Today in Wheeling History: March 17--The Afro-American, a Baltimore-based newspaper, announced that the Wheeling Pythian Association had secured a $55,000 loan from The National Benefit Life Insurance Company to construct the African American Pythian Building at 1025-27 Chapline Street in Wheeling (1928).
The African American Pythian Building, located at 1025 Chapline St. in Wheeling, West Virginia, was built in 1928 by the African American Knights of Pythias fraternal organization. Despite facing discrimination and financial obstacles, the group secured a $55,000 loan from The National Benefit Life Insurance Company, as announced in The Afro-American, a Baltimore-based newspaper, on March 17, 1928, to construct the modern four-story building, which included an auditorium, store rooms, offices, and lodge rooms. The building officially opened to the public on December 20, 1928, and served as a hub for the African American community in Wheeling, housing the Pythian Theatre (later renamed the Fedo Theatre), the Pythian Restaurant (later called The Palm Garden from 1938 onward), the Pythian Barbershop, and the Friendship Billiard Parlor. The Pythian Building continued to operate and serve the community into the mid-1950s.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/w9b33bde) (https://tinyurl.com/3k3nv897) (https://tinyurl.com/yattf6zy)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
The African American Pythian Building, located at 1025 Chapline St. in Wheeling, West Virginia, was built in 1928 by the African American Knights of Pythias fraternal organization. Despite facing discrimination and financial obstacles, the group secured a $55,000 loan from The National Benefit Life Insurance Company, as announced in The Afro-American, a Baltimore-based newspaper, on March 17, 1928, to construct the modern four-story building, which included an auditorium, store rooms, offices, and lodge rooms. The building officially opened to the public on December 20, 1928, and served as a hub for the African American community in Wheeling, housing the Pythian Theatre (later renamed the Fedo Theatre), the Pythian Restaurant (later called The Palm Garden from 1938 onward), the Pythian Barbershop, and the Friendship Billiard Parlor. The Pythian Building continued to operate and serve the community into the mid-1950s.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/w9b33bde) (https://tinyurl.com/3k3nv897) (https://tinyurl.com/yattf6zy)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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