The Dolly Parton MuralThe Dolly Parton Mural
Near Market Square in downtown Knoxville is Strong Alley. There you’ll find artwork painted on the building walls by local East Tennessee artists. The most notable work there is a
Author: Steve Gilly
John Fox Jr., An Appalachian StorytellerJohn Fox Jr., An Appalachian Storyteller
One of the first writers to bring the real Appalachia to the world was John Fox Jr., who had come to the coal boom town of Big Stone Gap, making
The Dunglen HotelThe Dunglen Hotel
During the post-Civil War coal boom in West Virginia, many new towns were founded to serve the coal industry and the railroads that hauled that coal to market. One of
The Hawk’s Nest Tunnel DisasterThe Hawk’s Nest Tunnel Disaster
Hawk’s Nest is in the mountains of West Virginia, not far from Fayetteville. From there you have a lovely view of the New River as it curves around the mountains
Bad Talt HallBad Talt Hall
Talt Hall had a very interesting life. Born and raised in eastern Kentucky, he had been a Confederate soldier, a deputy sheriff, a U. S. Marshal, a feudist, a railroad
Appalachia’s Road To NowhereAppalachia’s Road To Nowhere
In the Smoky Mountains, north of Fontana Lake, you’ll find a road that suddenly ends at a tunnel. Lakeview Drive, or The Road To Nowhere, as it’s come to be
Champ FergusonChamp Ferguson
During the Civil War a man from Kentucky who had moved to Tennessee joined the Confederate side as a guerrilla fighter. Due to his extreme anger issues he soon became
Orlean Hawks Puckett, Appalachian Granny WomanOrlean Hawks Puckett, Appalachian Granny Woman
Granny women were the healers and caretakers of folks in Appalachia, dispensing folk remedies, serving as midwives, and even dousing for water. These women were essential in rural Appalachia, where
A Civil War Tragedy in Cade’s CoveA Civil War Tragedy in Cade’s Cove
A man’s family in the Smoky Mountains community of Cade’s Cove is torn apart by the Civil War, with tragic results for him. Today we share that story. You can
Bristol’s Other Train StationBristol’s Other Train Station
Most folks are familiar with the Bristol, Virginia Train Station, located at the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd and State Street. That station has been the source of much