A Victorian City in Appalachia | Wheeling, WV

Although we are technically no longer in the Midwest region of the US, we still continue our March through the Midwest trip towards a rightful finish over these next few destinations. Arriving in the state of West Virginia, one might think of the stereotypical coal mines and poverty. However on a visit to the small city of Wheeling, located in West Virginia's northern panhandle, that perception can be thrown out the window. Through an exploration of the many cultural sites of this formerly industrial city, one may get the impression of Wheeling as a city of class and sophistication. It owes a lot of its beauty to the abundance of victorian-style architecture, being able to claim the title of "city with the most Victorian architecture anywhere in America". On our visit here, we get the opportunity to learn about the history of West Virginia's statehood, admire a bit of this captivating urban landscape, and even receive insight about this area from a passerby I was lucky enough to meet!
This is my first video to surpass 10,000 views. To say I’m appreciative is a massive understatement!
Location Covered: Wheeling, WV ✅
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Shoutout to Craig X for his terrific voluntary contribution to this video! My dearest appreciations!
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[@squeakD]

Great vid! I live in Wheeling.., and it’s an amazing historic city. You just barely scratched the surface of this cities Victorian architecture. Downtown is a literal step back in time with all of the old Victorian row houses, and row mansions. Some of those houses downtown date to the 1850’s, they are pre Civil War, and predate the state of WV. Where Wheeling really is unique is the Victorian neighborhoods. Many are historic neighborhoods too…, including the one I live in. We live in Historic Woodsdale on a street that looks like a N. Rockwell painting. Very large and elaborate Victorian homes. Many are three stories with servants staircases, and servants quarters. There are also a lot of Victorian mansions here. Some will blow your socks off. I never get tired of walking though my neighborhood looking at all the old houses. Our Victorian home is very old. Originally built without electricity and all gas lighting. It was posh for the day as it had all gas lighting, full water closet, all gas fireplaces, and indoor plumbing. If you’re ever back in the area. Check out the historic neighborhoods.

[@TheCoverageProject]

How insightful! And I thought I had a full taste of the Victorian architecture in Wheeling. Good to know that there’s another example of how it’s impossible to see everything a city offers in one day!

[@Rocket9944]

Are these old homes in safe neighborhoods, lot of times these old homes tend to be very bad neighborhoods, I love these old Victorian homes, in about a year or two I'm going to be moving out of my state and be looking in a area to settle down, I'd love to buy one of these liveable old homes and renovate it.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Personally I felt safe enough to walk through that little neighborhood, but I was only a mere tourist. You’d get better insight about livability from a different source. My thing is just to showcase what these places have to offer historically and culturally, but I wish the best for that, one of these would ideally be a nice home!

[@monmixer]

Right, go from south Wheeling to Benwood on the river and see the old buildings. amazing structures surprisingly mostly in good shape. The river front weather is hard on buildings also.

[@billtorbett7765]

East Whg still has many Victorian era homes standing. My childhood home on 14th St is still there. Some of secret/hidde passageways. Answer to the safety question... the reason my family fled from East Whg was for safety. Slum Lord bought the big old Victorian homes then made apartments out of them. Crack/cocain came in 80s & coupled with a liberal govt, Wheeling lost all those good paying manufacturing jobs. The City is overrun with homeless drug addicts living in tents. Wheeling is a very sad story. There was never any forward thinking. We could not reinvent ourselves

[@kultofbunny]

Im moving to Wheeling to restore a Victorian house. This is such a beautiful city! Thanks for this video

[@TheCoverageProject]

Absolutely welcome!

[@piotr.leniec-lincow5209]

I drove 7 times across USA . Wheeling is a fantastic , old river town . I want to live in there . It was once a US capital of naills production .

[@yellowstone2964]

I was born in Wheeling,moved to FL. at 6 months old would come back every summer to visit cousins,grand parents,had awesome memories,especially of time spent at Olgobay !!

[@JesterAzazel]

I wish you could see the insides of some of those Victorian buildings. Aside from being worn out, they look beautiful.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Do you know of any (along that row) which are open and public?

[@JesterAzazel]

@@TheCoverageProject I don't, the only reason I've seen inside any of them is because I used to know a few people that lived in em. They really should restore some and allow tourists to see inside. Anyway I posted your video on a FB page for people that live in Wheeling. They like it. Great work.

