WTRF-TV is a television station licensed to Wheeling, West Virginia that serves the Wheeling, WV and Steubenville, OH media market. It first began broadcasting on October 24, 1953 as an NBC affiliate before switching to CBS in January 1980. WTRF-TV was originally owned by Tri-City Broadcasting Corporation, which also owned WTRF radio stations in the area. Over the years, ownership changed hands several times with companies like Forward Communications, Wesray Capital, Adams Communications, and Benedek Broadcasting. In 2002, West Virginia Media Holdings acquired WTRF-TV. In 2007, WTRF-TV launched a Fox subchannel which later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate in 2014 when Fox moved to another station. In 2008, WTRF-TV added a subchannel to become the first full-time ABC affiliate in the region. In 2015, Nexstar Media Group announced plans to acquire WTRF-TV and completed the purchase in 2017. Today, WTRF-TV broadcasts local news and network programming from CBS, MyNetworkTV, and ABC on its main channel and subchannels. (https://tinyurl.com/fvtux543) (https://tinyurl.com/ym98zr6a) (https://tinyurl.com/4ue3fdk8) (https://tinyurl.com/59syzdv6)
Today in Wheeling History: October 24--WTRF-TV went on the air, becoming the first television station in Wheeling (1953).
WTRF-TV is a television station licensed to Wheeling, West Virginia that serves the Wheeling, WV and Steubenville, OH media market. It first began broadcasting on October 24, 1953 as an NBC affiliate before switching to CBS in January 1980. WTRF-TV was originally owned by Tri-City Broadcasting Corporation, which also owned WTRF radio stations in the area. Over the years, ownership changed hands several times with companies like Forward Communications, Wesray Capital, Adams Communications, and Benedek Broadcasting. In 2002, West Virginia Media Holdings acquired WTRF-TV. In 2007, WTRF-TV launched a Fox subchannel which later became a MyNetworkTV affiliate in 2014 when Fox moved to another station. In 2008, WTRF-TV added a subchannel to become the first full-time ABC affiliate in the region. In 2015, Nexstar Media Group announced plans to acquire WTRF-TV and completed the purchase in 2017. Today, WTRF-TV broadcasts local news and network programming from CBS, MyNetworkTV, and ABC on its main channel and subchannels. (https://tinyurl.com/fvtux543) (https://tinyurl.com/ym98zr6a) (https://tinyurl.com/4ue3fdk8) (https://tinyurl.com/59syzdv6)
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October 24th, 1770: Virginia Explorer George Washington Travels the Ohio River Near Wheeling10/24/2023 Today in Wheeling History: October 24th--Virginia explorer George Washington travels on the Ohio River by present-day Wheeling (1770).
George Washington wrote: "Wednesday, 24th. We left our encampment [near Glenn's Run, north of present-day Wheeling] before sunrise, and about six miles below it we came to the mouth a pretty smart creek coming into the eastward called by the Indians Split Island Creek, from its running in against an island...below this again we came to another creek, called by Nicholson, Weeling..." It appears that Washington's group journeyed along the western channel of the Ohio River, passing Wheeling Island. The initial creek they encountered is presently identified as Wheeling Creek in Ohio, while the second one, initially named Scalp Creek, is now referred to as Big Wheeling Creek in West Virginia. (https://rb.gy/szoqw) Today in Wheeling History: October 23rd--Virginia explorer George Washington made camp on the Ohio River near Wheeling (1770).
Historians speculate that, according to this journal entry, George Washington set up camp on an island in a river close to the convergence of a small creek, which later came to be called Glenn's Run, in what would eventually become the town of Warwood. Washington wrote: “About three miles, or a little more below this, at the lower point on some islands, which stand contiguous to each other, we were told by the Indians, that three men from Virginia [possibly Silas, Ebenezer, and Jonathan Zane] had marked the land from hence all the way to Red-stone; that there was a body of exceedingly fine land lying about this place, and up opposite to the Mingo Town, as also down to the Mouth of Fishing Creek [Fish Creek near New Martinsville]. At this place we camped.” The island where Washington is believed to have camped was a part of the Pike Island Sister Islands or Twin Islands. The southernmost island, where he likely stayed, would later become the temporary location (1905-1907) of an amusement park named “Coney Island.” (https://rb.gy/szoqw) Today in Wheeling History: October 23--Over 2,000 people attend Wheeling College's dedication ceremony (1955).
