​Today in Wheeling History: August 1 — Frederick F. Faris, “dean of Wheeling architects” and designer of the city’s tallest and longest buildings, is born in St. Clairsville, Ohio (1870).
 
Frederick Fisher Faris (1870–1927) was one of Wheeling’s most prolific and influential architects, shaping the city’s skyline and civic identity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Faris moved to Wheeling at age two and was educated in its public schools. Though he had no formal architectural training, he studied art in Chicago and New York and apprenticed under local architect Edgar W. Wells. Faris began his career with the firm Leiner & Faris in 1892, later partnering with Edward B. Franzheim and Millard Giesey before establishing his own practice in 1911.
 
Faris designed over 200 buildings, including the Schmulbach Building (1907), then the tallest in West Virginia, and the Market Auditorium, the longest. His work spanned schools (Madison School, Triadelphia High), churches (Vance Memorial Presbyterian), civic buildings (Scottish Rite Cathedral, YMCA), and residences (Formosa Apartments, Otto Schenk House). He also contributed to the West Virginia Pavilion at the 1904 World’s Fair. Faris served in the West Virginia House of Delegates (1913) and was active in Masonic and civic organizations. He died of strep throat on June 20, 1927, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. His legacy lives on in the enduring beauty and utility of Wheeling’s built environment.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Hall of Fame profile – Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2s47ea29); Frederick F. Faris biography – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/2ep2xuj7), Faris & Giesey architectural legacy – Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/ys5hukep), Faris, Faris & Stephens architectural records – WVU Archives (https://tinyurl.com/mt8jt8xs)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps, Friends of Wheeling, St. Louis Public Library Digital Collections

​Today in Wheeling History: July 31—Eddie Drummond, Linsly School alumnus and NFL Pro Bowl return specialist, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, his childhood favorite team (2008).
 
Edward Matthew Drummond, born April 12, 1980, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made a lasting impact on Wheeling, West Virginia, through his athletic achievements at the Linsly School. A standout in both football and track, Drummond rushed for 3,918 yards and scored 70 touchdowns during his high school career, helping lead Linsly to a 29–11 record over four seasons. His junior year was especially notable, with 1,383 rushing yards and a perfect 10–0 team record. He earned multiple honors, including Ohio Valley Player of the Year and runner-up for West Virginia’s Kennedy Award. Drummond was also a dominant sprinter, recording a 10.37-second 100-meter dash in a summer meet after graduation.
 
Drummond chose Penn State over offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, and Florida State. Recruited by Joe Paterno as a running back, he played both tailback and wide receiver, finishing with 71 receptions for 1,132 yards and five touchdowns. After going undrafted in 2002, he signed with the Detroit Lions and quickly became a top NFL return specialist. In 2004, he earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors after returning two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. On July 31, 2008, Drummond fulfilled a personal dream by signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, his childhood favorite team. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Locomotives. Drummond’s legacy remains strong in Wheeling’s sports history.
 
To learn more: Eddie Drummond – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/shyb7xb5), OVAC Hall of Fame profile – Times Leader (https://tinyurl.com/57x5bk6m), Penn State career highlights – TribLIVE  (https://tinyurl.com/5dw3m6us)
 
Photo caption and credit: Eddie Drummond (YouTube)

Today in Wheeling History: July 30—Peter Frampton and Robin Trower performed a joint concert at the Wheeling Civic Center during their 1994 world tour (1994).
 
On July 30, 1994, legendary British rock musicians Peter Frampton and Robin Trower brought their electrifying talents to the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, as part of their co-headlining U.S. tour. Frampton, born April 22, 1950, in Beckenham, Kent, England, rose to fame with his multi-platinum live album "Frampton Comes Alive!" and is known for his innovative use of the talk box. Trower, born March 9, 1945, in Catford, London, England, gained prominence as the guitarist for Procol Harum before launching a successful solo career rooted in blues rock.
 
