Oglebay Entrance Gates at Bethany College
Posted by: 
renruts
N 40° 12.330 W 080° 33.537
17T E 537534 N 4450659
If you attend Bethany College, it is a school tradition to walk through these gates when you first become a freshman and then again when you graduate!
Waymark Code: WM44VG
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/07/2008
Views: 71
The Oglebay Entrance was the original gate to the campus when it was first erected. It is composed of large iron gates, a brick entrance with two sets of stairs to the level of Campus Drive, and landscaping. Today this is not the main entrance, but still standing and a very important part of the school's history!
It was built through funding made available by Earl Williams Oglebay, class of 1869, well known as a philanthropist who made his fortune in the iron and steel industry. Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia is named for him. The entrance was the first attempt at beautification in design and planting on the campus during the early years of Thomas Ellsworth Cramblet's years as president.
By 1985, the Oglebay Entrance and surrounding area were so in need of major repair that it was deemed unsafe for seniors to pass through the gates and up the stairs at the time of commencement. In the March of 1987, Monfradi Construction Company executed the rebuilding and repair at a cost of $110,000, and at the completion of the project, a garden and plaque were installed in the memory of Richard Bruce Kenney, beloved professor of religious studies, who died in the fall of 1986.
Visit Bethany College and take a look into history all around you.
Location of this 'Gate': Other
Type of material: Iron
Enter any comments or observation about this gate.: The gate was restored by 1987
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