A Methodological Guide to Researching and Writing the History of Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Part I: Laying the Foundation: The Historian's Craft
Embarking on the creation of a comprehensive local history is a significant and commendable undertaking. It is an act of preservation, an exercise in community memory, and a contribution to the broader understanding of the American experience. This guide provides a detailed methodological framework for researching and writing a book on the history of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, covering its geography, economy, society, and the lives of its people. The objective is to equip the dedicated local historian with the principles, tools, and strategies necessary to produce a work of lasting value—one that is not only factually accurate but also narratively compelling and intellectually rigorous.
Section 1: Envisioning the Narrative: From Chronicle to Compelling History
The first and most critical stage of this project involves defining the book's fundamental purpose and structure. A great local history is more than a simple chronicle of events; it is a story with a central argument that explains why the past matters. This initial conceptual work will provide a clear vision and a stable framework for the extensive research and writing that will follow.
Defining Scope and Audience
Before the first archival box is opened, the author must determine the intended audience for this history.1 Is this book for current residents of Pocahontas County, seeking to understand their heritage? Is it for genealogists tracing family roots back to the region's pioneer families? Is it for a broader audience of readers interested in Appalachian history, or perhaps for academic historians studying rural America? This decision is paramount, as it will fundamentally shape the book's tone, the level of detail included, and the overall narrative focus.1 A book aimed at tourists might emphasize historic sites like the Cass Scenic Railroad and Droop Mountain Battlefield, while a volume for residents could delve more deeply into family histories, social change, and the evolution of local institutions like schools and churches. Knowing the audience provides the essential lens through which all subsequent research and writing decisions will be made.
Choosing a Narrative Structure
A local history can be organized in several ways, each with distinct advantages. Moving beyond a simple chronological list of facts is key to creating an engaging and insightful book.1 The two primary structural approaches are chronological and thematic, though a hybrid model is often the most effective.
Chronological Structure: This traditional approach organizes the book by distinct time periods, establishing a clear "periodization" for the county's history.4 For Pocahontas County, a logical chronological framework might include chapters such as:
The Pioneer Era (1749–1860): Covering early settlement, the displacement of Native Americans, and the formation of an agrarian society.
The Civil War and Its Aftermath (1861–1880): Detailing the county's Confederate sympathies, key battles, and the difficult period of Reconstruction and reintegration into the new state of West Virginia.
The Timber and Railroad Boom (1881–1920s): Chronicling the industrial transformation that reshaped the county's economy, landscape, and society.
The Great Depression and Post-War Change (1930–1960): Exploring the impact of national economic crisis, the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the beginning of the timber industry's decline.
The Modern Era (1961–Present): Examining the shift toward a tourism and conservation-based economy, the establishment of the Green Bank Observatory, and contemporary challenges and successes.
This structure excels at demonstrating historical cause and effect, showing how events in one era directly influenced the next.
Thematic Structure: This approach organizes chapters around specific topics, allowing for in-depth analysis of particular facets of the county's history.1 Potential thematic chapters could include:
"From Virgin Forest to National Forest: The Rise and Fall of the Timber Industry"
"Faith and Community: A History of Religion in Pocahontas County"
"From the Seneca Trail to the Cass Railroad: How Transportation Shaped the Land"
"A Segregated Education: The History of the County's White and African American Schools"
A thematic structure allows the author to trace a single thread through the county's entire history, providing a deep and focused examination of key subjects. A hybrid approach, using a broad chronological framework with thematic chapters within each major period, often yields the most readable and comprehensive result.
Developing a Central Thesis
A distinguished history book is built around a central argument or thesis that provides a unifying thread for the entire narrative.6 The thesis answers the crucial question: "What is the larger meaning of this history?" It elevates the work from a collection of interesting facts to a coherent interpretation of the past. For Pocahontas County, a powerful thesis could emerge from the interplay between its geography and its economic history. For example, a potential thesis might be:
"The history of Pocahontas County is a story of the constant tension between its profound geographic isolation and its periodic, intense, and often destructive connection to the national economy, a cycle that has forged a uniquely resilient community identity."
