Echoes of Appalachia
“Stories, culture, and memories from the heart of Appalachia.”
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recent posts
- The Wild Return of Bison to Appalachia After Centuries Away
- They Blew the Tops Off Appalachia and What Was Left Behind Tells a Darker Story
- 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
about
Category: Appalachian food
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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…
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Growing up in Appalachia, people often misunderstood us. To some, we were seen as backwoods, uneducated, or just plain strange. They called us “hillbillies” and other names, thinking they knew who we were. But they didn’t know what life was really like. Sure, we didn’t have the modern conveniences that many people take for granted,…
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Daniel Boone’s name is inseparable from the spirit of adventure that defined the early American frontier. Born in 1734 in Pennsylvania, he grew up on the edge of the wilderness, where he learned the survival skills that would shape his legacy. Boone is perhaps best known for carving a trail through the Cumberland Gap, a…
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January 15, 2025, marks 110 days since Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, bringing historic rainfall, strong winds, and tornadoes. The storm caused widespread flooding and landslides, making it one of the deadliest U.S. storms of the 21st century, with over 100 confirmed deaths in North Carolina alone and an estimated $59.6…
Echoes of Appalachia 