The Fort Henry Motel was located on U.S. Route 40, or National Road, in Elm Grove, and it seemed to be there during whole childhood.

It is hard to believe that so many places that seemed so much a part of the Wheeling life are now gone forever. There is now a beautiful housing development called Capital Green Apartments occupying that location.

Enjoy!

It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that highlight a business or building that is no longer here in the Upper Ohio Valley.

If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that has vanished, please submit that to me at cre8m@comcast.net. I will do my best to search out and tell that story.

I hope with this series, “Gone Forever,” I will be able to show what made Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia, and the large amount of business and industry that was here in the early ’30s and ’40s that attracted people from everywhere.

A color photo of the courtyard of a motel.
The courtyard area of the Fort Henry Motel was usually crowded with cars during the evening hours.
The check-in booth at a motel.
Travelers checked in and checked out simply by driving up to the windows of the office.
Employees of a motel.
The Fort Henry employed several local folks, including an extensive housekeeping crew.
Motel employees in the office.
The office was located at the entrance of the motel with windows on every side.
A photo of a billboard.
This billboard was located near the ‘S-Bridge’ in Elm Grove.
A photo of a man with grey hair.
James Thornton

James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at cre8m@comcast.net or visit the Creative Impressions website. The books can be purchased at the Wheeling Heritage Center, Kroger on Mount de Chantal Road, Miklas Meat Market, Nail City Records, the UPS Store in the Washington Avenue Plaza, VC Wares at Centre Market, Bower’s Decorating at The Highlands, and on the website www.wheelinghistory.net.

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