History in the Valley: Recent Episodes
Benjamin Jenkins
A weekly podcast series looking into history within the Great Valley subregion of Virginia. From the New River Valley to the Shenandoah, we discuss about the people, towns, places, and events that play a significant role in Western Virginia history.
May 15th, 2024 marks the 160th anniversary of the Battle of New Market. A tradition that still continues to this day in the form of Freshmen charging across the field and sometimes a reenactment.257 Cadets were present at this small, yet pivotal battle that gave the Confederacy one last victory in the Valley. Of them was William Morrison Wood, born in Gate City and was raised in the southern way. Proud to have served his state, he was recognized in 1939 as the last living VMI cadet that was at New Market.Let's learn a bit about William and of the events that lead up to, was, and after the Battle of New Market.**I know that I'd mentioned that there was audio in the episode, but there is none. Sorry
This 24-minute birthday special episode talks about one of the finest, Roanoke-built steam locomotives to traverse the rails of Southwest Virginia. A sole survivor of the Y5/Y6 mallet locomotives, N&W Y6a 2156 is one of the N&W's "Big Three" alongside the A-Class 1218 and J-Class 611. 2156 was built to pull the heaviest coal drags and freight trains through the Appalachians, with the largest tractive effort recorded in the history of USA Steam Locomotives. Today marks 82 years ago it rolled out of the Roanoke Locomotive Shops. (82nd birthday)
*Sorry if there is any miss steps in the recording, this is the first time using the brand-new Riverside platform to make this episode. I couldn't be able to edit the recording at this time. Will work on it next go around.
New Town was a Neighborhood Community like no other. Similar to Roanoke's Gainsboro community, New Town - located north of Downtown Blacksburg - was the center of African American life and culture, along with social and community pride. The neighborhood dates very far back and and many were in high spirits and happy despite the many hardships of discrimination. Tune in to this 20-minute episode about one of the oldest African American Communities in Montgomery County and its nearly 100 year history.
This (not actually an) episode will give you a sneak peek at what can be expected for this year regarding episodes and lecture content. Several celebrations, birthdays, and commemorative events will be discussed. But listen in to hear what's in store for this new season of "History from Southwest Virginia."
Thank you for this year and I wish you all a wonderful Holiday. I hope that you learned many things from my posts this year and in previous years. History On, my friends! 😁
In the American Civil War, nearly 15,000 men from Southwest Virginia went off to fight for the Confederacy. Of all the units that many Southwest Virginians served in, the 4th Virginia Infantry Regiment is one of the more recognized and well-known units. They were part of the infamous "Stonewall Brigade" and have quite a unique story about themselves. The 4th endured the worst of the war, yet they stayed strong to the end. Watch this 1-hour episode to learn more about them and perhaps be shocked at something you never thought they were known for.
*Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only, not to promote any political or social tensions.
Sorry that this is late being posted, but Happy Halloween anyway. :)
Ever wonder how a small, 9-mile spur rail line got its name? How far back in time does its story go? How big of a deal was the Huckleberry line to the area? Listen to this 30-minute episode to learn about the history of coal in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg area, the early founding of the first coal company, its later run under N&W, and the fate of the singular rail line that ultimately connected Blacksburg to the rest of Montgomery County prior to the arrival of automobiles.
This 1-hour episode looks deeper into some of the oldest college football programs to exist in SWVA, and how they continue to carry a school tradition, despite many setbacks and issues some due to events happening in US History. Some colleges began a football team for money, others prestige. Listen to hear why and how these college teams began, where many fell, become delayed, and rise again, and when or how they made school history; (the number of championships, a origin of on-going tradition(s), and/or impressive season records).
Hi everyone. Yeah, sorry its been a very longtime since my National Women's Month Episode in April. However, I am making some major plans to comeback and made some epic changes that will hopefully grow my listener numbers. Listen now to hear what's new for "History from Southwest Virginia" and let me know what you think if you get the chance.
In lieu with National Women's History Month as it comes to a close, this 20-minute episode looks at the last child born to the 10th US President of the United States, John Tyler. Margret Pearl Tyler Ellis is her name and she resided in the quiet Southwest region of Virginia for nearly 10 years, unknown. Not much of her story, while residing here was told... until now.
The City of Roanoke is home to many famous people, some of whom were black. Let’s look at some of the many known or unknown people who had made a difference in the history of this once railroad city.
In line with Martin Luther King Jr. Week, we want to acknowledge a particular individual - though not from SWVA. One whose involvement and breakthrough in NASA broke both gender and racial barriers in the 1960s segregated commonwealth. Her name is Katherine Johnson. “We are not makers of History. We are made by history” -Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
This 26-minute episode will be covering 4 major denominations and what they did in SWVA. How much of an impact did each of those churches have towards SWVA?
Special NOTE: From hear on not; each new episode will be posted someday within the second week of every month at around the usual time of 1pm.
This St. Patrick's Day special is a collective (and brief) history lesson on SWVA's Irish and Scotch-Irish Culture. Enjoy and Happy St. Patty's Day!!
