Name: Parkersburg
Brand: Robert Anderson
SKU: 9780738592909
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Parkersburg

9780738592909

$24.99

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

$24.99

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.

Charles Town

9780738516981

$24.99

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.

Point Pleasant

9780738544359

$24.99

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.

Harpers Ferry

9780738516080

$24.99

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.

Weirton

9781467122504

$24.99

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

Mingo County

9781467120975

$24.99

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.

Preston County

9780738543192

$24.99

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.

Harrison County

9780738506081

$24.99

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.

Taylor County

9780738505886

$24.99

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.

Upshur County

9780738513522

$24.99

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.

Around Morgantown

9780738543932

$24.99

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.

Wheeling

9780738515878

$24.99

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.

New River Gorge

9780738586090

$23.99

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.

Roane County

9780738552750

$24.99

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

Clarksburg

9780738517896

$24.99

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

Lincoln County

9780738598253

$24.99

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.

Princeton

9780738542515

$24.99

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.

Jackson County

9780738553641

$24.99

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.

Moundsville

9780738517353

$24.99

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.

Fairmont

9780738598406

$24.99

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

Marion County

9780738506944

$24.99

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.

Huntington

9781467122276

$24.99

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

Huntington

9780738515991

$24.99

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.

Rainelle

9781467122009

$24.99

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.

Wirt County

9780738566795

$24.99

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.

Wood County, West Virginia

9780738514789

$24.99

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

Barbour County

9780738505701

$24.99

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.

Welch

9780738543048

$24.99

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

Arthurdale

9780738544335

$24.99

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

McDowell County

9780738517995

$24.99

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.

Wyoming County

9780738541730

$24.99

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.

Central City

9780738542423

$24.99

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

$24.99

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.

Along the Kanawha River

9780738599458

$24.99

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.