(EDITOR’S?NOTE: The following condensed timeline information regarding the 100-year history of Weir High School was provided by Dennis Jones, executive director of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, which he composed by referencing Weir High yearbooks, Weirton and Steubenville newspapers and actual visual info at Weir High. Jones plans to make a brief video showing this history in addition to photos for the all classes reunion on July 2. There also will be a wall poster with the timeline and pictures at the center.)

1916: Butler District High School developed into a full four-year high school at Holliday’s Cove School building under Principal A. A. McEndree.

June 1, 1916: Ground was broken for a new high school building.

Aug. 20, 1916: Cornerstone laying ceremonies were performed for the new Butler District High School.

Fall of 1917: The new Butler District High School opened at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Orchard Street. Frank G. Houle was principal.

Winter of 1918: The name Butler District High School was changed to Weir High School in honor Ernest T. Weir and his brother, David M. Weir, founders of Weirton and Weirton Steel Co.

Spring of 1921: Weir High School’s first annual yearbook was published and titled “ONAWA.”

June 7, 1923: Ground was broken for a new Weir High School building on the lot donated by Weirton Steel Co., just north of the present high school building.

Nov. 7, 1924: The new Weir High School, located just to the north of the old building, was dedicated. The old building would become known as the “Central School” used for junior high and grade school classes additional to those at Cove School. Also, between the two buildings was a smaller steel building, which was first used for second-grade classrooms much later used as the band room.

Summer of 1925: WIBR Radio Station began broadcasting weekly shows from the Weir High Auditorium.

Fall of 1926: A 25-member Weir High Orchestra was organized under the direction of Lota V. Bonar. They played at school programs, concerts and motion picture shows.

Fall of 1930: Weir High School’s football team in Carl Hamill’s second year at the helm went undefeated with a record of 8-0-2. The two ties were scoreless games against Mingo Junction and Youngstown Campbell.

Sept. 2, 1935: The new Weir High Stadium was opened with the “Festival of Nations” Labor Day pageant. Nearly 15,000 people jammed the new stadium.

Sept. 21, 1935: Weir High played its first football game at the new Weir Stadium and defeated Cleveland South 14-0.

Oct. 21, 1935: About 4,000 people attended the dedication ceremonies of the new Weir High Football Stadium. Weirton Steel Co. officials formally turned over the deed to the new $50,000 stadium to the Hancock County Board of Education.

Fall of 1935: Weir High School Football team led by Coach Carl Hamill recorded a season record of 10-0-0 and were acclaimed state champs.

Sept. 16, 1938: Weir High School football’s first home night game was held at Weir High Stadium. They defeated Follansbee by a score of 27-0.

Sept. 15, 1939: In a home football game against Follansbee, Robert Donell was fatally injured, suffering from a fractured vertebrae when he crashed into the rival’s line, causing a fumble. A memorial plaque and fountain were placed outside the principal’s office at the school in his honor. Later, in 1964, the Weir High Boosters created the Robert Donell award, given annually to the “Outstanding Weir High Football Player Who Distinguishes Himself Athletically and Academically.”

1941 through 1952: The popular Weir High Swing Band, under the direction of Emil Holz, performed at draftee departures, bond campaigns and civil defense programs. The band became one of the first 200 in the country to earn a citation from the Music War Council of America for “distinguished service through the patriotic and inspiring use of music to aid in the national effort.”

May 10, 1955: Chad Pickens, son of English teacher Delores Pickens, was fatally injured while practicing at the Cove Athletic Field with his Weir High Baseball team. He was accidentally struck in the head by a baseball while running between first and second base in a double play attempt. Starting with the class of 1955, it was decided to award a trophy in his name to an outstanding baseball senior each year who demonstrated leadership and character on the field as well as in the classroom. In addition a memorial fountain was named for him at the Weir High Football Stadium, and in 1956, a Chad Pickens Scholarship fund was established by Student Council. Other tributes to Pickens include a memorial book section at Mary H. Weir Public Library and a youth baseball field named for him in 1961.

Fall of 1955: School desegregation takes place in Weirton. All the Dunbar High School (African-American School) students would now join with the students at Weir High School. Dunbar School became a desegreated grade school.

May of 1956: Willie Hair, transfer student from Dunbar High School in 1955 at the time of desegregation, became perhaps the oldest graduate in the history of Weir High School. She and her husband, Charles Hair, had three children, who had completed their school years, and she decided to go back and finish her education.

Jan. 1, 1960: Weir High’s 144-member band marched down Colorado Boulevard, one of eight high school bands invited to be in the 71st Tournament of Roses Parade. It was reported that Weir High was the only band to complete the entire 7-mile length of the parade.

Thanksgiving Day, 1960: The Weir High Band, under the direction of Dale Lutton and assisted by Betty Virtue, performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, bringing more fame and recognition to Weir High School and the city of Weirton.

Winter of 1961: Weir High School, under Coach Carl Fodor, captured its first state wrestling championship in the tournament at Morgantown.

July 18, 1962: The Weir High Band left Greater Pittsburgh Airport bound for Kerkrade, Holland (Netherlands) to participate in the fourth World Music Festival.

Winter of 1963: The Weir High basketball team, under the leadership of Coach Jimmy Carey, captured their first and only Class AAA State Basketball Championship by defeating Logan 67-50 at the state tournament in Huntington.

January of 1964: Migration of faculty and students was under way from the old ivy-covered Weir High downtown at Virginia Avenue and Orchard Street to the new modern campus on Weirton Heights.

March 8, 1964: The new Weir High School, comprised of seven campus-style buildings overlooking the city, officially was dedicated.

March of 1981: Weir High Football Stadium was named “Jimmy Carey Stadium” in honor of the late Coach Jimmy Carey.

Aug. 24, 1983: Open house was held at the new Weir Junior High School building, which was constructed at the Weir High campus. The new building housed a multi-purpose room, 19 classrooms and a library.

Aug. 28, 1985: Open house was held at the newly renovated Weir High School building complex, which had been under construction the past couple years.

Fall of 1998: The Weir High football team, under the leadership of Coach Wayne Neely, recorded a season record of 14-0-0 and defeated Dupont in the state playoff final to win the State AA Football Championship.

Spring of 2004: The Weir High Baseball team, under the leadership of Coaches Bill Smith and Jason Angle, won the WV State AA Championship by defeating Shady Spring in the playoff final.

Fall of 2005: The Weir High football team, under the leadership of Coach Eric Meek, recorded a season record of 13-1-0 and defeated Bluefield 40-0 in the state playoff final to win the State AA Football Championship.

Oct. 28, 2011: Final game played at the old Jimmy Carey Stadium, as the Weir High Red Riders took on East Liverpool. The Weir High Band and Alumni Band played at halftime, and players present and past stepped on the field for the last time. Weir High lost this final game 40-0.

Aug. 24, 2012: The new Jimmy Carey Stadium, located next to the Weir High School Campus on Weirton Heights, was dedicated. Jimmy Carey’s son, Phil Carey, and other members of the family unveiled the new Jimmy Carey Stadium sign. In addition to the dedication, a moment of silence was observed for the late Bob Rossell, Weir High sports colorman. The press box was named in his honor.

Oct. 28, 2011: The final game is played at the old Jimmy Carey Stadium, as the Weir High Red Riders took on East Liverpool.

Aug. 24, 2012: The new Jimmy Carey Stadium, located next to the Weir High School Campus on Weirton Heights, was dedicated.