Wheeling Island Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Wheeling Island Historic District
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Wheeling Island, December 2006
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Stone, Front, North, Ontario, Erie and Wabash Sts., Wheeling, West Virginia |
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| Area | 370 acres (150 ha) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman, Italianate, Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000320 |
| Added to NRHP | April 2, 1992 |
The Wheeling Island Historic District is a special area located on Wheeling Island in Wheeling, West Virginia. It's like a big outdoor museum where many old buildings and places are protected because they are important to history. This district was officially recognized and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
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Exploring Wheeling Island's Historic District
This historic district covers about 370 acres. It includes over 1,100 buildings that tell stories from the past. Most of these are homes built in the mid-1800s to early 1900s. These houses show off different popular building styles from those times.
What Makes a Place Historic?
A "historic district" is a group of buildings, sites, or objects that are important because of their history, architecture, or culture. When a place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it means it's recognized as valuable to the nation's heritage. This helps protect these places for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
Architectural Styles You Can See
The homes and buildings in the Wheeling Island Historic District show off several cool architectural styles.
- Italianate: Imagine houses with tall, narrow windows and decorative brackets under the roof. They often look like Italian villas.
- Queen Anne: These houses are often colorful and have towers, turrets, and fancy porches. They look like something out of a fairy tale!
- Bungalow/Craftsman: These are usually smaller, cozy homes with wide porches and natural materials like wood and stone. They focus on handmade details.
- Colonial Revival: These homes look back to early American styles, often with grand entrances and symmetrical designs.
Famous Buildings and Bridges
Beyond the many homes, the district also includes some important public buildings and structures.
- The Exposition Building was built in 1924. It's a large building used for events and shows.
- The Thompson United Methodist Church was built between 1913 and 1915. It's a beautiful example of church architecture from that time.
- Madison School from 1916 shows how schools were designed in the early 20th century.
- A historic firehouse built in 1930-1931 is also part of the district.
Bridges Connecting the Island
Two important bridges are part of the district:
- The Bridgeport Bridge was built in 1893. It spans the Ohio River, connecting Wheeling Island to Bridgeport, Ohio.
- The Aetnaville Bridge from 1891 is another historic bridge. It also crosses the Ohio River.
Other Notable Spots
The district also includes fun places like "The Marina," where boats can dock. There's also the Wheeling Island Baseball Park, a place for sports. "Belle Island Park" is another spot for recreation and community activities.
Separately Listed Historic Places
Some parts of the Wheeling Island Historic District are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places all by themselves!
- The famous Wheeling Suspension Bridge is one of these. It's an iconic landmark.
- The Harry C. and Jessie F. Franzheim House is another significant home.
- The John McLure House is also individually recognized for its historical value.
These separate listings highlight just how rich in history Wheeling Island truly is.