On October 23, 1955, over 2,000 people gathered to celebrate the formal dedication of Wheeling College. The festivities began with a Solemn High Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral, followed by a colorful procession from Swint Hall to Donahue Hall, where the dedication took place. Archbishop John J. Swint and Father William F. Maloney, S.J., of the Provincial of Maryland Province, were among the speakers at the ceremony. (https://tinyurl.com/bdfbutyv) (https://tinyurl.com/mry49ndp) (https://tinyurl.com/yz4rv5wh) Today in Wheeling History: October 22--Charles W. Franzheim, a prominent Wheeling business person, died (1912).
Charles W. Franzheim passed away in 1912 at his home at Echo Point in Wheeling, West Virginia at the age of 60. He graduated from Bethany College in 1872. However, Franzheim spent most of his career in the pottery business. He served as president and general manager of the Wheeling Pottery Company, Warwick Pottery Company, and Riverside Pottery Company. He was also involved with the Colonial Supply Company, German Bank, Franklin Insurance Company, and Mutual Savings Bank, holding leadership positions such as vice president and trustee. (https://tinyurl.com/mrxanzt4) (https://tinyurl.com/z5us6zyx) (https://tinyurl.com/5v3r2xwp) Today in Wheeling History: October 21—Wheeling celebrates Columbian Day with a parade and speeches (1892).
On October 21, 1892, The Columbian Day parade started at 2:00 pm from Fourteenth and Market streets. Work was still underway the day before to build floats and arches for the parade. Costumes and fireworks arrived on schedule. Orators and guests have been selected. The chief marshal, J.A. Miller, and division marshals met the night before to plan details. Miller planned to set up headquarters at the library. Groups planned to gather at assigned streets to join the parade. There was concern about getting floats down the hilly streets but they still attempted it. The parade order and groups are described in detail, including bands, military groups, schools, societies, political clubs, trades groups, and more. Specific groups named include the Linsly Cadets, Companies F & G of the WV National Guard, patriotic societies, Cathedral Young Men's Society, glass workers and railroad workers. Marshals leading each division are named, such as George S. Feeney, W.H. Travis, B. Bach, H.B. Baguley, W.T. Otto, Frank Gruse, Hugh Sterling, and M.A. Shrebe. The route involves several streets including Fourteenth, Market, Main, Eleventh, Twelfth. Originally they considered alternate routes to avoid the steep Main Street hill but decided to take the risk. The Columbian Day parades, held on October 21, 1892, in many U.S. cities, commemorated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Part of the dedication ceremonies for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the parades, though preceding the fair's official opening on May 1, 1893, honored Columbus's legacy. These celebrations served as a patriotic and diverse display, bringing together millions of Americans from various backgrounds to celebrate their common identity. The parades also showcased the progress and innovations of the late nineteenth century, reflecting a nation recovering from the Civil War and expressing its aspirations for exploration, discovery, and expansion. Celebrating Columbus Day in recent years has become a contentious issue due to increased awareness of Christopher Columbus's atrocities against indigenous peoples. Many find celebrating the day insensitive, leading some states and cities to replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day, honoring Native American contributions. (https://tinyurl.com/yeyt6kn4) (https://tinyurl.com/3fv7wphc) (https://tinyurl.com/5a7yz6hk) Today in Wheeling History: October 20--The first official crossing of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge took place when Charles Ellet, Jr., the civil engineer who designed and supervised construction of the bridge, drove a carriage over its entire length (1849).
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River was completed on October 20, 1849. That same day, the bridge's architect Charles Ellet Jr. made the first official crossing by riding a horse and buggy across the entire span. Large crowds gathered on both sides of the river to witness the event. As Ellet drove the vehicle steadily across the bridge, he was saluted with cannon fire and cheers from the admiring spectators. When he reached the opposite shore, he was greeted with more huzzahs for successfully completing the daring feat. The successful crossing of architect Ellet marked the completion of the bridge that would connect Wheeling, Virginia and Wheeling Island over the Ohio River. (https://tinyurl.com/mrn2hft5) (https://tinyurl.com/3z2uuj7a) (https://tinyurl.com/48ew9z2d) (https://tinyurl.com/4t94esmp) Today in Wheeling History: October 19--First Christian Church, located at 2112 Market Street in Wheeling, was dedicated (1913).