[@chad1082]

Hey lived here for over 20 yrs it's very qaint and beautiful you actually showed my apartment on your video I live in one one of the historical apartment buildings you showed on your video

[@monmixer]

There is one district that is the Historic District. It's north Wheeling about 1 to 2 miles above wheeling depending on where you are in Wheeling form south to north.

[@rafaelvarga8185]

I really like your travel vlogs, hope your channel gains some traction soon.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Thanks so much for your support! Plenty of content saved up for these coming months.

[@andrews6600]

I like his demeanor. From Ivory Coast, Africa

[@babzn6441]

West Virginia is still considered in the eastern part of the US. The reason it is called West Virginia is because it use to be a part Virginia. There was disagreement over slavery and taxes during that time and the western part of Virginia split from the eastern part of Virginia during the American Civil War. West Virginia became its own state in 1863 ( June 20th). I was born and raised there and if you are going to visit some of these beautiful states, it would be worth your time to read up on the history to present to your audience. I’m a retired teacher and as I’m in the audience, I’d have a lot of questions for you. Some people don’t get the opportunity to visit other states. It would be nice to have more information to share with others. You have a pleasant personality and you speak clearly, so why not expand on your knowledge of the place you are visiting.

[@wowbagger3505]

The divide between Virginia and West Virginia had little to nothing to do with slavery and much to do with settlement patterns. The area that is now Virginia was largely settled by the Second and subsequent sons of the British upper classes, those who didn’t inherit their father’s property. The area that is now West Virginia was settled by Scots, who had been sent to the Ulster Plantations mostly from the Borders, Dumfries, and Galloway Scotland. They had been fighting one-another and the English for hundreds of years. They mostly landed in Philadelphia and other northeastern ports and traveled down the Warrior’s path in the Great Valley of Virginia looking for land. The wealthy “Virginians” thought the Ulster Scot’s Irish were coarse and violent drunks and pretty much forced them to go west. A plus was they were particularly good at fighting and controlling the Indians. Fast forward a hundred years and these two groups despised one another. The westerners didn’t believe in slavery as they had experience being treated a slaves and so that institution at least in part provided a convenient excuse. The Virginia Legislature showed how little they cared by misnaming and misspelling county names as they were created. Example: Monongalia County on the Monongahela River.

[@babzn6441]

I would suggest you also take a look at the Virginia History Book besides the WV History Books. I’d like to see where you got your information from also.

[@wowbagger3505]

@@babzn6441 My ancestors were some of those Ulster Scots, who settled out in the country before the Revolution, fought in it and the Civil War and never left until I moved to Morgantown for grad school and later a job five generations later. The video is filled cliche’s and many false statements. I went to high school in Wheeling and have studied real West Virginia History for maybe as much as sixty years. I would suggest you realize that history books include much propaganda!

[@keyannalewis7186]

So I absolutely love Craig X. Wheeling is really on my radar. I am digging this town.

[@TheCoverageProject]

I was very lucky to meet such an interesting figure like him. Absolutely made my day there complete. Wheeling is a destination I can totally approve for anyone to visit.

[@lil-cuknow7855]

Come to wheeling wv to visit we be having great festivals every year here and other things to experience here

[@susangailkoch3935]

Great tour!

[@joshlewis5486]

Great vid!!

[@cheesefries7436]

Interesting takes on Civil War history.

[@robertbauers2210]

7:25-8:43 Coleman’s Fish Market in the background. My dad is from Wheeling his house was located on Harzlett Avenue in Wareood right next door to the Wheeling Laundry house is no longer there

[@jessicalt4121]

I’ve been going to Ogelbay Park Resort for 40 years. Cabins, resort, pretty countryside. Visit!

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

I like Wheeling a lot. I've visited a few times and have always found the people to be friendly and down-to-earth. A lot of beautiful old buildings as well. West Virginia has been through a lot in its history, and I know people like to make fun of it, but I truly think it's a beautiful state.

[@poeticlicensetokill]

I also live here and postively love my little corner of West Virginia! Thanks for coming and please come again! Did you go to any of the restaurants at all? I know where all the good spots are. For tacos, beer, and the wonderful coffee shop on main street. I hope you make another trip soon!

