# Timeline of Wheeling, West Virginia

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.
* 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.