Can You Identify These 10 Wheeling Architectural Details?

“HS” Logo on Henry Schmulbach’s townhouse on Chapline St.

Location: 2311 Chapline St. (the logo is on the gate)

Henry Schmulbach, the founder of Schmulbach Brewing Co. and president of the German Bank (now WesBanco), owned this townhouse around the turn of the century and it still boasts his iconic “HS” emblem.

Architectural detail on Vigilant Firehouse in North Wheeling

Location: 650 Main St.

The Firehouse was home to the Truck Co. No. 1 and Engine Co. No. 2 since the 1890s. The Firehouse closed in 1976 and moved its operation a block south on Main Street.

Letters on the Mail Pouch “ghost sign” in South Wheeling

Location: 3900 Water St.

Mail Pouch Tobacco was a popular product sold by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco company, headquartered in Wheeling. Throughout the 20th century, advertisements like this were painted on barns across dozens of states.

Guttae on the Blue Church

Location: Byron and 12th Street, East Wheeling

As an element from the doric order of classical architecture, these “lego-like” details are found when pedestrians take the time to look up. The Blue Church is an 1837 Greek Revival structure and was originally home to the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.

“CF” Logo on the Centre Foundry factory in Warwood

Location: 72 Warwood Avenue

In 1881, Centre Foundry & Machine Company became the first incorporated business in Ohio County. Existing under various names since 1840, the nail and steel business fit in well in the “Nail City.”

A livestock head in Centre Market

Location: The lower market house, near the door

Centre Market was built in 1853 and these figural details remind visitors of the market’s original use as a center for wholesale produce, meats, and other goods.  Look closely by the door and find one of several livestock heads.

“Wheeling, VA” on the Artisan Center building

Location: 1400 Main St.

Sometimes, instead of looking up, you actually have to look down! Even though West Virginia has been its own state for over 150 years, there are still traces of when Wheeling was part of Virginia.

Close up on one of the letters on the Victoria Theater marquee

Location: 1228 Market St.

Opening in 1904, Victoria Theater is the oldest operating theater in the state of West Virginia. It is a Victorian style theater with some Beaux-Arts design elements.

Flood Wall Arch on Wheeling Island

Location: Corner of Virginia St. and South Penn St. on Wheeling Island

The flood wall on Wheeling Island has documented the water level of each flood since the early 20th century. The original numbers were painted in 1979, but were repainted in 2014 when the wall was recreated into a park. The other side of the wall commemorates the local businesses that once stood in the area.

Close up on Madonna of the Trail

Location: Wheeling Park on National Road

The Madonna of the Trail statue is part of a series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women that are placed along the National Road from Maryland to California in the early 20th century.