Today in Wheeling History: July 10--The Wheeling News-Register published an article titled "A Story of Echo Point," providing a detailed history of Wheeling's Echo Point neighborhood and its notable residents (1938).
Echo Point is a historic neighborhood in Wheeling, West Virginia that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an affluent suburban enclave. The area is located in what is now known as the Woodsdale-Edgwood Neighborhood Historic District. Geographically, Echo Point is situated on a small hill or knoll overlooking the surrounding area. It is roughly bounded by National Road (also known as U.S. Route 40) to the east, Heiskell Avenue to the south, Elm Street to the north, and the area west of Echo Point Circle.
The primary street in Echo Point is Echo Point Circle itself, which forms a circular drive around a central green space. This unique layout was planned by Orville Dewey when he developed the area. Other nearby streets that are closely associated with or lead to Echo Point include Lynwood Avenue, Bae Mar Place, Heiskell Avenue, and Elm Street. Echo Point is part of the larger Woodsdale neighborhood, which extends further north and west. The area immediately south of Echo Point is known as Edgwood.
The area was originally part of the farm owned by Major John Good, who gave the land to his daughter Hester. It was Hester who proposed the name "Echo Point" due to the echo that could be heard from a certain part of the property. The development of Echo Point began in earnest after Orville Dewey acquired the land from the Edgington heirs (Hester Good had married Daniel Edgington). Dewey planned the neighborhood's distinctive circular layout around a central green space, with homes facing inward. The first house in Echo Point was actually built by Daniel and Hester Edgington, though it was later moved to the northwestern section of the circle when Dewey began developing the area.
Among the earliest and most prominent residents to build homes in Echo Point were John D. Culbertson, secretary-treasurer of Riverside Iron Works, who built his home at 3 Echo Point Circle in 1890; Jacob W. Grubb, an optician, who constructed his residence at 4 Echo Point Circle, also in 1890 (this house was notable for its Queen Anne style architecture but was unfortunately demolished in 1999); Joseph Speidel, who built his home at 5 Echo Point Circle in 1893; Morgan L. Ott and his daughter Mary, along with son-in-law Charles Burdette Hart, who jointly built their home at 1 Echo Point Circle; Samuel W. Harper, who built his house (the last one constructed on the point) at 7 Echo Point Circle; and Mary Franzheim, who built the house at 2 Echo Point Circle, which was later purchased by Mrs. Garth Hearne in 1908.
Other notable residents included W.P. Heiskell, vice president of Ott-Heiskell Hardware Co., William S. Brady, vice president of Hazel-Atlas Glass, and Dr. John L. Dickey. The homes in Echo Point showcased various architectural styles popular at the turn of the 20th century, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Shingle Style. Many of these homes were designed by prominent local architects. For instance, the house at 8 Kenwood Place was designed by architects Franzheim and Faris in 1908.
The development of Echo Point was facilitated by the extension of streetcar lines into the area. The Wheeling Elm Grove Railway had extended its tracks to nearby Bethany Pike by 1876, making it possible for wealthy residents to live in this suburban area while commuting to work in downtown Wheeling. Over the years, some of the original homes have been altered or demolished, but Echo Point still retains much of its historic character. It remains a testament to the architectural tastes and lifestyles of Wheeling's upper class from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The neighborhood's unique circular layout and collection of grand homes make it a significant part of Wheeling's architectural heritage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4t6746nv) (https://tinyurl.com/mry8bt45) (https://tinyurl.com/4fubyd93) (https://tinyurl.com/db97vvbt) (https://tinyurl.com/5n8rzbsp) (https://tinyurl.com/3pwa6h5s) (https://tinyurl.com/yem2m5ts) (https://tinyurl.com/y22kefsu) (https://tinyurl.com/4xx6ymjk) (https://tinyurl.com/t73h3p66)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Friends of Wheeling, Google Maps
Echo Point is a historic neighborhood in Wheeling, West Virginia that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an affluent suburban enclave. The area is located in what is now known as the Woodsdale-Edgwood Neighborhood Historic District. Geographically, Echo Point is situated on a small hill or knoll overlooking the surrounding area. It is roughly bounded by National Road (also known as U.S. Route 40) to the east, Heiskell Avenue to the south, Elm Street to the north, and the area west of Echo Point Circle.
The primary street in Echo Point is Echo Point Circle itself, which forms a circular drive around a central green space. This unique layout was planned by Orville Dewey when he developed the area. Other nearby streets that are closely associated with or lead to Echo Point include Lynwood Avenue, Bae Mar Place, Heiskell Avenue, and Elm Street. Echo Point is part of the larger Woodsdale neighborhood, which extends further north and west. The area immediately south of Echo Point is known as Edgwood.
The area was originally part of the farm owned by Major John Good, who gave the land to his daughter Hester. It was Hester who proposed the name "Echo Point" due to the echo that could be heard from a certain part of the property. The development of Echo Point began in earnest after Orville Dewey acquired the land from the Edgington heirs (Hester Good had married Daniel Edgington). Dewey planned the neighborhood's distinctive circular layout around a central green space, with homes facing inward. The first house in Echo Point was actually built by Daniel and Hester Edgington, though it was later moved to the northwestern section of the circle when Dewey began developing the area.
Among the earliest and most prominent residents to build homes in Echo Point were John D. Culbertson, secretary-treasurer of Riverside Iron Works, who built his home at 3 Echo Point Circle in 1890; Jacob W. Grubb, an optician, who constructed his residence at 4 Echo Point Circle, also in 1890 (this house was notable for its Queen Anne style architecture but was unfortunately demolished in 1999); Joseph Speidel, who built his home at 5 Echo Point Circle in 1893; Morgan L. Ott and his daughter Mary, along with son-in-law Charles Burdette Hart, who jointly built their home at 1 Echo Point Circle; Samuel W. Harper, who built his house (the last one constructed on the point) at 7 Echo Point Circle; and Mary Franzheim, who built the house at 2 Echo Point Circle, which was later purchased by Mrs. Garth Hearne in 1908.
Other notable residents included W.P. Heiskell, vice president of Ott-Heiskell Hardware Co., William S. Brady, vice president of Hazel-Atlas Glass, and Dr. John L. Dickey. The homes in Echo Point showcased various architectural styles popular at the turn of the 20th century, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Shingle Style. Many of these homes were designed by prominent local architects. For instance, the house at 8 Kenwood Place was designed by architects Franzheim and Faris in 1908.
The development of Echo Point was facilitated by the extension of streetcar lines into the area. The Wheeling Elm Grove Railway had extended its tracks to nearby Bethany Pike by 1876, making it possible for wealthy residents to live in this suburban area while commuting to work in downtown Wheeling. Over the years, some of the original homes have been altered or demolished, but Echo Point still retains much of its historic character. It remains a testament to the architectural tastes and lifestyles of Wheeling's upper class from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The neighborhood's unique circular layout and collection of grand homes make it a significant part of Wheeling's architectural heritage.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4t6746nv) (https://tinyurl.com/mry8bt45) (https://tinyurl.com/4fubyd93) (https://tinyurl.com/db97vvbt) (https://tinyurl.com/5n8rzbsp) (https://tinyurl.com/3pwa6h5s) (https://tinyurl.com/yem2m5ts) (https://tinyurl.com/y22kefsu) (https://tinyurl.com/4xx6ymjk) (https://tinyurl.com/t73h3p66)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Friends of Wheeling, Google Maps
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