Main St - 1200, even numbers
Main Street as seen from 12th - 1904
Business was thriving 110 years ago on Main Street. Stifel Dry Goods to the right (over the trolley), and large, not quite clear SNOOK? & CO. dry goods sign on top of building near the top of the hill on the right. Cut off sign near front left is for a store that sold books and periodicals - wouldn't you love to have one downtown now?
Further information about the Stifel Dry Goods building and store from History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and
Representative Citizens, by Gibson Lamb Cranmer, published in 1902, about the time of this photograph:
In 1896 they erected the building... This has a stone frontage of 92 feet, facing Main street, and is five stories high. George E. Stifel & Company have also leased the building just north of the one occupied by them.
Over 100 people are employed by George E. Stifel & Company. An immense stock is carried, the first floor being devoted to the sale of silks, dress goods, notions, was goods, linens and flannels; the second floor to cloaks, suits and ladies' and gentlemen's underwear; the third floor to curtains, draperies, upholstery, rugs, etc.; and the fourth and fifth floors are devoted to the reserve and duplicate stock; while the basement is used for toilet and boiler rooms and storage for domestic goods. The building is 135 feet in depth, and is heated with steam and lighted with electric lights, including the mammoth show windows. These windows are always artistically decorated, and present at night a most beautiful and attractive appearance, illumination of the street for some distance. ... It is the largest dry goods store in Wheeling, and thus has established a wide reputation. Thanks to http://www.wvgenweb.org/ohio/bio-stifel.txt
1214 Main
Last used as Capital Business Interiors. At some point early large windows filled in with wood siding. For sale for $165,000 in 2015. Sold and demolished in 2016.
1216 Main
Boarded up; uncertain future existence, but lovely upper facade. Tile entranceway says "Chapman", perhaps the first or last owner? Red, white and green paint on right side all that remains of DiCarlo's Pizza store.
1222 Main
Hutchinson Building and former DiCarlo's Pizza start to be torn down in April 2012, continuing in mid-June. Will become a parking lot to serve all the thriving businesses in the area. (PS - I write on April 1st - the demolition is true, the thriving business is a cruel joke).