[@TheCoverageProject]

Believe it or not I have returned! In fact it’s a great stop I’ve used along cross country trips in addition, right on I-70 with some relatively cheap gas as one crosses into West Virginia.

[@Rocket9944]

Is it a pretty safe city to live in, are these old Victorian homes in safe neighborhoods, I like to relocate in a couple years and looking to buy one of these old Victorian homes.

[@poeticlicensetokill]

@@Rocket9944 You have to get a permit from the city's historical society to live in them. Because it would require renovations that they will oversee. As far as I know anyway. Some of the houses are owned by generational families as well. Not all of them are in safe neighborhoods no. But if you're looking to buy there are several on the market. Including the old Henry K. List Mansion.

[@Sidetracked_in_Macau]

COOL! Wheeling, WV!

[@TheCoverageProject]

It’s a very cool little city, would recommend

[@kimcircagirl474]

-, cant wait 😁

[@mrnogood]

Great video. I'm glad it played automatically because I saw this video in my feed and didn't want to watch it.

[@billtorbett7765]

The sidewalk ur standing on just after 11 minutes used to have silver & half dollars in it back in the 70s

[@monmixer]

Ohio isn't much further west than WV. Eastern Ohio is actually further east than WV. South and south central Ohio are still part of the Appalachian foothills for quite a few miles into Ohio. It's Appalacia and the traffic came from Ohio to WV via route 40 national road via that suspension bridge which was the only way to get a wagon or a vehicle across the river that was no floatable across the river.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Oh yes, geographically WV is definitely an interesting state. At this time my only experience in West Virginia was within the panhandles, so I make my statements based upon the location through which I travel that day.

[@Roadtripmik]

It has great architecture

[@kimcircagirl474]

What a place Oh My Gracious🙌😄😁yay an thank youu

[@patrice19791]

A ski mask always has an opening for the mouth. So if he was wearing a ski mask she would not have said his mouth is covered. Also (depending on the ski mask) it would be hard to see the eyebrows as the eye openings are small - so she likely would not have been able to say 'he had bushy eyebrows' as most of them would have been covered by the mask. Goggles also would have likely covered most of the eyebrows

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

You missed Wheeling Island. The best Victorian homes in the state.

[@alleycatalog]

And so many of them!

[@marzymarrz5172]

That is a big river. Bet it’s pretty scary when it’s flood level.

[@TheCoverageProject]

The Ohio River is HUGE. I eventually make my way back to this river later in time and go to a place famous for this river’s flooding.

[@lil-cuknow7855]

Wheeling is a beautiful city to come visit We also got a casino on wheeling island and zoo and resort and arena

[@David-zq6ho]

I stayed there a few time. And. Can see wheeling at night hardly any traffic...

[@lil-cuknow7855]

@@David-zq6ho what time of night was it when u was here? u should of checked out Avenue Eats at the waterfront hall 1230 Water Street Wheeling, WV the food is fantastic

[@David-zq6ho]

Actually I stay at the casino...and look across river 🌊😅

[@JesterAzazel]

You didn't get to see the best part of Oglebay, the friendly deer.

[@jamestaylor5231]

I went to computer school with Tim Lawson 1970 ,is Tim still live here …

[@kimcircagirl474]

Your Bright 🙌😁

[@TheCoverageProject]

Anyone can appear knowledgeable discussing things in which they take great interest. Thank you though haha

[@katiehopemulligan]

Is the air clean there?

[@tobiascarpenter5438]

Born there and grew up in the Valley. The one guy he interviewed was not from WV. He’s a carpetbagger.

[@kimcircagirl474]

Can you pretty pretty please do Morgantown ? WV ?

[@TheCoverageProject]

There are so many new states yet to be seen that I’m not sure if I can afford the time to to revisit a state covered in more depth than most others. With that said I will add this though, I enjoyed publishing the video on Fairmont WV close by, and have a decent sized playlist of many other great West Virginia locations. If I happen to pass through the state on future travels (which is somewhat likely) I will keep Morgantown in mind!

