In the late 1920s and early 30s, the coal fields of Harlan County, Kentucky, became the backdrop for one of the darkest chapters in labor history. Known as Bloody Harlan, this tumultuous time saw miners fighting for justice and fair treatment during a time of economic despair and corporate greed. At the heart of this struggle was William B. Jones, a determined union organizer who dared to stand up to the powerful coal operators, culminating in the battle of Evarts.

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On New Year's Eve 1959, the quiet town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, became the stage for a teenage prank that would put the town in newspapers all around the country.   Join us as we tell the story of two local teenagers armed with dynamite bought at the town’s hardware store who decided to ring in the new year with a bang—literally.  

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Elisha Wallen was more than just a man of the frontier—he was a trailblazer who left an mark on the region's history.  Today we tell the story of this legendary long hunter, a man who traveled alongside Daniel Boone through Southwest Virginia and into Eastern Kentucky. 

From his beginnings in Prince George County, Maryland, to his adventures across the uncharted wilderness of the Appalachian frontier, Elisha Wallen's story is one of courage, exploration, and survival in the wilderness. 

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Nestled in Mingo Hollow, six miles west of Middlesboro, Kentucky, the Quarter House was no ordinary saloon. Its unique position on the Tennessee state line allowed patrons to evade the law by simply stepping across a painted line on the floor. Built like a fortress with heavy railroad timbers and a log stockade, it became a notorious hotspot for gambling, fights, and moonshine-fueled chaos. Over a decade, the saloon was linked to the deaths of at least 50 people.  

In 1902, a property dispute escalated into a full-blown conflict, culminating in a battle that left several men dead and the saloon in flames.  

Join us as we tell the story of the Quarter House saloon, another one of the Stories of Appalachia   Be sure to subscribe to the Stories podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any of our stories.
 
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On the night of June 13, 1924, what appeared to be a summer thunderstorm in Carter County, Tennessee, transformed into one of the most devastating flash floods in the state's history. Join us as we tell the harrowing story of this natural disaster.

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In the summer of 1905, the Wild West came alive in the heart of Appalachia, complete with a saloon, a shootout, and a dramatic train attack. Join us as we tell the wild tale of Texas Bill's Wild West Show, which turned a simple sightseeing trip by their performers into a deadly encounter on the train out of Richwood, West Virginia. 

This was the kind of Wild West show the passengers on that train didn’t expect, nor want.

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There was once a coal company in Appalachia that was owned not by wealthy investors but by its employees, in a cooperative enterprise.  And the houses in the company’s coal camp were owned by the miners as well, most of whom were Hungarian immigrants on the Kentucky side of Tug Fork.  

Join Steve and Rod as they tell the fascinating history of Himlerville, a unique coal mining town in Appalachia founded by a visionary Hungarian immigrant coal miner named Martin Himler. Discover how Himlerville's miners were not only workers but also shareholders, creating a revolutionary model for coal mining communities in the early 1920s.  

And after the end of the cooperative caused by an economic downturn, Himler himself went on to lead a most interesting life as an American espionage agent during World War II, leading to his being awarded one of the country’s most prestigious honors.  

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Ginseng is a plant with a rich history and high demand in Asia, which brought buyers to Appalachia, home to an American version of this much desired root.   

This week, Rod and Steve tell the story of a man who made his fortune gathering, processing and selling ginseng in the mountains of North Carolina 150 years ago. 

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In this episode, we tell the fascinating tale of John Henry, the legendary steel-driving man of Appalachia. Join Steve and Rod as they explore the story of this American folk hero, a man of strength and determination who is said to have stood against the power of machines during the industrial revolution.

From the Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia to the comic book adaptations in the 21st century, John Henry's story is woven into the fabric of American culture. Don't miss this episode of Stories of Appalachia.

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Harry "Pop" Kramer, was a vaudeville trick cyclist whose story is filled with circus flair, daring feats, and personal tragedy. Born in 1875 in Alexandria, Virginia, Harry's journey from a disciplined farm life to the dazzling world of vaudeville is nothing short of remarkable.  

Today we tell the story of Pop Kramer, the Appalachian daredevil on two wheels, another one of the Stories of Appalachia.  

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