The county's history is marked by a recurring pattern of resource exploitation followed by community adaptation. The arrival of the railroad shattered the county's isolation, enabling a massive timber boom that transformed the economy and demographics but also led to widespread environmental damage.8 When this boom ended with the closure of major operations like the Cass mill and the abandonment of the railroads, the county faced economic decline.8 Yet, from the remnants of this industrial past, a new economy based on tourism and conservation was born, repurposing the old logging railroad as the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and preserving the cut-over lands as the Monongahela National Forest.8 This cycle of "Resource and Resilience" provides a compelling narrative framework. This theme is echoed in the history of the county's institutions; Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, for instance, has repeatedly faced financial crises and natural disasters, only to be saved by determined community efforts.13 The local newspaper,
The Pocahontas Times, survived a devastating flood that destroyed its traditional printing equipment, forcing it to become an unlikely pioneer in digital publishing.14 Framing the book around this central theme of resilience in the face of economic and environmental change would provide a strong, unifying argument that gives the entire work purpose and direction.
The Importance of a Synopsis
Whether the book is intended for a traditional publisher or self-publication, creating a detailed plan or synopsis before beginning the writing process is an indispensable step.1 A well-crafted synopsis serves as a roadmap for the project. It saves countless hours during the writing phase by providing a clear structure to follow. More importantly, it highlights potential gaps in the research, allowing the historian to address them proactively before committing to the manuscript.1 This plan should break the book down into its proposed chapters and sections, listing the key topics, arguments, and potential sources for each part of the narrative.
Section 2: Principles of Sound Historical Inquiry
The credibility of a history book rests upon the rigor and integrity of its research methods. Adhering to the professional standards of historical inquiry is what separates a valuable contribution from a mere collection of anecdotes. These principles ensure that the final work is accurate, verifiable, and a trustworthy addition to the historical record.
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
A fundamental distinction in historical research is between primary and secondary sources. Understanding this difference is crucial for evaluating evidence.
Primary Sources: These are the raw materials of history—firsthand accounts and records created during the period being studied.15 For Pocahontas County, primary sources include letters from Civil War soldiers, diaries of pioneer women, official government documents like deeds and wills, court case files, historical photographs from the Pocahontas County Historical Society, Sanborn fire insurance maps of Marlinton, oral history interviews with former timber workers, and articles from
The Pocahontas Times published in 1905.6 While primary sources are the most direct form of evidence, they are not infallible. They must be interpreted with care, as they can reflect the biases, limited knowledge, or specific agenda of their creator.1Secondary Sources: These are interpretations and analyses of primary sources, typically written by historians or other scholars after the fact. Key secondary sources for this project include William T. Price's 1901 Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia and the History of Pocahontas County, W. Va. 1981 published by the Historical Society.18 These works are invaluable for providing context, identifying key events and people, and understanding previous historical interpretations.1 However, they must be read critically, as they can contain errors or reflect the biases of their own time.
A particularly sophisticated approach involves treating older secondary works, like Price's 1901 book, as both a secondary and a primary source. As a secondary source, it offers a foundational narrative and a wealth of genealogical data that can guide initial research. It reveals what a historian at the turn of the 20th century considered the most important aspects of the county's past. However, the book can also be analyzed as a primary source—an artifact that reflects the values and preoccupations of its era. Its focus on the genealogies of Scotch-Irish pioneer families, for instance, tells us a great deal about how the community constructed its identity at that time and, by omission, who was left out of that narrative.21 The modern historian's task is to build upon this foundation, asking new questions informed by contemporary historical practice.15 A chapter might even be dedicated to the historiography of the county, analyzing how the story of Pocahontas County has been told over time.
Fact-Checking and Corroboration
Factual accuracy is the bedrock of credible history.1 A historian must never rely on a single source for a critical piece of information. The principle of corroboration—verifying facts using multiple, independent sources—is essential, particularly when dealing with information from less reliable secondary sources or the internet.7 Even primary sources can be flawed; old newspaper articles, for example, were often prone to error or partisan reporting. Comparing reports from different newspapers or from different days can help triangulate the most likely truth.22 If a compelling story or detail cannot be definitively verified, it should not be presented as fact. Instead, it should be qualified with careful phrasing, such as "according to local folklore," "as one account recalls," or "as legend has it," thereby maintaining historical integrity while still including the texture of local memory.2
Contextualization
Local history does not occur in a vacuum; it is deeply intertwined with larger historical forces. A common pitfall is to treat the local story as an isolated curiosity rather than as a specific manifestation of broader trends. It is essential to place the events of Pocahontas County within their wider regional and national context.1 For example, the timber boom that transformed Pocahontas County in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was not a purely local phenomenon; it was driven by the immense demand for resources from America's rapidly industrializing cities. Similarly, the county's experience during the Civil War can only be understood as part of the larger strategic conflict over the formation of West Virginia and control of the Appalachian frontier. Connecting the local to the national not only makes the history more accurate but also makes it more significant to a wider audience.
