Category Archives: Contributor Posts

A Statuesque Figure

Erin Rothenbuehler June 19, 2015September 3, 2015 Leave a Comment 5297 Views

Francis Pierpont and the Birth of West Virginia

Harper's Weekly, July 6th, 1861 — Front Cover of Harper’s Weekly, July 6th, 1861. “Constituent Convention of Virginia, Assembled in the Custom-House at Wheeling, Ohio Co., June, 1861. -Sketched by Jasper Green, Esq.” -OCPL Archives

Following the Ordinance of Secession by the state of Virginia in April, 1861, a series of resolutions were adopted in loyal western counties calling for an assembly of delegates to meet in opposition to the state’s secession from the Union. Representing Marion County at the First Wheeling Convention in May of 1861 was Francis Pierpont, who was subsequently elected governor of the Restored Government of Virginia by a unanimous vote at the Second Wheeling Convention in June, 1861.

Coming to power in the midst of the Civil War, much of Pierpont’s work focused on organizing military regiments for the Union cause. Two documents signed by order of the Governor are now on display at the Ohio County Public Library. The first, a military order from the Commonwealth of Virginia, names James B. Moore First Lieutenant, Adjutant of the 4th Regiment of the 24th Brigade and 3rd Division of the Virginia Militia. The second, a copy of a General Order (written on letterhead from “The State of West Virginia”), shows orders to organize the 1st Brigade of the West Virginia Militia. Read More

Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Ohio County Public Library Archives

Founding Physician and Civil War Surgeon

Archiving Wheeling June 9, 2015June 19, 2015 2 Comments 5877 Views

Featured Image: Dr. John Frissell Collection

The Dr. John Frissell Collection

Courtesy of the Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, artifacts from the fascinating Dr. John Frissell Collection of Civil War era medical implements are now on display for the first time anywhere at the Ohio County Public Library. The collection was acquired from a local antiques dealer, who purchased the estate of a descendant of Dr. John Frissell, circa 2009.

The Frissell House on 14th Street (built in 1835), one of the oldest structures in Wheeling. (Landmarks of Old Wheeling by Milton) — The Frissell House, built in 1835, one of the oldest structures in Wheeling. (Landmarks of Old Wheeling by Milton)

For nearly a century, members of the Frissell family occupied a humble brick home on Monroe Street (now 14th), now one of the oldest extant structures in downtown Wheeling. Within the walls—both a residence and office—a small clinic was opened, and as late as the 1970s, medical instruments and supplies could still be found in the basement. ^[1] Instruments, such as those found in the 70s, are now part of the Diocese’s Frissell Collection. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

They Brought Honor to Our City: A Look at the Wheeling Hall of Fame, Past & Present

Ohio County Public Library Archives May 29, 2015 4 Comments 8514 Views

Featured Image: Wheeling Hall of Fame 2015 Post

Wheeling Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Ceremony Poster — Wheeling Hall of Fame 2015 poster, designed by Erin Rothenbuehler.

The new class of the Wheeling Hall of Fame will be inducted tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, at WesBanco Arena. Tickets are still available at the box office for the 6:30 PM dinner and ceremony.

To commemorate the 2015 induction, the Ohio County Public Library has, during the month of May, displayed several Hall of Fame-related artifacts from its collection and from those of its heritage partners. Read More

Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Ohio County Public Library Archives

No Survivors: 100 Years Ago Today in Benwood

Seán Duffy April 28, 2015April 29, 2024 21 Comments 47175 Views

The Benwood Mine Disaster of April 28, 1924

One hundred years ago today, on the rainy morning of Monday, April 28, 1924, an explosion at the coal mine operated by the Wheeling Steel & Iron Corporation in Benwood took the lives of 119 men, most of them recent immigrants. There were no survivors. It remains the third worst mining disaster in the history of West Virginia, a state plagued by numerous coal mining accidents. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

The Fabric of Wheeling: The Stifel Legend & Photograph Collection

Becca Rodgers April 20, 2015May 25, 2015 12 Comments 17264 Views

Walking to Wheeling…

Johann Ludwig Stifel - Photo from Wheeling Hall of Fame — Johann Ludwig Stifel – Photo from Wheeling Hall of Fame

Born in 1807 in Germany, Johann Ludwig Stifel immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland when he was 26. He then moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he worked in a wool mill and learned the textile trade. Legend has it that he walked all the way to Wheeling, where, by 1835, he had established a small dyeing shop in a log cabin with just a $10 investment and a piece of cotton cloth. Within a short time the business grew and Johann opened a larger calico shop on the southeast corner of 9^th and Main Streets. The lower levels were for dyeing and printing while the upper level housed Johann, his wife Barbara Becht, and their children. Read More

