Today in Wheeling History: October 31--Prisoners transferred to the newly built county jail in Wheeling (1892).
The old county jail in Wheeling was located at the southwest corner of 15th and Eoff Streets, opposite the residence of prominent Wheeling brewer and businessman Anton Reymann. The county secured this site on May 3, 1890, despite Reymann's objections. Designed by architect Millard Giesey and built by Murray Brothers, the impressive new jail opened on October 31, 1892. In 1975 it was demolished for the new Ohio County Correction Facility and additional parking. General Contracting Co. of Steubenville served as the demolition contractor.
The 1892 jail had a residence for the jailor. The front section contained offices and public areas. A winding passage connected to the Bridge of Sighs and the courthouse. The separate cell building was extremely secure, with multi-tiered steel cells, automatic locks, iron walkways, and a central oversight platform. The jail was reinforced inside and out with steel bars, smooth steel doors, brick arches, and flagstone floors. The yard was walled off from the jailor’s residence. The jail achieved maximum security while separating prisoners and providing modern amenities absent in the previous jail.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/5xkxuaam) (https://tinyurl.com/5xkxuaam) (https://tinyurl.com/2dndwebc) (https://tinyurl.com/4z7c2udu) (https://tinyurl.com/y3hd5fnu)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV
The old county jail in Wheeling was located at the southwest corner of 15th and Eoff Streets, opposite the residence of prominent Wheeling brewer and businessman Anton Reymann. The county secured this site on May 3, 1890, despite Reymann's objections. Designed by architect Millard Giesey and built by Murray Brothers, the impressive new jail opened on October 31, 1892. In 1975 it was demolished for the new Ohio County Correction Facility and additional parking. General Contracting Co. of Steubenville served as the demolition contractor.
The 1892 jail had a residence for the jailor. The front section contained offices and public areas. A winding passage connected to the Bridge of Sighs and the courthouse. The separate cell building was extremely secure, with multi-tiered steel cells, automatic locks, iron walkways, and a central oversight platform. The jail was reinforced inside and out with steel bars, smooth steel doors, brick arches, and flagstone floors. The yard was walled off from the jailor’s residence. The jail achieved maximum security while separating prisoners and providing modern amenities absent in the previous jail.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/5xkxuaam) (https://tinyurl.com/5xkxuaam) (https://tinyurl.com/2dndwebc) (https://tinyurl.com/4z7c2udu) (https://tinyurl.com/y3hd5fnu)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV
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