 Within two decades Wheeling's other cemetery, the Hempfield cemetery (dedicated in 1816) was nearly full and in the path chosen by the Hempfield Railroad (chartered in 1850 and which by 1857 connected Wheeling and Washington, Pennsylvania on the other side of the Ohio River).Thus prominent Wheeling citizens organized a cemetery company and developed this location.Originally situated on approximately 20 acres, above "Jonathan's Ravine" with scenic views of the Ohio River, Wheeling Creek and Wheeling Island.