Avoiding Anachronism and Bias
The historian's task is to understand the past on its own terms, which requires a conscious effort to avoid judging historical actors by modern values and standards—a fallacy known as anachronism. It is equally important to be aware of one's own potential biases and to strive for a balanced and objective presentation of the evidence.6 Two major theoretical frameworks can help guide this process:
Empiricism: This approach to history emphasizes evidence-based research. The empiricist historian builds a narrative from the ground up, relying on the careful analysis of primary source documents, artifacts, and other verifiable data.16
Postmodernism: This school of thought challenges the idea that a single, objective historical truth can ever be fully known. Postmodernists argue that all historical narratives are subjective constructions that reflect the perspectives and biases of the historian. This perspective serves as a crucial reminder to always consider the social, cultural, and political contexts in which history is written and to be transparent about the interpretive choices being made.16
A responsible historian employs empirical methods to ground their work in solid evidence while remaining mindful of the postmodern critique, acknowledging the inherent subjectivity of historical interpretation.
Meticulous Record-Keeping
Rigorous documentation is a non-negotiable aspect of historical research. From the very first day of the project, it is imperative to maintain a detailed and consistent record of every source consulted, whether it is a book, a manuscript collection, a website, or an interview.1 This practice is essential for creating the footnotes, endnotes, and bibliography that will substantiate the book's claims and lend it scholarly credibility. These citations are not mere formalities; they are a map that allows future researchers to retrace the author's steps and build upon their work. Modern digital tools such as Zotero, Scrivener, or even a simple spreadsheet can be invaluable for organizing this information efficiently.6 Furthermore, the historian must be vigilant about matters of copyright. Permission must be obtained to reproduce any protected materials, such as photographs, maps, or lengthy quotations from other published works.1
Part II: The Research Expedition: Gathering the Stories of Pocahontas County
This section serves as a practical field guide for the research phase of the project. It provides a detailed survey of the specific archives, collections, and research techniques that will be employed to gather the raw materials for the book. The guidance is organized by repository and method, offering concrete, actionable steps for investigating each of the twelve thematic areas of the county's history.
Section 3: Unlocking the Archives: Your Guide to Key Repositories
A successful historical project depends on a multi-layered research strategy that moves systematically from local repositories to state-level institutions. The local archives provide unique, community-specific materials and context, while the state archives offer the official records and broader collections necessary for verification and deep contextualization. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive and well-supported narrative.
The Pocahontas County Historical Society (PCHS): The Local Epicenter
Overview: Founded in 1961, the Pocahontas County Historical Society is the most important starting point for any researcher of the county's past.18 Its museum, located in the historic Frank and Anna Hunter House in Marlinton, serves as the primary repository for the community's material and documentary heritage.18
Key Collections:
Artifact Collection: The museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts spanning the county's history, from pioneer-era tools and looms to items from the logging and railroad industries.25 These objects are invaluable primary sources for understanding the material culture of daily life and work in different eras.
Photographic Archive: The PCHS holds a critical collection of over 4,500 historical photographs, a portion of which is in the process of being digitized.18 These visual records are essential for illustrating the book and providing evidence of past landscapes, buildings, and people.
