All throughout Wheeling, the old, lively city creeps in the shadows. Many people are aware of haunted buildings in the area, but not all of them are as noticeable. You might overlook this chilling, yet breathtaking castle on Mount Wood Rd.
“Some dude tried to make a dentist office and didn’t finish it, because he ran out of money,” said sophomore Anthony Mealy.
However, the Mount Wood Overlook is an unfinished castle that overlooks the Ohio River and surrounding buildings of Wheeling.
“While I have not experienced anything that would lead me to believe the Mount Wood Overlook is haunted, it is located right across the street from the old cemetery we have in the city of Wheeling, so, if spirits have wafted over to the overlook, I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Steve Novotney, Weelunk Editor-in-Chief.
The Overlook is an unfinished castle built by Dr. Andrew Harness in 1925.
“The Overlook was supposed to become a house for a local doctor, but the physician found himself in big trouble by trying to help others with certain drugs he used in his medical practice. The owner did go to jail for a couple of years, and once he was released, he and his entire family moved away from the area. Ever since, Wheeling’s “tiny castle” has been a park of sorts for local residents and visitors, too, ” said Novotney.
Dr. Harness was meant to spend 18 months in the Atlanta, Georgia, federal penitentiary, but he was released after only a year for good behavior. The castle’s construction was never continued after his release.
“The intentions for the building of the castle were good ones, so I would guess if it is haunted, the spirits would be there for the view, ” said Steve Novotney.
During his time in prison, Dr. Harness’s wife and daughters relocated to southern West Virginia and never returned to Wheeling after Harness’s release.