Wheeling, WV — A stretch of Chapline Street in Wheeling is getting new attention for the Black community that once thrived there.

On Saturday, a sign dedication was held on Chapline Street honoring the history of African American residents and the Black community that lived and worked along the street. The interpretive sign recognizes historic locations including Lincoln School, the Pythian Building and Doc White’s Pharmacy.

The sign also highlights the Green Book, which helped Black travelers find places to eat and take care of themselves. It includes Harry H. Jones, identified as Wheeling’s only African American attorney.

Sean Duffy said the idea for an interpretive sign grew out of research he was doing years ago.

“About 16 years ago I met someone named Ann Thomas when I was doing a book, and she drove me around here and showed me all of the sights that used to be the Chapline Street segregated neighborhood,” Duffy said. “She grew up here and I said Ann, we should do an interpretive sign like they have all over Wheeling for other communities.”

Deborah Stradwick described the area as a once-busy neighborhood.

“It was thriving, there were homes all up and down this area, and it was church it was organizations, fraternal organizations, and it was a lot that went on here,” Stradwick said.

Stradwick said the sign marks the beginning of learning more about Wheeling’s African American history.