Bridging Time

Seán Duffy January 15, 2015October 12, 2015 Leave a Comment 7357 Views

Design of a Wire Suspension Bridge Across the Ohio At Wheeling

Ellet’s Gothic Looking Suspension Bridge

“Looking forward to the succession of ages, and even of years, it is beyond the foresight of human intellect to say what innumerable happy results would flow from the erection of a bridge over the Ohio at Wheeling on a permanent and useful plan, both to the Government of the Union, and to the People of this vast, enterprising, and happy republic.” – Charles Mercer, U.S. Congressman from Virginia, Committee on Roads and Canals, January 19, 1837.

W.C. Brown Photo of the Suspension Bridge from Virginia Street on Wheeling Island — Looking east across the Wheeling Suspension Bridge from Virginia Street on Wheeling Island toward Tenth Street downtown. Built in 1849, the bridge was a remarkable feat of engineering and remains Wheeling’s most recognizable landmark. This photo is from the Brown Collection, Ohio County Public Library archives.

When people think about Wheeling and its history, most will visualize the familiar towers of our beloved Suspension Bridge.

Like many in Wheeling, the Ohio County Public Library’s logo features the good old bridge.

Spanning the Ohio River since 1849, the old bridge is iconic – its familiar shape gracing logos and trademarks developed by local businesses and institutions, including the logo of the Ohio County Public Library. It has become the favored symbol of our town, and arguably its most recognizable structure.

But had designer Charles Ellet Jr.’s earliest concept been used, the bridge would look radically different – far more Gothic in design. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

The Grover Cleveland Banner Incident: Wheeling in the National Spotlight

Seán Duffy December 30, 2014October 10, 2019 Leave a Comment 7605 Views

“You don’t get me to march under that thing!”

Members of the G.A.R. in Wheeling, probably in front of the old courts house at 12th and Chapline. — Members of the G.A.R. in Wheeling, most likely in front of the old court house at 12th and Chapline.

As mentioned in a previous post, the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), the largest of Civil War veterans’ groups, was very active in Wheeling during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Grateful for an end to the bloody, exhausting war, most Americans were more than willing to reward these veterans with generous pensions. Unfortunately, as is often the case where money is involved, some took advantage, exaggerating or even falsifying pension claims. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

The Origins of Memorial Day

Seán Duffy December 21, 2014May 30, 2021 Leave a Comment 8188 Views

Frozen in Time: May 30, 1911 at Mt. Zion Cemetery

The G.A.R. in Wheeling, 1886. OCPL Archives, Joseph Hoffmann Collection.

Now known as Memorial Day, the first “Decoration Day” was held on May 30, 1868. Created by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), it was originally intended to be a day to honor the memory of those who died in the Civil War. Congress made “Memorial Day” an official, national holiday in 1971.

Wheeling played host to reunions of Civil War veterans of the G.A.R. numerous times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The J. W. Holliday Post, No. 12, of Wheeling was usually front and center during these activities. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

Archiving Wheeling: the Evolution of a Local History Collection

Seán Duffy December 8, 2014May 25, 2015 1 Comment 3878 Views

Many people in our community are familiar with the Ohio County Public Library’s Wheeling Room which houses a large local history collection and many genealogical resources. Fewer people, however, are aware of the Ohio County Public Library’s substantial archival collection.
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