Which railroad reached Wheeling in 1853?

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (often abbreviated as B&O) was the first railroad to reach Wheeling in 1853. This was a significant development because the B&O was one of the earliest railroads in the United States and played a crucial role in connecting the eastern states with the western territories. The establishment of this rail line facilitated trade, travel, and communication, contributing to the economic growth of Wheeling and its surrounding areas. The B&O's arrival in Wheeling marked a key moment in the expansion of the railroad network in the region and helped to increase the city's importance as a transportation hub.

Other railroads, such as the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie, the Norfolk Southern, and the Western Maryland Railway, emerged later and did not have the historical significance of the B&O in relation to Wheeling's development. Thus, the B&O's arrival in 1853 is a foundational event in the history of rail transportation in West Virginia.