Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
McColloch’s Leap
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2005
1. McColloch’s Leap Marker
daring scout, gallant soldier
while attempting the relief of
Fort Henry at Wheeling
September, 1777
escaped an overwhelming body of Indians
by forcing his horse over this precipice
Erected 1917 by The Society of the Daughters of the Revolution in West Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, French and Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1777.
Location. 40° 4.796′ N, 80° 43.351′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. Marker is on National Road (U.S. 40) east of Stone Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mingo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Wood Cemetery (about 300 feet away); Women's Aid Societies (approx. ¼ mile away); 612 Main Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Civil War Nurses (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.
Also see . . . Major Samuel McColloch: Historical Record and Oral History. 2004 article by Dr. Bruce D. Bonar for the West Virginia Historical Society.
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. McCulloch's Leap
The WPA Guide, West Virginia: A Guide to the Mountain State, 1941, describes the marker and the incident that inspired it. "On the crest of Wheeling Hill is the McCulloch's Leap Marker, a tablet commemorating the feat of Major Samuel McCulloch, Indian scout and soldier, who, according to tradition, rode his horse down the precipitous 150-foot cliff into Wheeling Creek to escape a band of Indians. Leading reinforcements from his fort at Short Creek to the aid of besieged Fort Henry, McCulloch was cut off from his company and forced to ride for his life to Fort Van Meter. When Indians blocked this avenue of escape, he took refuge on the summit of this hill. Confident that they had him cornered, the Indians closed in for the kill, but McCulloch spurred his horse over the cliff and a few minutes later rode safely from the creek."
— Submitted April 9, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 27, 2006
2. McColloch’s Leap Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2005
3. McColloch’s Leap Marker
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 26, 2010
4. McColloch’s Leap Marker
View looking behind the right side of the historical marker at the landscape beyond the dropoff at "McColloch's Leap."
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 27, 2006
5. The Precipice
The back of the marker can be seen in the upper right.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 31, 2005
6. McColloch’s Leap
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 27, 2010
7. McColloch’s Leap Marker
View of "McColloch's Leap" as seen from the other side of the Wheeling Creek valley, from the Peninsular Cemetery grounds. The historical marker is barely visible in front of the roadway cut seen near the top of the hill.
Photographed By Virgil Anson Lewis
8. M'Colloch’s Leap
From History and Government of West Virginia by Virgil A. Lewis, 1896
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, January 18, 2015
9. McColloch’s Leap
The precipice behind the marker, marker is to the left of the photo.
circa 1930
10. McColloch’s Leap, on the National Highway (40), East of Wheeling, W. Va.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,377 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 2, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 5. submitted on September 2, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 6. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on January 16, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 8. submitted on January 4, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 9. submitted on January 18, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10. submitted on November 25, 2015.
