South Wheeling, West Virginia | Black and White Photography | Architecture and Abandoned Buildings

In this video, we walk the interesting city streets of South Wheeling, West Virginia to photograph historic architecture and abandoned places.
#wheeling #photography #abandoned
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[@jeffreyburton7284]

I'm the owner of the church you mentioned. I'm glad I made a favorable impression but I believe I said 'restoration' and not 'renovation'. I have no plans on making any major changes to the building. I'm just trying to keep it standing and active. Nice video!

[@Keithdotson]

Oh thanks for the clarification! It was nice meeting you.

[@Keithdotson]

I should also have mentioned in the video that you may have saved my life by reminding me to get out of the busy street where I was standing! :-)

[@kimcircagirl474]

Wow ur the owner🙌😁

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

What happened to the former congregation?

[@pamelamajor1566]

I was born and raised in Wheeling. Lived on Eoff St. for many years. This brought back so many memories. Cooey Bentz was the best place to go see Santa at Christmas time! To you, this is a charming gem. To me, it's just old, dead and sad, because I remember what it used to be.

[@Keithdotson]

I can understand your viewpoint for sure. I understand they are beginning to tear down a lot of these old buildings, which I find equally sad.

[@lorieller8882]

I was raised just outside of Moundsville. Thank you for covering the area with an appreciation for Wheeling's architecture and Moundsville's ancient history. Time has not been kind to the area. Your photography is true art.

[@Keithdotson]

Thank you for watching! I enjoyed the area very much and hope to get back there soon

[@ES-pc8kf]

Wheeling is my home town. The brewery is probably my favorite historic building in South Wheeling. You showed the Ukraine church that sold pirogies and stuffed cabbage every Friday when I was a child. When I visit Wheeling I drive around and reminiscing.

[@brendan3928]

I recognized the Cooley Bentz Company before you camera turned the corner. I had my first picture with Santa Claus there in 1957!!!

[@Keithdotson]

Great memory! Thanks for sharing.

[@mqdollars]

I was born and raised in Wheeling WV - moved from area in 1994 - so many memories with some of these areas - some great and some not so great!....lol...thank you for creating this video!

[@benjamin-stamp]

I always come to your channel when I’m in need of a break. This video was no exception. One day I wish to be able to travel to places such as this in the united states, I have such a fascination with them. Your videos help me get my fix, and your photos are brilliant too. Thanks for the hard work and the uploads Keith,

[@Keithdotson]

Hey Benjamin -- thanks for the kind words. Comments like this help keep me going.

[@LoneWolf-dv7ul]

I remember hearing the escape sirens in Bethlehem, when I was a kid. Tomlinson Ave. sounds like my last name.

[@ES-pc8kf]

If you turned your back on the brewer building you can see the building that housed the horses used to deliver the beer.

[@bobbijocampbell4137]

I grew up in “The Valley”, right across the river from Wheeling. Spent my youth in the places you show in your videos. Whenever I get a little homesick I watch your videos. Thank you!

[@Keithdotson]

That's just amazing! Thanks for telling me. It's a very interesting place.

[@monmixer]

There used to be a lot of clubs down there and a very vibrant music scene. I played in a lot of those clubs back in the 80's and 90's. Every once in awhile on a slow day when it's cold and I have nothing to do I cruise south Wheeling. It never gets old looking at those old industries. The Croation hall, the musicians union I believe was housed in the building back then.

[@Keithdotson]

Interesting! I just heard from a South Wheeling firefighter that some of the buildings in this video are being torn down. One of them is apparently coming down already and another is scheduled. I get it, but it makes me sad. A lot of history will be lost.

[@monmixer]

@@Keithdotson There is a lot of construction going on in the center of Wheeling. Unfortunately a lot of the old buildings don't have owners that are making any money from them as the slowly decay. It's hard to save them all. I know exactly what you are saying though. I don't know who owns that old brewery right now but I hope it gets saved. Not to many people even know it's there now or even what it was.

[@crm208]

Beauty is in the eye 👀 of the beholder. I love to see these relics of days gone by. Love your.photography and interest in these old and interesting places. My parents used to live around this area Mom used to work at marsh wheeling stogies😊

[@Keithdotson]

Thank you! I have another big Wheeling video coming if I can ever finish it. It’ll have some footage with Marsh stogies

[@mrnogood]

I would love to see some of the hollows that are surrounding wheeling

[@dixienormous2704]

I grew up in South Wheeling in the 90's. My grandfather owned a few properties around 41st and Wood St and I spent most of my childhood in that small slice of the world. I want to move back but there's no work like there is in other places. What work is available either pays jack squat or you need to know somebody to get in.

[@Keithdotson]

That's a real shame. I went back to Wheeling over the summer and I am releasing a series of videos over the next few weeks so I hope you'll check back in for those.

[@63rml]

Those old windows at 10:56 was the money shot for me. Another great one in the can Keith. Mike

[@Keithdotson]

I'm with you. I made a ton of images of those windows.

