​Today in Wheeling History: July 13—The Wheeling Wheelmen held their first grand bicycle meet, featuring 15-mile and 30-mile road races over the National Road (1886).
 
The Wheeling Wheelmen organized the first major bicycle racing event in the city's history on July 13-14, 1886, marking a significant milestone in both local sports and the national bicycling craze sweeping America. The event featured two road races on July 13th: a 15-mile race from West Alexander to the McClure House, and a 30-mile race from the McClure House to West Alexander and return, both conducted over the National Road. The main prize was a $20 gold medal offered by the club to the winner of the thirty-mile race, with numerous other prizes donated by local firms and individuals.
 
The event occurred during the golden age of American bicycling, when the League of American Wheelmen, founded in 1880, had grown to over 100,000 members nationwide who advocated for paved roads and cycling rights. The Wheeling races attracted participants from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Allegheny, and other regional cities. W.D. Banker of the Allegheny Cyclers emerged as the standout competitor, winning both the 30-mile road race in 2:52 on July 13th and the hill climbing contest on Fulton Hill on July 14th in 3:28. The hill climbing event, which drew large crowds of spectators who could view the entire course, featured only five starters despite ten entries, disappointing local organizers who had hoped for greater participation from Wheeling cyclists.
 
The event established Wheeling as part of the broader "Good Roads Movement" that would eventually lead to America's highway system, while showcasing the growing popularity of cycling as both recreation and sport in the Ohio Valley.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV  (https://tinyurl.com/bdh6y6a5); Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/2cc38wsu) (https://tinyurl.com/y7ddh887) (https://tinyurl.com/yv8aujmu), Wheeling Daily Register (https://tinyurl.com/vp6x2tb4) (https://tinyurl.com/3rndzzwf) (https://tinyurl.com/4u52fh4j), West Virginia History OnView (https://tinyurl.com/3cz4y4xp), League of American Bicyclists - Equity and Our History (https://tinyurl.com/3zb5hy4j), Connecticut History - The League of American Wheelmen and the Good Roads Movement (https://tinyurl.com/mr36zjvy)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wheeling Daily Register, West Virginia History OnView

​Today in Wheeling History: July 12--H. C. Ogden House added to the National Register of Historic Places (1990).
 
The H. C. Ogden House, also known as the Wise-Ogden House, is a distinguished Queen Anne-style residence located at 12 Park Road in Wheeling’s Woodsdale-Edgewood Neighborhood Historic District. Built in 1893 for Herschel Coombs Ogden (1869–1943), a prominent publisher, businessman, and civic leader, the house reflects both architectural elegance and historical significance. Ogden, who played a vital role in West Virginia’s media landscape, was the founder of Ogden Newspapers, a company that remains influential today.
 
The 2½-story, T-shaped frame dwelling features hallmark Queen Anne elements, including a full-width front porch supported by Doric columns, a round tower with a domed roof, and decorative wood shingles. The interior boasts five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and nine additional rooms, showcasing the craftsmanship of the late Victorian era. The property’s deep lot and picturesque setting along Woods Run contribute to its enduring charm.
 
In recognition of its architectural and historical value, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 1990. It remains a well-preserved example of Wheeling’s residential heritage and a testament to Ogden’s legacy in communications and civic development.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia entry on H. C. Ogden House (https://tinyurl.com/yckffxrd), National Register nomination form via WV Culture (https://tinyurl.com/3cvbwx2c), MapQuest listing with description (https://tinyurl.com/ny8bk6xj)
 
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: July 10—The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment is officially organized in Wheeling, marking the formation of one of the Union’s most decorated Civil War units (1861).
 
The 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment, originally known as the 1st Virginia Cavalry (Union), was organized in Wheeling, Morgantown, and Clarksburg beginning July 10, 1861. Formed from loyalist regions of western Virginia, the regiment drew heavily from Wheeling and surrounding counties, including Ohio, Marshall, and Monongalia. Its ranks included men from Pennsylvania and Ohio, and even a German-speaking company. The unit was known for its white horses and the silver cornet band that accompanied it into battle.
 
Initially tasked with guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and suppressing bushwhackers, the regiment later saw extensive combat. It fought in major engagements such as Gettysburg, Cedar Creek, and Five Forks, and played a pivotal role in the Appomattox Campaign that led to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender. The regiment earned distinction as the most decorated West Virginia unit of the war, with 14 Medal of Honor recipients.
 
