West Virginia
Interweaving social, political, environmental, economic, and popular history, John Alexander Williams chronicles four and a half centuries of the Appalachian past. Along the way, he explores Appalachia's long-contested boundaries and the numerous, often contradictory images that have shaped perceptions of the region as both the essence of America and a place apart.Williams begins his story in the colonial era and describes the half-century of bloody warfare as migrants from Europe and their American-born offspring fought and eventually displaced Appalachia's Native American inhabitants. He depicts the evolution of a backwoods farm-and-forest society, its divided and unhappy fate during the Civil War, and the emergence of a new industrial order as railroads, towns, and extractive industries penetrated deeper and deeper into the mountains. Finally, he considers Appalachia's fate in the twentieth century, when it became the first American region to suffer widespread deindustrialization, and examines the partial renewal created by federal intervention and a small but significant wave of in-migration.Throughout the book, a wide range of Appalachian voices enlivens the analysis and reminds us of the importance of storytelling in the ways the people of Appalachia define themselves and their region. Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press. Paperback, 473 pages. Measures 5.75" x 9.25" x 1.25". Weighs 1 lb 7.9 oz.
Includes 250 photographs and 24 maps. An excellent overview of the war in West Virginia. Perfect for anyone curious about our state s role in the war. Beginners and scholars alike will be fascinated with the extensive photo collection. From John Brown s inflammatory acts in Harpers Ferry and the first land battle at Philippi, through the surrender of McNeill s Rangers and the end of the war, Civil War in West Virginia looks at the skirmishes, battles and politics that shaped West Virginia s role in the Civil War. With extensive photographs, maps, and historical documents and research, this book thoroughly chronicles the major activity that took place in the Restored Government of Virginia , as the state was called after its secession from Virginia. Civil War in West Virginia describes battles in the state, as well as telling about the exploits of such major figures as Generals Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and John McCausland. Read about events such as the Battle of Droop Mountain, the Jones-Imboden Raid, and the Battle of Pigeon s Roost. Civil War in West Virginia offers a concise yet thorough look at West Virginia s involvement in the War Between the States. From John Brown s inflammatory raid at Harper s Ferry to the first land battle at Philippi, and through the surrender of McNeill s Rangers at the end of the war, Civil War in West Virginia looks at the skirmishes, battles, and politics that shaped West Virginia s role in the Civil War. With extensive maps, photographs, and historical documents, this book thoroughly chronicles the major activities which took place in the Restored Government of Virginia as the state was called after its secession from Virginia. Civil War in West Virginia describes battles in the state, as well as telling about the exploits of such major figures as Generals Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and John McCausland. Read about the Battle of Droop Mountain, the Jones-Imboden Raid, and the Battle of Pigeon s Roost. This is a classic, with a concise yet thorough look at West Virginia s involvement in the Civil War. Author: Stan Cohen. Publisher: Quarrier Press. Paperback, 170 pages. Measures 8.5" x 11" x 0.5". Weighs 1 lb. 5.1 oz.
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. Todays'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.Publisher: The History Press. Paperback, 160 Pages. Measures 9"x6"x0.25" . Weighs 12.6 oz.
With contemporary photography and words, this handsome and groundbreaking book explores the cultural and natural history of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and the surrounding landscape within Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. More than just a collection of photographs, the book chronicles the history of the area. Best known for John Brown's 1859 raid, the Ferry occupied a strategic location between the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet, making it an important 19th-century crossroads for river, canal, and railroad transportation. The book explores that bustling bygone era, including the Civil War years, which brought an end to the town's industrial age. Moreover, the book portrays the present-day town and the area's scenic attractions, including the rivers and the Appalachian Trail, which passes through the park. Publisher: Mountain Trail Press. Hardcover, 120 Pages. Measures 11.25" x 8.75" x 0.5". Weighs 1 lb. 12.8 oz.
