Name: Pricketts Fort
Brand: Greg Bray
SKU: 9781467121613
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Pricketts Fort

9781467121613

$24.99

Pricketts Fort was built on the land of Jacob Prickett in 1774, during what is known as Lord Dunmore's War. It provided sanctuary for local settlers before and during the American Revolution and was a safe haven from the attacks of American Indians until the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Constructed by local militia on a small rise near the confluence of Pricketts Creek and the Monongahela River, Pricketts Fort provided refuge for approximately 80 families. The fort itself was large by 18th-century standards. It had blockhouses at each corner, with walls 12 feet high and 110 feet long. Although the fort was never attacked, many outlying homes were, and a number of settlers lost their lives. Today, Pricketts Fort hosts visitors looking to learn more about day-to-day life on the western Virginian frontier.

Weirton

9781467122504

$24.99

Weirton was originally settled as the village of Holliday's Cove, a strategic fortification along the Ohio River in northwestern Virginia. In 1909, a tinplate mill was established in northern Holliday's Cove, and Weirton was born. Thousands of immigrants of many nationalities came here to work and live, while Ernest T. Weir created his life's dream of a fully integrated steel plant. Weirton became the Largest Unincorporated Town in the Country and remained unincorporated for 38 years. In 1947, Weirton combined with Holliday's Cove, Weirton Heights, and Marland Heights to become the official City of Weirton. Thomas E. Millsop, president of Weirton Steel Co., became the first mayor, and the mill became a major factor in the city's success. Many historic moments, including the record snowfall of Thanksgiving weekend 1950, were highlighted in the Weirton Steel Employees' Bulletin. Weirton captures this event and tells the story of the New City, which thrived in the 1950s and 1960s.

Cover image for Weirton, isbn: 9781467122504

Shepherdstown in the Civil War

9781626199255

$21.99

Because they were situated near the Mason-Dixon line, Shepherdstown residents witnessed the realities of the Civil War firsthand. Marching armies, sounds of battle and fear of war had arrived on their doorsteps by the summer of 1862. The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 brought thousands of wounded Confederates into the town's homes, churches and warehouses. The story of Shepherdstown's transformation into one vast hospital recounts nightmarish scenes of Confederate soldiers under the caring hands of an army of surgeons and civilians. Author Kevin R. Pawlak retraces the horrific accounts of Shepherdstown as a Civil War hospital town.

Cover image for Shepherdstown in the Civil War, isbn: 9781626199255

Roane County

9780738552750

$24.99

Established in March 1856, Roane County was named for
Virginia jurist Spencer Roane. The town of New California was selected as the county seat, and in 1858, the name was changed to Spencer to further honor the judge. The courthouse built in 1859 was destroyed by fire in 1887. A new county courthouse was completed in 1889, and the railroad arrived
in Spencer in 1892. New businesses and industry flourished as Spencer became the county hub. Summer normal schools were established throughout the county to prepare young teachers for state certification. In 1914, Spencer High School graduated
one pupil in its first class. The early recognition for education expanded with the construction of one- and two-room schools within each community. Timbering began as people moved westward and established new homes and farming lands. The development of the gas and oil industry soon followed, and Roane County became a major producer by the early 1900s.

The Linsly School

9780738515311

$24.99

Older than the state of West Virginia itself, The Linsly School was the first college preparatory school established west of the Alleghanies. The school was originally founded in 1814 as Wheeling Lancastrian Academy, and became an all-boys institution at the beginning of the Civil War. In 1876, Linsly began serving as a military institution. It is the Linsly doctrine that nothing of substantial or lasting value comes without hard work and sacrifice, and its existence today is testament to that philosophy. Adhering to its motto, "Forward and no retreat!," the school carried itself through almost two centuries of war, pestilence, and economic depressions to become an honored and beloved institution in which generations of students take tremendous pride.

