Wheeling, West Virginia
From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia
|
Wheeling, WV, the county seat of Ohio County, was settled in 1769 by Ebenezer Zane, though it was not incorporated as a town until 1806. Its name is derived from Native American phrase (see origin below) that was used for years prior to the Zane's settlement to designate the creek, Wheeling Creek, which now bissects the city. Wheeling was the site of Fort Fincastle in 1774, which was later known also as Fort Henry in honor of Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia. Wheeling has long been a quintessential American crossroads. The National Road (now U.S. Route 40) crosses the Ohio River at Wheeling, and Interstate expressways 70 and 470 course through the town. Many hotels and tourist attractions are located in and near Wheeling.
[edit]
|
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
Maps
(http://www.wvamaps.com/maps/index.php?place=Wheeling&state=WV&pop=31419&county=Ohio&lat=40.0639&lon=-80.7211&elev=672)
Map of Wheeling, WV (http://www.wvamaps.com/maps/index.php?place=Wheeling&state=WV&pop=31419&county=Ohio&lat=40.0639&lon=-80.7211&elev=672)
Topo map (http://www.wvexp.com/Topo_Maps_WV/index.php?title=Wheeling&lat=40.0639&lon=-80.7211) of Wheeling, WV, and vicinity
Wheeling Suspension Bridge The oldest suspension bridge still in operation in the world. Its original span was completed in 1849.
Census Data
Population: 31,419
(2000 Census (http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US5485228&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US54%7C16000US5485228&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=wheeling&_state=04000US54&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on))
Geodata
Elevation: 672 feet
Longitude: 40.0639
Latitude: -80.7211
Settlement of Wheeling, WV
In 1793 the existance of Wheeling as a town became evident when Zane divided the settlement into lots.
The story of the Settlement of Wheeling, WV by its founder, Colonel Ebenezer Zane, and his followers, continues in a separate article.
Development of Wheeling, WV
An article outlining the events and factors that contributed to the industrial and economic Development of Wheeling, WV from the early 1800s through the early decades of the 20th century.
Origin of the Name: Wheeling
One of the more credible accounts (http://www.manataka.org/~manataka/page263.html) regarding the origin of the word "Wheeling" claims the word comes from the phrase "wih link," from the Native American Lenni-Lenape tribe, which means "place of the head," a reference to a captive whose severed head was placed on a pole beside the river at the spot where the community of Wheeling was built.
Variant Names for Wheeling, WV
Fort Fincastle, Fort Henry, Nail City, Weeling, Whealing, Wheelin, Zanesburg