The First Christian Church of Wheeling traces its origins to 1832, when the first congregation met in private homes. After meeting in various locations over the years, they built their first dedicated church building at 21st and Market Streets in 1855. In 1897 they established a second location on Wheeling Island, but this closed in 1900. They purchased their current property at 2112 Market Street in 1875 and constructed the present edifice there in 1913. The architect is unknown. This building operated as their main church until 1973, when they moved to a new facility on National Road. The 1913 building on Market Street was sold to the Eagles Aerie No. 344 in 1973, though the congregation took four stained glass windows with them. The building later housed the Living Word Church. Overall, the First Christian Church of Wheeling operated for over 140 years at 2112 Market Street before relocating in the 1970s. (https://tinyurl.com/mt7rdrw4) (https://tinyurl.com/cempdxd4) (https://tinyurl.com/yc8d27vw) (https://tinyurl.com/bdzdfvmx) Today in Wheeling History: October 18—Billy Cox, a bassist best known for performing with Jimi Hendrix, was born in Wheeling (1941).
Billy Cox was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1941, where his father was a Baptist minister and math teacher and his mother a classical pianist. Growing up listening to shows at Wheeling's Capitol Music Hall, Cox started on piano and saxophone before taking up electric bass. In 1961, Cox and Jimi Hendrix met while both serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Hearing Hendrix playing guitar during a rainstorm, Cox introduced himself and they soon began jamming together. After being discharged, they formed the band King Kasuals in Nashville. Though Cox declined early offers to join Hendrix's groups, he later played with him at Woodstock in 1969 as part of the band Gypsy Sun and Rainbows. Cox also recorded the live Band of Gypsys album with Hendrix and drummer Buddy Miles. After Hendrix's untimely death, Cox continued session and live work, playing with Charlie Daniels and others. More recently he has been involved in Hendrix tributes and releases. Over his long career, Cox collaborated with many major artists, most notably his Army buddy Hendrix. (https://tinyurl.com/56jdbxb7) (https://tinyurl.com/4e2t2xw6) (https://tinyurl.com/3usa6de3) Today in Wheeling History: October 17 - Ohio County Fair and Circus Opens at Arion Hall (1905)10/17/2023 Today in Wheeling History: October 17--Ohio County Fair and Circus opens at Arion Hall (1905).)
On October 17, 1905, the Arab Patrol of the Osiris Shriners hosted a large country fair and circus event called "The Big Country Fair and Circus" at Arion Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia. The opening night was deemed a great success, drawing energetic crowds that packed the venue. The Ladies' Shrine of West Virginia, who assisted the event, ran the dining area on the second floor of Arion Hall. Here they served dainty lunches and had decorated parlors where ice cream and refreshments were available. Music played as well, alternating between a graphophone system operated by Bard Brothers and a large orchestrion. The main auditorium floor was set up as the country fair itself. Decorated booths and tents recreated the nostalgic look and feel of a rural fair. Specific attractions included games, food stalls, a country store run by "Bub Shinkins and Sisters", and an eccentric sideshow tent of "freaks" like the "Half-Shriner" (a man cut in half at the waist), Bachman's 8-legged Calf, a 2-headed sheep, a dwarf, and the "Alligator Boy." The Ladies Shrine also ran a comedic mock initiation booth. Vaudeville acts performed on the auditorium stage, including the Floyd Sisters' refined songs and dances, Leo Altmeyer's side-splitting monologue, the knife-throwing of "The Marvelous Peddlcord", vocalist Billy Tiemans, the music duo Stipes and Leach, club-swinging Professor Schambra, acrobats Hiscock and Straub, dancer The Great Mack, and Signor Snidero with his trained bear. The opening night's success ensured large crowds would flock to the fair throughout the week. The vivid sights, sounds, and amusement brought the charm of an old-fashioned country fair to life in the heart of Wheeling. . (https://tinyurl.com/3445ev24) |
Mike MinderMike Minder was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is the author of Wheeling's Gambling History to 1976. Archives
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