Commanders included Colonel Henry Anisansel, Colonel Nathaniel P. Richmond, and General Henry Capehart. The regiment was mustered out on July 8, 1865, after participating in the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington, D.C.
 
To learn more: 1st West Virginia Cavalry Regiment – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/msdcknhn), Ohio Civil War Central – 1st Regiment West Virginia Cavalry (https://tinyurl.com/395te5yy), West Virginia in the Civil War – 1st West Virginia Cavalry (https://tinyurl.com/yfp7xr6m), Find a Grave – 1st West Virginia Cavalry Virtual Cemetery (https://tinyurl.com/p5xxyujj), Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV – Archives & Civil War Resources  (https://tinyurl.com/f3uestzy); YouTube – 1st West Virginia Cavalry Memories (https://tinyurl.com/3mf5j2pj)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: July 10—"Whatever," an independent teen drama film with many scenes filmed in Wheeling, was released (1998).
 
"Whatever" is a 1998 independent teen drama film written and directed by Susan Skoog. The film stars Liza Weil in her first major role, along with Chad Morgan and Frederic Forrest. It portrays the angst of a high school senior in the early 1980s in suburban Northern New Jersey and her aspirations to attend Cooper Union in New York City. While the film is set in New Jersey, many scenes were filmed on location in Wheeling, West Virginia. The film was released by Sony Pictures Classics on July 10, 1998, and was shot using Super 16 film. After its original VHS release in 1999, it was re-released digitally in the mid-2010s by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
 
To learn more: IMDB (https://tinyurl.com/3vpx8ev6), YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/yk69btj3), IMDB (https://tinyurl.com/3vpx8ev6), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/mj32b7jp) (https://tinyurl.com/29w44dsh)
 
Photo  credit: eBay

​Today in Wheeling History: July 10--Two motion pictures featuring strong ties to Wheeling, "Whatever" and "Madeline," premiered nationwide in movie theaters (1998).
 
On July 10, 1998, two feature films with significant Wheeling, West Virginia connections premiered in theaters across the United States, marking a remarkable coincidence in the city's cinematic history. Both "Whatever," a coming-of-age story filmed partially in Wheeling during summer 1996, and "Madeline," the film adaptation of the classic children's book starring Frances McDormand, opened in New York and Los Angeles on the same date.
 
Michelle Yahn, a 1981 graduate of Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy and University of Southern Florida graduate, served as co-producer of "Whatever" and was instrumental in bringing portions of the independent teen drama to Wheeling for filming. Several Wheeling area residents were cast as extras, and numerous local buildings served as filming locations, including Triadelphia Middle School and Wheeling Park High School, which were recognizable in the final film. Yahn also appeared in the film as a high school principal, while Sean O'Brien of Wheeling played the character Mr. Tibbots.
 
Yahn gained her earliest theatrical experience with Oglebay Institute's Parcel Players, performing at both Towngate Theatre and the Oglebay amphitheater. In a remarkable connection, she worked alongside Frances McDormand during the summer that McDormand directed Oglebay Institute's children's theater program.
 
Frances McDormand, the Academy Award-winning actress starring in "Madeline," had her own strong West Virginia connection as a 1979 graduate of Bethany College in nearby Brooke County, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater. McDormand would later win multiple Academy Awards, including for her performances in "Fargo" (1996) and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" (2017), establishing herself as one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting with an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award.
 
Both films received national media attention, being featured in TV Guide's summer movie preview and Premiere magazine's "movies that matter" section. The remarkable timing of these releases highlighted Wheeling's unexpected but significant presence in 1990s independent cinema through both location filming and alumni achievements.
 
To learn more: Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/vbuxjb37), IMDb: "Whatever" (1998) Connections (https://tinyurl.com/98vjywd4), IMDb: Siskel & Ebert Episode Featuring "Whatever" and "Madeline" (https://tinyurl.com/mv4aw8n5), Madeline 1998 Trailer on YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/7mc8ckzz), YouTube: "Whatever" (https://tinyurl.com/ypyt2bs6), Wikipedia entry for "Whatever" (1998 film) (https://tinyurl.com/49jw5cpb), IMDb page with cast and production details for "Whatever" (https://tinyurl.com/uyaep663), Archived New York Times review for "Whatever" (https://tinyurl.com/4mdpsfep), Wikipedia entry for "Madeline" (1998 film) (https://tinyurl.com/yjzpdby7), IMDb page with Madeline cast and production details (https://tinyurl.com/3ctm3r5j), Watch "Madeline" (1998) on Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/4twh9fpf), Wikiwand overview of the film "Madeline" (https://tinyurl.com/mtnfb4au), Wikipedia article on Frances McDormand (https://tinyurl.com/4zeb3x8x)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Google Play

​Today in Wheeling History: July 9—The "Chesapeake," billed as the fastest boat on the Ohio River, departs on its trial trip from Wheeling (1883).
 
