Appalachia
Virginia
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Town of Appalachia
Appalachia, with respect to population, is the third largest town in Wise County. It was for the most part a wilderness prior to 1891. At that time the entire tract of land upon which the town is located was owned by J. J. Kelly, T. A. Blondell, and Joseph Kilbourn. In 1895, what is now known as Main Street and some of the western part of the town was sold by Joseph Kilbourn to the Keystone Coal and Iron Company. This was the first sale of lots in Appalachia. George Brown and George Kilbourn, the first residents of the town, still reside there.
Appalachia received its first civic encouragement in about 1890 by the advent of the Louisville and Nashville and the Southern Railways into Wise County. These two railroads mad a Junction at Appalachia. At first there was not a phenomenal growth, for it was not until 1906 that a charter was granted. The first officers were A. L. Pruner, Mayor, J. E. Moss, Chief of Police, A. L. Sturn, Treasurer, Stuart Stover, Recorder and the members of the Council were George Brown, F. W. Blondell, G. C. Jeffers, G. B. Head, W. F. Lee, and J. W. Guntner. Since the organization of the town there have been remarkable forward strides in almost every phase of civic interest.
The town, which takes its name from the Appalachian Mountains in the center of which it is located, has junction of three railroads. The Southern comes into the town from Bristol, the Louisville and Nashville from Corbin, Kentucky, and the Interstate from Glamorgan and Miller Yard. This central location makes it the trading post for what is estimated to be about 25,000 people. The Southern terminal yards, which employ a large number of men, are located in Appalachia. There are two depots. One of these, the freight depot of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, is said to be one of the best depots of its kind on the system.
Appalachia is the possessor of a large number of streets constructed of the best grade asphalt, and what is estimated to be about three miles of concrete sidewalks. The Old Dominion Power Company, which furnishes lighting and power to most of the towns in the county, serves Appalachia. One of the finest water systems in the section, at a cost of half a million dollars, has been recently installed by the town. And excellent fire department for the protection of life and property is maintained.
Appalachia is proud of her school buildings. Together with a teacher's home, it was constructed at an expense of $350,000. The total enrollment is 1,100, and there are 32 teachers employed. The athletic teams are among the best in the region.
There are a number of churches in the town, most all of which have been able to amass a large membership. Quite a few of these churches have been able to erect fine brick churches. Some of the denominations represented are the Methodists, Christian, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Holiness. The Christian Church was the first to locate in the town.
The first merchants in the place were Head and Slone, H. M. Blair, R. N. Cornett, and C. S. Hale. The business of the retail merchant is one of the chief activities in Appalachia. There are three hardwares, a ladies shop, and a large number of department stores. Other business houses are Appalachia Grocery Company, Morley Brothers, two wholesale bakeries, Wisco Candy Company, Broadwater Feed Company, two builder's supply houses, an ice cream plant, and two coal dealers.
The Bank of Appalachia was the first institution of its type to locate in the town. This firm was established in 1904, with R. W. Holley as President, H. F. Whitehead, Vice-president, George B. Head, Cashier, and E. C. Mainous, Bookkeeper. The First National Bank, organized in 1909, succeeded the Bank of Appalachia. At the present time it is the largest bank in the county. The bank is located in a very beautiful building in the business section of town. While the Bank of Appalachia was being organized in 1909, another group of business men were busy laying plans for the Peoples Bank, a State institution. Unfortunately, we do not have at hand the names of its officers, but we are assured that it is doing a prosperous business. It occupies a beautiful three-story, marble and concrete building.
The town has recently constructed a modern, up-to-date city hall for the offices of the town officials. In addition to this, there is at present under construction, at a total cost of $250,000, a new hotel. It will have ninety rooms, all equipped in the latest and most accepted conveniences. There are also two other hotels of established reputation. Appalachia is to entertain the 10th Annual Convention of the American Legion for the State of Virginia in its new hotel in August 1928.
Appalachia, with her three railroads and her location on the Lynch Highway, has excellent means of communication with other towns in and outside of the county. By automobile the town is forty minutes from the county seat, and only two hours from Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee is also relatively easy to reach either by motor or by train.
