Name: Early Native Americans in West Virginia
Brand: Darla I. Spencer
SKU: 9781467118514
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Early Native Americans in West Virginia

9781467118514

$23.99 $17.99 Save 25%

Follow Archaeologist Darla Spencer as she discovers the history and habits of 16 Native American sites in West Virginia.

Once thought of as Indian hunting grounds with no permanent inhabitants, West Virginia is teeming with evidence of a thriving early native population. Today's farmers can hardly plow their fields without uncovering ancient artifacts, evidence of at least ten thousand years of occupation. Members of the Fort Ancient culture resided along the rich bottomlands of southern West Virginia during the Late Prehistoric and Protohistoric periods. Lost to time and rediscovered in the 1880s, Fort Ancient sites dot the West Virginia landscape. This volume explores sixteen of these sites, including Buffalo, Logan and Orchard. Archaeologist Darla Spencer excavates the fascinating lives of some of the Mountain State's earliest inhabitants in search of who these people were, what languages they spoke and who their descendants may be.

Cover image for Early Native Americans in West Virginia, isbn: 9781467118514

Harpers Ferry

9780738516080

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Unlike many American towns, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a city so well-preserved that many of the archival photos show buildings that still exist today.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, sits in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountainsat the confluence of two rivers, the Potomacand Shenandoah.

Without the influence of John Brown and his raiders, Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clarkfame, and Thomas Jefferson, Harpers Ferry might have remained a sleepy little village. Instead, it became a frequently contested location for troops during the Civil Warand changed hands eight times. Many of the current shops and restaurants are housed in the restored original buildings, built in the 1800s.

A visit to Harpers Ferry is like stepping back in time to the year 1859, because the town has been restored to that period. It has been designated a National Historical Park, with many buildings owned and maintained by the National Park Service.

Woodland Mounds in West Virginia

9781467138659

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The first Europeans to arrive in the Ohio Valley were intrigued and puzzled by the many conical earthen mounds they encountered there. They created wild theories about who the mysterious “mound builders” might be.

It was not until the 1880s that Smithsonian Institution investigations revealed that the mound builders were the ancestors of living Native Americans. More than four hundred mounds have been recorded in West Virginia, including the Grave Creek Mound in Marshall County, once the largest conical mound in North America. Join archaeologist Darla Spencer and learn about the Grave Creek Mound and sixteen additional Adena mounds and groups of mounds from the fascinating Woodland period in West Virginia.

Cover image for Woodland Mounds in West Virginia, isbn: 9781467138659

Parkersburg

9780738592909

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From a civil war medical outpost to oil-boom town, Parkersburg's fascinating history in rich, historic photographs and first-hand accounts.

The history of Parkersburg is, essentially, the history of the United States. Founded shortly after America's independence, Parkersburg grew from a small river town in what was once wilderness to a thriving industrial city to one that is currently redefining itself. Industrial giants, such as Camden and Cabot, made Parkersburg a leader in the oil and gas industry by the early 20th century. The maturing city boasted numerous factories, luxury hotels, upscale stores, and several ornate theaters while also serving as a rail hub. Parkersburg also took pride in education, with architecturally stunning primary and secondary schools and the building of a branch campus of West Virginia University. High school sports contributed to the city's reputation, with a lengthy list of statewide championships won by local schools.

Logan County

9780738582481

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Forged through time by varied cultures and numerous crises, Logan County provides an intriguing landscape that has nurtured equally intriguing people. In 1774, after the death of their beloved Chief Cornstalk, a tribe of Shawnee Indians led by his daughter, Princess Aracoma, settled into the area. From meager beginnings, the region began to grow, and in 1824, Logan County was formed and named in honor of Chief Logan, head of the Mingo tribe. By the late 1870s, during the height of the timber and coal industries, it was known as home to the Hatfields of the infamous feud. In 1921, Logan became the backdrop of the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed labor confrontation in United States history. Logan County has had more than its share of coal mine disasters, labor uprisings, flash flood tragedies, and shady political shenanigans, but it has always been a naturally beautiful and, for the most part, peaceful place to live and raise a family. It has a fascinating past that is well worth revisiting.

New River Gorge

9780738586090

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Today visitors to the New River Gorge see a steep gorge filled with a lush hardwood forest. Before the railroad, the New River, with its whitewater rapids, was a barrier to trade, but with the 1873 completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, the gorge came alive. By the 1890s, more than 30,000 people lived and worked in the gorge. Towns like Kaymoor, Nuttallburg, and Thurmond were hives of activity and melting pots of American immigrants who dug the coal that helped build the American dream. Times changed. By 1960, the easiest coal was gone, and miners moved to Midwest factories. Nature began to reclaim the gorge. The 1970s brought a rebirth. Whitewater rafters took on the rapids, and bridge builders built the New River Gorge Bridge. The forest has returned, and if you look under the canopy, you will see that the railroads, coal camps, and mine tipples have given way to rafters, rock climbers, and mountain bikers.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in West Virginia

9780738552835

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In 1827, a group of Baltimore capitalists feared their city would be left out of the lucrative East Coast-to-Midwest trade that other eastern cities were developing; thus, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was chartered. Political pressure kept the B&O out of Pennsylvania at first, and so track crews
headed for what is now West Virginia, building mountainous routes with torturous grades to Wheeling and Parkersburg. Eventually the B&O financed and acquired a spiderweb of branch lines that covered much of the northern and central parts of the Mountain State. This book takes a close look at the line's locomotives, passenger and freight trains,
structures, and, most importantly, its people who endeared their company to generations of travelers, shippers, and small Appalachian communities.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in West Virginia

The Virginian Railway

9780738552743

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The Virginian Railway existed as a separate entity for only a half century, but that period of American history witnessed two world wars and the emergence of the United States as a global superpower. Henry Huddleston Rogers, who marshaled the development of the U.S. oil industry through his leadership of Standard Oil, invested $30 million of his personal wealth into the making of the Virginian. He speculated that south-central West Virginia coal would fuel America's Industrial Revolution. Although Rogers died before his railroading dream could realize its full potential, the Virginian Railway
continued on from 1909 until its merger in 1959 with the Norfolk and Western Railway (now Norfolk Southern). During that time, the Virginian grew to a point that it was originating from 1,200 to 1,500
hundred-ton carloads of coal per day and serving 60 active coal mines. It earned a reputation for power, service, and efficiency that placed it among the great railroads of America.

