St. Paul's Evangelical Church was founded in 1867 in South Wheeling, West Virginia by German immigrants. The first church building was constructed at 38th and Wood Streets and dedicated in 1868. St. Paul's operated independently at first, with German language services. In 1910, it joined the Evangelical Synod of North America. After outgrowing their first building, a larger church was constructed in 1924-1925 on the same site. In the 1960s, with many members moving away to the suburbs, St. Paul's committed to staying in the neighborhood. A building program with the slogan "Do It Now" was approved, raising $65,000. In 1965-1966 a new educational wing was built and renovations made. Despite changing demographics, St. Paul's remained anchored in South Wheeling, continuing its long tradition of community service there. (https://tinyurl.com/53avf9wc) (https://tinyurl.com/36y67uun) (https://tinyurl.com/3urcdf2k)
Today in Wheeling History: October 16—Dedication service held to celebrate the renovations at Saint Paul’s Evangelical Church (1966).
St. Paul's Evangelical Church was founded in 1867 in South Wheeling, West Virginia by German immigrants. The first church building was constructed at 38th and Wood Streets and dedicated in 1868. St. Paul's operated independently at first, with German language services. In 1910, it joined the Evangelical Synod of North America. After outgrowing their first building, a larger church was constructed in 1924-1925 on the same site. In the 1960s, with many members moving away to the suburbs, St. Paul's committed to staying in the neighborhood. A building program with the slogan "Do It Now" was approved, raising $65,000. In 1965-1966 a new educational wing was built and renovations made. Despite changing demographics, St. Paul's remained anchored in South Wheeling, continuing its long tradition of community service there. (https://tinyurl.com/53avf9wc) (https://tinyurl.com/36y67uun) (https://tinyurl.com/3urcdf2k)
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Today in Wheeling History: October 15--a section of the Wheeling Traction Company's Steel Bridge over the Ohio River in Wheeling collapsed, killing worker Alfred Coulter and causing major damage that required riders to transfer to buses until repairs were completed (1924).
On October 15, 1924, a section of the steel bridge over the Ohio River in Wheeling, West Virginia collapsed, killing one worker, Alfred Coulter of Moundsville. Coulter was one of 35 men repairing the bridge for the Wheeling Traction Company when it collapsed. The collapse caused major damage and inconvenience, requiring riders to transfer to buses until repairs were made. News accounts indicate a crowded streetcar had just finished crossing the bridge before it collapsed. The Steel Bridge over the Ohio River in Wheeling opened in October 1891 as a toll bridge to provide access from the city to Wheeling Island. It was used by trolleys and pedestrians and drew crowds when it first opened.The Steel Bridge remained in use until it was demolished in 1962. (https://tinyurl.com/2j88hydj) (https://tinyurl.com/2rwncfax) Today in Wheeling History: October 14--U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy spoke to the people of Wheeling at the Virginia Theatre (1956). In 1956, John F. Kennedy visited Wheeling, West Virginia and gave a speech at the Virginia Theatre on October 14 as part of his efforts to build a national profile and political network in preparation for a presidential run in 1960. At the time, Kennedy was a Massachusetts senator who had unsuccessfully vied to be Adlai Stevenson's vice presidential running mate at the 1956 Democratic National Convention. In his Virginia Theatre speech, titled "The Problems of This Day," Kennedy criticized the Eisenhower administration and argued the Republicans were leading America down a "pathway of weakness" in regards to the Cold War. He predicted the presidential race between Eisenhower and Stevenson would be close, though this proved incorrect. After the speech, Kennedy attended an event held by the Holy Name Society, a united group of Catholic churches and organizations in the Ohio Valley. Coverage of Kennedy's visit did not mention his Catholic faith, only describing the bishop coadjutor of the Wheeling Diocese as a personal friend. Kennedy's Catholicism would become a major issue during his 1960 presidential campaign. (https://tinyurl.com/yucbrdy4) (https://tinyurl.com/av4bwvbj) (https://tinyurl.com/5n89hpvt) Today in Wheeling History: October 13–The Wheeling Elks Lodge No. 28 was incorporated (1900).
The Wheeling Elks Lodge No. 28 was established in 1884 and incorporated in 1900. In 1904, they opened their club building in a remodeled former residence at 32 15th Street. The architecture firm Geisey & Faris redesigned the building, adding a third story. The interior featured an 800-seat auditorium, dining hall, billiard rooms, and a lavishly decorated third floor lodge room. In 1931, a modern addition facing Eoff Street was added. The Elks sold the building in 2005, and it now houses the Harris Law Offices. Key features included the allegorical ceiling mural, stuffed elk heads, and gong gifted by the ladies auxiliary. The lodge has a long history in Wheeling since its founding in the late 19th century.(https://tinyurl.com/2u7h2y9p) Today in Wheeling History: October 11--A troop of mostly German "Wide Awakes," a Republican marching club dedicated to preserving the Union and opposing the expansion of slavery, paraded their support for Abraham Lincoln in the north end of Wheeling (1860).
The German immigrants in Wheeling leading up to and during the American Civil War were divided between those who arrived before 1848 and were more prosperous, and the poorer, more radical immigrants who came after the failed 1848 revolutions in Europe. The pre-1848 Germans tended to support the Democratic Party and the interests of the slaveholding elite in Virginia. The post-1848 Germans were more sympathetic to the Republicans and the anti-slavery cause. This division within the German community mirrored the larger divide in Wheeling between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. During the war, the Germans helped make Wheeling a pro-Union stronghold, contributing to the creation of West Virginia. But they also clashed at times with Union authorities over issues of liberty and fair treatment. The divisions among Wheeling's Germans exemplify the complex ethnic politics in border regions during the Civil War era. (https://tinyurl.com/bdej5wa5) Today in Wheeling History: October 12--Clyde Thomas, star football player and dedicated Wheeling public servant, died (2006).
