Today in Wheeling History: December 9—William West, Edison Company screen actor born in Wheeling, died in New York City after a fall (1915).
 
William Langdon West (born 1856, Wheeling, West Virginia; died December 9, 1915, New York City) was an early American stage and silent-film actor associated with the Edison Company during the formative years of motion pictures. His work included appearances in short features such as "The Rise and Fall of Weary Willie" (1911), At "Bear Track Gulch" (1913), and "Caste" (1913), placing him within the pioneering roster of performers who helped transition popular entertainment from stage to screen in the 1910s. West's career is notable both for its timing—aligning with Edison's influential studio operations—and for family connections to the industry: he was the father of director Langdon West and Forrest West of Philadelphia, reflecting an early, multigenerational presence in American film and theater circles. His Wheeling birth anchors him to the city's late-19th-century cultural milieu, when local talent increasingly sought national stages. Contemporary reports record his death as the result of a fall in New York City, a reminder of the precarious lives of early performers who often traveled for work across emerging media hubs. West's legacy resides in the Edison era's foundational storytelling and production practices, to which he contributed as a working actor during cinema's adolescence.
 
To learn more: IMDb (https://tinyurl.com/tcxjhzs5) (https://tinyurl.com/mvvwmrh), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2ycepr9b), Chapman University (https://tinyurl.com/5n6kj8xw), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/4dbafu47)
 
Photo credits: Chapman University, IMDb

Today in Wheeling History: December 8--George W. Redeker, Wheeling plumbing contractor and inventor, filed for a patent for his "Flushing Apparatus for Water Pipes" (1910).
 
George W. Redeker was born in Wheeling on September 13, 1887, to John A. and Rose Kinney Redeker. He became a prominent Catholic layperson, successful business person, and inventor who made significant contributions to Wheeling's plumbing industry. In 1904, at just seventeen years old, Redeker founded the Redeker Company, a plumbing and heating contracting business that served the Wheeling community for decades. Redeker demonstrated both business acumen and technical innovation when he filed for United States Patent No. 1,016,521 on December 8, 1910, for his invention of a "Flushing Apparatus for Water Pipes." The patent was granted on February 6, 1912. This device was designed to clear sediment and foreign matter from service pipes, demonstrating his commitment to improving plumbing technology. Redeker was deeply involved in Catholic affairs, serving as a member and past Grand Knight of Columbia Council, Knights of Columbus, and holding leadership positions in St. Alphonsus Church's Holy Name Society. He was also past president of the West Virginia Plumbers Association. Redeker resided at 2207 Chapline Street in Centre Wheeling. He married Emma W. Tighe, who predeceased him in February 1971. George W. Redeker died on April 19, 1971, at Ohio Valley General Hospital at age 83. He was survived by three daughters and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
 
To learn more: Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/yxc4kd66), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/4byzmcsb), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3ee3etkr)
 
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer

​Today in Wheeling History: December 7--Zion Lutheran Church held its final German-language service, ending a 91-year tradition of worship in the German language (1941).
 
On December 7, 1941—the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor—Zion Lutheran Church at 2118 Market Street conducted its last service in the German language, marking the end of an era that had defined the congregation since its founding in 1850. The church had been established when Reverend Frederick Zimmermann and fifty-six members withdrew from St. Johannes Lutheran Church to form a strictly conservative Lutheran congregation. For seventeen years, Zion was monolingual, conducting all services exclusively in German. The church then became bilingual, alternating between German and English services for decades.
 
Unlike other German-speaking congregations in Wheeling that discontinued German services during World War I, Zion maintained this tradition throughout the early twentieth century. However, the combination of declining German fluency among younger members and the outbreak of World War II made continuation impractical. The timing of this final German service—coinciding with America's entry into the war—symbolized the complete Americanization of Wheeling's German community. The red brick Gothic Revival building, known locally as "The Goose Church" due to its swan-topped steeple (a symbol of Martin Luther), had served as a cultural anchor for German immigrants. The congregation later moved to Bethlehem, and the historic Market Street building was sold to Oglebay Institute, becoming Towngate Theatre.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV  (https://tinyurl.com/7frztru5); Library of Congress (https://tinyurl.com/4k9mdfkf), Wheeling Heritage (https://tinyurl.com/3et2k5uc), Amazon (https://tinyurl.com/42ff4kvn), Upper Ohio Valley Historical Review (https://tinyurl.com/5ecxssyr), WV GenWeb - Ohio County (https://tinyurl.com/bdetxm5)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Library of Congress

​Today in Wheeling History: December 6—WWVA received its first broadcast license, becoming West Virginia’s pioneering radio station (1926).
 
