The 1915 Carlisle Mine TragedyThe 1915 Carlisle Mine Tragedy
On the morning of February 6, 1915, life in Carlisle, West Virginia, began as usual. One hundred and seventy-three coal miners gathered at the mouth of the Carlisle Mine in
The Curious Case of Gustave Salomez: Middlesboro’s Millionaire HousepainterThe Curious Case of Gustave Salomez: Middlesboro’s Millionaire Housepainter
On February 4, 1924, the Middlesboro Daily News carried a remarkable tale that could have been lifted straight from the pages of a novel. It was the story of an
Ale 8 One, Appalachia’s Homegrown Soda LegacyAle 8 One, Appalachia’s Homegrown Soda Legacy
Discover the fascinating story of Kentucky’s unique soft drink, “Ale 8 One,” in this episode of Stories of Appalachia. Join Steve and Rod as they tell the history of
Hammer and Steel: The Story of John HenryHammer and Steel: The Story of John Henry
Railroads played a crucial role in the development of Appalachia, but the construction of these vital links to the world was no easy feat. Today we go on the road
Feud and Fury: The Dark Legacy of Bad Tom SmithFeud and Fury: The Dark Legacy of Bad Tom Smith
By request of one of our listeners, this week we tell the story of Bad Tom Smith, a notorious figure at the very heart of the French-Eversole feud in Kentucky.
Chief Nimrod Jarrett Smith: How One Cherokee Leader Changed HistoryChief Nimrod Jarrett Smith: How One Cherokee Leader Changed History
Nimrod Jarrett Smith, born in 1832 near Murphy, North Carolina, was a member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee who played a crucial role in shaping the tribe’s future.
Philippi, West Virginia: The First Land Battle of the Civil WarPhilippi, West Virginia: The First Land Battle of the Civil War
At the beginning of the Civil War, the small Appalachian town of Philippi, Virginia, now West Virginia, became the site of the first organized land action of the conflict as
Bloody Harlan: W. B. Jones and the Battle of EvartsBloody Harlan: W. B. Jones and the Battle of Evarts
In the late 1920s and early 30s, the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky, became the backdrop for one of the darkest chapters in labor history. Known as Bloody Harlan,
Remembering the Sago Mine DisasterRemembering the Sago Mine Disaster
On January 2, 2006, a quiet morning turned into tragedy at the Sago Mine in Sago, West Virginia. A powerful explosion trapped 13 miners underground for nearly two days. Of
This Day in History: Lincoln Signs the West Virginia Statehood BillThis Day in History: Lincoln Signs the West Virginia Statehood Bill
On December 31, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the West Virginia Statehood Bill, setting the stage for the creation of America’s thirty-fifth state. This pivotal moment in history was the