Today in Wheeling History: June 1--Clyde Thomas became the first African American elected to Wheeling City Council in the modern era (1971).
Clyde Thomas was a trailblazer in Wheeling’s political and athletic history. Born on April 5, 1940, he excelled in sports at Bellaire High School, earning All-State honors in both basketball and football. His athletic prowess led him to Ohio University, where he played as a running back on the undefeated 1960 Mid-American Conference Championship team. His talent earned him recognition in Sports Illustrated, and he later played professionally for the Wheeling Ironmen and briefly for the Philadelphia Eagles before an injury ended his NFL career.
After retiring from football, Thomas transitioned into public service. In 1971, he made history by becoming the first African American elected to Wheeling City Council under the non-partisan City-Manager Government. He served four consecutive terms, advocating for community development and infrastructure improvements. His leadership extended to his role as vice-mayor, where he played a key part in getting the Wheeling Civic Center built and proposing a downtown shopping mall.
Thomas was inducted into the American Football Association’s Minor Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He passed away on October 12, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence and civic leadership.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2zpstz7x), Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3ccevety), West Virginia Archives & History (https://tinyurl.com/yumejz76)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
Clyde Thomas was a trailblazer in Wheeling’s political and athletic history. Born on April 5, 1940, he excelled in sports at Bellaire High School, earning All-State honors in both basketball and football. His athletic prowess led him to Ohio University, where he played as a running back on the undefeated 1960 Mid-American Conference Championship team. His talent earned him recognition in Sports Illustrated, and he later played professionally for the Wheeling Ironmen and briefly for the Philadelphia Eagles before an injury ended his NFL career.
After retiring from football, Thomas transitioned into public service. In 1971, he made history by becoming the first African American elected to Wheeling City Council under the non-partisan City-Manager Government. He served four consecutive terms, advocating for community development and infrastructure improvements. His leadership extended to his role as vice-mayor, where he played a key part in getting the Wheeling Civic Center built and proposing a downtown shopping mall.
Thomas was inducted into the American Football Association’s Minor Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He passed away on October 12, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence and civic leadership.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2zpstz7x), Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3ccevety), West Virginia Archives & History (https://tinyurl.com/yumejz76)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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