WWVA’s first station license was issued on December 6, 1926 to electronics teacher and wireless pioneer John C. Stroebel, Jr., authorizing operation at 860 kilocycles from his home along National Road in Wheeling; one week later, at 2 a.m. on December 13, he threw the switch on a 50-watt basement transmitter and the station’s inaugural broadcast crackled across the Ohio Valley. Within a year, WWVA had opened studios in the Hawley Building downtown and secured approval to expand dramatically, ultimately becoming a 50,000-watt powerhouse; early programming mixed recorded music, informal announcements, local amateur performances, and children’s shows, augmented by network affiliation in 1931 for national news and soaps. In 1933, WWVA launched the Wheeling Jamboree, a country music institution that billed itself as the nation’s second-longest-running program after the Grand Ole Opry, later syndicated nationally and entwined with the city’s theater life. During the catastrophic 1936 flood, WWVA sustained 92½ hours of continuous emergency broadcasting, coordinating relief and information across the Upper Ohio Valley. The station later moved to 1170 kHz and Class A clear-channel status, projecting Wheeling’s voice across multiple states at night; after format changes in the late 20th century, WWVA today operates as NewsRadio 1170, while the Jamboree’s legacy continues through community efforts and archival collections at the Capitol Theatre.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/5c8c5mwz) (https://tinyurl.com/47nkreey) (https://tinyurl.com/536yc5jf); World Radio History (https://tinyurl.com/mshyrycy), West Virginia Public Broadcasting (https://tinyurl.com/bddedr5b), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2jx2aerk) (https://tinyurl.com/4maaw93c), Wheeling Jamboree (https://tinyurl.com/42mk3j5u), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/4ktx6ptm)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; World Radio History, American Radio History, Wikimedia Commons

Today in Wheeling History: December 5--Cornelius A. McFadden Jr. of Wheeling was granted U.S. Patent No. 509,934 for an innovative sliding block puzzle (1893).
 
Cornelius Augustine McFadden Jr. was born December 4, 1866, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to Cornelius Augustine McFadden Sr. and Catherine Frances Sheridan McFadden. As a young boy, he moved to Pittsburgh where he received his education in the city's schools. In 1884, at age 18, McFadden relocated to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he would spend the remainder of his life. On April 25, 1893, he married Minetta Catherine Renner at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Wheeling. The couple resided in Elmwood for over thirty years and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary shortly before his death. Together they had five children: Ralph Joseph, Mary Angela, Adela Catherine, Elizabeth M., and Mary Magdalen—all survived to adulthood. McFadden demonstrated inventive talent early in his Wheeling career. On December 5, 1893, he was granted U.S. Patent No. 509,934 for an ingenious puzzle consisting of a box with movable octagonal blocks, a pivoting gate, and a partition that created an engaging challenge. His puzzle required players to strategically shift colored blocks between compartments. McFadden was a devout Catholic and member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elm Grove. After years of retirement, he died suddenly on July 15, 1947, at 10:30 p.m. at his Elmwood home. His death came as a shock to friends, as he had appeared to be in good health. He was 80 years old. McFadden was laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Wheeling.
 
To learn more: Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/4w9m5p7u), Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/5n8d39ae), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/4v57u8z9)
 
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: December 4—West Virginia’s third state capitol was dedicated in Wheeling, with officials soon moving from Linsly Institute into the new stone capitol at 16th and Chapline Streets (1876).
 
