It was the pull of the steam engine that brought residents to Summers County after the Civil War. With Hinton as a bustling hub of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, Summers County found itself along the path of goods and travelers going to and from Richmond and the Midwest. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and good mountain air, residents prospered in the county, building beautiful homes and lively communities. Lumber and riverboat traffic also added to the scene, although it was around the C&O that the area's culture truly thrived. Legends such as John Henry, the Steel Drivin' Man who out-drilled a steam drill while digging the Great Bend Tunnel, came to symbolize the grit-and-steel consciousness of this West Virginia county. Life was good, but work was hard. When diesel engines became the norm in the 1950s, Summers County's fabric began to change. Today tourism and recreation are the greatest industries in the area, but residents have not forgotten their past. Each year the county taps into its railroading heritage with festivals and celebrations, and efforts are being made to preserve some of Hinton's unique architecture.

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Monroe & Summers County West Virginia Fishing & Floating Guide Book Over 190 full 8 ½ x 11 sized pages of information with maps and aerial photographs available. Fishing information is included for ALL of the county’s public ponds and lakes, listing types of fish for each pond or lake, average sizes, and exact locations with GPS coordinates and directions. Also included is fishing information for most of the streams and rivers including access points and public areas with road contact and crossing points and also includes fish types and average sizes. NEW NEW Now with a complete set of full sized U.S.G.S. Topographical Maps for the entire county that normally cost from $12.00 to $14.00 each but are included on the disk for FREE. These maps are complete full sized 7.5 minute series quadrangle maps in 1:24,000 scale maps. Contains complete information on Bluestone Lake* Greenbrier Rivers (WFF) Indian Creek Laurel Creek Lick Creek (WF) Moncove Lake* Meadow Creek (WF) New River Pipestem Lake* Potts Creeks Rich Creek Second Creek (F) are floatable or canoeable rivers or streams) (W) are whitewater

Summers County was created in 1871 from parts of surrounding counties. The community's history is based in industry, as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad was routed through Hinton, the county seat, and booming coal mines fueled the thriving economy. The flourishing homes and businesses of yesterday have been largely preserved through the effort and determination of citizens, allowing residents and visitors to learn the county's history and appreciate its roots. Summers County in Vintage Postcards is a tribute to the founders of Summers County, to its influential residents, and to anyone who has visited and enjoyed the area's natural beauty. In this volume, readers will explore the county's most historically significant structures, such as the Graham House at Lowell, the Summers County Courthouse, the Great Ben Tunnels at Talcott, and Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks.