Description:
On January 29, 1873, Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway officials drove a ceremonial spike at Hawks Nest, West Virginia, completing their new rail line from Richmond, Virginia, to Huntington, West Virginia. The railroad achieved George Washington's century-old dream to connect the Atlantic Ocean and Ohio River through efficient transportation. The construction lasted more than 35 years, and the arduous work—completed primarily by recently enslaved men—killed untold workers on the job while giving rise to legendary tales, such as John Henry's fabled victory over a steam-powered drill.The C&O opened up southern West Virginia's coalfields to the world which led to an economic boom and cultural transformation summarized in two words: King Coal. It was the first railroad to cut east-west through the heart of central Appalachia and some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation.
In 1878, five years after the railroad's completion, the C&O published this travelogue of the route to promote commerce and… Read More