On the morning of July 9, 1883, the steamboat "Chesapeake" backed away from Wheeling’s levee and embarked on its highly anticipated trial run. Built by A.J. Sweeney & Son of Wheeling for the Chesapeake Packet Company of Gallipolis, Ohio, the vessel was designed to be the swiftest steamer on the Ohio River. John Sweeney, who oversaw construction, proudly declared it could outpace the "Minnie Bay", then considered one of the fastest boats afloat. The "Chesapeake" featured a hull built at Harmar by Knox, with a sharp stem and hollow waterline that allowed it to slice through the river with minimal resistance.
 
Measuring 188 feet in length with a 26-foot beam and 5-foot hold, the sidewheeler boasted 20-foot diameter wheels and powerful engines with 16-inch cylinders and a 5-foot stroke. Its three steel boilers were built for strength and efficiency. The boat’s cabin stretched the full length of the vessel, housing 36 staterooms, a spacious ladies’ cabin, and elegant hardwood furnishings. Safety was also prioritized, with four staircases connecting the decks. The Chesapeake’s trial trip confirmed its reputation, and it soon became a symbol of Wheeling’s industrial prowess and riverboat innovation.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/yc48zpz7); Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 10, 1883 (Library of Congress) (https://tinyurl.com/mryk97xe)
 
Photo caption and credit: "THE FASTEST BOAT ON THE RIVER: Makes its Trial Trip--General Levee Gossip" (Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 10, 1883)

Today in Wheeling History: July 8—Brendan Burke, acclaimed sportscaster who began his professional broadcasting career with the Wheeling Nailers, is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1984).
 
Brendan Matthew Burke was born on July 8, 1984, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, into a sports-focused family—his father, Don Burke, was a sportswriter covering teams like the Milwaukee Admirals and Green Bay Packers. Brendan’s broadcasting journey began at Ithaca College, where he served as sports director for both campus radio stations. After graduation, he gained experience calling minor league baseball before making a pivotal move to Wheeling, West Virginia. At just 22 years old, Burke became the youngest broadcaster in the ECHL when he was hired by the Wheeling Nailers. His dynamic style and professionalism earned him the 2008 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year award and a spot calling the ECHL All-Star Game.
 
Burke’s time in Wheeling marked a turning point in his career, launching him into higher-profile roles with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL), St. Louis Blues (NHL), and eventually national networks like NBC Sports, MSG Networks, and TNT Sports. He has called NHL playoff games, college football, lacrosse, and baseball, and was named one of the “Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30” in 2014. Though not a native, Burke’s early success in Wheeling remains a proud chapter in the city’s sports broadcasting legacy.
 
To learn more: Brendan Burke – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/mr9zptrj), Brendan Burke Biography – FactProfiles (https://tinyurl.com/3zcuzkt4), ECHL Broadcaster of the Year – ECHL Archives (https://tinyurl.com/h32xpdbm), Wheeling Nailers – NHL Alumni (https://tinyurl.com/y7bs3hxn)
 
Photo caption and credit: Brendan Burke receives the James H. Ellery Memorial Award on November 4, 2015, honoring his outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League during the 2014–15 season. As the voice of the Utica Comets and a passionate ambassador for the sport, Burke's contributions elevated AHL visibility across national radio and television platforms. (Photo by Lindsay A. Mogle via Wikimedia Commons)

​Today in Wheeling History: July 7--Zenos Frudakis, acclaimed sculptor who spent formative years in Wheeling, is born in San Francisco (1951).
 
Zenos Frudakis, born July 7, 1951, in San Francisco, California, is a nationally renowned sculptor best known for his monumental bronze works, including the iconic *Freedom* sculpture in Philadelphia. Though born on the West Coast, Frudakis spent several formative years of his childhood in Wheeling, West Virginia, where his early exposure to Greek Orthodox iconography and the city’s cultural atmosphere helped shape his artistic sensibilities.
 
