2020 April 1865, was a month long remembered in history. Richmond, Virginia, fell; April 9, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. U.S. Grant; April 15, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated; April 26, John Wil...
Talking With Elders: ‘The Closest Thing to Time Travel’ Phyllis Sigal July 7, 2020 We can learn a lot from our elders; that’s something we’ve always heard. Wheeling Park High School social studies teacher Ryan Stanton decided to put that into practice with his students during the pandemic....
Wheeling’s Twentieth Man: 250 Years of Race Relations in the Northernmost Southern City of the Southernmost Northern State Seán Duffy July 6, 2020 Writer’s note: It's 2020, and we find ourselves still fighting the same injustices that a prior generation fought more than half a century ago. Why? If we really knew our history, we might understand. But...
McCarthy-Wheeling Connection Explored in a New Book Stacey Miller Sacco July 4, 2020 On Feb. 9, 1950, Sen. Joseph McCarthy arrived in Wheeling to give a speech at the annual Republican Lincoln Day Dinner celebration at the McLure Hotel. But which speech? He had two in hand that day.&nb...
Mount Wood Overlook: A Community Treasure Ellen Brafford McCroskey July 3, 2020 If you have driven up Mount Wood Road to bypass the recent interstate construction project, you’ve likely noticed the unique property. It appears to be the foundation of a castle-like structure, mysteriously le...
Time Travel From Home With Historic Postcards Alex Warren June 30, 2020 Summer usually means beach vacations and traveling to exciting new destinations. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has been drastically affected. While it may not be advisable to fly off to far-away...
Wheeling Heritage Trail: From Railroad to Walking Trail Alex Warren June 26, 2020 Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, getting out of the house for fresh air has become a necessity and, of course, Wheeling Heritage Trail has become a popular spot for walking, running and biking. This newfound p...
The West Virginia Snakes Club and its Historic Location Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 24, 2020 First of all, where in the world did the name “West Virginia Snakes Club” come from? And is “Snake” singular or plural? Although most people today refer to it as the Snake Club, the sign on the building at 923 ...
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: A Tale of Two Capitals Taylor Abbott June 20, 2020 Editor's note: Throughout Wheeling's history, one aspect has remained a constant — the Ohio River. From the birthplace of the first western-style steamboat to laying claim to the Ohio River's first suspension b...
American Legion Post 89 Making Community Proud NIck Musgrave June 7, 2020 Editor’s note: This week, Weelunk will pause our normally scheduled programming to highlight stories that feature Black narratives. We have chosen to take this time to amplify those voices that are so often sil...
We Wish You a ’70s Christmas Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 6, 2020 Editor’s note: This week, Weelunk will pause our normally scheduled programming to highlight stories that feature Black narratives. We have chosen to take this time to amplify those voices that are so often sil...
Wheeling Steel’s Roots Still Run Deep in the Ohio Valley Ellen Brafford McCroskey June 1, 2020 Wheeling Steel opened in 1921 & during its time in Wheeling, WV its name changed several times leaving a history that runs deep throughout the OH valley.
Female Rollers: The Great Depression and the Infiltration of Women in Production Alex Warren May 29, 2020 The Great Depression (1929-1941) is commonly thought of as a time of doom and gloom, with high unemployment, reduced wages and “Hoovervilles” (crude houses built on the outskirts of a city typically populated b...
Wheeling’s Doughboy: A Monument to Peace in Remembrance of Conflict NIck Musgrave May 25, 2020 For nearly 90 years a silent guardian has kept watch over Wheeling Park. Originally dedicated on Memorial Day of 1931, Wheeling’s Doughboy statue has withstood weathering and vandalism to remain an enduring mon...
Victory Gardens: Then and Now Laura Jackson Roberts May 18, 2020 There’s nothing new about the idea of victory gardens in the United States. Since World War I, Americans have taken it upon themselves during times of crisis to manage their own food supply. This monumental eff...
Wheeling’s Women Are Slam Dunks Stacey Miller Sacco May 4, 2020 Wheeling loves sports. This is evident by the high participation in every Ohio Valley Athletic Conference event. You know it when you see the hundreds of people who come to Wheeling for Super Six weekend or Bea...