The third West Virginia capitol, dedicated on December 4, 1876, capped Wheeling’s pivotal role as the state’s “floating capital.” After statehood in 1863, government first operated at Linsly Institute, moved to Charleston in 1870, returned to Wheeling in 1875, then occupied the new capitol in late 1876. The building was a four-story stone structure with two wings and a central cupola—an architectural presence anchoring government in the city’s core. The day after dedication, newspapers recorded the bustle of state officers taking possession, corridors crowded with boxes and furniture as agencies settled into their rooms. When the capital permanently returned to Charleston in 1885, the Wheeling capitol transitioned into the City-County Building, serving as City Hall and the Ohio County Courthouse for decades. Historians long have framed these moves as emblematic of West Virginia’s contested geography and civic identity, with Wheeling’s Custom House (Independence Hall), Linsly Institute, and the third capitol forming a continuum of governance sites. The later, permanent Charleston complex—dedicated in 1932—closed the chapter on the capital’s migrations, but Wheeling’s 1876 capitol remains central to understanding the city’s governmental architecture and the state’s early institutional evolution.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/4pnjzjya) (https://tinyurl.com/2t6h85rz) (https://tinyurl.com/wybkvp3j) (https://tinyurl.com/2pjcw44u), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/496se5bx), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/59ekd35t), YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/5cukarh3)
 
Photo caption and credit: West Virginia’s third state capitol, dedicated in Wheeling on December 4, 1876, once stood proudly at 16th and Chapline Streets. This four-story stone structure with twin wings and a central cupola served as the seat of government until 1885, when Charleston was chosen as the permanent capital. Later repurposed as Wheeling’s city-county building, it was demolished in 1956—its loss still mourned by those who recall its civic grandeur and architectural distinction. (West Virginia State Archives via Weelunk)

Today in Wheeling History: December 1 — The B&O discontinued the Chicago Night Express, also known as the West Virginia Night Express and the Wheeling Night Express, ending Wheeling’s direct overnight rail link to Chicago (1956).
 
The Chicago Night Express, later renamed the West Virginia Night Express and often referred to locally as the Wheeling Night Express, was a premier passenger train operated by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O). Beginning service on June 24, 1912, the train provided overnight travel between Wheeling, West Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois, reflecting Wheeling’s importance as a regional rail hub. Departing from Wheeling’s B&O Passenger Station, the train followed a streamlined route through Zanesville, Newark, Mansfield, and Willard, Ohio, before crossing into Indiana with a stop at Gary’s B&O station, and finally arriving at Chicago’s Grand Central Terminal.
 
Equipped with Pullman sleeping cars, coaches, and dining service, the Wheeling Night Express offered comfort and efficiency for business travelers, families, and tourists. For Wheeling residents, the train symbolized direct access to Chicago’s industrial and cultural opportunities, strengthening ties between the Ohio Valley and the Midwest. The service was especially valued by Wheeling’s business community, who relied on overnight rail connections for commerce and industry.
 
By the mid-20th century, however, passenger rail faced steep decline due to the rise of automobiles and commercial aviation. On December 1, 1956, the B&O discontinued the Wheeling Night Express, marking the end of Wheeling’s direct overnight rail service to Chicago. Its legacy endures as part of Wheeling’s rich railroad heritage, remembered for linking the city to one of America’s great urban centers.
 
To learn more: Chicago Night Express - Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/scmejn37), West Virginia Night Express – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y6j9zcwn), Trains and Railroads – West Virginia Night Express (https://tinyurl.com/dtjppcma), Ohio County Public Library – B&O Railroad in Wheeling (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/baltimore-and-ohio-railroad-in-wheeling/5273), WV Explorer – B&O Railroad completed to Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3z5rmpv2), YouTube – History of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (https://tinyurl.com/57vcjwan)
  
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: November 30—Wheeling native J. William Grimes was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership at ESPN and contributions to national sports broadcasting (2008).
 
J. William Grimes was born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, where his early education and community ties shaped his career trajectory. After graduating from Wheeling Central Catholic High School, he pursued higher education at Wheeling Jesuit University before entering the media industry. Grimes began his professional career at CBS, Inc., working from 1968 to 1981 in various executive roles. In 1981, he joined ESPN, then a struggling five-year-old cable sports network. By 1982, Grimes was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held until 1988. 
 
