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

Walter Reuther

Leader in the Making

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

1. Walter Reuther Marker

Inscription. Born in Wheeling on September 1, 1907, fittingly just one day before Labor Day. Walter P. Reuther (1907-1970), went on to become one of the most innovative, influential, and charismatic labor leaders of the 20th Century. Walter Reuther's father, Valentine Reuther, was influential in developing a sense of social justice, leadership, and activism in his four sons and daughter from an early age.

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

Location. 40° 3.928′ N, 80° 43.498′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. It can be reached from Wheeling Heritage Trail. Marker is on the south end of the Wheeling Heritage Trail near the Westbanco Arena at 14th and Water Streets. 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,

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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: A different marker also named Walter Reuther (here, next to this marker); Lafayette’s Tour (within shouting distance of 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 (within shouting distance of this marker); Oglebay Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schmulbach Brewery (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 United Auto Workers' 2007 Walter Reuther Monument.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

3. Walter Reuther Marker

Like Father Like Sons image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

4. Like Father Like Sons

❶ Walter Reuther's Father, Valentine Reuther, as teamster and iron-worker, fought to secure the rights of workers. As a leader of the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly (OVTLA), the largest labor organization in Wheeling, Valentine ardently supported Wheeling's blue-collar workers. He called for an end to inhumane child labor practices, and in 1898, West Virginia enacted new labor laws prohibiting children under the age of 12 to be employed in any industry. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Reuther vs. Carnegie image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

5. Reuther vs. Carnegie

❷ Valentine Reuther gained a reputation as a great organizer when he and other local labor officials successfully blocked the city's acceptance of money from the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie for a new library in Wheeling. Reuther and local unions raised funds for the new Wheeling Public Library, which was stocked with many pro-labor books. The library opened on January 11,1911, and today it serves a the Georgian Center. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Kitchen Table Debates image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

6. Kitchen Table Debates

❸ While other kids were sent outside to play, the Reuther children were sent to the library to do research fro an upcoming kitchen table debate on the issues of the day including women's suffrage, child labor laws, capital punishment, partisan politics, and most importantly -- labor rights. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Young Worker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

7. Young Worker

❹ Walter Reuther worked from a very young age -- including a paper route and work in a bakery, a glass factory, and a stove shop. He dropped out of school at fifteen and began working at Wheeling Corrugating for $.11 per hour. Close-up of photo on marker
Walter P. Reuther Memorial Library

Walter Reuther Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

8. Walter Reuther Statue

by Alan Cottrill

Solidarity, June 1970 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

9. Solidarity, June 1970

Walter Philip Reuther
-1907-1970--
"Whose memory is enshrined in the hearts of all of us"magazine cover framed on the library wall
at Cassidy, Myers, Cogan & Voegelin, L.C.

Walter Reuther image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 31, 2013

10. Walter Reuther

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 923 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.