It's Black History Month and this special feature is about Lucy Addison. When she came to the Star City of the South in the early 20th century, a higher level of education for Black Roanokers was discovered. Her dedication and love for education created a new type of black community - one in which opportunity and equality was becoming real. Listen in and learn what Lucy did for Roanoke and how this encouraged the growth of black education and later - academic equality.
This 40 minute episode breaks down the events and timeline of before, during, and after December 7th, 1941 “A day which will live in Infamy” (sorry that this was posted late, but I hope you still enjoy it regardless. Bless our veterans 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Happy Halloween! 👻🎃 This episode is all about spooks, ghost sightings, and paranormal activity that dwells within the valley. There will be a second part later this week since this episode is very long. Stay tuned.
Southwest Virginia is truly an unique area of the commonwealth especially in the fall. In this 30 minute first episode of season 4, we look at to traditions that Or as old as the trees in the valleys and see the importance and role in defining the heritage and culture of the Appalachia and Blue Ridge regions.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This 28-minute finale episode is a continuation to the series looking at the Valley Region and SWVA and how they moved in new and improved ways that changed traveling in society forever. It is recommended to watch part one (S:2 E:2) before this.
This Lost but not Forgotten episode features a truly amazing piece of railroad history in the heart of Southwest Virginia. Not only one of a kind, but also one of only a few remaining pieces of a long gone and lesser known railroad in Virginia. Listen in to this 11-minute segment about this site’s interesting story.
This 25-minute episode looks back at one of America’s most popular summer sports since the late 19th century. Hear about the many teams that once played in their communities across the valley and the change of baseball over the years with the existing teams. If you like baseball and history (or just one of those) than this episode recording is for you.
Happy Military Appreciation Month! This 23-minute episode special features SWVA’s first taste of war as many here made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and home.
A small town but a big history. Travel back in time to this first lost community, learn of Shawsville’s origins, and the buildings that displays the town’s height of progress. BTW: sorry that the episode in long. It’s meant to be shorter than 20 minutes. Enjoy though. 😁
As we are entering month 14 of COVID-19, we still need to be safe and strong through these tough times like those who are surviving through a similar crisis in the late 1900s. Otherwise known as the Spanish flu, it like the entire country had greatly affected Southwest Virginians in the many urbanized areas and backwater communities enclosed within the valley and plateau regions. This 15-minute featurette looks into the first major pandemic in Southwest Virginia and the lives that were affected during this period.
Happy Easter, everyone! This week marks the 156th Anniversary of Stoneman’s Raid, which occurred from April 3rd (this past Saturday) through the 9th in 1865. Listen to this episode to follow Stoneman’s route through SWVA in the country’s greatest Calvary raid in U.S. military history.
SWVA’s lawyer and architect to the 1954 Brown versus Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court case. Listen to this 23-minute episode to hear the story of this Civil Rights legal activist, his role/involvement in SWVA, and the rise into Virginia History.
Of all famous celebrities that came out of the Roanoke Valley, African Americans Tiki and Ronde Barber are the most well-known sports celebrities in NFL to come from this region. This 30-minute episode special tells their story of beginning and current events between these twins.
One of a kind in Southwest Virginia, this African American institution has a history that spans over nearly 100 years. It was the premier black school in VA, known for academic excellency that surpassed any other black school or college in the state. Listen to this feature length story of The Christiansburg Institute and find out how and why this school was so famous.
A vibrant district, full of bustling businesses and large neighborhoods. It’s essentially the heart of African American heritage in SWVA, visited by national black celebrities and also considered home for other noted blacks. This 18-minute episode goes through the timeline of the Gainsboro district and it’s importance in the Roanoke Valley.
As one of four prominent Roanokers who fought for civil rights, Margie Jumper played a crucial role in SWVA’s first steps in racial equality, yet her story was lost in time. Listen to this episode to understand why.
Traveling is a everyday hassle. Whether to work, shopping, or on a long distance vacation. Here the change in the way we travel from place to place in SWVA is dramatic. In this episode, we drive deep into the 17th and 18th century and how people moved around the valley.
Do you ever think twice about the region that you live in? Why it’s unique or so distant from other regions by culture? This short episode is a summed up description of Southwest Virginia through many characteristics. There’s more that meets the eye.... more than you think.
This feature length will be looking at one of many Civil War events that took place in southwest Virginia specifically in the Roanoke Valley that not only had local significance but on a national scale as well.
This episode will be looking at Virginia as a whole, since it’s Christmas traditions and customs are very unique in its own form compared to the rest of the country discovers a span that stretches from the first permanent English settlement to today.
This 14 minute episode covers the pre-20th century winter storms and patterns that occurred in the New River and Roanoke Valleys. The 1890 Snowstorm is one of those
A Thanksgiving day tradition that lasted nearly 90 years, 75 of which were in SWVA, holiday football games were crucial to the growth of many areas/cities and this was one of many events that made Roanoke the largest city in the Valley.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This small segment is to introduce my pages and explain the reason for these sites
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app