Wheeling on the Forefront: Fighting Fires for Over 200 Years Alex Warren April 29, 2020 Essential. Lifesaving. Game-changers. First responders and emergency preparation in Wheeling date back to the city’s founding, and their significance to our current society is undeniable. Specifically,...
The Alpha: Ye Olde Memories Phyllis Sigal April 14, 2020 At Weelunk, we’re all about keeping you connected to your community. Because that looks a little different right now, we’re bringing you ways to engage while staying safe and healthy. We hope Weelunk can contin...
Wheeling’s Pets Then and Now Betsy Sweeny April 11, 2020 Editor's note: At Weelunk, we’re all about keeping you connected to your community. Because that looks a little different right now, we’re bringing you ways to engage while staying safe and healthy. We hope Wee...
WOMEN IN HISTORY: These Wheeling Women Made Music History Stacey Miller Sacco March 31, 2020 Throughout March — Women’s History Month — Weelunk will feature stories about women who have made history and women who are making history. Read our other Women in History features. Music lovers in Wheeling ...
WOMEN IN HISTORY: A Nun’s Life — Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Nora Edinger March 24, 2020 Editor’s note: Of all the forms of spirituality practiced in Wheeling, perhaps the least understood is that of the various orders of nuns who have served in the city since the 1840s. The Sisters of St. Joseph, ...
WOMEN IN HISTORY: Wheeling Nurses Share Tales From Their Military Days Kelly Strautmann March 17, 2020 Editor's note: Throughout March — Women's History Month — Weelunk will feature stories about women who have made history and women who are making history. Two women, born and raised in Wheeling, West Virgini...
Radical Ratification: Wheeling’s Role in the 19th Amendment Kelly Strautmann March 10, 2020 The right to vote is something many of us may take for granted — until it is time to get to the polls. And 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. One hundred years ago today, Ma...
South Wheeling Historic District Listed on National Register of Historic Places Wheeling Heritage Media March 9, 2020 South Wheeling was added to the National Register of Historic Places last week as a historic district. The new district — which includes more than 200 historic properties — joins the ranks among others in Wheel...
WOMEN IN HISTORY: Wheeling Women Rewrite History Books Christina Fisanick March 6, 2020 Editor's note: Throughout March — Women's History Month — Weelunk will feature stories about women who have made history and women who are making history. “Libraries are full of ideas — perhaps the most dang...
HIDDEN GEMS: Inner Sanctums of Peace, History and Beauty Nora Edinger February 18, 2020 Editor’s note: This is the second in an ongoing series of stories about beautiful spaces in Wheeling that are rarely seen. Today’s post features two tiny chapels, one located inside the city’s oldest standing c...
Third Generation Campeti Puts Heart Into Soles Phyllis Sigal February 11, 2020 "I can fix about anything.” That’s Joe Campeti talking — the third generation of artisans repairing shoes since 1904 — at Campeti’s General Shoe Hospital. Anything. Ladies’ high heels. Men’s western b...
AS I SEE IT: Along Party Lines Ellen Brafford McCroskey February 1, 2020 There were two types of girls in the ’70s — those who had their very own telephones in their bedrooms, and those who did not. Some incredibly fortunate girls even had a private “children’s line” with a separate...
Out of the Ashes: Wheeling’s Ziegenfelder Company Stronger Than Ever Kelly Strautmann January 31, 2020 January 31, 2019. It was a bitterly cold winter day, with highs reaching only 11 degrees. Most people in Wheeling were rushing here and there to get out of the frigid cold on that Thursday morning, but soon ...
DOWNTOWN LIVING: The Writing on the Wall at Boury Lofts Was a Good Sign Phyllis Sigal January 29, 2020 Editor’s note: While downtown Wheeling living has always been a thing, it seems as if there are more apartments than ever. With the refurbishment of the Boury Lofts, the Stone Center and the Flat Iron Building,...
Wheeling Around: The Rise and Fall of the Historic Island Roller Rink Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 22, 2020 Writer’s Note: In recent years, the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack used the former Wheeling Roller Rink as a storage facility. On Dec. 31, the building and its contents were lost to a devastating accide...
BILL HOGAN’S MUSINGS: The Alpha and the Omega Bill Hogan January 18, 2020 Share your memories of Ye Olde Alpha with Weelunk.