The Wheeling concert was one of several stops on their 1994 summer tour, which featured both artists performing full sets and occasionally collaborating on stage. Fans at the Civic Center were treated to Frampton’s signature hits like “Show Me the Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do,” while Trower delivered his soulful guitar work on classics such as “Bridge of Sighs.” The event drew a large crowd and remains a memorable moment in Wheeling’s live music history, showcasing two guitar virtuosos. Though neither artist has direct personal ties to Wheeling, their performance added to the city’s legacy as a host of major touring acts.
 
To learn more: Peter Frampton concert history – Concert Archives (https://tinyurl.com/5cpe2axt), Robin Trower concert history – Concert Archives (https://tinyurl.com/2zr5td32), Peter Frampton biography – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/5d76yxye), Robin Trower biography – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/y4r6bfsk)
 
Photo credits: Pinterest, Wikimedia Commons

Today in Wheeling History: July 29—Richard “Chico” Guzman, Flying Wallenda aerialist, dies from injuries sustained during a high-wire accident at Wheeling Island Stadium the previous day (1972).
 
Richard “Chico” Guzman was born on July 3, 1943, in Los Angeles County, California. He became a circus performer and married Carla Wallenda, daughter of famed high-wire artist Karl Wallenda, joining the legendary Flying Wallendas troupe. Guzman was known for his daring aerial feats and was a key member of the family’s high-wire performances during the 1960s and early 1970s. On July 28, 1972, while performing at Wheeling Island Stadium in Wheeling, West Virginia, Guzman tragically died in a high-wire accident. He was electrocuted when a balancing pole he was holding touched a live wire in the rigging, causing him to fall approximately 60 feet. He suffered fatal head injuries and died the following day at age 29. His wife Carla and three of their four children were present at the performance. Guzman’s death marked one of several tragedies in the Wallenda family’s storied history. Despite the loss, Carla returned to performing shortly afterward, honoring her husband’s legacy. Guzman was buried at Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton, Florida. Though not a native of Wheeling, his death during a performance there ties his story to the city’s cultural and entertainment history.
 
To learn more: Find a Grave Memorial for Richard “Chico” Guzman (https://tinyurl.com/5xutx24y), Flying Wallendas Wikipedia entry (https://tinyurl.com/4rbj3t3f), Circuses and Sideshows profile on the Wallenda family (https://tinyurl.com/mt93mrc5)
 
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: July 28--The Wheeling Suspension Bridge reopens to the public after reconstruction (1860).
 
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, a pioneering feat of 19th-century engineering, reopened on July 28, 1860, after being rebuilt following a devastating windstorm in 1854. Originally completed in 1849, the bridge was designed by Charles Ellet Jr. and became the first bridge to span the Ohio River, linking Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), to Wheeling Island and extending the National Road westward. At the time of its opening, it was the longest clear-span suspension bridge in the world, measuring 1,010 feet between towers. The bridge played a critical role in Wheeling’s emergence as a transportation hub, connecting river, rail, and road networks. Its strategic importance was heightened during the Civil War, facilitating troop and supply movements. After the 1854 storm destroyed the deck, partial service resumed within months, but full reconstruction—including strengthening and design enhancements—was completed by 1860. The bridge’s appearance today largely reflects this rebuild. It was later “Roeblingized” in the 1870s with auxiliary cables designed by Washington Roebling. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975, the bridge remains a symbol of Wheeling’s industrial and civic ambition. Though closed to vehicular traffic since 2019, it continues to serve pedestrians and stands as a testament to American ingenuity.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Suspension Bridge history from West Virginia Public Broadcasting (https://tinyurl.com/tywfb2kf), Wheeling Suspension Bridge on Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/24x59eb6), American Society of Civil Engineers landmark profile (https://tinyurl.com/5n6jtr8m), Only In Your State feature on the bridge (https://tinyurl.com/3w2tpfbx), Tourist Secrets article on Wheeling’s historic bridge (https://tinyurl.com/4upyrb52)
 
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: July 27 — William Allison Sweeney, pioneering African American journalist and poet, who briefly published a newspaper in Wheeling, was born in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan (1851).
 
