SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 31
(By Senator Blatnik)
Requesting the division of highways to rename the Bridgeport
bridge as the "Colonel Earl W. Oglebay Bridge".
Whereas, Earl W. Oglebay, an industrialist and
philanthropist was born in Bridgeport, Ohio. Soon after his
birth his family moved to Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia;
and
Whereas, Earl W. Oglebay chose to live somewhat differently
than the other industrial giants of his era. Despite his success
in business that took him around the world, he always longed to
return to the rugged, beautiful hills and valleys of West
Virginia, particularly to Waddington Farm, his 750-acre estate in
Wheeling; and
Whereas, After his death in 1926, Earl W. Oglebay's Wheeling
estate, complete with drives, magnificent shade trees, beautiful
gardens, lawns and rolling meadows, was willed to the people of
his hometown, the city of Wheeling; and
Whereas, Today Oglebay Park is a beautifully landscaped
public resort and is studied by planners nationwide as the only
self-sustaining municipal park in operation; and
Whereas, The Bridgeport bridge, originally a covered bridge
built in 1816 to link Bridgeport and Wheeling Island, was
replaced in 1893 by a steel bridge. In 1957 the bridge was
linked to the Fort Henry Bridge on the island and connected thecities of Bridgeport, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia; and
Whereas, While there are many links that unite the states of
Ohio and West Virginia, the present Bridgeport bridge offers the
citizens of Bridgeport access to a park noted for its exquisite
beauty and functional ability to adapt to every day, every
season. It is also a link to the generosity of one of
Bridgeport's favorite sons, Colonel Earl W. Oglebay; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby requests the West Virginia division
of highways to rename the present Bridgeport bridge that links
the cities of Bridgeport, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, as
the "Colonel Earl W. Oglebay Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the governor of the state of
West Virginia; the director of the division of highways of the
state of West Virginia; the governor of the state of Ohio and the
director of the Ohio department of highways.