Today in Wheeling History: February 12 - El Villa Grill, "Wheeling's Most Distinctive Restaurant," opens in the El Villa Apartments at National Road and Edgington Lane (1930).
The El Villa Grill opened its doors on February 12, 1930, in one of Wheeling's most distinctive apartment buildings designed by renowned local architect Edward B. Franzheim. Located in the El Villa Apartments at the intersection of National Road and Edgington Lane in Pleasant Valley, the restaurant operated under the direction of Herman A. D'Orazio and Hugo Orardeli. The establishment, which marketed itself as "Wheeling's Most Distinctive Restaurant," was housed in Franzheim's carefully designed El Villa Apartments, one of several apartment buildings he designed in Wheeling along with the Virginia and Howard apartments. The restaurant specialized in European, Italian, and Southern cooking, offering a unique fusion of cuisines. The opening night was a remarkable success, with close to 150 guests attending various social gatherings and dinner parties. The restaurant quickly became a popular venue for bridge parties, dinner parties, special dinners, and luncheon parties. By 1945, the establishment had expanded to include a lounge and was known for its "delicious steaks and delectable beverages." The venue continued operating through at least 1946, as evidenced by a March 21, 1946, news article mentioning a minor fire incident involving a defective chimney, though no damage was reported.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/6u4xfaku); Christina Fisanick's Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/2jjnwyt5), Wheeling Sunday Register (https://tinyurl.com/3frvzjhr) (https://tinyurl.com/4mb5p3ks), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/yk5ttads) (https://tinyurl.com/mrytaaw3), (https://tinyurl.com/m25yd2kb), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/bdw2y4nm) (https://tinyurl.com/yc7kfps7), West Virginia Jewry 1850-1958 (https://tinyurl.com/32v8xenf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Sunday News-Register, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register, Google Maps
The El Villa Grill opened its doors on February 12, 1930, in one of Wheeling's most distinctive apartment buildings designed by renowned local architect Edward B. Franzheim. Located in the El Villa Apartments at the intersection of National Road and Edgington Lane in Pleasant Valley, the restaurant operated under the direction of Herman A. D'Orazio and Hugo Orardeli. The establishment, which marketed itself as "Wheeling's Most Distinctive Restaurant," was housed in Franzheim's carefully designed El Villa Apartments, one of several apartment buildings he designed in Wheeling along with the Virginia and Howard apartments. The restaurant specialized in European, Italian, and Southern cooking, offering a unique fusion of cuisines. The opening night was a remarkable success, with close to 150 guests attending various social gatherings and dinner parties. The restaurant quickly became a popular venue for bridge parties, dinner parties, special dinners, and luncheon parties. By 1945, the establishment had expanded to include a lounge and was known for its "delicious steaks and delectable beverages." The venue continued operating through at least 1946, as evidenced by a March 21, 1946, news article mentioning a minor fire incident involving a defective chimney, though no damage was reported.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/6u4xfaku); Christina Fisanick's Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/2jjnwyt5), Wheeling Sunday Register (https://tinyurl.com/3frvzjhr) (https://tinyurl.com/4mb5p3ks), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/yk5ttads) (https://tinyurl.com/mrytaaw3), (https://tinyurl.com/m25yd2kb), Wheeling Register (https://tinyurl.com/bdw2y4nm) (https://tinyurl.com/yc7kfps7), West Virginia Jewry 1850-1958 (https://tinyurl.com/32v8xenf)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Sunday News-Register, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register, Google Maps
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