Today's non-military, coeducational Linsly School continues to enrich students in grades five through twelve with values of honesty, sportsmanship, hard work, and discipline. Through rare and never-before-seen vintage photographs, The Linsly School chronicles the fascinating and inspiring story of the tribulations and successes of the school itself, and the people who worked, sacrificed, and dreamed to make it happen.

Bedlam on the West Virginia Rails

9781626198937

$21.99

In 1949, two bandits from Youngstown, Ohio, boarded a B&O passenger train from Washington, D.C., to Detroit. In the West Virginia mountains near Martinsburg, Luman Lu Ramsdell and his gang stopped the train to rob and terrorize nearly 150 people on board. They pistol-whipped several and shot at others before exiting the train to next rob a tavern and hijack getaway cars. National headlines likened the event to the exploits of Jesse James and the infamous days of the Wild West. Lu and the gang led authorities on a chase that ended with a harrowing shootout five blocks from the White House. Climb aboard with author Wilson Casey for a firsthand account from the head bandit himself in this true tale of America's last moving train robbery.

Cover image for Bedlam on the West Virginia Rails, isbn: 9781626198937

Huntington Chronicles

9781625859662

$21.99

Founded in 1871 by railroad tycoon Collis P. Huntington, the city of Huntington has a dramatic and colorful past. The mystery of the daring 1875 holdup of the town's premier bank was never solved, and many suspected the infamous James Gang. The 1937 flood was the most devastating in city history. Of course, Huntington has had its share of famous residents, including Dr. Carter G. Woodson, widely recognized as the father of Black History Month, and Woody Williams, whose bravery at Iwo Jima earned him the Medal of Honor. Amateur historian and local journalist James E. Casto compiles fascinating and unusual stories from his long career at the Huntington Herald-Dispatch.

Clarksburg

9780738517896

$24.99

"Jewel of the Hills" may be the name by which Clarksburg, West Virginia, is best known. The city of approximately 18,000 people is spread across the hills and valleys of north-central West Virginia. Clarksburg, the seat of Harrison County, is also well known as the birthplace of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. A plaque on the outside wall of a store on West Main Street marks the site of his birthplace. In 1882, the city's corporate limits are said to have begun at the Goff Plaza Bridge to the east. They extended to the West End Bridge, where Elk Creek flows into the West Fork of the Monongahela River. Each year, Clarksburg hosts the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, the Black Heritage Festival, and the Ethnic Festival; this exemplifies the diverse cultures brought together by this friendly community. Today, Clarksburg is the home of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services.

Wood County, West Virginia

9780738514789

$24.99

Nestled in the midst of the Mid-Ohio Valley along the Ohio River, Wood County exists as one of West Virginia's most populous areas. A unique history drives forward the county's diverse communities, and today's residents enjoy a varied palette of opportunities offered by both metropolitan centers and smaller, more rural hamlets. Wood County, West Virginia honors an integral chapter of The Mountain State's storied past, offering readers the opportunity to meet a variety of the county's personalities, including the wealthy-and later infamous-Irish immigrant Harman Blennerhassett, the industrial magnates who arrived with the harvesting of oil and natural gas, and even some everyday individuals. More than 200 vintage photographs also invite readers to experience the county's defining moments, such as the growth of the Volcano oil field after the War between the States, along with the county's tragedies, such as the 1909 collapse of Parkersburg's water tanks on Quincy Hill, which swept a newly married couple to their deaths. Capable of enjoying the prosperous times and of overcoming the difficult ones, Wood Countians have proven themselves time and again since its founding in 1799. This volume is a fitting tribute to the strength and will of all who have called Wood County home.

