Wheeling Hall of Fame Index
Origins
When the Wheeling Civic Center (now known as WesBanco Arena) was being built in 1977, the founders decided to include a “Wheeling Hall of Fame” to honor past and present residents “who had attained considerable distinction in some specific field and thus brought honor to their home city.” City Council created a Hall of Fame Board tasked with nominating and inducting new members in six categories: Music and Fine Arts; Sports and Athletics; Business, Industry and Professions; Public Service; Education and Religion; and Philanthropy. To qualify, a person has to have lived in Wheeling for at least 15 years. The inaugural, 1980 class featured 18 inductees. Numerous others have been added in the years since, and many qualified candidates have yet to be inducted. Honoring Wheeling’s finest is an ongoing process.
And in case you are wondering why Wheeling legends like Betty Zane and Samuel McCulloch are not enshrined, the preamble from the Ordinance establishing the Hall of Fame provides the answer: “While outstanding public services were rendered by our founding fathers and early citizens, these worthy deeds are recognized by historical publications and appropriately honored in other halls, museums, and memorials. Therefore, honorees in the Wheeling Hall of Fame shall be selected on the basis of accomplishments after 1863 [later amended to 1836].”
Wheeling Hall of Fame Program Booklets (via wheelingwv.gov)
➤ 2023 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2021 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2019 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2017 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2015 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2013 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2011 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2008 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2006 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2004 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2002 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 2000 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1998 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1994 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1992 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1990 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1986 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1984 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1982 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
➤ 1980 Wheeling Hall of Fame Program
