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Discover the contribution and history of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad through pictures from the earliest days of building and development.

The Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad laid track from Alexandria through Fairfax County and into Loudoun County towards the coalfields of West Virginia. In 1900, the Southern Railway, which had taken over the line, extended the railroad into Bluemont on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Washington & Old Dominion Railway leased the Southern Railway's line in 1912, went into receivership in 1932, and was reorganized into the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad in 1935. The employees excavated the roadbed by hand, built stations and electric locomotives, reconfigured passenger cars, replaced diesel motors, and rebuilt bridges. Eventually, public roads and a lack of shipping and receiving industries forced the railroad into abandonment. Through old photographs, Washington & Old Dominion Railroad explores the efforts that went into building, operating, and maintaining the railroad whose right-of-way has now become the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park.

Explore the geography of Rosslyn, Great Falls, Leesburg and Purcelville along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad.

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad covered the railroad's corporate history, construction, and operation. The images within offer a look at the railroad's feed and grain business, railfan-type views of equipment and a visual record of methods used to maintain the right-of-way and place equipment back on the tracks. Additionally, this work offers a history of the conversion of the right-of-way into thevery popular Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park.

Learn about the history of mills and their place in the local economy. See how the Burro crane was a jack of all trades. Look under the hood and inside the cab to imagine what it was like to be an engineer on one of the railroad's Baldwin-Westinghouse electric freight locomotives.

Located in southwestern Virginia, Washington County is a land of fertile grounds and rolling hills along the Holston River. Hardy pioneers settled this land in the mid- to late-1700s and tamed the wilderness to establish communities, churches, and schools. Officially formed in 1776, the county was named after Gen. George Washington for his fame and accomplishments before he became president. From the tribes of its original inhabitants to the introduction of the great railways and commerce, Washington County was a major gateway to the West along the Great Wagon Road and saw thousands of settlers and goods pass through on the way to the uncharted lands of the United States. With over 200 images, Washington County provides an intricate visit to the yesteryear of this rural region with scenes of the Virginia Creeper trains and railroads and the larger communities of Damascus, Meadowview, and Glade Spring, as well as early photographs of the smaller communities such as Benhams, Clinchburg, Mendota, and Hayter's Gap.

Boasting three forks of the Holston River and a skyline of mile-high mountains, Washington County lies at the heart of the Virginia Highlands. Today, many miles of its railroad lines have become trails, and towns like Damascus, Abingdon, and Glade Spring have grown from villages among wilderness.

A companion to Images of America: Washington County, this book, Washington County Revisited, depicts more of the area's rich history. In an attempt to thoroughly cover this county in Virginia, Washington County Revisited explores the history of settlements that were once major community centers, including Lodi, Blackwell's Chapel, Rich Valley, Lindell, Bethel, Taylor's Valley, Hayter's Gap, Clinchburg, and Alvarado. Learn even more of the fascinating history surrounding the railroad towns of Damascus, Glade Spring, and Meadowview. Officially formed in 1776 from Fincastle County, the county was named for Gen. George Washington, who was then serving as commander in chief of the Continental Army. Washington County holds the distinction of being the first geographical region to be named for the first U.S. president. With more than 200 images, Washington
County Revisited provides a unique visit to this rural region that once served as a gateway to the West along the Great Wagon Road and saw thousands of settlers and goods pass through to uncharted lands.

The story of Reedville, Virginia, is linked to the commercial fishing industry that developed in the late 19th century. In 1874, Elijah Reed transferred his menhaden fishing operation from Brooklin, Maine, to the Chesapeake Bay. He purchased the land on Cockrell's Creek that is now Reedville. The industry flourished, especially in the early part of the 20th century. Today, Reedville is one of the major ports for the landing of commercial fish in the United States, second only to Kodiak, Alaska. This Northern Neck area of Virginia has a deep history dating back to Jamestown, and this book adds another chapter in retelling its past by providing unique photographs that have never been previously published.