Welch

9780738543048

$24.99

After the Civil War, Capt. Isaiah Welch, a Doddridge County, West Virginia, native, took a job as a surveyor with Maj. Jed Hotchkiss of Staunton, Virginia. Hotchkiss had served as Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's mapmaker and charted Jackson's famous Valley Campaign, and Welch had been an officer of the 13th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery. The war left Virginia's agrarian economy in ruins, and men like Hotchkiss and Welch worked to develop a new, industrial South. Welch surveyed the Pocahontas Coalfield in 1873, and a city named in his honor emerged in the heart of that great coalfield. Chartered on July 12, 1894, Welch has played a pivotal role in America's industrial revolution as a support system and supply house to the timber industry and as a coal industry hub. Throughout more than a century, Welch has served as a gateway for the raw materials and manpower that fueled the nation's quest for growth and power. The city has been constantly beset by the challenges of maintaining a civilization in West Virginia's steepest and most remote mountains, but after decades of being tested by nature, Welch is now on the verge of yet another renaissance.

Fairmont

9780738598406

$24.99

Situated where the West Fork and the Tygart Valley Rivers converged to form the Monongahela River, Fairmont was an attractive location for early settlers. In 1820, Fairmont, then named Middletown, was officially established as a town by the Virginia Assembly and was renamed Fairmont in 1843. The 1800s witnessed significant advancement in community formation, commerce, transportation, and education. Coal and natural gas extraction as well as the transportation sector would fuel an increasing demand for skilled and unskilled laborers. This resulted in an influx of European workers who would further enrich the culture of Fairmont. The 1900s saw the emergence of a variety of glass manufacturing companies, a packaging plant, flour mills, and an electrical service company. Fairmont became the most diversified and plentiful city in the region.

Marshall County

9781467128049

$24.99

Marshall County lies at the historic, cultural, and economic crossroads of West Virginia, bounded by the Ohio River to the west, Mason-Dixon Line to the south, Pennsylvania to the east, and the city of Wheeling to the north. Its rich history began over two millennia ago when the Adena people constructed the world-famous Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville. After European settlers arrived, farms gave way to railroads and factories, and Marshall County became a regional hub for manufacturing as well as the site of the notorious West Virginia Penitentiary. Today, the area is enjoying a renaissance as people rediscover Marshall County's unique history, beautiful landscapes, and hospitable traditions.

Huntington

9781467122276

$24.99

A flea market discovery that became an art museum sensation, this collection of photographs by Levi Holley Stone presents the city of Huntington, West Virginia, as it has never seen before. Stone's lens reveals a city of contrasts: a blend of broad boulevards and crumbling alleys, a mix of monuments and mud. It is a place where cars share the road with horses, roughnecks loiter in pool halls, and theatergoers enjoy extravagant musicals direct from Broadway. Newcomers flocked to this commercial hub on the Ohio River, and Stone's images of steamboats, trains, and motorcars show how they traveled. He captured the river, too, when it was frozen enough to walk across and furious enough to drown the city more than once. Stone was born in Huntington in 1898, and he photographed his hometown obsessively. Even his closest friends never knew that the photographs they took for granted were sensitive works of art.

Cover image for Huntington, isbn: 9781467122276

Legendary Locals of Huntington

9781467100335

$24.99

Founded in 1871 by Collis P. Huntington, the rail tycoon's namesake city thrived as a gateway to the coalfields of southern West Virginia. The city's earliest leaders included Mayor Rufus Switzer, who created one of the community's true jewels, Ritter Park, and John Hooe Russel, who opened the city's first bank and, when it was robbed, jumped on his horse and gave chase to the bandits. Over the years, Huntington has been home to such varied individuals as Carter Woodson, the father of Black History Month; Dr. Henry D. Hatfield, who was West Virginia governor but said he would rather be known as a "country doctor;" Dagmar, the blonde bombshell of 1950s television; basketball star Hal Greer; golfing great Bill Campbell; Stella Fuller, who spent her life ministering to Huntington's poor; and the spectacularly generous Joan Edwards, who gave away $65 million. Legendary Locals of Huntington captures their stories and many others in a striking panorama of a remarkable community.