Mingo County

9781467120975

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The youngest county in the state of West Virginia, Mingo County was formed in 1895. With its majestic mountains and rolling hills, Mingo County has rich natural resources, including timber, coal, gas, and oil. This beautiful area was the location for the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, which began during the Civil War and expanded throughout southwestern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. It was also the site of a tragic attempt to unionize the coal miners of Mingo County. In May 1920, the Matewan Massacre placed Mingo County in the national spotlight when Matewan chief of police Sid Hatfield and his group of union miners had a shoot-out with the Baldwin-Felts detectives who had come to town to evict striking miners from their homes. Today, the residents of Mingo County live peacefully beside the Tug Fork River. Mingo County reflects the warm-hearted, patriotic, friendly, hardworking people who call this area home.

Wheeling

9780738515878

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The playground of figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Buffalo Bill, Wheelingis filled with memorable snapshots documenting famous (and infamous) moments in American history.

When most people think of Wheeling they remember Independence Hall and the birth of West Virginia, but Wheeling's history goes back even further to the frontier legends of Lewis Wetzel and Maj. Samuel McColloch. Including photographs of both Wetzel's cave, Major McColloch's smokehouse, and a multitude of historic photographs Images of America: Wheelingdepicts the way life used to be. Famous visitors like Babe Ruth, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, President John F. Kennedy, actress Sarah Bernhardt, and Buffalo Bill are featured.

Within these pages memorable snapshots document some famous moments in the history of the 20th century, such as when President Eisenhower decided to keep Senator Nixon on the ticket at the Ohio County Public Airport and Sen. Joseph McCarthy's famous speech about Communists in the State Department at Wheeling's McLure Hotel. However, the real stars of this book are Wheeling's own buildings, industries, and people, from machine workers on the job to millionaires at play. A chapter devoted to the African-American experience in Wheeling includes Center Market's slave auction block as well as an image of the great jazz saxophonist Leon ""Chu"" Berry. This collection highlights some of the horrific natural disasters that occurred at the turn of the century as well as Wheeling's Victorian architectural treasures, which were erected during the same era.

Point Pleasant

9780738544359

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The Wyandot tribe called the area TuEndieWei, which roughly translates to "where the rivers meet," because of its position at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers. George Washington referred to it as a "pleasant point" while he surveyed the land as a young man. He would later consider the town as the capital of the 14th American colony, Vandalia. While this colony never developed, it was nevertheless an important part of the American Revolution, as the first battle occurred at Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774, between Col. Andrew Lewis's Virginia militia and Chief Cornstalk's army of Shawnee warriors. The Virginians prevailed, allowing for colonial expansion west of the Ohio River. Over the next two centuries, Point Pleasant thrived as a major transportation center for river traffic. The rivers' history also includes great catastrophes, such as the nation's worst bridge disaster when the Silver Bridge fell in 1967, claiming 46 lives. Point Pleasant has always been a subtle crossroads of American history, with many triumphs and tragedies.

Wyoming County

9780738541730

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Because of its rich coal heritage and breathtaking scenery, many regard Wyoming County as the hidden gem of southern West Virginia. The county's vibrant history began with Native Americans, whom many believe left behind the petroglyphs that attract national attention, and continued to its early residents, who farmed and flourished in the logging industry. In 1906, when the Deepwater Railroad (later the Virginian) came to the town of Mullens, Wyoming County's role as a provider of the nation's natural resources was strengthened. By the 1920s, the county was one of West Virginia's foremost coal-producing counties; it maintains that position today. In addition to its integral part in resource exportation, Wyoming County is legendary for its sports scene. Such great players and coaches as Curt Warner, star running back of Penn State and the Seattle Seahawks; Mike D'Antonio, head coach of the Phoenix Suns; and Joe Pendry, assistant coach of the Houston Texans, got their start in Wyoming County. In recent years, this area has been best known for its recreational opportunities. Twin Falls State Park and R. D. Bailey Lake attract thousands of tourists annually, and the Coal Heritage Trail gives residents and visitors alike a chance to see how coal influenced the growth of the region.

Charles Town

9780738516981

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See how Charles Town, West Virginia, retains its original small town charm while attracting visitors today.

Charles Town, located in the Shenandoah Valley of West Virginia, was petitioned in 1786 and founded on January 7, 1787, by Charles Washington, George's youngest brother. Many of this historic community's streets are named for Washington family members, including Mildred and Samuel. The Jefferson County Courthouse, made famous as the location for the 1859 treason trial of the abolitionist John Brown and the 1922 Miners' Trials, sits in the center of town on one of the original four lots platted by Charles for community use. Today, Charles Town retains its original small town roots while attracting visitors with such diverse activities as The Charles Town Races and Slots and nearby hiking and whitewater rafting.

Southern West Virginia

9780738516653

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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.

Preston County

9780738543192

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Vintage images bring to life the pioneer era, the bustling development of the twentieth century, and the people who made it happen.

Preston County, West Virginia, is the only county in the United States with that name. It lies nestled into a corner of the state bounded on the north by Pennsylvania and the Mason-Dixon Line, and on the east by the state of Maryland. This scenic Appalachian region has a variance in elevation from a low of 870 feet to a high of 3,236 feet. With more tillable land than any other county in the state, Preston County is naturally a farming community, although mining, timber, recreation, and tourism are vital contributors to the county's economy. In this vibrant retrospective, local author Charles A. Thomas brings the county's past to life, covering the period from 1890 to the mid-1900s.t. We visit turn-of-the-century schools and mills, and see the trains and railroaders who made this area prosper in the late 1800s.

Huntington Chronicles

9781625859662

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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.

