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WHEELING -- When immigrants from England, Ireland and Germany first settled in South Wheeling in the 1830s, the area was called "Ritchietown."
Soon, the neighborhood may receive a new label: historic district.
More than 130 properties in South Wheeling may soon be listed on the National Register of Historic Places after a meeting in Charleston next month is set to advance the process. The West Virginia Archives and History Commission will consider whether to nominate the proposed South Wheeling Historic District to the National Register at its meeting Feb. 21.
If added, South Wheeling would join 11 other Wheeling neighborhoods already on the National Register, a list of places recognized by the National Park Service as historically important and worthy of preservation.
The effort to create the district came about through a project by Wheeling Heritage and Wheeling's Historic Landmarks Commission. Through grant funding from the state, Wheeling Heritage conducted architectural research on dozens of properties in recent years to formally apply to the National Register.
The proposed district includes 133 properties between 31st and 41st streets, from Chapline Street to W.Va. 2.
"We are making the case that there is very significant industrial history here in South Wheeling," said Betsy Sweeny, historic preservation program manager for Wheeling Heritage. "For much of history, these spaces have been overlooked, with more attention being given to high-style architecture."
Sweeny pointed to the Schmulbach Brewery building, located on 33rd Street, as an example of one of the area's "incredible" buildings deserving of historical recognition. South Wheeling was home to the production of glass, cut nails, beer and tobacco for decades.
"The area is such a snapshot of why so many people came to Wheeling around the turn of the century," Sweeny said.
Beyond just recognition, being added to the National Register would create benefits for property owners, such as state and federal tax incentives and opportunities for state grants.
Property owners included in National Register historic districts are eligible for the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, according to information from Wheeling Heritage. The state tax credit is open to both residential and commercial property rehabilitation, while the federal credit can only be used for commercial buildings.
The incentives would make rehabilitating buildings in South Wheeling more feasible, Sweeny said. Those who considered reusing buildings in the area in the past may be able to make their projects a reality if the district is approved, she said.
If the nomination is approved by the West Virginia Archives and History Commission, the body will make a recommendation to the National Parks Service to add the district to the National Register. The Feb. 21 meeting on the matter will occur at 1 p.m. at the Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston.
Other Wheeling neighborhoods on the National Register are Centre Market Square, Chapline Street Row, East Wheeling, Highland Park, Monroe Street East, National Road Corridor, North Wheeling, Wheeling Island, Wheeling Warehouse and the Woodsdale/Edgewood neighborhood.