Oglebay Park

9780738517940

$24.99

In 1926, Earl Oglebay willed his summer estate, Waddington Farm, to the city of Wheeling with the hope that it would provide entertainment and education to the community. He and naturalist A.B. Brooks, both mavericks in ecology and agricultural training, established the unique environmental emphasis still evident in the park's nature center, trails, Discovery Lab, and zoo. The 1,650-acre municipal park nestled in the Wheeling hills also features Wilson Lodge, the premier hotel in the area, and 49 log cabins that pay tribute to the community's storied frontier past. The cabins and the Pine Room Pool were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Those brave young men, along with a famous golf course architect, Bob Biery, created the Oglebay Caddy Camp, which has been featured in several major golf magazines. Today, Oglebay Park hosts festivals, legendary jazz bands, and top-notch equestrian events. The park's Winter Festival of Lights is considered to be the nation's largest light show.

Arthurdale

9780738544335

$24.99

In August 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt visited the impoverished coal communities of north central West Virginia. Suffering from the effects of the Great Depression, these coal families looked to the First Lady for help out of the devastating economic times. Her visit spurred the creation of Arthurdale, the nation's first New Deal Homestead Community. Arthurdale quickly became known as "Eleanor's Little Village" because of the First Lady's involvement with the project. She visited the community often to dine, dance, and converse with the homesteaders and to attend high school graduations. In addition to the creation of new housing, Arthurdale featured a community business center, state-of-the-art school buildings, a craft industry, an industrial factory, and home-based agricultural production. Although not a financial triumph for the federal government, the social success of the community is immeasurable.

Southern West Virginia

9780738516653

$24.99

The history of West Virginia is the story of coal and the people whose lives are forever changed by it.

Coal was mined in Southern West Virginia even before the state's birth in 1863 but was mostly consumed within a few miles of where it was dug. When the railroads arrived on the scene, they not only provided a means of getting that coal to market, they also brought in trainloads of workers to the sparsely populated region. With the mines generally located in remote, out-of-the-way spots, operators were forced to build housing for those workers and their families, as well as company stores, schools, and churches- everything needed in a small community. Overnight, the nation's demand for coal turned sleepy, little places in Southern West Virginia into boomtowns and helped cities such as Charleston and Huntington grow and prosper as gateways to and from the coalfields.

Richwood

9780738515182

$24.99

In its early years, Richwood was the site of several large mills that processed logs harvested from some of the last virgin forestland in the United States. Among these were a band saw mill, paper manufacturing plant, tannery, handle factory, and the largest wooden clothespin factory in the world. Images of America: Richwood explores the history of this fascinating community in its heyday through the eyes of local photographer Finley Taylor, who captured images spanning from just before World War I through the years just after World War II.

Wheeling Jesuit University

9780738592213

$24.99

The 60-acre campus of Wheeling Jesuit University is located in the eastern suburbs of Wheeling, West Virginia. Originally named Wheeling College, it is the youngest of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. John Swint, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, and the Jesuits founded Wheeling College as a traditional, coeducational, liberal arts institution. In time, faculty and students became quite diverse, and programs of study proliferated. The institution added "Jesuit" to its name in 1988 to become Wheeling Jesuit College and, eight years later, became a university and modified its name accordingly. In 1994, the board of directors approved a mission statement that calls on Wheeling Jesuit University to educate men and women for life, leadership, and service with and among others.

Bluefield in the 1940s

9780738567174

$24.99

Almost every American city enjoys a magical time in history when all the tumblers of fate, luck, hard work, and good fortune seem to fall into place, and the city enjoys a golden era. The 1940s were just such a time in the city of Bluefield. At the dawn of the decade, the United States was on the verge of entering the greatest war the world has ever known, and the coal that flowed through Norfolk and Western Railway's Bluefield yard was destined to fuel an Allied victory. But there is so much more than war and coal at the heart of Bluefield's story. The 1940s were a time of inspiration for men like Nobel laureate John F. Nash Jr., a time of artistic discovery for men like Joseph Dodd of Bluefield State College, a time of valor and heroism for Congressional Medal of Honor recipient S.Sgt. Junior Spurrier, and a period of success in business, arts, and professional fields for hundreds of Bluefield's sons and daughters.