Weirton

9781467122504

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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

Berkeley Springs

9780738587998

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Nearly 300 years of colorful history marked by cycles of fame and notoriety have been generated for Berkeley Springs by the natural wonder of the warm mineral springs flowing in the heart of town. Formed in 1776, the town may be the only one in America established for the express purpose of caring for, feeding, and housing those who came to take the waters for their health. Bathhouses and hotels shared the landscape with mines, tanneries, and farms. A cast of characters--including presidents, industrialists, and other notables--came to bathe, own land, and enjoy the hospitality of hoteliers, bath keepers, and shop owners. Berkeley Springs reigns as the country's first spa.

Fairmont

9780738598406

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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.

Taylor County

9780738505886

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Since its establishment in 1844, Taylor County has known all too well the cycle of growth, decline, and hard-won renewal. Industries such as the railroad, as well as glass, pottery, and brick factories, once provided employment and opportunity for local families and spurred the development of the region. But when these businesses were lost and economic hardship followed, local residents fought mightily to revitalize their community and, through persistence and heart, made Taylor County a welcoming home to new generations of residents. Through the ups and downs of over a century, Taylor County has struggled and triumphed, making its own history in small towns and rural communities. Taylor County, the location of both of West Virginia's national cemeteries, was the site of the first Union casualty during the Civil War. The county's railroad heritage played a prominent role, and the town of Grafton once served as a railway hub and destination for city travelers. Perhaps the county's most influential native was Anna Jarvis, who founded Mother's Day when she initiated a church service in Grafton in 1908. This historic church and Jarvis's birthplace are now local landmarks and honor the vision and determination of the woman who created an international holiday.

West Virginia's Traditional Country Music

9781467123112

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West Virginia has been known for a century as a rich repository of traditional country music and musicians. Beginning in the mid-1920s, phonograph recordings and radios brought this music to a wider audience. With the passing of time and the influence of commercialization, this music developed into what became first known as "hillbilly" and then into the more refined "country" because of its long appeal to those of rural background. Although modernization has caused the traditional element to recede considerably, much still remains. Many folk still cling to the older sounds exemplified by the "raw" traditionalists and the neo-traditional bluegrass style that emerged in the 1940s. From the earliest recording artists, such as the Tweedy Brothers and David Miller, who was blind, to contemporary stars like Kathy Mattea and Brad Paisley, West Virginians and others have held their musicians in high esteem.

West Virginia's Traditional Country Music

Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia

9781467128506

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Over the course of the 20th century, West Virginia contained an impressive diversity of movie theatres--ranging from multipurpose auditoriums in company towns to early nickelodeons and from ornate, urban picture palaces to neighborhood movie houses and suburban drive-ins. In the state's working-class areas, as well as in upscale districts where industry barons lived, residents came together to find amusement and relaxation in these invaluable venues. Many of these theatres have since disappeared from the landscape, while others sit vacant or have been converted for other uses. Some, however, have been reopened or restored. They proudly provide their communities with entertainment today, whether showing films or hosting the performing arts. They serve as catalysts for local revitalization and as success stories showcasing the value of historic preservation.

Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia

Harrison County

9780738506081

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Few areas of West Virginia can boast a more strategic location than Harrison County, the crossroads of Interstate 79 and US Route 50, as well as other major thoroughfares. Once known for its glass industry and natural energy resources and now the home of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services and the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, Harrison County is proud of its diverse heritage and of the unique historical tale that has been shaped not only by the rugged landscape, but by the pioneering spirit of those who have made Harrison County their home.
This entertaining history highlights many of Harrison County's notable people, places, and events, as well as the day-to-day life of residents through the years. Showcasing many never-before-published images of the 19th and 20th centuries, this volume offers readers a rare view of early businesses and schools, of social occasions and family gatherings, and of a way of life that no longer exists. Coupled with informative captions, these images beautifully illustrate the unique story of the region.

Lincoln County

9780738598253

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Lincoln County was named for Pres. Abraham Lincoln, and the county seat, Hamlin, was likely named for his vice president, Hannibal Hamlin. Created out of Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, and Putnam Counties in 1867, Lincoln County is characterized by the geographic oddity of three north-flowing rivers: Guyandotte, Mud, and Coal. The county developed around its rivers and their tributaries, strategically using them to operate mills and transport goods. Timbering was its first major industry, and readers will see images of the log rafts and push boats that operated along these streams. Arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century opened another transportation artery. There was also a major oil boom around this time. Fossil fuels have remained important to the county's economy, particularly natural gas and coal. Lincoln County highlights what life was like in area communities such as West Hamlin, Branchland, Harts, Hamlin, Griffithsville, and Alum Creek.

Marshall University

9780738541907

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In 1837, the people of Guyandotte, then a village on the Virginia frontier, resolved to open a school for their sons and daughters. Tradition says local lawyer John Laidley convinced his neighbors to name the school for his friend, Chief Justice John Marshall. The one-room log cabin that housed those first students soon gave way to a two-story brick building that, with various additions over the years, became the school's Old Main. For decades, the cherished landmark has stood like a proud sentinel, watching Marshall grow and evolve into a major university with an enrollment over 16,000. This remarkable volume, with more than 200 historic photographs from the Marshall archives, chronicles the dramatic Marshall saga.

Upshur County

9780738513522

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Formed in 1851 from portions of Randolph, Lewis, and Barbour Counties, Upshur County, West Virginia lies in the north central part of the state on the Allegheny Plateau. Rolling foothills and waterways such as the Buckhannon River paint a picturesque landscape, while warm-hearted residents provide testimony to the benefits of living in such amicable surroundings. Upshur County revisits this area during its earlier days, when time seemed to move much slower and wagon squeaks and horses' neighs were common sounds in the towns and along the roads. It also brings the reader into present-day Upshur County, highlighting the industrialization that has taken place in more recent times. This volume celebrates Upshur's long and rich heritage by lingering on the stories and images of historical sites, which include the offspring of the sycamore tree in whose hollowed trunk Samuel and John Pringle lived for three years in the 1700s and the old courthouse that was damaged by fire three times in its first six months of existence. Readers will no doubt recognize many of the traditions captured in these pages, including scenes of street parades and the famous Strawberry Festival.