Published Materials: The society itself is a historical actor, having published the indispensable History of Pocahontas County, W. Va. 1981, a key secondary source that is still available for purchase.18
Access Strategy: The first step is to contact the PCHS directly to inquire about their hours and policies for research access to the archival collections, particularly the photographic archive.18 Attending the society's monthly meetings and public programs is an excellent strategy for connecting with local experts, long-time residents, and other individuals with deep knowledge of county history.25
Pocahontas County Free Libraries: The Public Memory Hub
Overview: The county's public library system, anchored by the McClintic Public Library in Marlinton and supported by four branch libraries, is a vital center for historical and genealogical research.30
Key Collections & Services:
The McClintic Heritage Room: This dedicated local history and genealogy room is the library's crown jewel for historical researchers. Maintained in partnership with the PCHS and the local genealogy group, it contains a wealth of unique materials, including microfilm of 19th-century birth and death records, printed histories like Price's 1901 volume, extensive vertical files on local families, and other rare books and documents.35
Digitized Pocahontas Times: The library provides in-house access to a digitized, searchable archive of the county's long-running newspaper. This is arguably the single most valuable primary source for researching the social, economic, and political history of Pocahontas County from 1883 onward.36
Specialized Collections: The library system has strategically developed collections focused on key local themes, including the Railroad and Logging Collection (housed at the Green Bank and McClintic libraries) and the comprehensive West Virginia/Appalachian Heritage Collection (at McClintic).36
Online Databases: The library offers crucial digital resources. In-library access is provided for Ancestry.com, a premier genealogical database. With a library card, patrons can also gain remote access to WV Info Depot, a collection of statewide databases funded by the West Virginia Library Commission.34
Access Strategy: A significant amount of research time should be allocated to the McClintic Library. Upon arrival, a researcher should seek out the historian librarian, Pam Johnson, for an orientation to the Heritage Room and its collections.37 The in-house digital resources, especially the searchable newspaper archive and Ancestry.com, should be used extensively to build a foundation of names, dates, and events.
West Virginia State-Level Repositories: The Broader Context
West Virginia Archives and History (WVAH): Located in the Culture Center in Charleston, the WVAH is the state's official archival agency and an essential destination for any serious researcher.38
Key Collections: The WVAH holds microfilm copies of original county government records for all 55 West Virginia counties. For Pocahontas County, this includes foundational records such as births, deaths, marriages, wills, deeds, and court proceedings dating back to the county's formation.41 The archives also feature extensive collections on the Civil War, the papers of state governors, and a suite of powerful online databases for vital records research.40 The "On-Line Resources by County" portal on their website is a critical starting point.41
Access Strategy: Begin by thoroughly exploring the WVAH website and its digital collections. While written research requests can be submitted for a fee, a project of this magnitude will necessitate at least one in-person visit to consult materials that are not available online.41
West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC) at West Virginia University: Housed at WVU in Morgantown, the WVRHC is a premier academic archive with a deep focus on the history of West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region.44
Key Collections: The WVRHC boasts the state's largest collection of historical West Virginia newspapers, which can be used to find coverage of Pocahontas County events from outside the local area. It also holds extensive public records on microfilm, including county court records for thirty counties, and thousands of digitized historical photographs in its "WV History OnView" online database.44 The Center is also the repository for theses and dissertations on West Virginia topics, which can be invaluable secondary sources.46
Access Strategy: Before planning a visit, use the WVRHC's online catalogs to search for archives, manuscripts, books, and photographs related to Pocahontas County. This repository is particularly valuable for finding records of businesses, organizations, and individuals whose papers were donated to the university rather than a local institution.
This layered approach, moving from local to state archives, allows for a process of constant discovery and verification. A story that begins with a photograph found at the PCHS can be fleshed out with newspaper articles at the McClintic Library, verified with official vital records from the WVAH, and placed in a broader economic context using corporate records from the WVRHC. This systematic movement between institutional layers is the hallmark of comprehensive historical research.
Section 4: The Living Archive: Conducting Oral History in Appalachia
In a region like Appalachia, where storytelling is a deeply ingrained cultural tradition, oral history is not merely an auxiliary research method—it is an essential one.49 It is the primary means of capturing the experiences, perspectives, and memories of the community that are absent from the written record. Oral history gives voice to the voiceless and captures the texture of lived experience—the "why" and "how it felt" that official documents can never fully convey.16
The Importance and Context of Oral History
Oral history provides a personal and nuanced understanding of the past, making it particularly crucial for documenting the lives of ordinary people and marginalized groups whose stories are often underrepresented in traditional archives.16 In a place like Pocahontas County, where many local histories have been passed down through oral tales, the work of recording these stories is a vital act of preservation.17 The approach to these interviews should be informed by an appreciation for the Appalachian storytelling tradition, which is often narrative, personal, and deeply connected to place and family. The Appalachian Oral History Project, a long-running consortium of regional colleges, serves as an excellent model for this type of culturally sensitive research.49
Best Practices for Oral History Interviews
A successful oral history project requires careful planning, ethical conduct, and technical proficiency.
