Appalachian History

The Santa Train pulls into town

Since 1943, the Santa Special, more commonly known as the Santa Train, has traveled 110 miles through the mountains of KY, VA and TN.

Kentucky mountaineer Josiah Henry Combs assesses the development of Appalachian mountain ballads in this 1913 book excerpt.

The highlight of Lola Poston’s career was surely the six 15×20 ft. murals she created for the auditorium of the newly built Lincoln Theatre.

Future champion college basketball coach Sonny Smith was born November 15, 1936 in Roan Mountain, TN, the son of a mill worker.

They pulled it out a yard long; and they doubled it back, and pulled it out; and when it began to look like gold the sweethearts paired off.