Bethany College

9780738516608

$24.99

Harbored in the halls of ivy-covered buildings, the rich history of Bethany College has inspired thousands of students to pursue higher education amidst the scenic Allegheny foothills. Those who have studied here have come to find that this picturesque, 1,600-acre campus has provided them with more than just a diploma-it has enriched their lives.

Founded on March 2, 1840, by Alexander Campbell, Bethany College is the oldest degree-granting institution in West Virginia. Emphasizing intellectual freedom, diversity, personal growth, leadership, and a close academic community capable of cultivating eager minds, Bethany College is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education and producing free-thinking students. In these pages, readers will discover the Bethany of the past-including the vision of founder Alexander Campbell, the inspiration of the Christian Church that supports Bethany's mission, the beautiful historic architecture, the athletic moments that rallied school pride, and the great legacy of alumni and faculty. Accompanied by informative captions, vintage photographs collected from the Archives and Special Collections of the T.W. Phillips Memorial Library capture the Bethany experience, offering readers a unique opportunity to celebrate this institution's vibrant history.

Wayne County

9781467134231

$24.99

Wayne County, West Virginia, was established on January 18, 1842, from part of Cabell County and named for Gen. Mad Anthony Wayne. The state's westernmost county, it lies at the juncture of two rivers: the Ohio and Big Sandy. The town of Wayne is the county seat. Although the southern half of the county was first to be settled, it was slow to develop. In contrast, the northern part bordering Cabell County grew rapidly. The city of Huntington ultimately expanded westward into Wayne County, an area now known as Westmoreland. In addition to Wayne and Huntington, the county has three other incorporated communities: Ceredo, Kenova, and Fort Gay. In the 19th century, timbering and farming were the county's economic mainstays. The southern end of the county experienced a growth spurt when, in 1890, the Norfolk & Western Railway was completed to Kenova. Today, many residents commute to Huntington or nearby Ashland, Kentucky. The county is the birthplace of gospel singer Michael W. Smith, major league pitcher Donnie Robinson, and Fannie Belle Fleming, better known as stripper Blaze Starr.

Mercer County

9780738513515

$24.99

Originating almost a quarter of a century prior to the Civil War, Mercer County, West Virginia was named
for General Hugh Mercer, a Revolutionary War hero. The county has been a crossroads for many events, including the Civil War and the establishment of an industrial economy after the war ended. When two mighty railroads, the Norfolk & Western and The Virginian, began shipping coal and timber to the once-agrarian area, Mercer County blossomed into one of the five most highly populated counties of the
Mountain State. In 1671, colonial explorer Robert Fallam described what would become Mercer County in his journal as "a pleasing tho' dreadful sight to see the mountains and hills as if piled one upon another." Despite extreme challenges, residents of
Mercer County developed a spirit of pride, independence, strength, and genuine fellowship that today makes the region a warm and friendly place to call home. As legend holds, even the notorious outlaw Frank James was so overwhelmed by the hospitality he received in Mercer County in 1882 that
he decided to pass on robbing the Bank of Princeton and, instead, robbed a bank in a neighboring county.

Summers County in Vintage Postcards

9780738541518

$24.99

Summers County was created in 1871 from parts of surrounding counties. The community's history is based in industry, as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad was routed through Hinton, the county seat, and booming coal mines fueled the thriving economy. The flourishing homes and businesses of yesterday have been largely preserved through the effort and determination of citizens, allowing residents and visitors to learn the county's history and appreciate its roots. Summers County in Vintage Postcards is a tribute to the founders of Summers County, to its influential residents, and to anyone who has visited and enjoyed the area's natural beauty. In this volume, readers will explore the county's most historically significant structures, such as the Graham House at Lowell, the Summers County Courthouse, the Great Ben Tunnels at Talcott, and Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks.