Preparation: The work begins long before the recorder is turned on. The interviewer must conduct thorough background research on the topic and, if possible, on the narrator (the person being interviewed).52 This allows for the formulation of informed, open-ended questions (e.g., "Tell me what a typical day was like in the logging camp," "What do you remember about the consolidation of the high schools?") rather than simple yes/no questions.53 Before the interview, the project must be clearly explained to the narrator, and their informed consent must be obtained through a signed legal release form. This form clarifies how the interview will be used and stored and is essential for the ethical use of the material.52
Technique: The interview should be conducted in a quiet, comfortable location free from interruptions. The best available recording equipment should be used and tested on-site before the interview begins.53 The interviewer's primary role is to be an active and respectful listener. This means allowing for periods of silence as the narrator thinks, and being flexible enough to follow promising tangents that may not have been on the initial list of questions.54 Using historical photographs or artifacts during the interview can be a powerful technique for jogging memory and eliciting detailed stories.22
Preservation: The work is not finished when the interview ends. The audio or video recording must be transcribed to create a searchable text document. The original recording, the full transcript, and the signed release form constitute the complete archival record for that interview. To ensure long-term preservation, redundant digital copies of all files should be created and stored in multiple, separate physical locations.5
Identifying Narrators and Targeting Research
To build a rich and diverse collection of oral histories, the researcher should seek out a wide range of community members: "old-timers" with deep roots in the county, descendants of the original pioneer families, retired workers from the timber industry or the Green Bank Observatory, former teachers who experienced school consolidation, and long-time business owners and community leaders.2 A public call for participation, made through an announcement in
The Pocahontas Times or on local radio, can be an effective way to identify willing narrators.2
This effort should be strategically targeted to fill known gaps in the archival record. While official records may detail the operations of the timber industry, they rarely capture the lived experience of the workers. Therefore, a specific oral history project focused on former timber workers and their families could document daily life in company towns like Cass, the dangers of the work, and the social dynamics of the camps. Similarly, the written record on the county's segregated African American schools is sparse. Oral history interviews with former students and teachers of institutions like the Brownsburg and Seebert Lane schools are the most effective, and perhaps only, way to preserve this vital part of the county's history. The dissertation on Pocahontas High School, which relied heavily on oral histories, provides an excellent model for this targeted approach.47 By creating specific interview projects aimed at these under-documented areas, the historian can ensure that the final book presents a more complete and inclusive picture of the county's past.
Section 5: A Thematic Guide to Primary Source Research
This section provides the methodological core of the research plan, offering a detailed, source-specific guide for each of the twelve thematic areas of the book. It integrates the various repositories and techniques discussed previously into a practical workflow for the historian.
Geography, Land, and Settlement
Sources: The story of settlement begins with the land itself. The process of land distribution and ownership can be meticulously reconstructed using state land grants, which are indexed in the Sims Index to Land Grants in West Virginia.56 These records can be supplemented by county deed books, surveys, and plats, many of which are available on microfilm from the West Virginia Archives and History or the FamilySearch Library.41 To visualize the changing landscape and the growth of towns, historical maps are indispensable. Key map collections include those from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and, for developed areas, the detailed Sanborn fire insurance maps, which show individual building footprints.5
Narrative Goal: The objective is to weave these disparate records into a coherent narrative of settlement. This story begins with the first European pioneers in the region, such as Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell, who arrived in 1749, and traces the process by which the land was claimed, divided, and transformed into farms, towns, and communities.58
Economy (Timber, Railroads, Agriculture)
Sources: The economic history of Pocahontas County is dominated by the timber and railroad boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Research into this era should begin with a search for corporate records of the major timber and railroad companies at state-level archives like the WVRHC and WVAH. The digitized archive of The Pocahontas Times is an unparalleled source for day-to-day information on mill operations, annual log drives on the Greenbrier River, and advertisements that reveal the texture of the commercial economy.8 The specialized Railroad and Logging Collection at the McClintic and Green Bank libraries is also a crucial resource.36 For the county's significant agricultural history, the non-population agricultural schedules of the U.S. Census (available for 1850–1880) provide detailed data on individual farms, including crops, livestock, and property values.61 These records can be used to trace the county's long-standing importance as a center for sheep and cattle production.8
Narrative Goal: The aim is to tell the dramatic story of the county's economic transformation. This narrative should focus on key figures like investor John T. McGraw, who was instrumental in bringing the railroad to Marlinton, while also detailing the profound social, economic, and environmental consequences of the industrial logging era.8
Society, Biography, Births & Deaths (Genealogy)
Sources: This area of research is foundational to the entire project, as it provides the human stories that animate the past.