[@wvmountaineer1]

I am from south wheeling the shot at 10:30 used to make brake pads and the playground behind it saw many many games. There was a fire station to the right of it they used to leave the lights on so we could play longer. At the top of the hill just left of the corner wonder bakery was up there. I hate to say it but weds was pastry day and we used to reach our hands in the windows and take the sweet rolls back down to playground and play more basketball and then had food fights with the remaining rolls. In my day 60s and 70s the curfew was at 10 and there was loud sirens that sounded off for us to be off the streets.

[@Keithdotson]

What a wonderful detailed memory of that place and time! Thanks for sharing

[@grahamrichards8531]

Loved it, such quirky brick architecture. I see they are promoting the heritage architecture, also very close to the Pittsburgh masses, has its own symphony orchestra!

[@Keithdotson]

Pittsburgh came to my mind when I saw this place. I haven't been there yet but I imagine parts of it being like this.

[@grahamrichards8531]

@@Keithdotson My grand daughter's husband is from Pittsburgh which made this special to me.

[@Keithdotson]

Oh how nice! Thanks for sharing that.

[@kimcircagirl474]

Its beautiful hope tlc can be done but just as close to what is now pleaseeee

[@kimcircagirl474]

KDP thank you

[@kimcircagirl474]

I wana circa in Wheeling Sooo Bad!

[@kimcircagirl474]

Omg its so Beautiful!!!!!! The red monster🙌😁

[@Keithdotson]

It’s is a beautiful building! I agree

[@kenbutler9240]

I once lived in the master brewer's house where the parking lot is now for Kennedy Hardware. Fond memories.

[@kimcircagirl474]

Yas For Mail Pouch

[@Sarahh-nicole]

The tobacco smells amazing in the summer. It's right next to a walking trail. I will always remember smelling cherry cigars being made. I grew up a block away from mail pouch.

[@TheLookingOne]

Turn around and Kennedy's Hardware is still there (13:18) ! I bicycled past it many times.

[@dougmozingo2324]

I use to live in South Wheeling at 36th and Chapline St. Me and a group of friends been to the Moundsville Penitentiary in May 2017, they have open visitor hours it was huge in side, I have a lot of pictures of the prisoners cells and even a picture of the Electric Chair that was used back then, the tour guide even takes you out side to see we’re the prisoners use to spend time out side, if anyone can, you need to go on the inside tour of the prison

[@Keithdotson]

I was just back in Wheeling / Moundsville this May but I always miss the tour hours! I love Wheeling though

[@terryolsen4244]

I always enjoy your videos and this is certainly no exception. This location was really quite a find. I thought it was cool how the Mail Pouch building obviously has some renovations (awning, doors, windows) but they opted to leave the old painted sign. I'm not surprised when you said that the old church was much more interesting BEFORE the renovations! I think that old prison would be a very interesting place to visit and photograph. Your photos are excellent, as always, in that recognizable (to me, anyway) "Keith Dotson Style". But they seem to be a bit sharper, better contrast, something. Perhaps it was the light that particular day? I once read an interview with a National Geographic photographer who was asked about his preferred light for photography. He said "cloudy bright". It seems that was what you had there. But, then again, it could be my imagination. Good stuff, thanks for sharing!

[@Keithdotson]

Cloudy bright is the perfect description of the light I love. Thanks - as always - for the support

[@Keithdotson]

As for the look of the images, I have been using some new settings in Nik that make be effecting the appearance a well.

[@terryolsen4244]

@@Keithdotson Silver Efex Pro is a great black and white conversion tool. It's my go-to software followed closely by Lightroom.

[@TheLookingOne]

The original Route 2 / 250 connected to South Wheeling at the street in 13:26.

[@Keithdotson]

Thanks for the information!

[@wvmountaineer1]

I remember when it was getting built. A couple of us jumped on some of the equipment and pushed a button and ohh crap its started up we went flying down to a friends house who their father knew how it turn it off we were so scared.

[@TheLookingOne]

@@wvmountaineer1 Boys will be boys? Me? I used to bicycle between Moundsville and Wheeling through the old route.

[@joannegingertrump4presiden799]

It makes me sad when I hear a church is not going to be a church anymore.

[@butterflychris339]

awesome video have u seen the abandoned castle in wheeling west Virginia

[@Keithdotson]

No! Where is it? I’m planning to come back soon.

[@pamcook5629]

Moundsville had a choice of having a college there or a prison. They chose a prison. Why?????

[@Bunc02x]

Ayoo I know I'm late but just know I love there. In that area, and I got a place that I want to show you if you ever come back

[@Keithdotson]

I'll be back there in springtime

[@Bunc02x]

@@Keithdotson sound great man

[@mrfletcher0001]

I have some very nice pictures of the Schmulbock building logos taken by drone if you would like to imbed them in your video

[@Keithdotson]

I wish I could! Unfortunately there’s no way to edit it now