Cover image for Upshur County, isbn: 9780738513522

Around Morgantown

9780738543932

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Located on the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains, just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, Morgantown was settled before the American Revolution and became the seat of Monongalia County, Virginia. When West Virginia was established during the Civil War, Morgantown was selected as the site for the state land grant university, but in size, it remained a village until about 1900. In the late 1800s, the arrival of railroads and reliable river transportation and the discovery of oil and gas brought new industries to the area. Glass factories were established, and Morgantown became known worldwide for fine glass tableware. Coal mining for the steel and electric power industries was added to the industrial base around 1920. Since 1960, Morgantown has increasingly become a post-industrial city as growing federal laboratories and an expanding university have made research, teaching, and scholarship the primary employment base. Recently several magazines named Morgantown as one of the best small cities in America. The photographs and postcards in Images of America: Around Morgantown illustrate a variety of historic scenes and activities within a 15-mile radius from the courthouse.

Roane County

9780738552750

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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.

Clarksburg

9780738517896

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"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.

Rainelle

9781467122009

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Most of the lumber camps that harvested 8.5 million acres of West Virginia's virgin forest had faded into history when John Raine built Rainelle in the Meadow River basin in 1909. By recruiting workers of high morale and character, many of them highly skilled, Rainelle became noted as "the best hardwood sawmill town in the country" and "a town built to carry on." Through vintage photographs, Rainelle shares stories of the four generations who built and operated a prosperous Meadow River Lumber Company for 60 years, using the entire tree "from bark to bird's nest," and their descendants who continue building the town decades after the mill's closing. Rainelle captures founders and lumber workers, preachers and physicians, war heroes and athletes, businesses and churches, schools and recreation, as well as that spice of West Virginia life, politics and government.

Jackson County

9780738553641

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Discover the rich history of Jackson County, West Virginia through vintage images in this pictorial history.

On October 28, 1770, George Washington entered present-day Jackson County by traveling south down the Ohio River. The Sachem tribe camped with Washington's party and expressed a desire to barter with the Virginia traders. Washington made extensive notes of the terrain, animals, and timber. By 1772, Washington had patents on more than 6,800 acres in Jackson County. This led to the Ohio River being the source of trade, entertainment, and survival early in the history of Jackson County. Named after the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, Jackson County was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on March 1, 1831, out of parts of Mason, Kanawha, and Wood Counties. The terrain is sandy with fertile bottomlands along the Ohio River and gently rolling hills toward the east. Ripley is the county seat, situated in the central part of the county, and is named in honor of Harry Ripley, who drowned in Big Mill Creek in 1830.

Barbour County

9780738505701

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Located in the heart of Appalachia, rural Barbour County is bound on the east by the Allegheny Mountains, and on the west by the rolling hills that lead to the Ohio River. The Tygart River and its tributaries flow to the north through Barbour County, and historic maps identify the county as "the Western Waters." Once a trackless forest used as hunting grounds by Native Americans, the county was permanently settled in the late 1700s and officially named in 1843 for Philip Pendleton Barbour, a philanthropist and member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Known also for its focus on health care, the county may best be known as the site of the first land battle of the Civil War in 1861 and for the double-barreled bridge that played a role in that event. Over the years, the hardy members of this region have carved their living out of the mountains--mining and timber have helped sustain the county's communities. Recorded for generations to come in documents and other visual memorabilia, the singular history of Barbour County abounds with individual stories of industry, courage, determination, and faith.

Princeton

9780738542515

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Throughout its existence, Princeton has been a community at a unique three-way intersection connecting the heart of the Allegheny Mountain range with the fertile Valley of the Virginias to the east and the Cumberland Gap to the west. In 1837, the Virginia General Assembly formed Mercer County, named in memory of Revolutionary War general Hugh Mercer; at the same time, the county's seat was named in honor of the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, the 1777 battle in which General Mercer died. Twenty-five years after the county's formation, retreating Confederate soldiers burned the homes of the town of Princeton to the ground. The coming of the Virginian Railroad in the first decade of the 20th century and the construction of the West Virginia Turnpike 40 years later transformed Princeton from a remote rural outpost into a vibrant center of commerce and ultimately led to the evolution of Princeton into a true crossroads for the region.

The Linsly School

9780738515311

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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.

Doddridge and Ritchie Counties

9780738513638

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Nestled in the northwestern portion of West Virginia, Doddridge and Ritchie Counties encompass rich, vibrant communities of friendly residents, picturesque vistas, and valuable natural resources. Rural communities like West Union, Leopold, Harrisville, and Macfarlan possess an agreeable small-town personality and a charm often muddled in today's big cities. Named for the journalist Thomas Ritchie, Ritchie County is well known for its derricks and tunnels and was once described by its namesake as a "little gem." Doddridge, which was formed from parts of several counties including Ritchie, was named in honor of Philip Doddridge, a famous statesman.

Doddridge and Ritchie Counties revisits these West Virginia counties during their formative years, acknowledging past citizens and celebrating a way of life prior to the rapid onset of technology. Time seemed to move much slower then, and people were not always in a hurry. Images of clay main streets, rustic farm houses, and horses whose hooves readily click against rocks entice readers to take a closer look, to see for themselves the people and the events that have molded these two Mountain State counties into communities where residents feel safe and blessed and visitors find unprecedented tranquility.

Wood County, West Virginia

9780738514789

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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.

Bedlam on the West Virginia Rails

9781626198937

$21.99 $16.49 Save 25%

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

Welch

9780738543048

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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.

Moundsville

9780738517353

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From 250 to 150 B.C., the Adena people constructed a burial mound by moving 60,000 tons of earth. The resulting formation, the largest conical burial mound in the country, is located in the middle of the namesake town of Moundsville, West Virginia. Although the Grave Creek Mound, as it is now called, attracts spectators from miles around and is the showpiece of the locals, it is not the only noteworthy feature of the town. Fokker Aircraft Factory, the Fostoria Glass Company, United States Stamping Company, and the Marx Toy Company were all located in Moundsville and nearby Glen Dale, and many of the employees were town residents. The area is also home to the old West Virginia Penitentiary, which is now a national historical landmark, and the Daily Echo, a country newspaper that has been the voice of the community for more than 100 years. The county seat of Marshall County, Moundsville is a Southern town immersed in history and full of people dedicated to its preservation.

