The Murder of Deputy Ira SkeenThe Murder of Deputy Ira Skeen
The hills of Scott County, Virginia, are known for their natural beauty, but on December 23, 1955, they became the scene of a deadly confrontation that shocked the community and
Author: Steve Gilly
On This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to StatehoodOn This Day in 1789: The Start of Tennessee’s Journey to Statehood
On December 22, 1789, North Carolina took a historic step by ceding its six westernmost counties—Washington, Sullivan, Greene, Davidson, Sumner, Hawkins, and Tennessee—to the federal government. These counties were organized
The Frontier Trailblazer: Elisha Wallen, LonghunterThe Frontier Trailblazer: Elisha Wallen, Longhunter
Elisha Wallen was more than just a man of the frontier—he was a trailblazer who left an mark on the region’s history. Today we tell the story of this legendary
The 1902 Quarter House BattleThe 1902 Quarter House Battle
Nestled in Mingo Hollow, six miles west of Middlesboro, Kentucky, the Quarter House was no ordinary saloon. Its unique position on the Tennessee state line allowed patrons to evade the
The Himlerville Experiment: Appalachia’s Only Miner-Owned Coal TownThe Himlerville Experiment: Appalachia’s Only Miner-Owned Coal Town
There was once a coal company in Appalachia that was owned not by wealthy investors but by its employees, in a cooperative enterprise. And the houses in the company’s coal
Appalachia’s Ginseng KingAppalachia’s Ginseng King
Ginseng is a plant with a rich history and high demand in Asia, which brought buyers to Appalachia, home to an American version of this much desired root. This
Pop Kramer: The Appalachian Daredevil on Two WheelsPop Kramer: The Appalachian Daredevil on Two Wheels
Harry “Pop” Kramer, was a vaudeville trick cyclist whose story is filled with circus flair, daring feats, and personal tragedy. Born in 1875 in Alexandria, Virginia, Harry’s journey from a