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The article below was written by Marc Cornett. His narration and
the
accompanying photograph appeared in the book
"The Heritage of Wise County and the City of Norton 1856-1993"
Volume I
The contact information for Marc Cornett listed at
the bottom of the article is no longer valid. Marc
may be contacted at the e-mail address listed in the
mail contact link above. Now for the article and photograph:
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.
"Old Bottom"
 |
This is a photograph of the "Blondell Addition" known as the "Old
Bottom" in
Appalachia, Virginia, U.S.A. The camera is pointed toward Callahan
Avenue.
Appalachia, Virginia
 |
This is a partial view of Appalachia from the south.
Appalachia, Virginia
 |
The "Commercial Hotel" seen on the left was a very busy hotel when
passenger trains were running in Appalachia. It was built about 1917 and
shut down about 1943. This site is now a parking lot for First National
Exchange Bank. The L&N Depot seen on the right was destroyed by fire
in 1921 and was replaced by the present depot.
ca 1925
Appalachia Hardware, ca 1930
Appalachia, Virginia
 |
Appalachia Hardware
This building was razed in 1983 and the lot where it
once stood is now a parking lot.
Appalachia Train Traffic
 |
Changing trains on V. & S. W. (upper) L & N
(lower) south of Roaring Branch near Big Stone
Gap. V. & S. W. is now part of Southern Railway.
A Scenic View of the Area Around Appalachia
ca 1990
 |
View From "Lovers' Leap" near Appalachia in
Wise County, Virginia
ca 1990
 |
"Old Tavern"
Abingdon, VA
This Tavern was built in 1776
Abingdon Police Department
The Abingdon, VA Police Department is housed in the original
building that was the Abingdon Post Office
- Wise County, Virginia; Genalogical Site: http://shadybanks.net/Wise2/index.html
- "The Heritage of Wise County and the City of Norton 1856-1993" Volume I
- Marc Cornett; mcornett@chartertn.net
- Mike Blondell; shadowdog@cybertrails.com
- Peggy Blondell; plbceb@yahoo.com
- Vicky Sturgill Stevens; vickie327@aol.com
- http://www.ls.net/~newriver/va/wiseecon.htm
Copying, reprinting or reproducing in any form, any of the information, images, or content in whole or in part of this page and the associated pages is strictly forbidden without the express written permission of one of the family members listed above in the mail contact links.
© Blondel 1998-2002 Blondell