William Allison Sweeney was born on July 27, 1851, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, to William Jacob and Aurilla Day Sweeney. Though not a lifelong resident of Wheeling, his brief but notable connection to the city came in 1885–1886 when he edited and published “The People,” a newspaper aimed at African American readers. This publication marked a significant moment in Wheeling’s press history, as Sweeney became the first Black man to serve on a jury in West Virginia during his time there. His journalism career began in 1879 and spanned several cities, including Detroit, Indianapolis, and Chicago. Sweeney was known for his impassioned prose and poetic style, contributing to both Black and white newspapers. He later edited “The Freeman” in Indianapolis and “The Chicago Conservator,” aligning himself with Booker T. Washington’s political camp. In 1919, he authored “History of the American Negro in the Great World War,” a comprehensive account of African American military service. Though he died in Chicago in 1921 and was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery, his brief tenure in Wheeling left a lasting imprint on the city’s cultural and civic landscape.
 
To learn more: W. Allison Sweeney – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/juh98z6m), Find a Grave Memorial – William Allison Sweeney (https://tinyurl.com/4hjuaffv), History of the American Negro in the Great World War – Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/3bttj8fd)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Internet Archive

​Today in Wheeling History: July 25—Ewald Over, who immigrated to Wheeling as a teenager and worked as a bookkeeper before becoming a Union Army captain, enlisted at Camp Carlile in 1861 and later served as military commander of the city, where he oversaw the Athenaeum prison, established Wheeling's army hospital, and enforced federal loyalty by arresting Confederate-sympathizing newspaper editors; was born in Remscheid, Rhenish Prussia, Germany (1835).
 
Ewald Over was born on July 25, 1835, in Remscheid, Rhenish Prussia, Germany. He immigrated to the United States with his parents around age 15, settling in Wheeling, West Virginia. Over began his career as a bookkeeper and clerk at a local hardware house and married Anna Heinzelman in 1853. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted at Camp Carlile in Wheeling on September 23, 1861, and became captain of Company P, 6th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He served in various roles, including military commander of Wheeling, provost marshal of Clarksburg, and assistant adjutant general. Over was involved in guarding Confederate prisoners at the Athenaeum and played a key role in establishing a local army hospital. He also arrested editors of the Wheeling Daily Register for Confederate sympathies in 1864.
 
After the war, Over moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became a successful entrepreneur. He founded Victor Foundry & Machine Works, producing sash weights, road machinery, and patented inventions. He was active in civic organizations and helped build the Second English Lutheran Church. Over died on April 10, 1912, and is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
 
To learn more: Ewald Over on Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/muwn74bv), Civil War Censorship: Wheeling’s Democratic Editors (https://tinyurl.com/4tjcyshw), Athenaeum Prison History (https://tinyurl.com/bddhf3jv), Caught Between Revolutions: Wheeling Germans (https://tinyurl.com/sxv73nea)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, The Historical Marker Database

​Today in Wheeling History: July 24—Phillip Nathaniel Reed, educator and civil rights leader who guided Ohio County Schools through integration, passed away in Wheeling (1975). 
 
Phillip Nathaniel Reed was born on July 16, 1914, in Luray, Virginia, to Rev. John H. Reed and Cornelia Johnson Reed. His family later moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he attended Lincoln Grade and High School, a segregated institution. Reed pursued higher education at Bluefield State College, specializing in English and social studies. 
 
Returning to Wheeling, Reed began his career as a substitute teacher at Lincoln School in 1939. The following year, he became an upper elementary teacher at Dunbar School, the Black grade school for Triadelphia. By 1943, he was appointed Dunbar’s teaching principal, and in 1947, he became principal of Lincoln School, succeeding John Henry Rainbow. 
 
Reed played a pivotal role in integrating Ohio County Schools following the Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. He oversaw Lincoln School’s transition into Wheeling’s public school system and later became principal of Washington Grade School in North Wheeling. His leadership helped ease racial tensions during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. 
 
Reed passed away on July 24, 1975, in Wheeling and was buried in Stone Church Cemetery. His legacy as an educator and advocate for equality remains significant in Wheeling’s history. 
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/yppxc6aw); Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/bddu54zk)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: July 23--Jack Glasscock, Wheeling-born baseball star, credited with coining the term “Charley Horse” by the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (1886).
 
