Timeline of Wheeling, West Virginia facts for kids

Wheeling, West Virginia, has a long and interesting history! This page will take you through some of the most important moments in the city's past, from its founding to more recent times. You'll learn about how Wheeling grew, the challenges it faced, and its role in the history of West Virginia.

The Early Days: 1700s

• 1769 – A man named Ebenezer Zane founded the settlement that would become Wheeling.
• 1774 – Fort Fincastle, an important fort, was built here.
• 1777 – September: The fort faced a big attack, known as the Siege of Fort Henry, by many Native American warriors.
• 1782 – September: Another attempt was made to attack the fort by British soldiers and Native Americans.
• 1793 – The town's streets and blocks were planned out.
• 1795 – Wheeling officially became an incorporated town. This meant it had its own local government.
• 1797 – Wheeling became the main town, or "county seat," for Ohio County.
• 1798 – A large house called Shepherd Hall was built.

Growing Up: The 1800s

• 1806 – George Miller became the town's first mayor.
• 1807 – The Wheeling Library Company was started, giving people a place to read.
• 1814 – Linsly Institute, a school for boys, was founded.
• 1817 – The Elm Grove Stone Arch Bridge was built.
• 1818
  • The National Road, a major highway, began operating through Wheeling.
  • The Va. North-Western Gazette newspaper started being published.
• 1821 – Factories began making glass in Wheeling.
• 1834 – The Wheeling Water Works was created to provide water to the city.
• 1836
  • Wheeling officially became a chartered city.
  • Moses W. Chapline became the city's mayor.
• 1840 – The city's population grew to 7,885 people.
• 1848 – The Wheeling Female Academy and the Wheeling Lyceum (a place for learning and discussions) were established.
• 1849
  • The famous Wheeling Suspension Bridge opened, connecting the city across the river.
  • Factories started making nails.
• 1850
  • The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling was created for the Catholic community.
  • The population reached 11,435 people.
• 1852 – The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line was built, bringing trains to Wheeling.
• 1853
  • Wheeling Hospital opened to care for the sick.
  • The Iron Market House began operating as a busy marketplace.
• 1859 – The Wheeling Library Association was formed to support the library.
• 1860 – The population grew to 14,083 people.
• 1861
  • January: Andrew J. Sweeney became mayor.
  • May: The First Wheeling Convention was held. This was an important meeting about the future of Virginia during the Civil War.
  • June: The Second Wheeling Convention was held, leading to the creation of West Virginia.
• 1863
  • June 20
    • Wheeling became the first capital city of the new state of West Virginia.
    • The West Virginia Legislature, the state's law-making body, met for the first time.
  • The Daily Register newspaper began publication.
• 1865 – St. Joseph's Academy, a school for girls, was established.
• 1866 – Greenwood Cemetery was established.
• 1870
  • The capital of West Virginia moved from Wheeling to Charleston.
  • The population reached 19,280 people.
• 1875 – Wheeling became the capital of West Virginia again for a short time.
• 1879 – The Bloch Brothers company started its business.
• 1880 – The population grew to 30,737 people.
• 1882 – The Wheeling Public Library was officially established.
• 1883 – The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated to honor military members.
• 1884 – A major flood happened on the Ohio River.
• 1885 – The capital of West Virginia moved back to Charleston for good.
• 1890
  • The City Hospital was established.
  • The population reached 34,522 people.
• 1897 – The Cathedral Parish School was built.
• 1898 – March 26: Another Ohio River flood occurred.
• 1900 – The population reached 38,878 people.

The Modern Era: 1900s

• 1904 – The Victoria Theater opened, offering entertainment.
• 1907 – March 15: The Ohio River flooded again.
• 1910 – The population reached 41,641 people.
• 1913 – March 28: Another Ohio River flood.
• 1915 – The Rex Theater opened.
• 1917 – The Liberty Theatre opened.
• 1922 – The Lincoln Theater opened.
• 1926
  • WWVA radio began broadcasting, bringing music and news to homes.
  • The Wheeling Area Historical Society was founded to preserve local history.
• 1928
  • Oglebay Park, a large public park, was established.
  • The Madonna of the Trail monument was dedicated.
  • The Capitol Theatre opened for shows and movies.
• 1929 – Wheeling Country Day School was officially started.
• 1930 – The Oglebay Institute was established to promote education and culture.
• 1933 – The Ohio County Public Library became active.
• 1935 – The Wheeling News-Register newspaper began publication.
• 1936
  • March 19: The Ohio River flooded again.
  • Wheeling celebrated its 100th birthday as a city.
• 1937 – January 26: A very large flood, known as the Ohio River flood of 1937, affected the city.
• 1942 – December 21: Another Ohio River flood.
• 1950 – February 9: Senator Joseph R. McCarthy gave a famous political speech in Wheeling.
• 1952 – October 23: US President Truman visited Wheeling during his election campaign.
• 1953 – WTRF-TV (television) began broadcasting, bringing TV to the area.
• 1955 – The Fort Henry Bridge opened, and Wheeling College (now Wheeling University) opened its doors.
• 1970 – The Wheeling Area Genealogical Society was founded to help people research their family history.
• 1976 – Wheeling Park High School was established.
• 1977 – Oglebay's Good Zoo opened at Oglebay Park.
• 1983 – Alan Mollohan became the U.S. representative for Wheeling's area in Congress.

Wheeling Today: 2000s

• 2008 – Andy McKenzie became the mayor of Wheeling.
• 2010 – The city's population was 28,486, and the wider metro area had 147,950 people.
• 2011 – David McKinley became the U.S. representative for Wheeling's area.
• 2016 – Glenn Elliott was elected mayor.