Today in Wheeling History: January 20--The Virginia Theatre in Wheeling opened (1908).
The Virginia Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia opened on January 20, 1908 with a production of "Round the Clock" by the Ritchie London Pantomime Company. Located at 82-12th Street in downtown Wheeling, this four-story, 1,900 seat theater was the largest in the state at the time. It was designed by architects Glesey & Faris and operated by the Dipson Theatres chain. The Virginia hosted live broadcasts of the popular WWVA Jamboree radio show from 1934 to 1936 and again from 1946 to 1962, before the show moved to the Rex Theatre. After its final performance on July 14, 1962, the Virginia closed and was demolished in September to become a parking lot, ending over 50 years of entertainment history in Wheeling.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/4p7pchk4) (http://tinyurl.com/yk64k9v9) (http://tinyurl.com/ycyed9hx) (http://tinyurl.com/7bw7rxpf) (http://tinyurl.com/27e5zfj7)
Photo Credits: Ohio West Virginia Archives & History; Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
The Virginia Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia opened on January 20, 1908 with a production of "Round the Clock" by the Ritchie London Pantomime Company. Located at 82-12th Street in downtown Wheeling, this four-story, 1,900 seat theater was the largest in the state at the time. It was designed by architects Glesey & Faris and operated by the Dipson Theatres chain. The Virginia hosted live broadcasts of the popular WWVA Jamboree radio show from 1934 to 1936 and again from 1946 to 1962, before the show moved to the Rex Theatre. After its final performance on July 14, 1962, the Virginia closed and was demolished in September to become a parking lot, ending over 50 years of entertainment history in Wheeling.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/4p7pchk4) (http://tinyurl.com/yk64k9v9) (http://tinyurl.com/ycyed9hx) (http://tinyurl.com/7bw7rxpf) (http://tinyurl.com/27e5zfj7)
Photo Credits: Ohio West Virginia Archives & History; Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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