Under his leadership, ESPN shifted from financial losses to profitability. Grimes pioneered the model of charging cable companies to carry ESPN, reversing the network’s fortunes. He also secured landmark broadcast deals with the NFL, NHL, and Major League Baseball, introducing Sunday Night Football and expanding ESPN’s reach into millions of homes. His vision helped establish ESPN as the premier sports broadcaster, setting the stage for its global dominance. After leaving ESPN, Grimes continued to serve in executive roles across the media industry, including at Multimedia, Inc. and other ventures. His contributions earned him induction into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 2008, recognized in the category of Sports and Athletics for bringing national distinction to his hometown through his achievements in broadcasting.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library – Wheeling Hall of Fame: J. William Grimes (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/document_center_uploads/zk_Grimes-Wheeling_HOF-2008.pdf), City of Wheeling Hall of Fame Induction Records (https://tinyurl.com/mryupupx), Prabook – J. William Grimes Biography (https://tinyurl.com/4kwaysuz)
 
Photo caption and credit: J. William Grimes (City of Wheeling)
 

​Today in Wheeling History: November 29--The Capitol Theatre, designed by architect Charles W. Bates, opened on Main Street with four Thanksgiving Day performances, becoming West Virginia’s largest theatre (1928).
 
Wheeling’s Capitol Theatre—formerly Capitol Music Hall—opened on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1928, with four stage-and-screen performances beneath a copper marquee and neon sign. Designed by Wheeling architect Charles W. Bates, the million‑dollar Beaux‑Arts venue boasted nearly 3,000 seats and a $50,000 Marr & Colton organ, establishing it as West Virginia’s largest theatre and a civic showplace at 1015 Main Street. Built with structural capacity for an eight‑story hotel that was never added, its interior featured mulberry and green tones, silken wall panels, dual balconies, and multiple projection systems bridging silent and sound film eras. The Capitol became home to Jamboree USA—WWVA’s live country music broadcast—and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, cementing its regional cultural role for decades. After closure in May 2007, a local coalition led by the Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau, Wheeling Heritage, and the city’s sports and entertainment authority purchased and restored the theatre, reopening it in 2009 as a downtown anchor and economic catalyst. Recent renovations, including a modern fly system, plaster and safety upgrades, have expanded production capacity and improved patron experience, positioning the Capitol for larger touring shows while sustaining community access and heritage programming.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/capitol-theatre-%7C-capitol-music-hall/5466), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2hf75max), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/49hd6adr), Wheeling Heritage (https://tinyurl.com/4dwhshaw), Capitol Theatre Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/23ekshvk), Cinema Treasures (https://tinyurl.com/4v6v4fd5), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/4xy9yczd), WTRF-TV (https://tinyurl.com/yw4t7ccc), How Wheeling Saved the Capitol Theatre - YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/ytmxzyuc)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, Weelunk, Library of Congress

​Today in Wheeling History: November 28 — Robert E. L. Strider, Wheeling native and 17th president of Colby College in Maine, died in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, at age 93 (2010).
 
Robert Edward Lee Strider II (1917–2010) was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on April 8, 1917. His father, the Rev. Robert E. L. Strider, later became the third Episcopal bishop of West Virginia, while his mother, Mary Holroyd Strider, died shortly after his birth. Strider grew up in Wheeling and graduated as valedictorian from the Linsly Military Institute. He later studied at Episcopal High School in Virginia before enrolling at Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude in 1939.
 
At the onset of World War II, Strider entered the U.S. Navy, serving first as an ensign and later as a lieutenant in communications, stationed in Washington, D.C. After the war, he returned to Harvard to complete his PhD in English literature and began teaching.
 
In 1960, Strider was appointed the 17th president of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Over nearly two decades, he guided the institution through dramatic growth, tripling its endowment, expanding academic programs, and doubling investment in campus facilities. He retired in 1979. In recognition of his national prominence as a scholar of literature and his transformative leadership at Colby, Strider was inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in 1982 in the category of Education and Religion. His induction was unique, as he entered alongside his father, making them one of the few father-son pairs honored together. Strider died on November 28, 2010, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, at age 93.
 
To learn more: Robert E. L. Strider – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3bu34kfm), Wheeling Hall of Fame – Ohio County Public Library (https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/history/-wheeling-hall-of-fame-robert-e.-lee-strider-ii/4154), Find a Grave – Robert E. L. Strider II (https://tinyurl.com/5n84bdyj)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave