Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

B & O Railroad

“All Aboard!”

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010

1. B & O Railroad Marker

Inscription.

B and O Railroad. “All Aboard!”. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Wheeling on Christmas Eve 1852 and was one of the best presents the city of Wheeling ever received. From that Christmas until the last “All Aboard!” was shouted on June 30, 1961, our city utilized this grand railroad to carry our people to the rest of the nation. Operating in Wheeling for 108 years, the B&O continued to carry made-in-Wheeling products until the 1970s., (1) Servant of Industry , The B&O helped Wheeling’s iron, steel, coal, chemical, lumber, and tobacco industries move their products to the rest of the country. The B&O’s impact on Wheeling was felt immediately since the railroad served as the foundation upon which the various industries operated and expanded., (2) Passenger Service , The Wheeling Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Passenger Station Building was built in 1907-1908 for $300,000. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the station is located between Market and Chapline on 16th Street. The entire B&O complex included a coach yard, a tower, a 935 foot long viaduct, and a totally independent power plant. At the time it was the third largest terminal in the B&O network. West Virginia Northern Community College currently occupies this building., (3) Engineering Achievement , The mountainous, 379 mile distance from Baltimore to Wheeling was seen as insurmountable by many engineers. The Allegheny Mountains intimidated all but the heartiest of railroad engineers. Newspapers reported that the route from Cumberland to Wheeling was so bad that even a buffalo couldn't make the trek "without shaking out its teeth.", , , , , , , . , The Wheeling National Heritage Area preserves and celebrates the city’s dramatic setting, resources and history, including its role as the birthplace of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War., A National Heritage Area is a part of our country’s landscape that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique contribution to the American experience. ,

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reached Wheeling on Christmas Eve 1852 and was one of the best presents the city of Wheeling ever received. From that Christmas until the last “All Aboard!” was shouted on June 30, 1961, our city utilized this grand railroad to carry our people to the rest of the nation. Operating in Wheeling for 108 years, the B&O continued to carry made-in-Wheeling products until the 1970s.

(1) Servant of Industry
The B&O helped Wheeling’s iron, steel, coal, chemical, lumber, and tobacco industries move their products to the rest of the country. The B&O’s impact on Wheeling was felt immediately since the railroad served as the foundation upon which the various industries operated and expanded.

(2) Passenger Service
The Wheeling Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Passenger Station Building was built in 1907-1908 for $300,000. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the station is located between Market and Chapline on 16th Street. The entire B&O complex included a coach yard, a tower, a 935 foot long viaduct, and a totally independent power plant. At the time it was the third largest terminal in the B&O network. West Virginia Northern Community College currently occupies this building.

(3) Engineering Achievement
The mountainous, 379 mile distance from Baltimore

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to Wheeling was seen as insurmountable by many engineers. The Allegheny Mountains intimidated all but the heartiest of railroad engineers. Newspapers reported that the route from Cumberland to Wheeling was so bad that even a buffalo couldn't make the trek "without shaking out its teeth."

——————
The Wheeling National Heritage Area preserves and celebrates the city’s dramatic setting, resources and history, including its role as the birthplace of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War.

A National Heritage Area is a part of our country’s landscape that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique contribution to the American experience.

Erected by West Virginia Northern Community College.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1961.

Location. 40° 3.827′ N, 80° 43.313′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. It is on Market Street east of 16th Street (West Virginia Route 2), on the right when traveling north. This historical marker is located in downtown

B & O Railroad Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2022

2. B & O Railroad Marker [Reverse]

business district of Wheeling, in a small park, across the street from the Old Custom House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

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: Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Station (here, next to this marker); The Athenaeum (a few steps from this marker); Old Custom House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Athenaeum (a few steps from this marker); Francis H. Pierpont (within shouting distance of this marker); Wheeling Custom House (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Garibaldi (within shouting distance of this marker); Restored Government of Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.

Other markers no longer nearby. The First Campaign (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Independence Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010

3. B & O Railroad Marker

View of the historical marker with the B & O terminal building seen in the background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010

4. B & O Railroad Marker

View of what was once the Wheeling Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Passenger Station Building.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010

5. B & O Railroad Marker

View of a landscape feature that is located between the historical marker and the B & O terminal building.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,318 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.