Today in Wheeling History: November 13--Five prisoners escaped from the Athenaeum Prison in Wheeling (1863).
The Athenaeum, once Wheeling's largest building, was a four-story structure constructed in 1853-54 at the southeast corner of 16th (then John) and Market streets. Originally built as a warehouse for the Crescent Manufacturing Company, which manufactured boiler, sheet, and railway iron, the building's first two floors served industrial purposes while the upper floors housed a theater that opened in January 1855. The theater hosted notable performances, including "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1856 and appearances by famous Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth.
The building's role transformed dramatically during the Civil War. In fall 1861, the federal government rented two large second-floor rooms to house secessionist prisoners from Camp Carlile. By October 1863, the entire building was converted into a military prison, barracks, and hospital, earning the nickname "Lincoln's Bastille." The facility held Confederate prisoners of war, civilian dissenters, rebel spies, court-martialed soldiers, and bushwhackers. Under the direction of Provost Marshal Major Joseph Darr Jr. of the First West Virginia Cavalry, the prison population fluctuated between 50 and 100 inmates. The facility operated until October 1865, when it returned to civilian use. The building's story ended tragically on October 10, 1868, when it burned down in what became Wheeling's largest fire, prompting the city to organize its first fire department.
To learn more: West Virginia Sesquicentennial Timeline (https://shorturl.at/CCcpx), West Virginia Encyclopedia (https://shorturl.at/A2SGQ), The Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/egfX0)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, The Historical Marker Database, West Virginia State Archives
The Athenaeum, once Wheeling's largest building, was a four-story structure constructed in 1853-54 at the southeast corner of 16th (then John) and Market streets. Originally built as a warehouse for the Crescent Manufacturing Company, which manufactured boiler, sheet, and railway iron, the building's first two floors served industrial purposes while the upper floors housed a theater that opened in January 1855. The theater hosted notable performances, including "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1856 and appearances by famous Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth.
The building's role transformed dramatically during the Civil War. In fall 1861, the federal government rented two large second-floor rooms to house secessionist prisoners from Camp Carlile. By October 1863, the entire building was converted into a military prison, barracks, and hospital, earning the nickname "Lincoln's Bastille." The facility held Confederate prisoners of war, civilian dissenters, rebel spies, court-martialed soldiers, and bushwhackers. Under the direction of Provost Marshal Major Joseph Darr Jr. of the First West Virginia Cavalry, the prison population fluctuated between 50 and 100 inmates. The facility operated until October 1865, when it returned to civilian use. The building's story ended tragically on October 10, 1868, when it burned down in what became Wheeling's largest fire, prompting the city to organize its first fire department.
To learn more: West Virginia Sesquicentennial Timeline (https://shorturl.at/CCcpx), West Virginia Encyclopedia (https://shorturl.at/A2SGQ), The Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/egfX0)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, The Historical Marker Database, West Virginia State Archives
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