Marshall County

9781467128049

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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.

Cover image for Marshall County, isbn: 9781467128049

Bluefield

9780738505985

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The remarkable story of Bluefield represents a unique combination of geology, geography, and opportunity. Once just the confluence of a handful of family farms in southern West Virginia, Bluefield was put on the map, literally,
in the 1880s, when the Norfolk & Western Railway came to town. The company's influence on the rural landscape was overwhelming, and soon, Bluefield was transformed into the center of a coal-fired universe and became a major thoroughfare for the then-thriving mining industry.
Though the company--not the coal--was king in Bluefield, enterprising men and women could, and did, share in its
success. The city evolved into a successful supply center for the enormous network of towns that sprung up almost overnight throughout the region's coalfields. For the next 60 years, Bluefield experienced dramatic growth, enticing a diverse group of newcomers who helped to build the strong cultural heritage that continues to play a prominent role in the community to the present day.

Marion County

9780738506944

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A picturesque community in North Central West Virginia, Marion County is well-known for its winding waterways and rolling hills. Rapidly becoming a center for technological advancement, the county once depended on coal mining and oil drilling as its main industries. The near-depletion of these resources forced residents to seek new opportunities,
and their tenacity and willingness to forge ahead have helped maintain a community of which they and their children can be proud. This volume of vintage photographs and informative text sends readers back in time to the community''s defining days, the era in which Boaz Fleming lived with a dream of creating a new county and the period when coal, oil, and gas brought people into the area with hopes of fortune in their hearts. As the home to the first Father''s Day celebration and three West Virginia governors, including '"the father of West Virginia'" Francis Pierpont, this community lies at the forefront of the
Mountain State''s proud heritage. Long-time residents will no doubt recognize many of the street scenes and parades, while newcomers will delight in seeing their beloved community as it looked in days gone by.

Legendary Locals of McDowell County

9781467100366

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West Virginia's most impoverished county, McDowell County, is also its richest, with reserves of mineral wealth that continue to provide the framework for modern society from Panama and Toyko to New York and Chicago. With a history cratered by triumph and tragedy, the people of McDowell County have endured unspeakable hardships and near isolation but continue to excel in a myriad of unexpectedly surprising ways. Robert Morris, "the financier of the American Revolution," went to the poor house with the belief that McDowell's mineral wealth could fuel a new nation. Jedediah Hotchkiss, the mapmaker who charted the course for Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's valley campaign, resurrected Morris's dream to rebuild the South into an industrial giant on local coal. Men of vision and means like Frederick Kimball and J.P. Morgan built fortunes on McDowell County's mineral wealth. The musical Womack family, baseball manager Charlie Manuel, comedic genius Steve Harvey, writers Kermit Hunter and Jeannette Walls, and thousands who served in all ranks of the military, many making the supreme sacrifice, are among those who have made their mark on McDowell County.

Bluefield in Vintage Postcards

9780738516875

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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.

Charleston

9780738542652

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Take a trip back in time and see how downtown Charleston, West Virginia, looked nearly 100 years ago. This new book is the most complete collection of historic Charleston postcards ever published. The images illustrate how Charleston grew from a small town to become the state capital and a thriving commercial center, and each postcard offers a nostalgic look back at the 20th century. Charlestonians will fondly recall many of the buildings that no longer exist, such as the old public library, Ruffner Hotel, and Charleston National Bank. Likewise, postcards of Capitol Street will evoke memories of once-bustling shops, like Diamond Department Store, McCrory's Five and Dime, and S. Spencer Moore. These postcards freeze moments in time, taking readers on a stroll through downtown Charleston in the early 1900s.

Huntington

9780738515991

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Huntington, West Virginia, is a city rich in cultural history. Rising from the ashes of the Civil War, this jewel city of the upper South became an important focus of the nation's industrial elite. With the Industrial Revolution, Huntington evolved into a major shipping port for the boundless reserves of coal, virgin timber, and natural gas found in the local mountains. The great railroad scion Collis P. Huntington, who had just completed the Transcontinental Railroad, became obsessed with creating a new city-one that bears his name today. Images of America: Huntington conveys the opulence of the Gilded Age (1870-1915) in the stunning architecture and the graceful, elegant lifestyles of the time. Many of the wealthy families of Huntington contributed to the development of education and the community by building universities and public schools, as well as hospitals, libraries, churches, museums, and government buildings. This photographic journal offers an engaging history of the early families and that made Huntington one of the architectural gems of America.

Rock Springs Park

9780738585567

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Once described as "a place where God and man went fifty-fifty to produce perfection," Rock Springs Park remained a landmark along the Lincoln Highway in Chester until 1970. In its heyday, this panhandle playground captivated 20,000 visitors daily with attractions including the World's Greatest Scenic Railway, the Cyclone Roller Coaster, and a hand-carved 1927 Dentzel Carousel. Images of America: Rock Springs Park features over 200 rarely seen images and portrays the lifespan of the park from its history as Native American hunting grounds to its development as a local trolley park and full-fledged amusement park. The park hosted business and community picnic excursions and countless celebrity entertainers. Performer Bobby Vinton remembers the era of dances at the park as "a very romantic time . . . almost like something in the movies. There was the carousel, the guys in white shoes and girls that were all dressed up with their crinoline skirts."

Arthurdale

9780738544335

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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.

Fairmont's Cemeteries

9780738544212

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Founded in 1820 by Boaz Fleming, Fairmont, West Virginia, is located midway between Morgantown and Clarksburg. It is the seat of Marion County, which was formed in 1842 from Harrison and Monongalia Counties. During its heyday in the early 20th century, Fairmont was home to 100 millionaires who prospered in the town largely because of the coal fields, which were connected to the Eastern Seaboard
markets by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Today Fairmont is undergoing a renaissance and looks forward to continued growth while retaining its unique history.

