This is one of those Gone Forever stories that tugs at my heartstrings.
Doc Williams started singing on the WWVA Jamboree in the 1930’s and had plenty of help through his career with his wonderful wife Chickie, his band, and later his daughters.
At the height of his career he traveled the eastern United States and Canada and had a tremendous following. Doc created a guitar learning book that was used by many famous people to learn their craft.
Doc was a great friend of mine and along with his daughter Barbara Smik, I published a book about his life called Doc Williams Looking Back. Enjoy the photos.
It has been a passion of mine to showcase and preserve Wheeling’s rich history with this series of historic photographs that briefly highlight a business or building that is “Gone Forever” from the fabric of Wheeling life.
I hope with this series, I will be able to show the large amount of industry and businesses that thrived here in the early 1930’s and 1940’s, attracting people from many countries and all walks of life, all of who helped to make Wheeling the greatest city in West Virginia.
If you have suggestions on a favorite business or location that is gone please submit that to me at cre8m@comcast.net I will do my best to search out and tell that story.
James Thornton has published several volumes of history on the city of Wheeling, and those interested in purchasing one of them can do so by contacting him at cre8m@comcast.net or visit the Creative Impressions website. The books can be purchased at the Wheeling Heritage Center, Kroger on Mount de Chantal Road, Miklas Meat Market, Nail City Records, the UPS Store in the Washington Avenue Plaza, VC Wares at Centre Market, Bower’s Decorating at The Highlands, and on the website www.wheelinghistory.net.
