WHEELING IN THE RAIN

 

When we travel we are usually in a hurry, coming and going. Sightseeing is a luxury at best. In all the years we've traveled back east we have never stopped in Wheeling, West Virginia. Yet we have heard all the jokes about it. So this time we decided to explore the town. We originally were going to visit America's Taj Mahal the New Vrindaban Palace of Gold, known for it's lavish gardens, spectacular interior and architecture. But with the weather being so bad and it being located off the beaten path we decided to save that visit for another time. So we focused instead on seeing the Centre Market district.

It is an area full of eateries, arts and crafts, antiques and historic houses. (I found the cost of things to be pricey here, though.) Older than the state itself, the market was originally built in 1853 and has been in continuous operation since.

 

 

 

 

After a couple hours there... seeing all the vendors, including the famous, Coleman Fish Market... we waited for the weather to improve because we were getting antsy to go outside and explore the antique shops and historic houses.

 

 

 

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE, SO YOU CAN READ AND SEE THEM BETTER)

 

 

 

Afterwards we then continued downtown to look for The Railroad Station, which was built in 1907 and stopped passenger service in 1961. It is now a community college.

 

 

We also wanted to find The Old Custom House which served as a Post Office and Federal Court back in the day.

 

 

And last but not least... we hoped to see a Vaudeville Theatre with live entertainment. It was established in 1904. And nowadays features drama, comedy, Blue Grass, Country and Barber Shop music.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, none of the above were open at the time, we happened past. But I had the chance to photograph them, so we can say we were there. The rest of the trip to Wheeling was spent looking at the rain pour from the car window.