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

Walter Reuther

Serving His Fellow Man

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

1. Walter Reuther Marker

Inscription. In 1946, Walter P. Reuther became president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and in 1952 became president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). He is still seen as a working-class-hero in the struggle for economic and social justice.

Supporting a lifetime of achievements, Walter Reuther's personal philosophy was "There is no greater calling than to serve you fellow man. There is no greater contribution to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 40° 3.928′ N, 80° 43.498′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. Marker can be reached from Wheeling Heritage Trail. Marker is on the south end of the Wheeling Heritage Trail, just north of the Westbanco Area at Water and 14th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Walter Reuther (here, next to this marker); Wheeling (within shouting distance of this marker); Augustus Pollack (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Augustus Pollack (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Theatre

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Oglebay Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schmulbach Brewery (about 300 feet away); Pocket Park (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.

Walter Reuther Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

2. Walter Reuther Markers

Flanking the Walter Reuther Memorial erected in 2007 by the United Auto Workers. The statue is by Alan Cottrill of Zanesville Ohio.

Reuther and the UAW image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

3. Reuther and the UAW

❶ As president of the United Auto Workers from 2946 to 1970, Walter Reuther achieved a great deal for his fellow workers. Under Reuther's leadership of the UAW, the autoworker's standard of living doubled.Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Battle of the Overpass image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

4. Battle of the Overpass

❷ On May 26, 1937, Mr. Reuther and his union colleagues were peacefully handing out organizing leaflets at Fort Motor Company's River Rouge Plant in Michigan when they were brutally attacked by company thugs. Photographs of the bloodied, but not beaten, Reuther and his friends were seen around the country and resulted in a huge PR victory for the tough leader from Wheeling. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

A Colorblind Advocate image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

5. A Colorblind Advocate

❸ In 1963, Reuther was one of the few non-African American speakers at the historic march on Washington. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma and was often referred to as "The White Martin Luther King." Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Demonstration Cities image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

6. Demonstration Cities

❹ Walter Reuther had weekly meetings with President Lyndon Johnson to discuss ways in which to help less fortunate Americans. Beginning in May 1965, Reuther began pressing President Johnson to accept his "Demonstration Cities" project to apply new technologies such as prefabricated housing to redesign much of urban America. Reuther hoped to provide safe, affordable, and desegregated housing to the poorest Americans. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Walter Reuther Memorial - Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

7. Walter Reuther Memorial - Inscription

Walter Reuther
1907-1970
UAW President
1946-1970
"There is no greater calling than to serve you fellow men.
There is no greater contribution than to help the weak.
There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well."

Walter Reuther Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

8. Walter Reuther Statue

"I tried to capture the spirit of the man, more than just the physical likeness. It’s a little confrontational – that’s intentional. To create change, one must confront." -- Alan Cottrill

United Auto Workers ® image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

9. United Auto Workers ®

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.