The Point Museum

When you think of Wheeling Gone Forever, you don’t always think of people. But, one of my great friends, Chip West, along with The Point Museum, are gone forever from Wheeling’s rich history.

Chip, along with his wife, Sally, opened the Point Museum for Oglebay Tours in September 1992. And then they opened the addition to the Point, the Omni Center, in 1996, which was a reception hall.

Unfortunately, they had to close the museum in 2001. 

I was the photographer at the Point for several years, and Chip and I worked on many projects together. Chip was a champion of Wheeling. I miss the museum and Chip.

The following are a few images from my time with the museum. Enjoy.

It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight businesses or buildings that are “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life and the Ohio Valley. I hope with this “Gone Forever” series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and commerce that thrived here in the early 1930’s and 1940’s, attracting people from many countries and all walks of life who all helped to make Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia. If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that is gone, please submit that to me at cre8m@comcast.net I will do my best to search out and tell that story.
The front of a house.
This is how the Point Museum on Grandview Avenue appeared when it first opened.
A group of men.
Photo of Bud Smith donating his entire collection of Wheeling photos. Bud was my scoutmaster and he was retiring to Florida. Also pictured are Chip, George Jones, and me .
A photo of three men and a woman.
Chip with Ohio County School educators as we introduced our products into the school system as a fundraiser.
A large yellow bus.
C-Span visiting the Point in front of the Omni Center. They were touring Ohio River replicating a tour by the French explorer Alexis De Touqville.
Two men posing for a photo.
Chip and I working on a project for Historical Societies across the United States.
A photo of a man and a woman looking out of a window.
Chip and Sally in the newly opened Omni Center.
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.ions website.

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