Echoes of Appalachia
“Stories, culture, and memories from the heart of Appalachia.”
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recent posts
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Homelessness in Appalachia Reached a Breaking Point in 2024 and 2025
- Immigrants and Appalachia: The Hidden Story That Built a Mountain Civilization
- Urban Appalachia: Rural Memory Inside the Modern City
- My New Book Has Been Published
- Beyond Appalachia: Venerable Monks, the Walk For Peace, and a Nation Searching for Common Ground
about
Author: Tim Carmichael
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January 28, 2025 — Tim Carmichael Appalachia has long been defined by national media through a lens of decline and struggle. From the economic collapse of the coal industry to persistent poverty and the opioid crisis, the region’s stories often revolve around hardship. However, a growing number of outsiders arriving in Appalachia have found that…
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In the remote corners of Appalachia, there’s a tradition that’s been practiced for generations—one centered around the wisdom and skill of older women, often known as “grannies.” These women were the healers, the midwives, and the caregivers. Their understanding of plants, herbs, and natural remedies played an essential role in keeping their communities healthy. Long…
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Next month marks the 107th anniversary of a chilling tragedy that still haunts the quiet hills of the Smoky Mountains. In February 1913, the small community of Jonathan Creek was shaken by the disappearance of a two-year-old girl, Roberta Putnam, and the subsequent discovery of her body in a remote rock crevice. The story of…
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Atop Iron Mountain rests Nick Grindstaff, born December 26, 1851, and passing away quietly on July 22, 1923. For forty years, he lived alone on a secluded ridge, nestled between Stoney Creek and Doe Valley, at the border of Carter and Johnson Counties. The reasons behind his isolation are unclear. Orphaned as a child, Nick…
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The Shelton Laurel Massacre, which took place in January 1863 in the Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina, is one of the darkest moments in the state’s Civil War history. Thirteen men and boys were killed by Confederate soldiers, and though this tragic event happened more than 160 years ago, the story has stayed with…
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In a region where many seniors live on a fixed income, the question of how political decisions affect their daily lives is more pressing than ever. With a population already struggling to make ends meet, many in Appalachia are finding that their voices at the ballot box might be working against their best interests. On…
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If you’re someone who loves the great outdoors, there’s no better place to lace up your boots than the Appalachian Mountains. Stretching all the way from Georgia to Maine, this stunning region is a hiker’s dream with miles and miles of trails that’ll take you through everything from lush forests to breathtaking mountain views. Let’s…
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In these mountains, my blood runs wild,A fierce river that can’t be tamed or mild.Generations carved their names in stone,Their sweat and tears in this land alone. Through the hollers where the shadows fall,I hear their voices; I feel their call.A mother’s cry, a father’s prayer,Their hands still grip this earth, still there. They fought…
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For the women of Appalachia, quilting is more than just a skill—it’s a way to keep the past alive, hold on to family memories, and create something both beautiful and practical. In the mountain communities, quilts weren’t just blankets; they were pieces of a larger story. From an early age, girls sat with their grandmothers,…
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For generations, tobacco has been the backbone of Appalachian farming communities. For many families, it was more than just a job—it was a source of survival. But it was also incredibly hard work, with little reward. My family grew tobacco. It was grueling labor that spanned almost the entire year, and the payoff, when it…
Echoes of Appalachia 