The town of Appalachia, which, though the expression has been somewhat worn during recent years by application to so many towns in the United States, might merit the name of "the magic city of Wise County," is one of the most promising places in the county. Its growth has not been so rapid as to be unsubstantial. Although it is now one of the most progressive towns in the section, we feel that its greatest history lies in the future.
Appalachia received its first civic encouragement in about 1890 by the advent of the Louisville and Nashville and the Southern Railways into Wise County. These two railroads mad a Junction at Appalachia. At first there was not a phenomenal growth, for it was not until 1906 that a charter was granted. The first officers were A. L. Pruner, Mayor, J. E. Moss, Chief of Police, A. L. Sturn, Treasurer, Stuart Stover, Recorder and the members of the Council were George Brown, F. W. Blondell, G. C. Jeffers, G. B. Head, W. F. Lee, and J. W. Guntner. Since the organization of the town there have been remarkable forward strides in almost every phase of civic interest.
The town, which takes its name from the Appalachian Mountains in the center of which it is located, has junction of three railroads. The Southern comes into the town from Bristol, the Louisville and Nashville from Corbin, Kentucky, and the Interstate from Glamorgan and Miller Yard. This central location makes it the trading post for what is estimated to be about 25,000 people. The Southern terminal yards, which employ a large number of men, are located in Appalachia. There are two depots. One of these, the freight depot of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, is said to be one of the best depots of its kind on the system.
Appalachia is the possessor of a large number of streets constructed of the best grade asphalt, and what is estimated to be about three miles of concrete sidewalks. The Old Dominion Power Company, which furnishes lighting and power to most of the towns in the county, serves Appalachia. One of the finest water systems in the section, at a cost of half a million dollars, has been recently installed by the town. And excellent fire department for the protection of life and property is maintained.
Appalachia is proud of her school buildings. Together with a teacher's home, it was constructed at an expense of $350,000. The total enrollment is 1,100, and there are 32 teachers employed. The athletic teams are among the best in the region.
There are a number of churches in the town, most all of which have been able to amass a large membership. Quite a few of these churches have been able to erect fine brick churches. Some of the denominations represented are the Methodists, Christian, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Holiness. The Christian Church was the first to locate in the town.
The first merchants in the place were Head and Slone, H. M. Blair, R. N. Cornett, and C. S. Hale. The business of the retail merchant is one of the chief activities in Appalachia. There are three hardwares, a ladies shop, and a large number of department stores. Other business houses are Appalachia Grocery Company, Morley Brothers, two wholesale bakeries, Wisco Candy Company, Broadwater Feed Company, two builder's supply houses, an ice cream plant, and two coal dealers.
The Bank of Appalachia was the first institution of its type to locate in the town. This firm was established in 1904, with R. W. Holley as President, H. F. Whitehead, Vice-president, George B. Head, Cashier, and E. C. Mainous, Bookkeeper. The First National Bank, organized in 1909, succeeded the Bank of Appalachia. At the present time it is the largest bank in the county. The bank is located in a very beautiful building in the business section of town. While the Bank of Appalachia was being organized in 1909, another group of business men were busy laying plans for the Peoples Bank, a State institution. Unfortunately, we do not have at hand the names of its officers, but we are assured that it is doing a prosperous business. It occupies a beautiful three-story, marble and concrete building.
The town has recently constructed a modern, up-to-date city hall for the offices of the town officials. In addition to this, there is at present under construction, at a total cost of $250,000, a new hotel. It will have ninety rooms, all equipped in the latest and most accepted conveniences. There are also two other hotels of established reputation. Appalachia is to entertain the 10th Annual Convention of the American Legion for the State of Virginia in its new hotel in August 1928.
Appalachia, with her three railroads and her location on the Lynch Highway, has excellent means of communication with other towns in and outside of the county. By automobile the town is forty minutes from the county seat, and only two hours from Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee is also relatively easy to reach either by motor or by train.
The town of Appalachia, which, though the expression has been somewhat worn during recent years by application to so many towns in the United States, might merit the name of "the magic city of Wise County," is one of the most promising places in the county. Its growth has not been so rapid as to be unsubstantial. Although it is now one of the most progressive towns in the section, we feel that its greatest history lies in the future.