Frudakis began sculpting as a child—his first medium was bread dough under the family kitchen table. He was raised in a Greek-American household that emphasized classical art and literature. After attending Indiana University Northwest Extension, he moved to Philadelphia in 1972 to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He later earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Frudakis studied sculpture under his brother Evangelos, a Prix de Rome winner.
 
Over his five-decade career, Frudakis has created more than 100 public sculptures, including portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., Clarence Darrow, and numerous sports legends. His work is celebrated for capturing both likeness and spirit, and his Wheeling connection adds a local thread to his national legacy.
 
To learn more: Zenos Frudakis – Official Website (https://tinyurl.com/hmaubbf2), Zenos Frudakis – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4wtbkkca), Zenos Frudakis – TwoGreyhounds Profile (https://tinyurl.com/yukvbse3), , Zenos Frudakis — Public Monuments and Portrait Sculptures (https://tinyurl.com/y4kt5sks)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: July 6--A federal court rules that only cigars made in Wheeling can be sold as “Wheeling Stogies,” protecting the city’s tobacco legacy (1899).
 
On July 6, 1899, Judge Colt of the United States Circuit Court in Boston issued a landmark ruling that stogies labeled as “Wheeling” or “Wheeling Stogies” must be manufactured in Wheeling, West Virginia. The decision came after four Wheeling-based manufacturers—Hugo L. Loos, Marsh & Son, Muhn & Brandfass, and the Sanatel Tobacco Company—filed suit against a Boston seller who was marketing cigars made elsewhere under the Wheeling name. The plaintiffs argued that inferior products were damaging the reputation of Wheeling’s stogie industry, which had earned national acclaim for its quality and craftsmanship.
 
The court sided with the Wheeling manufacturers, citing a similar precedent involving Milwaukee beer. The ruling not only protected the city’s tobacco artisans but also reinforced Wheeling’s identity as a premier stogie-producing hub. The decision was celebrated locally and seen as a major victory for honest branding and regional pride. It also set a legal precedent for geographic product labeling, decades before similar protections became common in food and beverage industries.
 
This case helped solidify Wheeling’s nickname as “Stogie Town” and ensured that the city’s name remained synonymous with quality cigars well into the 20th century.
 
To learn more: Court Case: Only Wheeling Can Produce Wheeling Stogies – Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/3hfr3waw), Stogie Town – Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/4j76557w), The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 7, 1899 – Newspapers.com (https://tinyurl.com/5ccupt82), The Wheeling “Stogie” by John Bowman – Goodreads (https://tinyurl.com/ycxx3xkp)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV

Today in Wheeling History: July 5--Augustus Pollack, future Wheeling industrialist and pioneering labor advocate, is born in Bünde, Westphalia, Germany (1830).
 
Augustus Pollack (1830–1906) was a pioneering industrialist and labor advocate whose legacy remains deeply woven into Wheeling’s civic and labor history. Born July 5, 1830, in Bünde, Westphalia, Germany, into a Jewish family, Pollack immigrated to the U.S. in 1849, settling first in Baltimore before moving to Wheeling in 1854. He launched a notions and fancy goods business and later founded Crown Stogies in 1871, which became West Virginia’s largest cigar manufacturer. His factory, spanning 18th and 19th Streets between Chapline and Eoff, was among the largest in the world.
 
Pollack was known for his progressive labor practices—he paid fair wages, maintained an open-door policy, and refused to sell his business to anyone who wouldn’t honor his agreements with workers. A staunch Unionist during the Civil War, he offered his Grafton property to the U.S. government and briefly served in a West Virginia regiment. He also supported Wheeling’s German-American community, helped found a German-language newspaper, and served as president of the German Bank and Fire Insurance Company.
 
Pollack died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 1906. In an unprecedented tribute, labor unions raised funds to erect a monument in his honor, dedicated May 28, 1916. It now stands at Heritage Port. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/y2hnm3ub); Wheeling Hall of Fame Entry (https://tinyurl.com/m2h7b8zd), Find a Grave Memorial (https://tinyurl.com/5d7raucx), YouTube: Augustus Pollack Labor Memorial (https://tinyurl.com/3a9kt5tw), Archiving Wheeling: Buckle of the Stogie Belt (https://tinyurl.com/3nwpz33a), Historic Wheeling: Pollack Monument (https://tinyurl.com/4kdafuaw)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave