Today in Wheeling History: April 11--The Wheeling Intelligencer reported, "The Riverside Iron Works' new office building at the corner of Main and South streets, will be completed and occupied probably the 1st of June" (1896).
The Flatiron Building, one of Wheeling's most distinctive architectural landmarks, has a rich history dating back to 1896. Construction began in October 1895 on the triangular-shaped lot at the corner of Main and South Streets, with the Wheeling Intelligencer reporting rapid progress on the foundation. The building was designed by the locally renowned architectural firm of Franzheim, Giesey & Faris in the Richardsonian Romanesque style for Riverside Iron Works, one of Wheeling's leading iron and steel manufacturers.
Under the leadership of Frank J. Hearne, Riverside Iron Works had pioneered the transition from iron to steel production in Wheeling, becoming the area's first manufacturer of steel pipe. By 1898, Riverside's operations produced 125,000 gross tons of finished steel products and employed approximately 2,000 men.
In 1899, National Tube Company acquired Riverside for $6 million, taking ownership of the building. The property changed hands again in 1907 when Wheeling Steel and Iron Company purchased it for $87,000. Over the decades, the five-story structure housed numerous organizations including the American Legion, U.S. Naval Communications Reserve, Oglebay Institute, and even served as Wheeling's City Hall from 1956 to 1959 while the current City-County Building was under construction.
After years of vacancy, the building was purchased in 2014 by Kevin and Patricia Duffin, who renovated it into luxury apartments with commercial space, including Table 304, a coffee shop and eatery, preserving this historic gem for future generations.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/8p439vb2); Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/muznxy2p), West Virginia Culture (https://tinyurl.com/2rzkydrr), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4xe44c6h), Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/yfa74ncp), evendo (https://tinyurl.com/yck23ymh), Flatiron Building of Wheeling Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/3as6cj4z), Wheeling Flatiron Building (https://tinyurl.com/ynw2sp4w), West Virginia Press Association (https://tinyurl.com/3r698kd6), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/mtwktbvw), WTOV9 (https://tinyurl.com/8p9bxpdb), Table 304 (https://tinyurl.com/yeyde8x5), Table 304 Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/bdhhe5br)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wikipedia, Google Maps
The Flatiron Building, one of Wheeling's most distinctive architectural landmarks, has a rich history dating back to 1896. Construction began in October 1895 on the triangular-shaped lot at the corner of Main and South Streets, with the Wheeling Intelligencer reporting rapid progress on the foundation. The building was designed by the locally renowned architectural firm of Franzheim, Giesey & Faris in the Richardsonian Romanesque style for Riverside Iron Works, one of Wheeling's leading iron and steel manufacturers.
Under the leadership of Frank J. Hearne, Riverside Iron Works had pioneered the transition from iron to steel production in Wheeling, becoming the area's first manufacturer of steel pipe. By 1898, Riverside's operations produced 125,000 gross tons of finished steel products and employed approximately 2,000 men.
In 1899, National Tube Company acquired Riverside for $6 million, taking ownership of the building. The property changed hands again in 1907 when Wheeling Steel and Iron Company purchased it for $87,000. Over the decades, the five-story structure housed numerous organizations including the American Legion, U.S. Naval Communications Reserve, Oglebay Institute, and even served as Wheeling's City Hall from 1956 to 1959 while the current City-County Building was under construction.
After years of vacancy, the building was purchased in 2014 by Kevin and Patricia Duffin, who renovated it into luxury apartments with commercial space, including Table 304, a coffee shop and eatery, preserving this historic gem for future generations.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/8p439vb2); Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/muznxy2p), West Virginia Culture (https://tinyurl.com/2rzkydrr), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4xe44c6h), Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/yfa74ncp), evendo (https://tinyurl.com/yck23ymh), Flatiron Building of Wheeling Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/3as6cj4z), Wheeling Flatiron Building (https://tinyurl.com/ynw2sp4w), West Virginia Press Association (https://tinyurl.com/3r698kd6), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/mtwktbvw), WTOV9 (https://tinyurl.com/8p9bxpdb), Table 304 (https://tinyurl.com/yeyde8x5), Table 304 Facebook Page (https://tinyurl.com/bdhhe5br)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, Wikipedia, Google Maps
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