Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Bob Wallace Bridge
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025
1. Bob Wallace Bridge Marker
Robert J. "Bob" Wallace was appointed as Buckhannon's City Attorney in 1958. Bob counseled our city for decades, & during his long tenure it was no coincidence that Buckhannon emerged as one of the finest communities with one of the highest qualities of life in all of West Virginia. He was the city's advisor during Buckhannon's acquisition of the water plant, development of the sewer plant, & expansion of waste collection facilities. During this time, our city realized many improvements that today are taken for granted, such as paved roads, construction of sidewalks, storm sewer projects, & lighted streets. If there was an essential service project occurring here from the 1950s through the 1990s, Bob Wallace's handprint was on it.
Bob was very active in our community. As a key figure with our Chamber of Commerce, Bob was instrumental in the recruitment of Moore Business Forms & the Clow Corporation, & the expansion of Union Drilling. He was very giving of his time from organizing Babe Ruth Baseball to serving as a member of the Upshur County EMT Squad to being a longtime member of the Lions Club. Bob was a generous
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As the business law professor at WVWC for more than 25 years, Bob had a tremendous impact upon thousands of our college students' lives and learning. His dynamic & pragmatic lecture style made him one of our college's most appealing instructors.
Bob served as a primary liaison between the city & WVWC during a very progressive & collaborative time in our Buckhannon community's history & development. He improved the connectedness of this college campus with our Buckhannon community. As a "bridge builder," this pedestrian bridge serving as a connector between our downtown & campus is aptly dedicated in honor of Bob Wallace by the members of our city family & the Buckhannon & Wesleyan communities that he so excellently served for so long.
Erected 2016 by The City of Buckhannon.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Charity & Public Work • Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is August 27, 2016.
Location. 38° 59.587′ N, 80° 12.849′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025
2. Bob Wallace Bridge Marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Tannery (about 300 feet away); Juglans cinerea (butternut, or white walnut) (about 400 feet away); Juglans nigra (black walnut) (about 400 feet away); West Virginia Wesleyan College (about 500 feet away); Two Buddies & An Angel (about
Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025
3. Bob Wallace Bridge
August 27, 2016
The Bridge Builder
An old man going a lone highway, Came at the evening, cold and gray. To a chasm, vast, and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned, when safe on the other side. And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near, "You are wasting strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day; You never again will pass this way; You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide - Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head: "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There followeth after me today. A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm, that has been naught to me, To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
- Will Allen Dromgoole, 1900 -
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
