The Lost State of FranklinThe Lost State of Franklin
When the men and women of the Holston and Watauga settlements petitioned for admission to the United States as a new state named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, they were
The Harrison Gang’s Last Train Robbery: The West Virginia Heist of 1915The Harrison Gang’s Last Train Robbery: The West Virginia Heist of 1915
In this episode, we tell the dramatic true story of Charles Jefferson Harrison, a respected San Antonio businessman who became one of Appalachia’s most elusive train robbers. Caught when
The Greeno Mine Disaster: Tacoma, VirginiaThe Greeno Mine Disaster: Tacoma, Virginia
On December 14, 1910, a deadly explosion rocked the Greeno Mine in Tacoma, Virginia, claiming 14 lives and leaving a lasting mark on the Appalachian coalfields. Today we tell the
An Appalachian Preacher’s Fall: Bigamy, Abduction and DeceitAn Appalachian Preacher’s Fall: Bigamy, Abduction and Deceit
A preacher with five wives, a kidnapped teenage girl, and a cross-country manhunt. This isn’t fiction, it’s the unbelievable true story of Joseph Herman Johnson, a Primitive Baptist minister whose
Beyond Bristol: The Legacy of the Johnson City SessionsBeyond Bristol: The Legacy of the Johnson City Sessions
In this episode we explore the lesser-known but historically rich Johnson City Sessions of 1928 and 1929. While the Bristol Sessions are often credited as the “Birthplace of Country Music,”
The Greenbrier Resort: Hot Springs, Luxury and Government SecretsThe Greenbrier Resort: Hot Springs, Luxury and Government Secrets
This week Steve and Rod tell you the rich and surprising history of The Greenbrier, one of Appalachia’s most well-known resorts. From healing springs to a World War II hospital
Appalachia’s Iron Lady: The Story of Nannie Kelly WrightAppalachia’s Iron Lady: The Story of Nannie Kelly Wright
Nannie Kelly Wright ran an iron furnace at a time when most women weren’t even allowed near one. Born in Kentucky, raised on the Ohio River, and later married into