McDowell County

9780738517995

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McDowell County was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1858, two years before the start of the American Civil War. In 1863, the county was one of the 55 that separated from the Old Dominion to form West Virginia, thus earning the nickname "the Free State." Long before this, though, McDowell County was known for its bountiful natural resources; a great geologist, Dr. Thomas Walker, touted these vast "coal lands" after his 1748-1750 exploration. Political leaders like Thomas Jefferson, who knew of the county's mineral wealth, steered Robert Morris, financier of the American Revolution, to obtain all of McDowell County in the land speculation boom of the mid-1790s. After Morris was sent to debtor's prison in 1799, however, his land holdings were acquired by Michael Bouvier, a cabinet maker. In the 1920s, the remains of Bouvier's holdings were purchased by Henry Ford, the automobile tycoon. Other famous personalities associated with McDowell County include J.P. Morgan and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

Bluefield in the 1940s

9780738567174

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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.

Sistersville and Tyler County

9780738552712

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In 1802, Charles Wells brought his family of 22 children down the Ohio River to a point later known as Wells Landing. With its ferryboat, tannery, blacksmiths, lumber, and flour mills, the village became a stop for river traffic and a commercial center where the scattered farming population would sell their wares. When Charles Wells died in 1815, he willed part of his estate to two daughters, Delilah Wells Grier and Sarah Wells McCoy, which they plotted and named Sistersville. In 1816, two years after Tyler County was formed, Middlebourne was chosen as the county seat. When the railroad reached Tyler County in 1884, its quiet communities enjoyed moderate prosperity; however, when Joshua Russell struck oil at the Polecat well in 1891, nearly 15,000 people rushed into the Sistersville area to find their fortunes. Discover the story of the oil boom with its saloons, hotels, opera houses, theaters, mansions, industries, and churches as told in detail through photographs from local collections
and museums.

Along the Kanawha River

9780738599458

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The Kanawha River is a prominent natural feature running through West Virginia's Putnam County. Beginning in the 19th century, small, permanent towns began to appear along the river's banks. The waterway served as a vital mode of transportation for these burgeoning communities. Buffalo has a rich agricultural history and a historic town center with several buildings in the National Register of Historic Places. Eleanor was one of three New Deal settlements established by Eleanor Roosevelt. Winfield, the county seat, was named after Gen. Winfield Scott. Nitro was seemingly built overnight as a US ammunition facility during World War I. While each town has its own identity, it shares a common link--the Kanawha River. Along the Kanawha River chronicles Civil War-era residents, floods in the early 1900s, and economic hard times in the 1930s. This pictorial history captures the diversity of these communities and the ways in which they flourished along the Kanawha River.

Mercer County

9780738513515

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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.

South Charleston

9780738586496

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South Charleston was named for its location on the south bank of the Kanawha River near Charleston. Kanawha Land Company formed the city by combining three farms and securing titles to approximately 2,000 acres in 1906. The area, consisting of hill and bottom land, was used to establish an industrial town. Free land and cheap fuel were offered to plants to locate in South Charleston. By 1907, the town site had been surveyed, and stone from the South Charleston Crusher Company's quarry at Spring Hill was used to pave the sidewalks and some streets. Banner and Dunkirk Glass companies were the town's first businesses, followed by the Ordnance Center and chemical companies.

Huntington

9781467122276

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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

Bramwell

9780738518268

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Bramwell, "the pride of West Virginia's southern tip," sprang up almost overnight as a result of the 1800s coal-mining boom. It boasted more millionaires per capita than any other town in this country. These vintage photographs tell of devastation by the 1890 flood and the 1910 fire. In 1957, a warm January caused the Bluestone River to cover Main Street and limited transportation to rowboats. Herein, stories unfold of the early days when coal was king and cash flowed as freely as the river. A few old-timers remember watching the bank janitor as he pushed a cart full of money down Main Street to the train station every week. The bank
financed Washington's Burning Tree Country Club and the University Women's Club. By the start of World War II, Bramwell's "millionaires" were the students attending Bramwell School. This volume includes photo memories showing how the school and community were joined at heart.

Harpers Ferry

9780738542911

$24.99 $18.74 Save 25%

Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the beautiful Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, offers visitors a breathtaking view described by Thomas Jefferson as a "scene worth a voyage across the Atlantic." From George Washington's 1796 establishment of the federal armory, through John Brown's 1859 raid to foment slave rebellion and Civil War battles, and to one of the first successful colleges for African Americans, Harpers Ferry has played a significant role in America's history. Hundreds of vintage postcards, many of which are very scarce today, depict this history, the various scenic views and buildings in town, and the daily lives of townspeople over the last century.

Legendary Locals of Huntington

9781467100335

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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.

Summers County

9780738515557

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It was the pull of the steam engine that brought residents to Summers County after the Civil War. With Hinton as a bustling hub of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, Summers County found itself along the path of goods and travelers going to and from Richmond and the Midwest. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and good mountain air, residents prospered in the county, building beautiful homes and lively communities. Lumber and riverboat traffic also added to the scene, although it was around the C&O that the area's culture truly thrived. Legends such as John Henry, the Steel Drivin' Man who out-drilled a steam drill while digging the Great Bend Tunnel, came to symbolize the grit-and-steel consciousness of this West Virginia county.

Life was good, but work was hard. When diesel engines became the norm in the 1950s, Summers County's fabric began to change. Today tourism and recreation are the greatest industries in the area, but residents have not forgotten their past. Each year the county taps into its railroading heritage with festivals and celebrations, and efforts are being made to preserve some of Hinton's unique architecture.

Richwood

9780738515182

$24.99 $18.74 Save 25%

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.

Wirt County

9780738566795

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Wirt County was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on January 19, 1848, and was named in honor of William Wirt, a famed prosecutor representing the United States in the trial of Vice Pres. Aaron Burr, who was accused of treason. In 1859, the county's population escalated from just a few dozen to several thousand as news of the nation's first big oil boom in Burning Springs was publicized in headlines across the globe. The oil industry had a profound impact on the future of Wirt County and even played a pivotal role in West Virginia being admitted into the Union. While the heyday of the oil industry has faded, the charm of Wirt County has not--it is here where many families embrace the quiet, peaceful lifestyle that a small community offers.

