Pythian Castle

Located on the corner of 27th and Chapline Streets, the Pythian Castle in South Wheeling on the  was built between 1895 and 1896, erected on the former site of the Quincy Foundry. Designed by the Wheeling-based firm of Hamilton & Son, it was built as the meeting house of the Black Prince Lodge No. 19 (established in 1873), one of five lodges of the Knights of Pythias fraternal order located in Wheeling at that time. The interior of the lodge hall, 100 ft. by 50 ft., was lined with painted canvas depicting scenes of initiation work. An auditorium, which house the Castle Theatre from 1909-1926, was located on the second floor. The third and fourth floors contained lodge rooms.

In the 1950s, the Pythian Castle was used as a combination bingo/gaming parlor with nickel slots and third-floor poker game rounds "off the indoor recreation program."

When the last living member of the Black Prince Lodge passed away in the 1980s, the building become the property of the Grand Lodge and was put up for sale. It was purchased by the owner of Glass Unlimited and demolished in 1991.

Location

➤ 2700 Chapline Street (NE corner of 27th and Chapline — now demolished)

Images

Newspaper Articles

➤ The New Pythian Temple: Wheeling Intelligencer, August 3, 1895 
➤ The Secret Societies of Wheeling Are Numerous, Wheeling Intelligencer, Thursday, June 8th, 1905, pg. 31.
➤ The New Castle [Theatre]: Wheeling Daily Register, Friday, August 3rd, 1906
➤ Not Just a Dusty Old Building: Now Vacant Pythian Castle Holds Wealth of History: The Intelligencer, Saturday, February 3rd, 1990
➤ Asbestos Stalls Demolition: The Intelligencer, Thursday, July 11th, 1991
➤ Pair Will Pay Penalties for Asbestos Violations: The Intelligencer, Saturday, November 27th, 1993

Additional Resources

➤ Archives Vertical File: Castle Theatre (See image on Flickr). View physical by appointment only.