Hurricane Helene: Appalachian History

West Jefferson is located in the northwest corner of North Carolina, a land once known for its cherry orchards. In 1779, Col. Benjamin Cleveland, a hero of the Battle of King's Mountain, received a grant for 320 acres in a mountain valley in return for his service during the Revolutionary War. In 1912, the Virginia-Carolina Railroad became interested in the area's timber, farming, and mining resources and began building a railroad into Ashe County, ending at Todd. When the railroad came, the area was already populated by farms and businesses, as it was only two miles from the county seat of Jefferson. The North Carolina General Assembly chartered the town of West Jefferson in 1915, with boundaries extending one mile in each direction from the Virginia-Carolina Railroad depot. The railroad brought commercial growth, and the First National Bank of West Jefferson was opened in 1915 as well. West Jefferson showcases the expansion of this small town with a popular rail line to a tourist destination and retail center in the North Carolina mountains.

Few places in the United States can compare to the natural beauty and grace of Western North Carolina, a combination of picturesque mountain ranges, rolling foothills, and lush valleys. At the turn of the century, the visual splendor of the Appalachians and clean mountain air drew thousands upon thousands of visitors, including a large number of photographers, to the region's many health resorts, hotels, hiking trails, and small towns. Like explorers of old, these photographers went out into the North Carolina wilderness carrying their bulky photographic contraptions and glass-plate negatives in hopes of sharing its spectacular scenes with the rest of the nation. Using cameras equipped with twin lenses mounted about 2.5 inches apart, which created almost identical images, these photographers created
stereoscopic views, or stereo views--double images placed on a rigid card--which were then viewed through a hand-held stereoscope and resulted in the person experiencing a three-dimensional effect. In Western North Carolina: A Visual Journey Through Stereo Views and Photographs, you will see these professional photographers' hard work, a wonderful collection of images capturing the unspoiled beauty of the region, such as pictures of waterfalls, rivers, forests, and mountain ranges; views of local people at work and at play; snapshots of early railroad construction; and panoramas of the growing
mountain communities, such as Bakersville, Hot Springs, Lenoir, Old Fort, Hendersonville, and Asheville.

Told through the lens of vintage images, discover the rich and storied past of Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Hardy pioneers settled this area of the North Carolina backcountry in the 18th century. Perhaps best known for illegal whiskey and stock car racing, Wilkes County heritage also lies in agriculture and industry. Farmers toiled the land while industrialists and merchants built houses, businesses, railroads, and services in the county's three municipalities: Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Ronda. Major corporations Lowe's and Holly Farms were born here. Americana music is a staple of local culture, with popular festivals like MerleFest drawing international acclaim to the area. The enduring folkways and down-home values of this rural community have long made Wilkes County a place where the roots of family and history run deep.

What do NASCAR, Tom Dula and Lowe's Home Improvement have in common? They all came from Wilkes County, North Carolina. The foothills of Wilkes County are a region of unsurpassed beauty and captivating history. Cradled by the Blue Ridge and watered by the Yadkin River, the county has faced the Revolution and Civil War, cheered on moonshiner and revenuer alike and struggled mightily to become the North Carolina jewel it is today. Join local historians Jennifer Peña and
Laurie Hayes as they tell the story of a county steeped in
tradition and immersed in history.

The rich history of Williamston lives in the memories and memorabilia passed through generations of individuals. Williamston's raconteurs tell vivid tales of energizing spring water; a thriving community of hotels, restaurants, and theaters; and a school system reaching unbelievable heights. Founded by West Allen Williams near a natural mineral spring in 1842, the town of Williamston beckons for all to hear its history and soak in its rejuvenating heritage of trust, hope, and assurance. The town grew to accommodate travelers who arrived by train to partake of its medicinal waters. Many stayed in the Mammoth Hotel, the largest building in South Carolina at the time of its construction. The Civil War brought an end to this era of prosperity, but the turn of the 20th century saw the rise of cotton mills on the banks of the nearby Saluda River. This book unveils the timeless tapestry of Williamston's past--a history woven through time that unites people from all walks of life.