Timeline of Wheeling, West Virginia facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, US.

18th century

• 1769 – Wheeling founded by Ebenezer Zane.
• 1774 – Fort Fincastle built.
• 1777 – September: Siege of Fort Henry "by a large force of Indians."
• 1782 – September: Attempted siege on fort by "about 40 British regular soldiers and about 250 Indians."
• 1793 – Town grid laid out.
• 1795 – Town incorporated.
• 1797 – Wheeling becomes seat of Ohio County.
• 1798 – Shepherd Hall (residence) built.

19th century

• 1806 – George Miller becomes town mayor.
• 1807 – Wheeling Library Company founded.
• 1814 – Linsly Institute for boys founded.
• 1817 – Elm Grove Stone Arch Bridge built.
• 1818
  • National Road begins operating.
  • Va. North-Western Gazette newspaper begins publication.
• 1821 – Glass manufacturing begins.
• 1834 – Wheeling Water Works established.
• 1836
  • City chartered.
  • Moses W. Chapline becomes city mayor.
• 1840 – Population: 7,885.
• 1848 – Wheeling Female Academy and Wheeling Lyceum established.
• 1849
  • Wheeling Suspension Bridge opens.
  • Nail manufacturing begins.
• 1850
  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling established.
  • Population: 11,435.
• 1852 – Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built.
• 1853
  • Wheeling Hospital established.
  • Iron Market House in business.
• 1859 – Wheeling Library Association established.
• 1860 – Population: 14,083.
• 1861
  • January: Andrew J. Sweeney becomes mayor.
  • May: First Wheeling Convention held.
  • June: Second Wheeling Convention held.
• 1863
  • June 20
    • Wheeling becomes capital of the new state of West Virginia.
    • West Virginia Legislature convenes.
  • Daily Register newspaper begins publication.
• 1865 – St. Joseph's Academy for girls established.
• 1866 – Greenwood Cemetery established.
• 1870
  • West Virginia capital relocated from Wheeling to Charleston.
  • Population: 19,280.
• 1875 – Wheeling becomes capital of West Virginia again.
• 1879 – Bloch Brothers in business.
• 1880 – Population: 30,737.
• 1882 – Wheeling Public Library established.
• 1883 – Soldiers and Sailors Monument dedicated.
• 1884 – Ohio River flood.
• 1885 – West Virginia capital relocated from Wheeling to Charleston again.
• 1890
  • City Hospital established.
  • Population: 34,522.
• 1897 – Cathedral Parish School built.
• 1898 – March 26: Ohio River flood.
• 1900 – Population: 38,878.

20th century

• 1904 – Victoria Theater in business.
• 1907 – March 15: Ohio River flood.
• 1910 – Population: 41,641.
• 1913 – March 28: Ohio River flood.
• 1915 – Rex Theater in business.
• 1917 – Liberty Theatre in business.
• 1922 – Lincoln Theater in business.
• 1926
  • WWVA radio begins broadcasting.
  • Wheeling Area Historical Society founded.
• 1928
  • Oglebay Park established.
  • Madonna of the Trail monument dedicated.
  • Capitol Theatre in business.
• 1929 – Wheeling Country Day School incorporated.[1]
• 1930 – Oglebay Institute established.
• 1933 – Ohio County Public Library active.
• 1935 – Wheeling News-Register newspaper in publication.
• 1936
  • March 19: Ohio River flood.
  • City centennial.
• 1937 – January 26: Ohio River flood of 1937.
• 1942 – December 21: Ohio River flood.
• 1950 – February 9, 1950: Senator Joseph R. McCarthy made the "Enemies Within" speech before the Ohio County Women’s Republican Club
• 1952 – October 23: US president Truman visits city during election campaign.
• 1953 – WTRF-TV (television) begins broadcasting.
• 1955 – Fort Henry Bridge and Jesuit Wheeling College open.
• 1970 – Wheeling Area Genealogical Society founded.
• 1976 – Wheeling Park High School established.
• 1977 – Oglebay's Good Zoo established.
• 1983 – Alan Mollohan becomes U.S. representative for West Virginia's 1st congressional district.

21st century

• 2008 – Andy McKenzie becomes mayor.
• 2010 – Population: 28,486 city; 147,950 metro.
• 2011 – David McKinley becomes U.S. representative for West Virginia's 1st congressional district.
• 2016 – Glenn Elliott elected mayor.