[@swisschalet1658]

I think if you professionally edited your videos they could really take off. You need someone to show you how to add music, sound effects, editing effects, some light graphics (words on the screen) etc..and your videos could become extremely entertaining. Maybe you could take an online video editing course and do it yourself. You have a great personality. Your videos just need to be taken to the next level, using your existing footage. You could edit them and repost them.

[@TheCoverageProject]

First of all, I’m flattered that you’re invested in this channel’s growth. And you’re right, for many up and coming KZbin channels it could certainly pay off in dividends to “upgrade or “professionalize” the style of editing. I could very well choose that path, but I’m a bit hesitant. Believe it or not I’ve taken very similar courses to what you describe… and well, to say the least it turned me off a bit. From the beginning I’ve wanted to cultivate a minimalist editing style. That’s not to say that I want to abstain from necessary editing techniques (each video of mine takes on average 4-5 hours of editing from raw footage to finished product) but I always maintained the belief that the content of this channel should align with the type of person I am, a simple down-to-earth individual, I’m not much more than that. That said, this comment is attached to a video filmed in 2021, and since then I’ve little by little found reasonable improvements to consider making as time has gone on. Would I consider further improvement as it naturally necessitates? Sure! But I’d also rather enjoy the much longer process of growing this digital archive with a small and familiar community, than find a “fast track” to internet success, at the cost of my enthusiasm for the project. Plus, I somewhat find beauty in putting out content that isn’t intended to be a professional-grade masterpiece! A sense of humble realism is what I aspire for. Hopefully that offers some insight into my creative process, all the best to you.

[@kimcircagirl474]

I like name Eli 🙌😄😁

[@couerleroi1]

Do you purposely avoid using the letter "t" ?

[@TheCoverageProject]

Everyone’s got an accent with funny quirks. Where I’ve been brought up, it’s commonplace to turn the T sound into a glottal stop

[@tobiascarpenter5438]

I think Wheeling still has 50,000 plus people. And that makes it a City. Any population over 5,000 is a city. I remember when Wheeling had around 75,000 people in it and the outside areas.

[@billtorbett7765]

Population was 28K at the 2020 sensus. And it dwindles lower every day

[@jaybarnett6431]

Eastern cities like Chicago, but Ohio is considered a Midwestern state 😂... I went from moundsville south of wheeling too harpers ferry 5 years ago

[@thesavoyard]

The mid west, 3/4 to 9/10 of the way east. We on the west coast should start calling Colorado and New Mexico the mid east.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Yeah it is pretty strange how names for geographic regions are decided upon, especially in terms of the historical relativism

[@thesavoyard]

@@TheCoverageProject By the way, I'm a remote software engineer. I want to buy a house and take care of my parents. And I'm single, what is your impression of Wheeling? Would I have any love life at all?

[@TheCoverageProject]

@@thesavoyard I truly can't say that I'm any authority on what it's like to live anywhere or to recommend places for living a daily life. I merely engage with the cultural significance of these places, so I don't actively look into logistics of day-to-day pragmatic living. I will say though that Wheeling is situated in the middle of Appalachia, a region notoriously known for not doing so well economically in today's time. Such an immediate impression doesn't come from nowhere. Though it's for you to take what you will from what I say, your own research will be better than my words.

[@bobwade8949]

Your in the Death Valley 💀💀💀

[@sphinxrising1129]

Mid West, South? What kind of drugs was you on?

[@20blockrecords54]

Lol yeah he tweaking it's definitely north east

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

It's pronouced app a latchia as in latch.

[@chrischurch4551]

Was going so well, and then you called it Virginia. Giant faux pas. :D

[@TheCoverageProject]

If you’re talking about 16:09 there, for sure. Personally that moment was too funny not to make it through the final edit

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

Hate to tell that guy but West Virginia had slaves going back to before the Revolution.

[@wildcl0ver]

Omg...Never ever call West Virginia "The South". Appalachia is NOT the same as "The South" and West Virginia was part of the North in the Civil War (your interviewee mentions this later) Also it does get very cold in the winter and is typically not what anyone would call a "moderate" winter climate.

[@vincentmancini6279]

Horrible video!

[@stevieanne9714]

I loved it and was just about to comment that it has been one of the best I have viewed to date...different strokes for different folks...also, very mean comment.