Pleasants County

9780738568164

$24.99

Formed from portions of Wood, Tyler, and Ritchie Counties, Pleasants County was founded in 1851 and was named after Gov. James Pleasants Jr. of Virginia. Residents of Pleasants County fondly recall many of the buildings that no longer exist today, such as the button factory, blacksmith shop, marble factory, and the Quaker State Oil Refinery, all of which are preserved in the photographs that are showcased throughout Images of America: Pleasants County. Taking a step back in time, these photographs illustrate how the town and county looked more than 100 years ago, exploring a variety of the county's activities and historic scenes and offering a colorful insight into the past as well as the present.

Wheeling in Vintage Postcards

9780738515328

$24.99

The history of Wheeling and Ohio County is both eclectic and engaging. Beginning in the colonial era when the legendary Betty Zane saved Fort Henry from an Indian attack by hiding gunpowder in her skirt, Wheeling eventually emerged as an important link between Eastern cities and the rest of the United States. The Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the Old National Road, and the B&O Railroad all passed through the bustling Ohio County. Over the years, Wheeling has been labeled everything from "Victorian Wheeling" to "Sintown USA," and these monikers represent the diverse qualities of a town molded and shaped by the steel, coal, tobacco, and transportation industries. Whether residents and visitors frequented the impressive Victorian mansions or Wheeling's infamous brothel district, they always had something to write home about. The incomparable collection showcased in this book spans five decades and was begun and continued by the Carney family.

West Virginia National Guard:

9780738568003

$24.99

The formation of what would eventually become the West Virginia National Guard has its roots intertwined in the "Old" Virginia Militia system of the early and mid-1700s. This militia system spanned the Indian hostilities of the French and Indian War, American Revolutionary War, 1780s and 1790s Indian Wars, and Civil War. Images of America: West Virginia National Guard covers the time span between 1898 and 1919. This period of guard history was chaotic, to say the least, and was typified by turbulent social, economic, and political unrest.

Bluefield in Vintage Postcards

9780738516875

$24.99

Nestled at the foot of East River Mountain in the southern tip of West Virginia, Bluefield calls itself "Nature's Air-Conditioned City" and is a place of great cultural, industrial, and natural wealth. The early to mid-1900s were a booming time for the city, thanks to coal mining and the Norfolk and Western Railway. For the many people who lived in or traveled through the region during that era, postcards provided a simple and convenient way to send both personal correspondence and business communications. Today, Bluefield continues to change and evolve but maintains a strong sense of history, with many of its buildings and homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Beckley

9780738592053

$24.99

A fork in the road was all Alfred Beckley found in 1836 when he arrived in a wilderness that was to be chartered as Beckley in 1850. Aptly named, Beckley means Becca's wood or clearing. Farming and timbering were the primary occupations in Raleigh County until 1900, when coal became a major industry, bringing immigrants from Europe and the Deep South. Prosperity continued for half a century until the coal mines were worked out. Many miners moved to the Midwest, where steel mills and factories were booming. Beckley struggled through the 1950s and 1960s. Then came the interstates, which created tremendous growth in health care, banking, housing, education, shopping, restaurants, tourism, culture, and recreation. However, downtown became a vacant reminder of its nostalgic past as shopping centers took over. The 21st century has brought a new face to Beckley, as it is rapidly becoming a government center.

West Liberty State College

9780738506975

$24.99

Located in a charming community in West Virginia's northern panhandle is West Liberty State College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the Mountain State. The school was chartered by the State of Virginia as an academy in 1837 and has seen its share of changes since that time. Arguably the foremost change arrived in 1863 when West Virginia became the 35th state in the Union, thereby making the college older than the state. The school took its name from the community in which it resides, which, at the time of the American Revolution, was the frontier settlement farthest west of the Appalachian Mountains and therefore appropriately
named West Liberty. Since that time, West Liberty State College has been organized and reorganized as a normal school, a state teacher's college, and, finally, a state college. It has maintained its stated mission to launch our graduates into community, work, and academic environments ready to
be viable contributors with skills and knowledge needed to meet future opportunities and challenges. West Liberty State College celebrates the history and traditions of the school, spotlighting academic, social, and athletic events over the past 163 years.