Ritchie County in Vintage Postcards

9780738517100

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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

Central City

9780738542423

$24.99 $18.74 Save 25%

In 1893, a few enterprising businessmen purchased some land just west of Huntington, West Virginia to develop a new community.

Eventually, Central City--as it was called--bustled with industry, thriving on the five major factories that became the nucleus of the small city. Because of the booming job market, the community grew: families settled; homes, schools, and churches were built; and a government was established. When Central City was annexed into Huntington in 1909, the old industrial town all but disappeared, losing its own identity and rich history. Luckily, Central City's heritage was saved in the late 1980s, when a reunion for early families was organized and funds were allocated by the City of Huntington for the community's rebirth. Today Old Central City is touted as the Antique Capital of West Virginia and hosts Old Central City Days annually to commemorate the vibrant heritage of this almost-lost West Virginia town.

Bridgeport

9780738553023

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With a population of approximately 7,500, Bridgeport is the second largest city in Harrison County, next to Clarksburg. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of oil wildcatter and philanthropist Michael Late Benedum. The region's airport and civic center were named for him. Bridgeport was also home to Joseph Johnson, the first governor (then of Virginia) west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1815, he introduced a bill in the Virginia General Assembly to create Bridgeport. During the railroad's heyday, the city became an important stop on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Clarksburg and Grafton. In more recent years, residents have worked together on numerous projects, including the Bridgeport Swimming Pool in the 1960s and the Bridgeport City Park. As the eastern terminus of Appalachian Development Highway Corridor D and with Interstate 79 less than a mile west of town, the city has grown. In 1982, the Meadowbrook Mall opened a short distance from the Bridgeport Country Club. The city boasts two grade schools, Simpson and Johnson Elementaries, as well as Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School, which has garnered county and state athletic titles.

Bethany College

9780738516608

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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.

McDowell County Coal and Rail

9781467121927

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Over 200 fascinating postcard images show early coal mining in McDowell County and how it progressed throughout the years.

Coal was discovered in McDowell County, located in the Billion Dollar Coalfield of southern West Virginia, in 1748, but it was not explored or mined until the early 1800s. Mill Creek Coal & Coke Company shipped the first railroad car of coal in March 1883 via the Norfolk & Western Railway. By the early 1900s, hundreds of mining companies dotted the county's landscape. The coal from McDowell County fueled the nation's home heating and steelmaking businesses and both world wars. As the coal industry developed, the local population grew; by 1950, the county had grown from a few hundred people to more than 100,000. .

Cabell County

9780738514000

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Established in 1809, Cabell County is located in West Virginia's Mid-Ohio Valley. When rail tycoon Collis P. Huntington pushed the tracks of his Chesapeake & Ohio Railway across the mountains from Virginia into Cabell County, he founded the town that would become the county's great metropolitan center. Business and industry soon began to rise, and Cabell grew into one of the Mountain State's busiest, most populous regions. This dramatic history of Cabell County begins with the arrival of the area's first settlers and continues into the 21st century. Introduced are James Holderby, Peter Cline Buffington, John Hunt Oley, and the other venturesome souls who set in motion the forces that made Cabell County the thriving place it is today. An informative text and 200 vintage photographs recreate key historical events, including the day when the James Gang robbed the Bank of Huntington, the sagas of Barboursville and Milton, the early days of Marshall University and its spectacular growth and success, and the strange but true story behind the creation of Ritter Park. Readers also gain a feel for life in past eras as they witness the paddlewheelers that plied yesterday's Ohio River and the steam locomotives that chugged their way through the county's history.

Wheeling in Vintage Postcards

9780738515328

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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.

Lewis County

9780738585857

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Since the first documented arrival of white men in its borders in 1769, Lewis County has morphed from a howling wilderness known simply as West Augusta, Virginia, to a major player in a hub of interstate highway transportation and a recreational area with a number of tourist destinations. Formed from Harrison County in 1816, Lewis County and its 17,003 citizens represent the best of central West Virginia. The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, Jackson's Mill, Stonecoal Lake, and Stonewall Jackson Lake define the county by their unique place in history. The county's native sons and daughters have been industrialists, U.S. senators, Civil War generals, and nationally recognized athletes. They have been the fabric that makes America the great country it is today: the ordinary, everyday citizen who lives life to its fullest potential while enduring whatever struggle fate sets before them.

Beckley

9780738592053

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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

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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

Blennerhassett Island

9780738518497

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Images of America: Blennerhassett Island reveals for the first time the pictorial past of the Ohio River's most famous island. Located one-and-a-half miles west of Parkersburg, West Virginia, it sprang into national fame two centuries ago as the headquarters of Aaron Burr's 1806-1807 conspiracy to create an empire in the Southwest. The island also was renowned as the site of the American West's most beautiful home: the legendary Blennerhassett Mansion, completed in 1800 only to be destroyed by fire 11 years later. This
volume's more than 200 fascinating pictures--most never published before--will take the reader on an exciting adventure through time, beginning with the island's glamorous Burr/Blennerhassett years; through its 19th century steamboat era; and into the 20th century, when it became the playground of the Mid-Ohio Valley. The final images portray the 1980 creation of Blennerhassett Island as a popular West Virginia state park with the reconstructed
Blennerhassett Mansion as its centerpiece.

Shepherdstown

9780738541808

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In the mid-1700s, a man named Thomas Shepherd divided 50 acres of his land into 8 streets and 96 lots, establishing the community of Mecklenburg. The town was named for the birthplace of Queen Charlotte, wife of England's King George III. On December 23, 1762, the Virginia General Assembly granted a charter for Mecklenburg. The residents dubbed the community "Shepherd's Town," in tribute to its founder. That title endured and was bestowed upon Shepherd College, which evolved into Shepherd University in 2004. Containing more than 200 vintage photographs of Shepherdstown, this volume gives the casual observer and serious scholar an idea of what the town, businesses, houses, and people looked like in earlier days.

Guyandotte

9781467121361

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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.

Wheeling Jesuit University

9780738592213

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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.

