Fredrick Faris was the architect for the Wheeling High School building. Wheeling High school operated in a couple places while the building many of us knew was being built.
The new building was opened in 1911, and a fire resulted in a rebuild, the school reopened in 1915. The Maxwell family mansion served as a temporary place for the school to operate while the rebuild was in progress.
I personally have a collection of yearbooks that were donated to me by the late Jack Kravanyak called The Record, from 1912 until the last year of operation. The building was demolished in 1984.
The following are a few images from the well-known high school.
Passion for History
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 my Gone Forever series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses that thrived here in the early 30’s and 40’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.
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.mcast.net or visit the Creative Impressions website.
