Today in Wheeling History: March 4--Charles H. Berry, the founder of Berry Supply, a prominent Wheeling rope and boat supply business, was born in Boston (1825).
Charles H. Berry was a prominent Wheeling businessperson who founded a long-running rope, cordage, and boat supply company in 1845. After facing challenges as a manufacturer, Berry transitioned his company to a wholesale and retail merchant business in 1868. Despite setbacks from fires and relocations, Berry's company persevered for over 140 years in Wheeling under his family's ownership. Most recently owned by Tom and Sue Smith, the historic Berry Supply building was sold in 2018, ending the 194-year legacy business. The building was purchased by developer Dan Milleson and renovated into a mixed-use entertainment venue called Waterfront Hall, which received a $200,000 grant from the city's Upper Floor Incentive Program to activate the upper floors. Though no longer the Berry family business, the new use continues the building's long history and honors its heritage as one of Wheeling’s iconic structures.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mv8fzhxr) (https://tinyurl.com/ye223t65) (https://tinyurl.com/36feja3c) (https://tinyurl.com/3p77kuj9) (https://tinyurl.com/3awfubtb) (https://tinyurl.com/3ywnwcfb) (https://tinyurl.com/bdf2mxyy) (https://tinyurl.com/ycmc4tey) (https://tinyurl.com/3fbm2nx9)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Weelunk, Find a Grave
Charles H. Berry was a prominent Wheeling businessperson who founded a long-running rope, cordage, and boat supply company in 1845. After facing challenges as a manufacturer, Berry transitioned his company to a wholesale and retail merchant business in 1868. Despite setbacks from fires and relocations, Berry's company persevered for over 140 years in Wheeling under his family's ownership. Most recently owned by Tom and Sue Smith, the historic Berry Supply building was sold in 2018, ending the 194-year legacy business. The building was purchased by developer Dan Milleson and renovated into a mixed-use entertainment venue called Waterfront Hall, which received a $200,000 grant from the city's Upper Floor Incentive Program to activate the upper floors. Though no longer the Berry family business, the new use continues the building's long history and honors its heritage as one of Wheeling’s iconic structures.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mv8fzhxr) (https://tinyurl.com/ye223t65) (https://tinyurl.com/36feja3c) (https://tinyurl.com/3p77kuj9) (https://tinyurl.com/3awfubtb) (https://tinyurl.com/3ywnwcfb) (https://tinyurl.com/bdf2mxyy) (https://tinyurl.com/ycmc4tey) (https://tinyurl.com/3fbm2nx9)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Weelunk, Find a Grave
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