Wheeling, West Virginia

Street Festival in Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling, West Virginia (WV), the county seat of Ohio County and one of the largest cities in West Virginia, was settled in 1769 by Ebenezer Zane in 1806. According to some account, the name “Weeling” is derived from a native phrase used before Zane arrived that meant “the place of the skulls.” Wheeling Jesuit University is located here along Wheeling Creek. Oglebay Park is located five miles northwest of the city and The Highlands retail complex, including a Cabela’s, is eight miles eastward.

Lodging near Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling (WV) Hotels

History

In 1774, Wheeling was the site of Fort Fincastle, later known also as Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry. The fort stood along the Ohio River near the mouth of Wheeling Creek. The city was the capital of West Virginia from 1863 to 1870, when it was moved to Charleston, West Virginia. In 1875, it was returned and remained until 1885, when it was removed to Charleston, West Virginia. Wheeling has long been a quintessential American crossroads. The National Road, present day US-40, crosses the Ohio River by way of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge.

Parks & Public Recreation

The following public recreation areas are located within a drive of approximately 20 miles of the community.

• Oglebay Park
• Wheeling Park
• Castleman Run Wildlife Management Area
• Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area
• Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

[vc_message style=”square” message_box_color=”mulled_wine” css_animation=”fadeIn”]Wheeling is a favorite haunt of ghost hunters and numbers among the most haunted locales in West Virginia. According to West Virginia Ghosts, a handful of Wheeling hauntings have become legendary.[/vc_message]

Photos of Wheeling & Vicinity

National Bank of West Virginia

Fall at Greenwood in Wheeling, WV

The historic suspension bridge at Wheeling carried the old National Road over the Ohio River. (Photo: David Sibray)

The restored Capitol Theater on North Main Street hosts a panoply of public performances at Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County, in the Northern Panhandle Region.

Saint Josephs at Wheeling, WV

Mail Pouch ad, South Wheeling

First West Virginia Capitol

Independence Hall at Wheeling, WV

Location

The city is located on highway WV-2 and the 1-70 and I-470 expressways approximately 10 miles north of Moundsville, West Virginia, 30 miles south of Weirton, West Virginia, 30 mile west of Washington, Pennsylvania, and 50 miles east of Cambridge, Ohio.

Map of Wheeling, West Virginia

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Regional Information

The city is in the Northern Panhandle Region in northern West Virginia.

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