Pocahontas County is a treasure chest of history. The first settlers crossed the Alleghenies in 1749, and thus, the roots of families and communities run deep.
Without special effort and proper care of collections local history can quickly disappear. Pocahontas County is rich in people who care about its history. This project will provide the resources to help them preserve it and share it with the world.
The Historic Preservation Project will identify, stabilize, curate and store papers, pictures, records, recordings and artifacts. We will capture writings, photographs, interviews, buildings, and artifacts as digital images, sound files and text. We will create and maintain a Digital Library on the World Wide Web where digitized material will be freely available to researchers, historians, students and genealogists. And, we will facilitate community building by working with individuals and organizations as they exchange ideas and showcase their hard work.
Neighbor working with neighbor is the cornerstone of "Preserving Pocahontas." People in our communities will be actively engaged in this project as they are trained in the digitization process. Families and individuals will be encouraged to have their records and photographs digitized and to share those materials with the project.
To learn more, visit pocahontaspreservation.org.
Bruffey School ca. 1903
The Bruffey School on the North Fork of Deer Creek in or around 1903.
(Photo courtesy of Pocahontas County Historical Society, ID: PHS000456)
Access the ﾓPreserving Pocahontasﾔ Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.orgﾠﾠ
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Waiting for the Train at Buckeye
Three unidentified ladies are all dressed up and waiting for the train at the Buckeye Station, date unknown.ﾠ(Photo courtesy of Pocahontas County Historical Society, ID: PHS002432)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
The Pocahontas County Historical Society will meet at The Museum in Marlinton on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. We are gearing up for a busy summer season and will be planning museum cleaning and opening, as well as getting ready for Pioneer Days. Members are encouraged to attend and the public is welcome. For information call B. J. at 304-799-3989. To learn more about the Historical Society visit the website at www.pocahontashistorical.org
ﾠ
1865 Civil War Letter
This weeks's photograph is a scanned image of a Civil War letter written by Lt. George W. Siple and sent to Henry W. McNeel in Lipton, Cedar County, Iowa. Mr. McNeel was from Pocahontas County and possibly related to Lt. Siple through marriage. The letter is self-explanatory and has been transcribed. It reads:
Officers Barracks, Ft. Delaware, Division 31
March the 20th 1865
Mr. Henry W. McNeel,
Dear Sir
I seat myself at this time to inform you that I am still a Prisoner of War at this place. I have been sadly disappointed in not getting off on Exchange. I do not expect to get off for a month yet. So I conclude to ask you to send me more funds if you can consistently do so please send me $20.00 twenty dollars more. if you think it safer you can send by Express however I do not apprehend any danger sending by mail. I am willing to take all risks. Please answer immediately as I may be able to get off sooner than I expect. I feel myself very much comforted by your kindness, and with the present requisition I will be able to make myself comfortable. Capt. J. H. is well. I heard from Will two weeks ago. He was well and in Richmond. I long to see the Mts of Highland and Poca, once more the land of Birth from which I have been separated from for near two years. Direct as before to Lt. Geo. W. Siple Co. F, 19th Va Cavalry - Ft. Delaware Del. Division 31, very respectfully yours Geo. W. Siple
(Document courtesy of Jane Price Sharp, ID: PHD000011)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
The Pocahontas County Historical Society will meet at The Museum in Marlinton on Monday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. We are gearing up for a busy summer season and will be planning museum cleaning and opening, as well as getting ready for Pioneer Days. Members are encouraged to attend and the public is welcome. For information call B. J. at 304-799-3989. Visit the Historical Society website at www.pocahontashistorical.org
ﾠ
1915 Stereogram of Beverage Camp on Tea Creek
This stereogram was created by local photographer Harvey Bright. It shows Jake and Bob Beverage at their campsite on Tea Creek near the Williams River sometime around 1915. A stereogram is a pair of two-dimensional panels mounted side by side. The left picture represents what the left eye would see, and likewise for the right picture. When the stereogram is observed through a special viewer known as a stereoscope, the pair of two-dimensional panels merge together. What you see is a single three-dimensional photograph. The first stereoscope was patented in 1838 and a later version was developed by Oliver Wendell Holmes. These stereo viewers were one of America's most popular forms of entertainment in the late 1800s and early 1900s. (Photo courtesy Ellen Doyle and Ruth Friel, ID: PHP000060)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
ﾠ
Allegheny Lodge at Minnehaha Springs
The Allegheny Lodge on Rt. 39 in Minnehaha Springs was built in 1913 by the Allegheny Sportsmen's Association, which was organized by J. A. Viquesney and H. M. Lockridge. The popular resort and hunting lodge sat on 5,000 acres of land that was stocked with fish and game. The lodge itself was quite elaborate with twin staircases curving up to a columned veranda covered by a second-floor porch. A white-railed widow's walk can be seen at the top of the building. The lodge and grounds were purchased by Harry R. Wyllie of Huntington in 1926 at which time a stone wall with gateposts was constructed at the front entrance. The lodge passed through many hands over the years and was sometimes used as a private estate. The lodge building burned to the ground on October 17, 1983. The stone entryway still stands today. (Photo courtesy Pocahontas County Historical Society, ID: PHS003036)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
A number of calls came in identifying the "Boys at Spruce School" which recently ran in The Pocahontas Times. I really enjoyed talking with Virgil Broughton, of Elkins, Devane Cussins down in Tennessee and Mrs. Butcher up in Green Bank. Everyone agrees that the photo was taken in 1944-45, but we're still working on pinning down just who is who in the photo. I'll post a list of names as soon as we've sorted it all out.