Vital Records: The West Virginia Archives and History's online databases are the primary source for birth, death, and marriage records.42 For records predating the state's centralized system (generally before the early 20th century), the original county clerk's records, which begin in 1853, are essential. These are available on microfilm at the WVAH and in the McClintic Library's Heritage Room.35
Census Records: Federal population schedules (available from 1790 to 1950, with the 1890 census being mostly lost) are the backbone of genealogical and social history research. They allow the historian to trace families over time and gather data on household structure, age, occupation, birthplace, literacy, and property ownership.61 These can be accessed through Ancestry.com at the local library or through other online services like FamilySearch.36
Court and Property Records: County court records, particularly wills, estate settlements, and deeds, provide rich detail about family relationships, economic status, and property transfer.45 The West Virginia Judiciary website provides a portal for searching modern court records.68
Cemeteries, Obituaries, and Bibles: The work of the Pocahontas County Genealogy Group, which has inventoried over 300 local cemeteries, is an invaluable resource.35 This data, combined with obituaries found in the newspaper archives, can fill in many gaps.60 Family Bibles, though often held privately, can sometimes be found in archival collections and can contain generations of vital records.75
Narrative Goal: The goal is to move beyond simple genealogical lists and use this rich data to construct biographical sketches of both prominent figures and representative ordinary families.1 This approach humanizes the past. Special effort should be made to reconstruct the stories of under-documented groups, using targeted resources like William O. Lindsay's compiled volume,
African-American residents of Pocahontas County.78
Transportation
Sources: The history of transportation in the county begins with the ancient Seneca Trail, also known as the Great Indian Warpath. Its route can be traced through early maps and historical accounts of pioneer travel.79 The transformative era of the railroad, beginning around 1900 with the arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O), can be researched through corporate histories, local newspaper coverage of the construction boom, and the specialized railroad collections at the library.8
Narrative Goal: The narrative should explain how transportation systems have defined the county's development, from the ancient north-south trail that guided early settlement to the railroads that enabled the industrial timber boom and created the modern alignment of towns like Cass and Marlinton.
Education
Sources: Official records from the Pocahontas County Board of Education are the primary source for the administrative history of the school system. Local newspapers are essential for finding stories about school events, athletic contests, bond issues, and the often-contentious process of school consolidation, which culminated in the creation of Pocahontas County High School in 1968.82 A critical and separate line of inquiry must focus on the history of the county's eight segregated schools for African American students, such as the Brownsburg School and the Seebert Lane Colored School.83 Thomas M. Brewster's dissertation on the history of Pocahontas High School is a vital secondary source that provides a model for this research.47
Narrative Goal: The chapter on education should document the evolution of the public school system, addressing the unique challenges of rural education, the social and political dynamics of consolidation, and the important, distinct history of the educational system provided for the Black community prior to integration.
Health
Sources: The history of healthcare in the county is largely synonymous with the history of Pocahontas Memorial Hospital. The hospital's own archives, if accessible, would be a primary resource. In their absence, the story of its founding in 1906, its recurrent financial struggles, and its history of fires, floods, and relocations can be meticulously reconstructed through the archives of The Pocahontas Times.13 Reports from the West Virginia Department of Health can provide broader context on public health trends.86
Narrative Goal: The narrative should tell the compelling story of how a rural, isolated community has struggled to establish and maintain modern healthcare facilities. This story is a powerful case study in community resilience and the persistent challenges of rural medicine.