The phrase “Charley Horse,” commonly used to describe painful muscle cramps, may trace its origins to Wheeling, West Virginia. On July 23, 1886, the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer published a blurb attributing the term to John Wesley “Jack” Glasscock, a professional baseball player born in Wheeling in 1859. Known as “Pebbly Jack” for his habit of tossing pebbles in the outfield, Glasscock was one of the premier shortstops of the 19th century. He began his major league career in 1879 and played for teams including the Cleveland Blues and Indianapolis Hoosiers.
 
According to the newspaper, Glasscock coined the term after observing teammates limping from thigh cramps, which reminded him of an old horse he once owned named Charley. Another version suggests his father made the comparison when Jack limped home from a game. The phrase gained traction in baseball circles and eventually entered popular vernacular to describe leg cramps.
 
While other theories exist—including connections to horse racing and other players like Joe Quest—Glasscock’s Wheeling origin remains one of the most compelling. His linguistic legacy adds a quirky footnote to Wheeling’s rich cultural and sports history.
 
To learn more: Did the Term “Charley Horse” Originate in Wheeling? – Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/4c2d26w5), Charley horse – Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4kn57w38), The Surprising Reason They're Called Charley Horses – HuffPost (https://tinyurl.com/ce5cn9b5), Jack Glasscock’s Major League Debut – WVPB (https://tinyurl.com/288cvj63), Charley Horse – Bardball (https://tinyurl.com/c7unntvk)
 
Photo credits: Weelunk, Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: July 22--Patent granted to Alonzo L. Edwards of Wheeling for his "Device for Removing Deformities in Collapsible Metal Tubes," assigned to Wheeling Stamping Company (1924).
 
Alonzo Lewis Edwards (1865-1948) was a lifelong Wheeling resident who dedicated over five decades to industrial innovation at the Wheeling Stamping Company. Born on January 1, 1865, in Wheeling to Edwin F. Edwards (born in South Carolina) and Mary Jane Hollingshead (born in West Virginia), Edwards was educated in local schools and became an integral part of Wheeling's manufacturing heritage. He married Sue L. Oliver on September 12, 1895, and the couple had three children: Fred Oliver Edwards (1897-1964), who became a prominent Wheeling organist and musician; Mary Virginia Edwards Park (1908-2001); and another daughter, Mrs. Bert Sauvageot, who predeceased him by four years.
 
Edwards worked for the Wheeling Stamping Company for an remarkable 52 years before retiring in 1940. The company was a major manufacturer of collapsible metal tubes used for toothpaste, shaving cream, glue, and various other products, operating what was reportedly the largest such facility in the United States at the time. Edwards' most notable achievement was his invention of a "Device for Removing Deformities in Collapsible Metal Tubes," for which he received U.S. Patent No. 1,502,299 on July 22, 1924. According to the patent documentation, these collapsible metal tubes were "pressed from tin, lead, or alloys of said metals" and were extremely thin-walled and fragile. The patent specifically mentions that such tubes were used for toothpaste, shaving cream, and glue applications. Edwards' innovative mechanism addressed a critical manufacturing challenge by automatically smoothing out "dents, wrinkles and like deformities" in these fragile tubes before they received enamel coating, ensuring uniform product quality. The device used a rotating roller system that frictionally engaged the tube bodies, rotating them through at least one complete revolution to "roll out any irregularities" and restore them to their "true cylindrical form."
 
Edwards lived at 18 South Penn Street on Wheeling Island, where he died on March 13, 1948, at age 83, after a six-month illness. His death certificate listed the cause as carbuncle of the scalp with acute encephalitis. Funeral services were held at Kepner's Funeral Home on Chapline Street, with Rev. Irving S. Middaugh of Thomson Methodist Church officiating. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery alongside many other prominent Wheeling citizens. Edwards represents the skilled industrial workers who helped establish Wheeling's reputation as a manufacturing center during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
 
To learn more: Google Patents) (https://tinyurl.com/y5mfu27m), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/8wmj37ft), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5d4mrt64)
 
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office, Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer, Google Maps