Clyde Thomas was born April 5, 1940 in Bellaire, Ohio. He was a star high school athlete at Bellaire High School and played college football at Ohio University, where he was part of their undefeated MAC Championship team in 1960. Thomas briefly played professional football for the BC Lions (Vancouver, Canada) and the Philadelphia Eagles before having a long career with the Wheeling Ironmen semi-pro team, becoming their all-time leading rusher. After retiring from football, Thomas served multiple terms on the Wheeling City Council, including as Vice Mayor. As a public official, he helped get the Wheeling Civic Center built and led the proposal for a downtown Wheeling shopping mall. He was married to Ann Prince Thomas and had two sons, Shawn and Scott Thomas. Clyde Thomas passed away on October 12, 2006. (https://tinyurl.com/57zscnc3) (https://tinyurl.com/27k7tsfc) (https://tinyurl.com/24x2e87v) Today in Wheeling History: October 10-- The Lancastrian Academy, now known as The Linsly School, was incorporated (1814).
Linsly School was founded in 1814 in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) by lawyer Noah Linsly, whose will provided funds to establish a Lancastrian Academy for boys and girls. The original location was downtown Wheeling at 13th and Chapline Streets. The second location was also downtown at 15th and Eoff Streets, serving as the temporary state capitol when West Virginia became a state in 1863. The third location was Thedah Place along National Road. In the 1920s, the school moved to its current Knox Lane campus. Originally coeducational as the Lancastrian Academy, Linsly became an all-boys school by 1861. In 1877 it was renamed Linsly Military Institute, remaining all-male and military-focused for over 100 years. In 1979, it shifted to a traditional all-boys prep model as The Linsly School, before becoming coed again in 1988. Over its 200+ year history, Linsly has been located in Wheeling under various names. Today in Wheeling History: October 10--Central Glass Works destroyed by fire (1901).
A major fire occurred on the evening of October 10, 1901 at the Central Glass Works in East Wheeling. The fire started around 6:45pm in the etching department and spread rapidly, destroying a large part of the factory within a couple hours. The blaze caused an estimated $50,000 in damage, though the company had $39,250 in insurance coverage. The fire left 350-400 employees out of work until rebuilding could occur. The Central Glass Company was formed in Wheeling in 1863 by a group of dissatisfied workers who pooled together $5,000 to start their own glass works in an old pork packing plant. In 1888, fire destroyed the factory but it was immediately rebuilt and became one of the largest glass producers in the U.S., shipping train car loads worldwide. Though initially resistant, Central Glass joined the U.S. Glass Company combine in 1891 as "Factory O", but closed from 1893-1895. In 1895, former employees purchased the empty plant and reopened it as Central Glass Works, but it took until 1898 to resume production. Fire again destroyed the factory in 1901, but it was rebuilt a second time. Due to foreign competition, Central Glass closed from 1904-1919, when it purchased the Chippendale molds from another company. By 1926 it was the only remaining glass factory in Wheeling. It closed briefly in the 1930s due to prohibition and the depression, but reopened when prohibition ended, only to close for good in 1939 due to high levels of foreign competition, selling its molds to Imperial Glass Company. (https://tinyurl.com/ms3zpwkt) (https://tinyurl.com/256zjfkp) (https://tinyurl.com/azt365sb) Today in Wheeling History: Reverend Julius Koehler Arrested for Insulting Ladies (October 9, 1877)10/9/2023 Today in Wheeling History: October 9--Reverend Julius Koehler, of Martins Ferry, was arrested for insulting ladies at McClain’s Corner in Wheeling (1877)
Reverend Julius Koehler, a minister from Martins Ferry, Ohio, was arrested in Wheeling, West Virginia for insulting ladies at McLain's Corner in Wheeling at night. Koehler had previously been accused of defrauding members of his Ohio congregation and a previous congregation in Illinois out of money. A Wheeling police officer witnessed Koehler's inappropriate behavior towards women passing by him and arrested him. Koehler was jailed overnight with bail refused. The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer reported on October 19th that in police court, Judge Cranmer fined Koehler $20 plus costs for insulting ladies on the street. Koehler paid the fine. (https://tinyurl.com/mt4au7e8) (https://tinyurl.com/2mh8tcdy) (https://tinyurl.com/4deawt7a) Today in Wheeling History: October 8--Doc & Chickie Williams, Country Music’s Royal Couple, performed at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary (1989).
On Sunday, October 8th, 1989, Doc and Chickie Williams, longtime country music performers, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a "Golden Wedding Concert & Celebration" at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia. They invited all couples married 50 years or more to attend and be honored with anniversary diplomas for reaching the golden pinnacle of 50 years as man and wife and as graduates and members of the Golden Anniversary Alumni Association. Over 20 performers took the stage that day, including the Williams' three daughters - Peeper, Poochie and Punkin. Local and regional songwriters performed music they had written. Comedians Rube Schafer, Jay Kirk and Dean McNell also appeared, along with many Jamboree favorites. The Jamboree Band 11/70 provided backup. It was a day of celebrating the Williams' 50 years of marriage through music. (https://tinyurl.com/mwu6dysx) (https://tinyurl.com/2v94waph) (https://tinyurl.com/4hv4s74y) (https://tinyurl.com/3d69tdnc) |
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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