Religion
Sources: Research into the county's religious history should begin by identifying the earliest congregations, such as the Methodist White Pole Meeting House and the first Presbyterian churches organized in the late 18th century.8 The Historical Records Survey, conducted in the 1930s, created typescripts of membership rolls for the Presbyterian church in Marlinton and the Methodist-Episcopal church in Edray; these are available on microfilm through FamilySearch.87 The "Preserving Pocahontas" digital archive is an excellent source for historical photographs of churches across the county.88
Narrative Goal: The objective is to trace the religious development of the county, from the first pioneer congregations established in the wilderness to the diverse array of denominations present today. The narrative should also explore the crucial role that churches have played as centers of community life, social activity, and mutual support.
Literature
Sources: Pocahontas County possesses a surprisingly rich literary heritage. Research should focus on its two most prominent literary figures: Pearl S. Buck, the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Good Earth, who was born in Hillsboro, and Calvin "Cal" Price, the long-time editor of The Pocahontas Times, who gained national recognition for his nature and conservation column, "Field Notes".14 The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum in Hillsboro and its archives are a critical resource for understanding her life and connection to the county.92 The extensive archives of
The Pocahontas Times are the essential source for studying the life, work, and influence of Cal Price.59Narrative Goal: This chapter should showcase the county's significant literary history, connecting the acclaimed work of its most famous authors to the unique landscape, culture, and values of the place that shaped them.
Part III: Weaving the Tapestry: From Research to Manuscript
Once the extensive process of gathering evidence is complete, the historian's craft shifts from investigation to construction. This phase focuses on organizing the vast amount of collected material into a coherent manuscript and developing a narrative voice that is both authoritative and deeply engaging for the reader.
Section 6: Architecting the Book
This section addresses the practical steps of structuring the manuscript, outlining individual chapters, and seamlessly integrating the diverse source materials into a unified and compelling narrative.
Outlining Chapters
Working from the overarching narrative structure—whether chronological, thematic, or a hybrid—the next step is to create a detailed outline for each individual chapter.1 This is a micro-level version of the initial book synopsis. For each section within a chapter, the outline should list the key arguments or points to be made. Crucially, it should also identify the specific primary sources—such as a quote from an oral history, data from a census record, an image, or an excerpt from a newspaper article—that will be used to support each point. This detailed chapter-level outlining ensures that the writing process is guided by evidence and that the final narrative is logically structured and well-supported.
Integrating Evidence
The art of historical writing lies in the ability to weave different types of evidence together into a smooth and persuasive narrative. The goal is to avoid what can feel like a "data dump," where the author simply presents one piece of evidence after another without connection. Instead, the evidence must serve the story.1 This requires skillful transitions. For example, a paragraph might begin with a statistical observation from a census record about the number of foreign-born workers in a timber town. This can then be followed by a vivid quote from an oral history interview with the son of an Italian immigrant who worked in that town, giving a human face to the statistic. The paragraph might conclude with an analysis of a local newspaper article that discusses the social tensions or contributions of the immigrant community. This technique of layering different forms of evidence—quantitative, personal, and journalistic—creates a rich, multi-dimensional picture of the past.
The Role of Visuals
A history of Pocahontas County should be a visually rich book. The extensive photographic archive of the PCHS, along with images from the WVRHC and other collections, provides a wealth of material to bring the past to life.5 The selection of images should be a deliberate process, not an afterthought. The most compelling and historically significant photographs, maps, and document facsimiles should be chosen to illustrate key points in the narrative. Each visual element must be accompanied by a detailed caption that does more than simply state what is in the picture. The caption should explain the image's historical context and significance, connecting it directly to the themes discussed in the main text. A comprehensive list of illustrations should be part of the initial book plan, ensuring that the visual and textual narratives are developed in tandem.
Section 7: The Voice of History: Crafting a Compelling Narrative
This final stage of the creative process focuses on the craft of writing itself. It is here that the meticulously gathered research is transformed into prose that will inform, move, and captivate readers, ensuring the story of Pocahontas County is not just recorded, but truly remembered.
