Today in Wheeling History: July 28--Extremely high winds estimated at up to 100 miles per hour struck the transmitter site of Wheeling-based WWVA radio in Avalon, West Virginia (near West Liberty), toppling both of the station's 225-foot self-supporting towers that held its long-wire antenna (1936).
On July 28, 1936, WWVA's transmitter site in Avalon, West Virginia, experienced a significant disaster. Avalon was located near West Liberty, which is just northeast of Wheeling. The WWVA radio station itself was based in Wheeling, West Virginia, where it had been since its founding in 1926. Extremely high winds, estimated to reach up to 100 miles per hour, struck the Avalon transmitter site and caused severe damage to the station's infrastructure. The powerful gusts managed to topple both of WWVA's 225-foot self-supporting towers, which were used to support the station's long-wire antenna. This collapse left WWVA temporarily off the air. However, the station's engineers and staff worked diligently to restore broadcasting capabilities. By the following morning, they had managed to erect a temporary antenna at the Avalon site, allowing WWVA to resume its broadcasts. While the site was eventually rebuilt, it didn't remain in use for long. In 1941-42, WWVA moved its transmitter to a new, more robust facility in St. Clairsville, Ohio, about ten miles west of Wheeling across the Ohio River. This new site featured three 408-foot self-supporting towers and a sturdy transmitter building, significantly upgrading WWVA's broadcasting capabilities.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/zgmTE)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; WWVA, fybush.com
On July 28, 1936, WWVA's transmitter site in Avalon, West Virginia, experienced a significant disaster. Avalon was located near West Liberty, which is just northeast of Wheeling. The WWVA radio station itself was based in Wheeling, West Virginia, where it had been since its founding in 1926. Extremely high winds, estimated to reach up to 100 miles per hour, struck the Avalon transmitter site and caused severe damage to the station's infrastructure. The powerful gusts managed to topple both of WWVA's 225-foot self-supporting towers, which were used to support the station's long-wire antenna. This collapse left WWVA temporarily off the air. However, the station's engineers and staff worked diligently to restore broadcasting capabilities. By the following morning, they had managed to erect a temporary antenna at the Avalon site, allowing WWVA to resume its broadcasts. While the site was eventually rebuilt, it didn't remain in use for long. In 1941-42, WWVA moved its transmitter to a new, more robust facility in St. Clairsville, Ohio, about ten miles west of Wheeling across the Ohio River. This new site featured three 408-foot self-supporting towers and a sturdy transmitter building, significantly upgrading WWVA's broadcasting capabilities.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/zgmTE)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; WWVA, fybush.com
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