Today in Wheeling History: March 8--The Stifel & Sons Calico Works plant, which had been closed since December 17, 1957, caught fire and was completely destroyed, leaving only a 275-foot smokestack standing (1961).
On March 8, 1961, a devastating fire broke out at the former J. L. Stifel & Sons Calico Works plant in Wheeling, West Virginia. The fire, which caused an estimated $400,000 in damages, erupted between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the cause was not immediately determined. The two-alarm fire brought around 80 firemen from 10 companies to the scene, and it took nearly two hours to bring the flames under control. Despite the intensity of the fire, the firemen managed to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Four firefighters were injured during the incident: James Baker, 43, of 2206 Hazlett Avenue; John Stein, 32, of 80 Joan Street; Rocco Leffe, 33, of 1125 Lind Street; and Joseph L. Calangelo, 33, of 2610 Vance Avenue. Baker, Stein, and Leffe were admitted to the hospital, while Calangelo was treated and released. The fire completely destroyed the historic building, leaving only a 275-foot smokestack standing, which was later toppled on March 25, 1969.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mckdaw2s) (https://tinyurl.com/3n4uau9c)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV here to edit.
On March 8, 1961, a devastating fire broke out at the former J. L. Stifel & Sons Calico Works plant in Wheeling, West Virginia. The fire, which caused an estimated $400,000 in damages, erupted between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and the cause was not immediately determined. The two-alarm fire brought around 80 firemen from 10 companies to the scene, and it took nearly two hours to bring the flames under control. Despite the intensity of the fire, the firemen managed to prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. Four firefighters were injured during the incident: James Baker, 43, of 2206 Hazlett Avenue; John Stein, 32, of 80 Joan Street; Rocco Leffe, 33, of 1125 Lind Street; and Joseph L. Calangelo, 33, of 2610 Vance Avenue. Baker, Stein, and Leffe were admitted to the hospital, while Calangelo was treated and released. The fire completely destroyed the historic building, leaving only a 275-foot smokestack standing, which was later toppled on March 25, 1969.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mckdaw2s) (https://tinyurl.com/3n4uau9c)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV here to edit.
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