Appalachian History

May 19, 2017 Melungeons / West Virginia

The Guineas of West Virginia

“There’s a clan of partly-colored people in Barbour County often called Guineas, under the erroneous presumption that they’re Guinea negros.”

The Phantoms of Footbridge, and Other Stories illustration

May 18, 2017 Tennessee / Writers

Her editor published her work for several years before realizing she wasn’t a man

Mary Noailles Murfree, better known as Charles Egbert Craddock, spent summers in the Tennessee mountains among the people of whom she wrote.

Prince Madoc sails from Wales for the new world

May 17, 2017 Alabama / Trailblazing / Welsh immigration

They were a people called Welsh and they had crossed the Great Water

Welsh prince Madoc ab Owain Gwynedd sailed into what is now Mobile Bay, AL in 1170 A.D. and established forts along the Alabama River.

guy at side of road with smoking radiator

May 16, 2017 Automobiles / Kentucky

No stop-leak for the dripping radiator? Dump in a handful of cornmeal!

Before starting on a trip the trunk or back seat of the car should contain a water pail, hand tire pump, jack, tube patches & glue, and more!

telephone switchboard early 20th century

May 15, 2017 Modernization

Operator, ring me up

The telephone was a big hit with the farm families who could afford one. But there were rarely enough calls to tie a rural operator to her switchboard.

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