OHIO COUNTY CEMETERIES

"HOW THE DEAD WERE CARED FOR ALMOST AS EARLY AS THE LIVING, BUT PERMANENT REST 
IS EVEN UNCERTAIN IN THE GRAVE."

It was not long after the very earliest settlement here of the pioneers that 
they established a suitable burial place for their dead. The first grave yard 
opened being located on the west side of Main, between Ninth and Tenth Streets. 
For many years interments were made here with little suspicion that the remains 
of "dear departed ones" would have to be exhumed to give place to the 
foundations of homes for the living. But such was the case, and there no longer 
remains a vestige of its original characteristics to mark the spot, but rather 
have noble city residences risen thereon. The second grave yard, Hempfield 
Cemetery, dawned at 16th St. between Chapline and Eoff, (actually from 17th to 
15th streets where the Ohio County Public Library and the Ohio County Court 
House now stand), being a spacious enclosure admirably adapted to the purpose, 
but by 1849-50 it was found that this location would also be wanted to 
accommodate the rapidly growing city. Then recommenced the exhuming process, and 
many remains were removed to Mount Wood though the majority were transferred to 
the Peninsular grounds, that were opened about the same time by the city. At 
present writing, however, there are several other excellent grave yards 
accessible, and so remote from the commercial limits of the city that there will 
be little fear, for several generations at least of their being molested to meet 
the growing demands of our daily increasing business.

The following are those still open: Greenwood Cemetery 4 miles east on National 
Road (Route 40) opened 1860's; Peninsular Grave Yard, opened 1850-51, approached 
from Peninsula St; Mt. Calvary Catholic, located just a little beyond Greenwood 
and next to Wheeling Park on National Road, opened 1870's, incorporated 1902.

Mt. Wood Cemetery, located on the north end of Chapline St. in close proximity 
to the famous historical spot known as "McColloch's Leap", was the property of a 
private company and was pretty well filled by 1879. Many of our oldest and most 
respected citizens are buried there.

Two small grave yards almost adjoining Mr. Wood were the burial places of Jewish 
persuasion.

Red Men's Cemetery or Burial Ground was on the side of Wheeling Hill between 
23rd and 26th Streets. (Now closed, empty, and the 26th St. off ramp of Rt. 2).

Mt. Zion Cemetery, located on Fairmont Pike in South Wheeling, opened in the 
1800's and is still active.



From WAGS LOOKOUT by Mary Lou Henderson.