Today in Wheeling History: May 25—The "Wheeling Intelligencer" reported that the planned Hawley Building would be “one of the finest buildings in this vicinity,” designed for ten stories with seven to be built initially (1912).
The Hawley Building—today known as the Mull Center—stands as one of downtown Wheeling’s earliest and most durable high‑rise office structures. Located at 1025 Main Street, the building occupies a site long associated with the ruins of the Grant House hotel, destroyed by fire in 1877. Entrepreneur James L. Hawley began redeveloping the corner in the 1890s, constructing a commercial block on foundations intentionally over‑engineered to support a future skyscraper.
In 1912, Hawley commissioned architect Charles W. Bates to design a modern office tower. The "Wheeling Intelligencer" reported on May 25, 1912, that the new building would be among the finest in the region. Seven stories were initially planned, but the structure was engineered for ten. In September 1913, a building permit for a $60,000 addition allowed completion of the full ten‑story height.
By 1914, the Hawley Building had become a mixed‑use commercial center. The Princess Theatre opened on April 6, offering motion‑picture entertainment, and Elliott Commercial School began classes two days later. Through the 1920s and early 1930s, the building also housed WWVA radio studios, contributing to the early history of the Wheeling Jamboree.
Renamed the Mull Center in 1977, the building remains in active use as of 2026, continuing its long role as a Main Street landmark and a testament to Wheeling’s early‑20th‑century commercial growth.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library – Hawley Building/Mull Center (https://tinyurl.com/5c5j2b7j), Historic Wheeling – 1025 Main Street (https://tinyurl.com/yxwaupcp)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, Historic Wheeling
The Hawley Building—today known as the Mull Center—stands as one of downtown Wheeling’s earliest and most durable high‑rise office structures. Located at 1025 Main Street, the building occupies a site long associated with the ruins of the Grant House hotel, destroyed by fire in 1877. Entrepreneur James L. Hawley began redeveloping the corner in the 1890s, constructing a commercial block on foundations intentionally over‑engineered to support a future skyscraper.
In 1912, Hawley commissioned architect Charles W. Bates to design a modern office tower. The "Wheeling Intelligencer" reported on May 25, 1912, that the new building would be among the finest in the region. Seven stories were initially planned, but the structure was engineered for ten. In September 1913, a building permit for a $60,000 addition allowed completion of the full ten‑story height.
By 1914, the Hawley Building had become a mixed‑use commercial center. The Princess Theatre opened on April 6, offering motion‑picture entertainment, and Elliott Commercial School began classes two days later. Through the 1920s and early 1930s, the building also housed WWVA radio studios, contributing to the early history of the Wheeling Jamboree.
Renamed the Mull Center in 1977, the building remains in active use as of 2026, continuing its long role as a Main Street landmark and a testament to Wheeling’s early‑20th‑century commercial growth.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library – Hawley Building/Mull Center (https://tinyurl.com/5c5j2b7j), Historic Wheeling – 1025 Main Street (https://tinyurl.com/yxwaupcp)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, Historic Wheeling
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