Learn the history of the effort to bring the Appalachian Trail through West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in this collection by author Leonard M. Adkins and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Unlike counterparts on other sections of the 2,180-plus-mile Appalachian Trail who could locate the pathway within national parks and forests, builders of the 270 miles of trail detailed in Along the Appalachian Trail: West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania did not have vast tracts of federal lands on which to construct the footpath, yet they succeeded in creating a trail within many of the states' scenic areas. Hundreds of vintage photographs - provided by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Park Service, state archives, and local trail-maintaining clubs - present an illustrated narrative of the Herculean work and dedication it took for volunteers to plan, build, and continue to maintain the trail in these states. Publisher: Arcadia Publishing. Paperback, 128 Pages. 9.2"x6.5"x0.2" . Weighs 11.1 oz.
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 crewsheaded 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 Publisher: Arcadia Publishing. Paperback, 128 Pages. Measures 9.2"x6.5"x0.2" . Weighs 11.1 oz.
The beautiful mountains of south-central West Virginia can be simultaneously challenging and rewarding to travelers. Pre-Columbian First Nations people traversed the Allegheny Mountain Range for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. The natural mountain barrier stood as a formidable challenge to the newcomers. Union and Confederate forces traversed West Virginia, but artillery trails and oxen paths were ill-suited for trucks and automobiles. During World War II, Allied forces witnessed the significance of Germany's autobahn in terms of troop movement. Still, planning for a US interstate highway system evolved slowly. In 1947, leaders in the West Virginia State Legislature approved funds to build a turnpike from Wheeling to Princeton. Cost concerns prompted legislative leaders to modify the plan and select a route from Charleston to Princeton. The southern part of the two-lane version of the turnpike opened to nationwide acclaim in 1955. The unrivaled beauty of the 88-mile superhighway; the incredible travel time savings and attractions, including Tamarack--a marketplace for West Virginia artists and artisans; and a conference center have transformed the West Virginia Turnpike into an attractive destination excellent for visiting travelers as well as West Virginians. Publisher: Arcadia Publishing. Paperback, 128 Pages. Measures 9.2"x6.5"x0.2" . Weighs 11.1 oz.
West Virginia in the Civil War chronicles the role West Virginians played in the Civil War through the use of vintage photograph West Virginia, Child of the Storm, was the only state formed as a result of the Civil War. West Virginia witnessed battles, engagements, and guerrilla actions during the four years of the Civil War. The struggle between eastern and western Virginia over voting rights, taxation, and economic development can be traced back to the formation of the Republic. John Brown's 1859 raid on the United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry played a major role in the Civil War, which started in western Virginia with the destruction of Baltimore & Ohio Railroad property. When Virginia voted to secede and join the slave-holding Confederacy, the counties of western Virginia formed the pro-Union government known as the Restored Government of Virginia in Wheeling. West Virginia in the Civil War chronicles the role West Virginians played in the Civil War through the use of vintage photographs. Publisher: Arcadia Publishing. Paperback, 128 Pages. Measures 9.2"x6.5"x0.2" . Weighs 11.1 oz.
With its multitude of mountains and the highest elevation east of the Rockies, it's no wonder West Virginia's nickname is the "Mountain State." Abundant natural resources make it a leader in both industry and recreation, from glassmaking to rock climbing. Historic sites and sights include Harper's Ferry and the annual Native American Pow Wow, along with Lost World Caverns and White Sulphur Springs. Noteworthy West Virginians include Chuck Yeager and Olympian Mary Lou Retton. Mary Ann McCabe Riehle learned to appreciate the importance of reading and writing while growing up in the neighboring state of Kentucky. She graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Communication Arts and Education and has been a featured author and guest speaker at reading, writing, and library conferences. Mary Ann lives in Michigan with her husband, two daughters and their dog, Bisbee. Laura J. Bryant attended the Maryland Institute of Art and spent many years working in the display industry, which involved both illustrating, and designing scenery for projects including stage backdrops and corporate galas. She currently devotes all of her attention to the creation of children's books. Laura's other titles include A Fairy in a Dairy, Smudge Bunny, and the bestselling book God Gave Us You. Laura and her husband live in Mathias, West Virginia.Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press. Hardcover, 40 Pages. Measures 9.25"x11"x0.375" . Weighs 15.4 oz.