Alpha Moose on the Move Phyllis Sigal January 15, 2020 The trickiest part was getting the two huge moose heads out of the door. But long-time Ye Olde Alpha cooks Trevor Kropp and Dan Dokes, who were tasked with the job, succeeded. Getting most of the three do...
Held Together by Stories: A Special Lunch With Books Remembers OVMC Kelly Strautmann January 11, 2020 I was born there. I graduated from there. My children were born there. These statements were heard more than once at Tuesday's Lunch with Books — “OVGH & OVMC Memories” — at the Ohio County Library. ...
The History of the West Virginia Hot Dog Laura Jackson Roberts January 10, 2020 I just ate my first West Virginia Hot Dog yesterday down at Tito’s Sloppy Doggs. In the past, my relationship with the hot dog was wishy-washy. A good hot dog is an amazing thing, but a bad one is enough to tur...
DOWNTOWN LIVING: Church Bells Get Her to Work on Time Phyllis Sigal January 8, 2020 Editor’s note: While downtown Wheeling living has always been a thing, it seems as if there are more apartments than ever. With the refurbishment of the Boury Lofts, the Stone Center and the Flat Iron Building,...
EXTREME ELEVATORS: Wheeling Has Its Ups and Downs (Part 2) Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 7, 2020 Editor's note: Gone are the days when elevator operators called out "Going up," but some interesting elevators still exist in Wheeling with fascinating features. In Part 1, we learned a little history and read ...
EXTREME ELEVATORS: Wheeling Has Its Ups and Downs (Part 1) Ellen Brafford McCroskey January 6, 2020 Editor's note: Gone are the days when elevator operators called out "Going up," but some interesting elevators exist in Wheeling with fascinating features and histories. Today's Part 1 of "Extreme Elevators" ta...
OLD CHURCHES, NEW LIFE (Part 2): Buildings Are Real Gems Alex Panas December 31, 2019 Writer's note: When thinking of Wheeling’s scenery, it’s hard to turn a corner without marveling at one of the city’s many churches. Whether it’s the architecture, history or fellowship that draws you in, the b...
OLD CHURCHES, NEW LIFE (Part 1): Framed for the Arts Alex Panas December 30, 2019 Writer's note: When thinking of Wheeling’s scenery, it’s hard to turn a corner without marveling at one of the city’s many churches. Whether it’s the architecture, history or fellowship that draws you in, the b...
ROBERTS RUMINATES: Traditions, Toilets and Trickery Laura Jackson Roberts December 25, 2019 No matter what holiday we celebrate, our yearly traditions anchor us. They keep us grounded in times of joy and chaos, both of which flow abundantly in December. Christmas traditions in my family never varie...
‘Close-Knit’ Family Continues Haddad’s Holiday Tradition Phyllis Sigal December 24, 2019 Susan Haddad didn’t realize how “close-knit” her family was — until last year when she discovered that a decades-long Christmas tradition was still afoot. It all started in the summer of ’57 when 11-year-old...
HIDDEN GEMS: A Tale of Two Chapels Nora Edinger December 23, 2019 Editor’s note: Today’s post on two gem-like chapels launches a new occasional series on lovely but lesser-known facets of Wheeling’s architectural heritage. You’ve driven past them. One tiny chapel on Nation...
Cold Hands, Warm Heart: Park Manager Loves His Work Nora Edinger December 20, 2019 Sometimes it takes a village. Other times, one guy will pretty much do. The latter seems to be the case with Nat Goudy, manager of Wheeling Park. Sure, he has plenty of staff as back up. But having started h...
B.E. Taylor Christmas Star Shines On Betsy Bethel-McFarland December 18, 2019 The first time I talked to B.E. Taylor, I was a young reporter at The Times Leader. I was assigned to preview the upcoming B.E. Taylor Christmas show at The Capitol Theatre in Wheeling by my boss Phyllis Sigal,...
Wrapping Up Ho-Ho-Home for the Holidays Nora Edinger December 16, 2019 Editor's note: Weelunk updates a story we shared four years ago about a business that ships various tastes of Wheeling that are near and dear to natives' hearts (and stomachs). Some traditions never grow old, a...
At Rest: OVMC Nurse-Training Skeleton Memorialized Nora Edinger November 20, 2019 Editor’s note: In late October, Weelunk posted a story by Kelly Strautmann that gave an in-depth look at how this community-sponsored burial came to be. Click here for the back story. No one knows her name, ...