Settled beside the Blue Ridge Mountains in the mid-1700s, Waynesboro was named after Revolutionary War general "Mad" Anthony Wayne. On March 2, 1865, the Civil War shook Waynesboro in the form of a short, devastating battle. Following the war, the establishment of the crossing lines of the Norfolk and Western Railway and Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in Waynesboro helped industries thrive. Rife Ram and Pump Works, Virginia Metalcrafters, DuPont, and Invista are a few of the manufacturers that have called Waynesboro home during the last 120 years. Town and mountainside apple orchards also flourished. Despite some citizen resistance, Waynesboro and Basic City, the town across the South River, were joined in 1924. With the closing of many industries in the mid- to late 1900s, Waynesboro began to focus on its natural, historic, and cultural uniqueness to strengthen and redefine the city as it entered the 21st century. Images of America: Waynesboro looks back at Waynesboro's past, offering fascinating glimpses of its businesses, institutions, events, and people.

West Point, located at the juncture of three rivers, is a tapestry of the American experience. The peninsula was a stronghold and religious center for the Powhatan tribes of eastern Virginia and the site of many significant events at the beginning of English settlement in America. Its story includes Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas, and Capt. John Smith. In 1655, the West family became the first British to settle the peninsula, and Bacon's Rebellion was brought to an end there in 1676. Martha Washington was born and raised near the town that was also home to Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. West Point was a site of Lafayette's artillery during the Battle of Yorktown. With the coming of the railroad, it became a valuable port fought over during the Civil War and later a steamship hub and riverside resort. The 20th century saw influences of immigration, two world wars, and the struggle for civil rights. Native son Gen. "Chesty" Puller became an iconic hero of the Marine Corps. This rich legacy is explored through images with an emphasis on the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century.

With the advent of national franchises and increased

commercial development throughout Virginia, fewer and fewer areas are able to maintain their agrarian

nature. However, Westmoreland County continues its

long tradition of relying on its unique environment for sustenance, with its fertile farmlands and its bountiful rivers and creeks, thus preserving its rural essence.

From its humble beginnings as a club team with hand-me-down football jerseys, William and Mary men's soccer team has become an exemplary intercollegiate program. Whether judged by their 30 consecutive winning seasons or the success of their graduates--including Comedy Central's Jon Stewart and MLS stars Wade Barrett, Steve Jolley, and Adin Brown--Tribe soccer has become what college soccer should be. For almost 50 years, William and Mary has not only developed outstanding individuals and teams, but has also exerted an amazing amount of influence on soccer in their community by contributing to the growth of youth, high school, and women's soccer.

Today, much of Williamsburg appears as it once was-the colonial capital of Virginia, where patriots forged many of the principles of American democracy. This historic city attracts a million visitors a year, including many world leaders. They come to walk the streets trod by George Washington, to stand in the legislative hall where Patrick Henry spoke out for liberty, and to be inspired by the words of Thomas Jefferson.

Twentieth-century residents of Williamsburg have witnessed dramatic changes in their community. First, before World War II, was the re-creation of the Historic Area-the fulfillment of a vision seen by a clergyman and financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. In recent decades there has been an ongoing burst of construction to accommodate the influx of visitors and newcomers. Once an almost forgotten, out-of-the-way place, Williamsburg has become a thriving city and one of America's most popular tourist destinations. With photographs from the archives of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and local newspapers, Williamsburg presents a record of building activity and the restoration that returned the city to the eighteenth century and made its streets into pathways to the past. Included are the transformations of the city's two principal institutions, the College of William and Mary and Eastern State Hospital, as well as a photographic curtain call for Paul Green's outdoor drama The Common Glory. The people who have participated in making Williamsburg a vibrant, modern community and the famous visitors who have celebrated its heritage are highlighted in this fitting tribute to an American landmark.

"Williamsburg is a stronghold of the past, a sort of enchanted ground, lovely and quiet as a dream." Williamsburg may no longer be quiet as a dream, but it is certainly lovely and unquestionably a stronghold of the past, more so now than Miss Hildegarde Hawthorne could have dreamt when she penned these words in 1917. After Virginia's capital moved from Williamsburg to Richmond in 1780, the city sank into one and a half centuries of sleepy obscurity punctuated only by the Civil War. From 1928 to 1932, however, John D. Rockefeller Jr. restored the city to its colonial glory, and it leaped from impoverished backwater to tourist mecca within the space of a few years.

