Warm glowing fields of hay, clear rivers born of limestone springs. Fields of livestock grazing beneath the shade of apple and buckeye trees.
This week, a fire started on the main street in Marlinton. It persisted for days, leaving numerous families without a home and affecting several businesses. Many groups are working to help those affected by this tragedy. For more information and to follow news regarding this story, please follow Allegheny Mountain Radio and Go Marlinton on […]
This article is by guest contributor Jeffrey Kanode: Caressed all around by the eternal arms of soft blue Allegheny Mountains, with lush green farmland surrounding it from every direction, Lewisburg is a farmer’s town. With aging hippies from New York and New England operating their avant-garde art studios, health food stores, and organic food restaurants, […]
On Wednesday November 6, 2013 a monument was dedicated to the soldiers killed in action at the Battle of Droop Mountain in 1863, during the Civil War. The monument was part of the sesquicentennial events held at the park, which included a 27 mile hike following the route of Confederate Soldiers from Lewisburg, W. Va. […]
Last week, while archivists at the Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum were sorting through one of the collection boxes, this coin was uncovered. The coin, along with seven other similar coins all with differentiating values, has the archivists at the North House Museum wanting to learn more, and they are looking for your […]
Ed and Agnes-Hannah Friel spent part of their childhoods around the Mill Point Federal Prison camp, where both had parents working as federal prison officers and they met as children. The Mill Point Federal Prison camp was opened in 1938 for low level federal prisoners and work was immediately begun on construction of the road […]
World War Two Veteran Sherman Beard remembers flying over Europe as a B-24 pilot in the last months of the war. Sherman was stationed in Foggia, Italy in 1945, where he flew 35 missions over Europe. Traveling 219 interviewed him recently about his experiences, and put this piece together in commemoration of Veterans Day. Sherman […]
“A magnificent vista of wooded mountaintops, green cultivated valleys and distant blue ranges.” – 1941, the West Virginia Writers’ Project guide. Hillsboro is the home of these popular historic destinations: -Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and Museum (in Hillsboro) http://www.pearlsbuckbirthplace.com/ -Pretty Penny Café (in Hillsboro, located in an old general store) http://www.wvyourway.com/west_virginia/AdView.aspx?sid=4431 -5.2 m. Watoga State […]
The McNeel Mill at Mill Point, which is being restored today by local resident Matt Tate, 150 years after it was first constructed in this once bustling little West Virginia mountain town. If you’ve driven U.S. Route 219 through Mill Point,you’ve probably seen the old McNeel Mill, which has stood down on Stamping Creek since […]
In 2012, the Traveling 219 Project featured a story about beloved Hillsboro resident, Norma Mikesell, and the inspiration she gave to those around her. In January, 2013, Norma Mikesell passed away at the age of 92. To honor Norma, who meant so much to so many, here is Emma’s story about Norma, as well as […]
For all you bluegrass fans, the Traveling 219 Project presents Richard Hefner and the story of the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys–the local Pocahontas County, West Virginia born and bred music staple. Richard grew up in Mill Point with his family, where his mother Elsie ran the post office and served as the matriarch to a […]
Pearl S. Buck Grapevine Travels to Michigan
A grapevine clipping from the home of Pearl S. Buck, a world renowned author with West Virginia roots, just arrived in Michigan and soon will be planted at a high school literary garden. It began as an idea last summer. Jennifer McQuillan teaches literature at West Bloomfield High School in Michigan, and she wanted to […]
For Over 140 Years, The Monroe Watchman Continues to Tell Local Stories
By Gibbs Kinderman Local weekly papers are a continuing tradition in many small WV counties – almost 50 of them still survive in this era of mass media and on-line news. Monroe County is one of the most tradition-oriented in West Virginia, and its paper, the Monroe Watchman, has come out each week for over […]
More Timeless Memories from the Mill Point General Store
By Gibbs Kinderman Country general stores were the center of community life a hundred years ago along what is now US 219 in West Virginia. They often housed the local post office and provided an informal meeting place for discussion of local affairs and the great issues of the day. These stores sold staples – […]
Marlinton Residents Try to Remain Optimistic this Christmas
Traditions are a big part of Appalachian culture. And for the people of Marlinton, W.Va. that means that not even a fire could keep them from a Christmas celebration. A fire devastated one block of Main Street Marlinton, West Virginia in November of last year. Kelly Taber with Allegheny Mountain Radio reports that the town […]
Johnny Hill Won the 1983 Pocahontas County Liar’s Contest With This Magical Tall Tale
Now here’s something you don’t hear about everyday: A chicken that lays wooden eggs. It’s a tall tale told by a man named Johnny Hill, in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Gibbs Kinderman brings us this archived recording of Johnny Hill’s magical story about some very peculiar hens. The above photo of the chickens was taken […]
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