Capitol Theater
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Capitol Music Hall (Capitol Theater)
1928, Charles W. Bates. 1015 Main St. (west side of Main St. between 10th and 11th sts.)
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(West Virginia Collection within the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division) -
(Photograph by Matthew Aungst)
Wheeling's major theater has a retardataire Beaux-Arts visage that belies its date. It also has an uncomfortable, low-slung appearance, due largely to the fact that eight additional stories, intended in the original plans to house a hotel above the theater, were never built. Garlands, oculi, very thin pilasters, and a cartouche supported by seminude goddesses continue in vain to raise the horizontal terra-cotta facade above terra firma.
A 2,500-seat auditorium—wonderfully classical, with columns, coffered ceiling, and chandeliers—lies behind the facade. In 1933 the theater began hosting Saturday night broadcasts of Jamboree USA. In 1969 the building was renamed the Capitol Music Hall, and it has served ever since as the Jamboree's permanent home. That “Wheeling Feeling,” familiar to country music fans who tune their radio dials to station WWVA, emanates from this building.
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