From the days of the Powhatan Indians to the establishment of Middle Plantation nearly 400 years ago, from its rise to power for a hundred years as the capital of England's largest North American colony to its decline into as many years of obscurity, Williamsburg has been shaped by the forces of history. Beneath the remarkable surface of today's restored colonial city lies an even more fascinating glimpse into the life of a community that has weathered the full sweep of American history.

Beautiful in all seasons, Winchester is breathtaking in spring with its apple blossoms and lacy dogwoods, but the town is not only beautiful; it's also historically significant.

Known first as Frederick Town, Winchester was the first English town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This ancient place has been prized by everyone from the earliest indigenous peoples to the Europeans and Americans who fought over it. At the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester has stood sentinel over the rest of the valley as an important strategic center during wartime. This is the town where George Washington got his military and political start and built Fort Loudoun during the French and Indian War, and during the turbulent times of the Civil War, Winchester changed hands more than 70 times. Many of this city's sons and daughters, such as explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd and country singer Patsy Cline, have achieved the world's respect. This book is filled with the story of Winchester from an early frontier town to the thriving small city it is today.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the Virginia Peninsula immediately became a center for the intensive activities required to prepare the nation for war. The fertile farm fields overlooking the James River, Hampton Roads, and the Back River were quickly transformed into military camps, air
fields, and training bases. Almost overnight, Newport News became the second leading port for men, horses, and supplies embarking to Europe. Shipyard workers labored around the clock producing ships. Each vessel was considered "a death blow to Prussianism," which was required to achieve victory. The Peninsula experienced rapid population growth, necessitating the construction of houses and public transportation systems. Individuals on the home front worked like "soldiers without guns" as they organized bond drives, provided recreation for doughboys passing through the port, and honored local fallen heroes. World War I on the Virginia Peninsula is the first comprehensive pictorial history documenting the events that occurred on the
Virginia Peninsula during the war that was fought, as President Woodrow Wilson advised, to "save the world for Democracy." In nearly 200 compelling photographs from local museums, archives, and private collections, this volume vividly documents the places, people, and industries that framed the community's wartime experience.

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia lies the historically rich Wythe County. The area was originally settled due to the proximity of the New River, one of few rivers in the world that flows north. The county is named after George Wythe, signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1863, the Civil War Battle of Wytheville brought federal troops into the heart of the county, hoping to interrupt the flow of necessary salt from the mines at nearby Saltville. During the 1800s, Wythe County was known for its mineral waters and as a mountain resort for wealthy residents of hot, humid areas who came for the summer to vacation. Having flourished throughout the 20th century, the county still retains its rural charm. Wythe County captures many charming scenes of country life, Virginia's train and travel industry, numerous long-forgotten vistas, some of Wythe County's finest citizens, and the area's most notable landmarks.

In 1750, the deepwater port of Yorktown housed approximately 250-300 businesses, with as many as 2,000 people thriving in the small town. By 1781, the Revolutionary War's final siege had been staged, and the British were caught without resources to win the final battle against the American and Allied forces. Freedom was won for America, but Yorktown would continue to see war. In 1862, the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War led to a monthlong battle near the site of the previous conflict. In 1917, World War I brought the embarkation of the Atlantic Fleet, and within a few decades, World War II would change Yorktown and the nation forever. These historic postcards portray the first family houses, the churches, the courthouses, the military, the battlefields, and the commemorative memorials of the area, showing the town's progression through time, from the 18th century through the present day.

Yorktown, Virginia, first came to prominence in American history when the Revolutionary War brought the final battle to the city. Once a battlefield and later planned to be a golf course and grand hotel, the site today is a historical monument maintained by the National Parks Service. The history of this colonial town has evolved tremendously from the 17th century through the present. Focusing on the period of 1900 through the 1940s, Images of America: Yorktown highlights the places, people, and times before the area's designation as a historical monument. Among the photographs contained within this volume are those illustrating Yorktown's bustling port, pre-World War business development, and celebration at the conclusion of the Great Depression that characterize some of the area's proudest times.