Market St - 1500

1508 Market: Kirks Building

1916
  Early example of Art Deco style. Three arched parapets and cornices with ornamental caps and storefront embellishments. Vertical, terra cotta elements span the facade of the building from the ground and integrate themselves into the arched parapets.
  Building closed and empty since 2008, apparently with water damage. 
  Built by Joseph Naylor, who was president of the John S. Naylor Company, one of the largest wholesale distributors of dry goods in the state.
  Information and text from Jake Dougherty, PreserveWV Endangered Building nomination.

1528 Market: Independence Hall (Customs House)

Wheeling became a Port of Entry in 1831, and by an act of Congress this building was erected in 1854. United States supplies were kept here during the Civil War for volunteers in the Army. Milton (1943)
Architect: Ammi Young, Supervising Architect of the US Treasury.

From xxx to xxx the building was the Wheeling Post Office (Old Post Office). When was the turret removed? And what is the little structure on stilts?
From Brown Collection of Photos at Ohio Public Library.

1911 postcard from Chuck Julian collection documenting when the Custom's House was a commercial building.

Apparently a tornado around April 19, 1925 tossed cars and other items around down town. Note the awning that goes around the corner at right, similar to the awning on Absure Tower. Also note Greek Temple entrance at center of building. When was it removed? Picture source evident.
This seems to be a continuation, beyond where documented, of the largest tornado outbreak in US history.

Custom House drawings, Library of Congress

WV Dept of History and Culture description.

New statue of Francis Pierpont at corner of VW Independence Hall.