Catholic West Virginia

9780738586397

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Overcoming its tumultuous beginnings, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has matured into a distinguished and active voice for West Virginians. One of the most unique aspects of the diocese's 160-year history is the diversity of the landscape, culture, ethnicity, and dialect that characterizes the state's identity. From Wheeling to Beckley and Martinsburg to Parkersburg, the story of our diocese comes from the individuals who established and nurtured the Catholic faith in their local communities. Without generations of the dedicated faithful, the diocese would not have thrived. Through a variety of images, this book tells the story of the generations that continued striving to give a voice to this unique Catholic community. In addition, professional researchers and local readers alike will find this volume's rare perspective of history through the lived experience of the subjects refreshing.

Shepherd University

9780738599137

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Today, Shepherd University is recognized for its outstanding programs in liberal arts, business administration, computer and natural sciences, and professional studies. In 1871, the school opened its doors to 42 students who were guided under the leadership of its first principal, Joseph McMurran. The West Virginia Legislature passed an act in February 1872 to establish a branch of the state normal school for teacher training at Shepherd. Teacher education remained the cornerstone of Shepherd University for more than a century. This pictorial history presents how academics, athletics, and student life transformed over the decades to educate a diverse student body in more than 60 undergraduate programs and five graduate programs.

Cover image for Shepherd University, isbn: 9780738599137

Around Shinnston

9781467123723

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Surrounding the West Fork River and its tributaries, the communities in northern Harrison County are rich in both history and pride. With an abundance of natural resources, such as coal and oil, the areas featured in Around Shinnston developed into industries that brought growth and commerce. Many of these towns were named for the coal companies that established mines there, including Gypsy and Owings. Viropa was named for Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while Wyatt, previously called Goosetown, was renamed to honor a local physician. Big Elm once carried the roots of the largest water elm tree on record, and Enterprise was a large Indian territory. Shinnston is the largest community in Clay District (third largest in Harrison County) and is home to the oldest structure in this part of the state. These areas were the heart of the Bituminous Coal Fields and today take pride in their history.

Wayne County

9781467134231

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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.

Potomac State College

9780738506210

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Founded in 1901 as West Virginia Preparatory School to address a need in the area for quality secondary education, Potomac State College has since become a regional campus of West Virginia University. Throughout its one hundred years of excellence, the school has shaped the hearts and minds of countless students, faculty, and staff, and become an integral and beloved part of the local community of Keyser in eastern West Virginia. In Potomac State College, vintage photographs and other visual memorabilia tell the story of this developing institution, from sororities and sports teams to homecomings and bonfires, May Courts and graduations to clubs and, of course, classes. Noteworthy alumni such as Henry L. Gates Jr. and Admiral Joseph Lopez are featured, as well as important figures in the college's history such as Coach "Horse" Lough, Dr. Elizabeth Atwater Alexander, "Ikey" Dayton, and Ernest E. Church. With a century of success behind them, the men and women of Potomac State College move into the next century with a continuing commitment to face new challenges and achieve personal goals.

Mason County

9780738566627

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In the 1770s, George Washington surveyed the land comprising Mason County as part of a grant from the king of England to veterans of the French and Indian War. As a former officer in that war, Washington laid claim to part of Mason County and began a settlement there in 1775. The decades that followed brought other important historical figures to the county. Daniel Boone started a trading post near the banks of the Kanawha River. Samuel B. Clemens, the grandfather of Mark Twain, lived in Mason County. Entering the 20th century, Mason County thrived on industries utilizing its natural resources. River towns dotted the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers; coal mines flourished along the northern River Bend area; salt works and power plants added to the unique characteristics of the townships. Mason County is a land hewn by history, culture, nature, and time, all of which etches a unique portrait of a vibrant community.

Summers County in Vintage Postcards

9780738541518

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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

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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.

Legendary Locals of Wheeling

9781467100625

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From its founding as a frontier outpost through its role as the birthplace of a new state during the Civil War and its evolution into a manufacturing center, Wheeling has been home to a fascinating array of personalities. The old legends feature Betty Zane's bold dash to save Fort Henry and Samuel McColloch's daring leap on horseback from Wheeling Hill. Businessmen like Henry Schmulbach and Michael Owens contributed to Wheeling's industrial rise, while Augustus Pollack and Walter Reuther earned fame as friends of labor. And even as notorious men like "Big Bill" Lias capitalized on Wheeling's wide-open ways, community leaders like James "Doc" White worked quietly for racial justice. On local ball fields built in the shadows of steel mills, Wheeling's gritty sports heroes, like Chuck Howley and Rose Gacioch, demonstrated their athletic prowess. Notoriety in the arts was earned through the music of Doc and Chickie Williams and opera star Eleanor Steber as well as the works of writers like Keith Maillard and Marc Harshman, the current West Virginia Poet Laureate.

Tucker County

9780738518008

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This volume tells the story of Tucker County's history through the visual records of its communities, families, and industries. Carved out of Randolph County, Virginia, in 1856, Tucker County's early history played out in the farming communities of the Cheat River Valley. Beginning
in 1884, the shrill whistle of industrialist Henry Gassaway Davis's railroad, the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg, woke the area to dramatic changes. New towns like Davis, Thomas, and Parsons grew up and prospered in response to the developing nation's demand for lumber and coal. The collection features the visual evidence of how the political, economic, and natural landscape of Tucker County changed from 1880 to 1960.

Parkersburg in Vintage Postcards

9780738518176

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Historically, Parkersburg's rapid development can be attributed to its position at the junction of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. Steamboats and, later, rail transportation sealed the area's destiny as a successful community. In 1896, Parkersburg resident Gustavus Edward Smith produced images of Parkersburg on a newly developing novelty, the picture postcard. The first in West Virginia, these picture postcards were created two years before the cards were even legally recognized by the United States Postal Service. At the turn of the 20th century, as citizens were enjoying Parkersburg's business, political, and social atmosphere, the postcards industry was thriving on the public's demand for likenesses of interesting buildings,
streets, parks, events, and even disasters.

Hancock County

9780738543314

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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.