Friends of Wheeling

Friends Get An Inside Glimpse

Friends of Wheeling April 11, 2015May 25, 2015 2 Comments 13435 Views

A Tour of the Flatiron Building

Anyone who has wandered down the streets of our once bustling city can’t help but notice Wheeling is a city full of architectural treasures. We walk by the exteriors, admiring the beautiful brickwork, the intricate terra cotta ornamentation, the elaborate wooden carvings, the gorgeous old windows, historic wavy glass still intact, creating ripples in time. We peer into often empty buildings, longing to know why such a majestic building is now vacant, what its history was, what tales its ghosts would tell, what hidden architectural gems lie inside.

Friends of Wheeling President, Jeanne Finstein, gives a history of the Flatiron Building. — In the lobby, a crowd of eager tour goers gathers to listen to Friends of Wheeling President, Jeanne Finstein, give a brief history of the Flatiron Building.

On Wednesday, April 1st, an eager crowd was given the chance to get this inside glimpse of one of Wheeling’s most distinctive buildings. Thanks to gracious hosts and current building owners, Kevin and Patricia Duffin, the Friends of Wheeling led an enthusiastic group through the Flatiron Building (1507 Main Street). Friends of Wheeling President, Jeanne Finstein, prepared a brief history of the building, which she shared with the crowd before the tour commenced. For those of you who were unable to attend, we present to you Ms. Finstein’s Flatiron building history, followed by a gallery of photos from the fascinating tour.

Ohio County Public Library Archives

Buckle of the Stogie Belt

Ohio County Public Library Archives April 4, 2015June 9, 2015 2 Comments 9425 Views

Wheeling’s Stogie History in Cigar Box Art

Thad Podratsky builds his collection. Photo by Susan Haddad.

Thanks to legendary Wheeling collector and history enthusiast, Thad Podratsky, with some additional help from our friend Peg Brennan, the Ohio County Public Library has been able to assemble a fascinating and visually stunning array of Wheeling themed cigar boxes and tobacciana for its April archives display. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives

Wheeling Symphony Orchestra

Ohio County Public Library Archives March 20, 2015May 25, 2015 7 Comments 4156 Views

Tonight, March 20^th, 2015, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra begins the second half of its 85th season with a “Famous Fifths” concert, featuring the monumental music of Beethoven and Sibelius.

Famed violinist, Itzhak Perlman, guest artist at the Wheeling Symphony, January 27, 1972 — Famed violinist, Itzhak Perlman, guest artist at the Wheeling Symphony, January 27. 1972.

“The smallest city in America to support a symphony of this size and caliber,” Wheeling’s Symphony Orchestra is both a gem and cultural asset to our community. The Wheeling Symphony is renowned not only for the astounding quality of the their concerts, but also for securing such noted names in the orchestral world as Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma as guests to perform for Wheeling’s eager musical ears.

In honor of all that the Symphony brings to the City of Wheeling, the Ohio County Public Library would like to recognize the gifts the Symphony has given back to the City over the years. Read More

Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Ohio County Public Library Archives

The Big One

Ohio County Public Library Archives March 12, 2015March 19, 2021 Leave a Comment 20437 Views

The Flood of March 1936

Heavy snow and rain in March 1936 triggered the worst flood in Wheeling’s history. The river crested at a record 55.2 feet on March 19th, and floodwater inundated the Island, much of South and Centre Wheeling and even the downtown streets as afar east as Chapline. The Suspension Bridge and Steel Bridge were closed, and the Market Auditorium was converted to a refuge shelter and makeshift hospital. Utilities were shut down, supplies cut off, and disease threatened. More than 20,000 people were driven from their homes and 16 people lost their lives. Read More

Ohio County Public Library Archives Wheeling National Heritage Area

Wheeling Heritage Acquires Rare Books for Library

Ohio County Public Library Archives March 7, 2015May 25, 2015 1 Comment 5325 Views

DaRe Collection Now in Wheeling Room

The Wheeling National heritage Area Corporation (Wheeling Heritage) and the Ohio County Public Library have been heritage partners for more than two decades, and the local community has benefited many times from this alliance. Now Wheeling Heritage has provided the funding to allow the library to make a significant addition to its collection of rare books dealing with the early history of the Wheeling and the Upper Ohio Valley region. This new development well represents the kind of community partnership Archiving Wheeling was founded to promote. Read More