Architect

December 27, 1879-November 28, 1931

Architect Charles W. Bates was born in Wheeling and was a prominent figure among the architects of northern West Virginia during the first two decades of the 20th century. He was highly recognized for the use of reinforced concrete in high rise and warehouse designs. Bates attended Linsly Military Institute before studying design and engineering at Arbour Institute of Technology and the Art Institute of Chicago. He began his practice of architecture in Chicago and Pittsburgh in 1904. Later, he opened offices in Cleveland, Youngstown, and Wheeling. His designs featured classical detailing and he was a master in the Neo-Classical and Beaux Arts styles.

Specializing in fireproof structures, Bates designed many prominent buildings in Wheeling including the Capitol Theatre, Central Union Building, Hazel-Atlas Building, the old Wheeling Public Library (now Bennett Square), Ohio Valley General Hospital, National Bank of West Virginia, Windsor Hotel, Wheeling Clinic’s older structure, Stifel mansion (now Stifel Fine Arts Center) and the Sterling Drug headquarters.

On November 28, 1931, At the age of 51, Bates suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died in the ambulance on his way to the Cleveland Clinic.

➤ Read Charle W. Bates obituary: Wheeling Intelligencer, Monday, November 30, 1931  

Charles W. Bates Buildings

Additional Resources

➤ Vertical File: Wheeling Architecture, Wheeling Room, non-circulating, ask for access at Reference Desk.
➤ Archives: "Photographs Illustrating Works of Charles W. Bates and William H. Cook, Architects and Engineers," publication date unknown, Special Collections, viewing by appointment only, call 304-232-0244.