Today in Wheeling History: February 24--The Pennsylvania Railroad expanded its rail network to reach Wheeling (1878).
The Pennsylvania Railroad opened a line to Wheeling in 1878, providing vital rail access that connected Wheeling to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, and eastern markets. The Pennsylvania Railroad gave Wheeling's industry and agriculture greater trading reach and options beyond the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which had previously monopolized Ohio Valley rail transport. The Pennsylvania Railroad passenger and freight station located on Water Street competed directly with the B&O line. In 1883, the PRR added a four-mile extension to Benwood to tap into the profitable iron works there. The Water Street station was an important transit hub for Wheeling, including many young men who departed to fight in World Wars I and II. At its peak, the Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest railroad in the world, with thousands of miles of track and hundreds of thousands of rail cars. The Water Street station was severely damaged in the disastrous 1907 flood that killed many in Wheeling and required the rescue of stranded passengers by boat. After the flood waters receded, the station was repaired and train service resumed.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/mw7z5cvr) (http://tinyurl.com/495tbz5v)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling National Heritage Area, The Historical Marker Database
The Pennsylvania Railroad opened a line to Wheeling in 1878, providing vital rail access that connected Wheeling to Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, and eastern markets. The Pennsylvania Railroad gave Wheeling's industry and agriculture greater trading reach and options beyond the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which had previously monopolized Ohio Valley rail transport. The Pennsylvania Railroad passenger and freight station located on Water Street competed directly with the B&O line. In 1883, the PRR added a four-mile extension to Benwood to tap into the profitable iron works there. The Water Street station was an important transit hub for Wheeling, including many young men who departed to fight in World Wars I and II. At its peak, the Pennsylvania Railroad was the largest railroad in the world, with thousands of miles of track and hundreds of thousands of rail cars. The Water Street station was severely damaged in the disastrous 1907 flood that killed many in Wheeling and required the rescue of stranded passengers by boat. After the flood waters receded, the station was repaired and train service resumed.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/mw7z5cvr) (http://tinyurl.com/495tbz5v)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling National Heritage Area, The Historical Marker Database
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