Bringing the Past to Life
The most common failing of local histories is a dry, lifeless recitation of facts and dates.1 To avoid this, the author must employ the tools of a storyteller. Vivid and descriptive language, rich with sensory details, can be used to recreate historical settings and events, transporting the reader back in time.93 Instead of simply stating that a timber mill operated in Cass, the author can describe the shriek of the band saw, the smell of sawdust and coal smoke, and the sight of the massive Shay locomotives steaming up the mountain. Narrative techniques borrowed from literature, such as establishing a clear plot structure with rising action and a climax, can make historical accounts more engaging and memorable for the reader.94 The arrival of the railroad in 1900, for instance, is not just a date; it is a dramatic climax in the county's economic story, a turning point that can be framed with narrative tension and release. By consciously structuring the factual material with these storytelling principles in mind, the author can create a history that is both accurate and powerful.
Humanizing the Story
Ultimately, all history is human history. The most effective way to make the past relatable is to focus on the people who lived it.1 The extensive biographical and genealogical data gathered during the research phase should be used to create nuanced and compelling portraits of historical figures. It is vital to tell the stories of ordinary people—farmers, miners, teachers, housewives—alongside the "big names" of industry and politics.1 Anecdotes from diaries, poignant quotes from personal letters, and the powerful, personal stories captured in oral history interviews are the tools that transform abstract historical trends into tangible human experiences.6
Maintaining an Authoritative Voice
While the narrative should be engaging, its voice must remain authoritative and credible. This is achieved by grounding all interpretations and analyses firmly in the evidence that has been gathered. The author's voice should be confident and clear, guiding the reader through the complexities of the past without resorting to unsupported speculation. A crucial component of this authoritative voice is the meticulous and consistent documentation of sources. Adopting a standard citation style, such as the Chicago Manual of Style which is the convention for historical writing, and using it for footnotes or endnotes throughout the manuscript is non-negotiable. These citations are the visible proof of the rigorous research that underpins the entire work, demonstrating the author's command of the subject and earning the reader's trust.6
Part IV: Resources and Next Steps
This final part of the guide serves as a permanent reference toolkit for the project. It provides a consolidated directory of the key resources needed for the research and offers practical advice on the final stages of manuscript preparation and dissemination, ensuring the completed history finds its way into the hands of its intended audience.
Section 8: A Curated Directory of Pocahontas County Historical Resources
To facilitate an efficient and organized research process, this section provides a comprehensive, annotated directory of the essential archives, libraries, databases, and publications discussed throughout this guide. This directory is designed for easy reference and includes the critical information needed to locate and access each resource.
Section 9: Sharing the Story: A Primer on Publishing and Dissemination
A history book fulfills its purpose only when it reaches its readers. The final phase of the project involves preparing the manuscript for publication and engaging with the community to share the fruits of the research.
Manuscript Preparation
Before seeking a publisher, the manuscript must be polished to a professional standard. This involves several rounds of meticulous proofreading to eliminate errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The creation of a comprehensive index is also a crucial step for any serious history book, as it makes the work far more useful to future researchers.24 Finally, the manuscript, including all citations and illustrations, should be formatted according to the specific guidelines of any potential publisher.
Publishing Avenues
There are several viable paths to publication for a local history book, each with its own advantages.2
Local and Regional Publishers: The Pocahontas County Historical Society itself has a history of publishing and may be an ideal partner.18 Other regional historical societies or small presses specializing in Appalachian topics are also excellent potential venues.
University Presses: If the manuscript has a strong academic argument and contributes to scholarly debates, a university press (such as West Virginia University Press) may be an option. This path involves a rigorous peer-review process.
Self-Publishing: In the 21st century, self-publishing is a respectable and powerful option. Modern print-on-demand (POD) services allow an author to produce high-quality paperback and hardcover books with no upfront cost, giving the author complete creative and financial control over the final product.2
Marketing and Community Engagement
The work of sharing the history does not end with publication. The author should actively engage with the community to bring the stories back to the people they are about. This can involve giving presentations at the Pocahontas County Historical Society and the local libraries, providing interviews to The Pocahontas Times or local radio stations, and using social media to connect with residents, former residents, and anyone with an interest in the county's rich history.3 By completing this ambitious project and sharing it widely, the historian will have made an enduring contribution to the preservation of Pocahontas County's heritage for generations to come.
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