Cover image for West Liberty State College, isbn: 9780738506975

Haunted Martinsburg

9781467119450

$21.99

The quaint streets and mountain vistas of historic Martinsburg conceal specters lurking in their deepest shadows. Situated in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, the city is home to a wide variety of ghostly characters, from the famous spirit George of the Apollo Theater to a lantern-toting spectral soldier at Boydville Manor. The Lady in Black haunts St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, while the ghost of a lost girl tries faithfully to hitchhike her way to the former King's Daughter's Hospital. Many people believe that Confederate spy Belle Boyd continues to surveil the living who visit her former childhood home. Author and tour guide Justin Stevens spins dark tales of otherworldly Appalachian apparitions.

Cover image for Haunted Martinsburg, isbn: 9781467119450

Ritchie County in Vintage Postcards

9780738517100

$24.99

Ritchie County, West Virginia, named for famed Richmond journalist Thomas Ritchie, was originally founded in 1843 from portions of Harrison, Lewis, and Wood Counties. In the late 19th century, Ritchie County found itself directly on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail Line. Early postcards from this era capture the county ripe with natural resources and the grandeur of the quickly developing region. The production of oil and natural gas has been a chief source of development since the early 20th century and continues today. The area is also known for its agricultural and manufacturing developments including livestock, grain, glassware, and lumber products.

Cover image for Ritchie County in Vintage Postcards, isbn: 9780738517100

Hancock County

9780738543314

$24.99

Hancock County, West Virginia, located in the Upper Ohio Valley, was first settled during the Revolutionary War. Over the next century, it transformed from a frontier forest into rolling fields, pastures, and orchards. In the 1830s, investors began building brickyards in New Cumberland, which would become the county seat. Hancock County was still primarily home to farmers and brickhands until the construction of potteries (including the world's largest pottery, Homer Laughlin China), which gave birth to the towns of Chester and Newell. The location of a steel mill near Hollidays Cove created the town of Weirton. The new industries tripled the county's population and provided employment to three and four generations of county residents. Recently tourism and recreation have become increasingly important to the local economy, evolving from the bygone days of Rock Springs Park to the ever-expanding Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort of the present.

Guyandotte

9781467121361

$24.99

Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers, Guyandotte's first industries were logging and steamboat travel. In 1911, after the Civil War's Battle of Guyandotte resulted in most of the town being burned, Guyandotte's residents officially voted to become a part of the newer and larger city of Huntington. Today, Guyandotte is a historic neighborhood with several antebellum homes and landmarks that still stand proudly. Despite floods that ravaged the area in 1907, 1913, and 1937, the community hosts two major industries--Special Metals Corporation, maker of nickel alloys, and Grief Brothers Corporation, a producer of shipping containers. Along with images of the Guyandotte United Methodist Church congregation and the ever-popular Moore's Hardware, which dates from 1947, Guyandotte shares stories of the people and places that have shaped this historic Huntington neighborhood.

A History of the West Virginia Capitol: The House of State

9781609496913

$14.99

Even though the West Virginia Capitol deviated from the design of legendary architect Cass Gilbert, the iconic building is still considered a masterpiece. The full story of the Capitol is filled with twists and turns, from the fortunate fire that burned its predecessor to the tug of war between Wheeling and Charleston for the designation of state capital. Revisit the to-gild-or-not-to-gild debate that raged around the construction of the Capitol's signature crown, which once was in danger of collapsing on itself or toppling in heavy winds. Join Charleston author Jim Wallace for this captivating account of West Virginia's architectural jewel.