When I was a child walking to school every day (Saint Alphonsus School) I would pass this small bank.

The bank was located on the corner of 21st and Market streets across from the Center Market. When I was a student, our school had a plan for us to save our money at the bank we would put dimes on a card and deposit them.

It’s small places like this that you miss every time you drive by that location. Wesbanco has a drive thru branch at this location now. Enjoy the photos.

It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight a business or building that is “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life and the Ohio Valley.

I hope with this series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses 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.

A building being demolished.
Unfortunately, the only photos of this buildings are ones that show it being demolished.
A building being torn down.
The demolition of the bank was a sad process in South Wheeling.
The inside of a bank that is being torn down.
This is the interior of the bank while it was being torn down.
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.