[Evergrey]

Wheeling, West Virginia (city pop. 30k, metro 150k) is located in WV's slender northern panhandle, about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh. It is the hub of the Ohio Valley region of eastern Ohio and WV's northern panhandle. For such a small city, it offers a remarkable amount of attractions... from the first WV state capitol and independence hall, Capitol Music Hall (featuring Jamboree USA and the Wheeling Symphony), world-famous Oglebay Park and resort, WesBanco Arena (home of the Wheeling Nailers hockey team), historic Center Market and many historical and cultural attractions. Wheeling was an important "Gateway to the West" and is a key part of the story of America's growth and settlement. It was once a major manufacturing center, producing steel, glass, nails, tubing and countless other products. Unfortunately, Wheeling has suffered the malaise that has afflicted most of Appalachia in the past 50 years, seeing its economic base dwindle with little to replace it. The city now has less than half its peak population of about 70,000.


However, Wheeling has made efforts to revitalize, focusing on its many unique cultural attributes. The city has been designated a national heritage site and markets its enviable collection of Victorian-era architecture. If you're ever driving through WV's northern panhandle on I-70, I recommend taking the time to stop in Wheeling and soak in the ambiance of one of America's most fascinating small cities.


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Wheeling is a very dense and urban city... filled with beautiful rowhomes... some meticulously preserved... some in various states of decay.
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WV's first capitol; where the 1860 debates to secede from Virginia were held
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home of the Wheeling Symphony and Jamboree USA
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looking at the Wheeling Island neighborhood from downtown...
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heading towards Centre Market area
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Victorian Olde Towne
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Wheeling Suspension Bridge
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Wheeling Island housing
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View of downtown from Wheeling Island
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South Wheeling
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[Randy Sandford]

Great pics, Evergrey! I'm always amazed by the number of urban gems that can be found in West Virginia.

[smArTaLlone]

Fascinating little town. Thanks

[Buck]

I LOVE THIS CITY.

Truly one of my favorite small cities in America... or the world even.

[fla_tiger]

Very interesting photo tour of Wheeling, thanks!

[dejalite]

I wish I had enough money to live there! I could get to Cleveland, Pittsburg,and Western New York in a jiff, unlike coming from Mobile,Alabama.

[BlessedMobile]

I know some people from the Wheeling area and they miss it. I never knew that you would have so many fine looking buildings. I imagine the money came from mining and steel. Here in Mobile we have some old buildings from the early 1900's but most of the larger commercial buildings date from the 70's and up. West Virginians are good people!