Mrs. Dallas Widney called from Lewisburg last week to say she has located more photos from the Frank and Durbin area. She went on to tell me how much she enjoyed seeing her photograph of her mother and the J. R. Propst Store in this paper. After the picture ran in The Pocahontas Times Mrs. Widney received many calls from folks she had not been in touch with for quite some time. So it appears that our Preservation Project is not only preserving our history but reconnecting our people, as well.
"Preserving Pocahontas" recently received a grant from The Greater Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation Women's Fund. This grant will be used to identify and digitize the most fragile photographs and documents at The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace. A portion of the funds that made this grant possible came from donations In Memory of Betty Burford.
ﾠ
Pleasant Valley School at Hills Creek
This undated photograph of the Pleasant Valley School at Hills Creek was brought in by Lakie McMillion, of Hillsboro. This one-room school, built by a Mr. Isbell near Lobelia, was in use from the 1890s to 1942. A search of the digitized Pocahontas Times revealed this description by Cal Price in the April 28, 1938 issue: "The Hills Creek school house is the last log school house that I know of in Pocahontas County. I believe the official name is Pleasant Valley School. If so, I say it is well named. High-forested mountains hem in three sides of the narrow green valley, with the rocky bed of a swift flowing trout stream but a few yards from the school house door." (Photo courtesy Lakie McMillion,
ID: PHP00357)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
The information on the Pleasant Valley School comes from the Digitized Pocahontas Times Archives. These digital files are searchable and free for use by the public in the Heritage Room at the McClintic Library in Marlinton. They may also be accessed at The Pocahontas Times office. This valuable research tool was made possible by Pocahontas County Historic Preservation Project with funding provided by the Pocahontas County Commission.
The year 2013 will bring a number of sesquicentennial celebrations to Pocahontas County. They include the 150th Anniversaries of the Civil War, the Battle of Droop Mountain as well as West Virginia Statehood.
"Preserving Pocahontas" is seeking letters, documents and photographs relating to these three events for inclusion in the Pocahontas County Historical Records Archives. Contributors may participate by loaning items for scanning or donating items for display and archiving at the Museum. Information is also available on best practices for preserving and caring for your documents and photographs. Contact B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 for more information.
ﾠ
Boys at Spruce School
A fine group of boys posing at the Spruce School. The school operated in the lumber town of Spruce from 1908 until the town was abandoned in 1950. Date of the photograph is unknown and we have no names. Let us know if you can identify anyone in the photo. (Photo courtesy Pocahontas County Historical Society, ID: PHS002829)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
ﾠ
Monroe Kerth Nottingham ca. 1904
Monroe Kerth Nottingham was born May 5, 1903 at Boyer.ﾠ His parents were Zachariah Johnson and Jessie Kerr Nottingham.ﾠ Mr. Nottingham began his career at the Bank of Durbin.ﾠ He served from 1932 to 1937 as the Circuit Clerk of Pocahontas County and was the Postmaster at Marlinton from 1937 to 1956.ﾠ Kerth Nottingham married Helen Isabella Burner in 1931.ﾠ He died on November 19, 1959 and is buried at Mountain View Cemetery.ﾠ (Photo courtesy Pocahontas County Historical Society, ID: PHS000208)
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.orgﾠﾠ
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Group at Thornwood ca. 1915
A group of unknown loggers and others at a lumber camp near Thornwood in 1915.
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
Nominations are now being accepted for the honoree to appear on the 2012 Pioneer Days Badge. Submissions should include historical information and the reason you believe that your nomination should be selected. Mail submissions to B. J. Gudmundsson, 1200 2nd Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954 or call 304-799-3989. Email submissions may be sent to info@pocahontaspreservation.org. Deadline for submissions is March 23.
The Modern Woodmen of American Cornet Band in Dunmore, circa 1910
Front Row, L-R: John Pritchard, Ben Campbell, William Arbogast, Zan Campbell. Back Row, L-R: Win. McElwee, Harry Taylor, Ros. Gum, Ernest Campbell, June McElwee, James Campbell, Fred Pritchard, Frank Taylor.
Access the "Preserving Pocahontas" Digital Library at www.pocahontaspreservation.org
If you have photographs or documents to be scanned for the county Historical Archive Project contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org
Preservation News
Nominations are now being accepted for the honoree to appear on the 2012 Pioneer Days Badge. Submissions should include historical information and the reason you believe that your nomination should be selected. Mail submissions to B. J. Gudmundsson, 1200 2nd Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954 or call 304-799-3989. Email submissions may be sent to info@pocahontaspreservation.org. Deadline for submissions is March 23, 2012.
ﾠ
Pages
