Charleston
A drive through Charleston, showing downtown and the capitol building. Charleston is West Virginia's largest city, and it became the state capital after West Virginia became a state in 1863. It was originally built around a fort based where the Elk and Kanawha Rivers meet, and it became a manufacturing center during the 19th century.
Playing time: 5 min
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Wheeling
A drive through Wheeling West Virginia's first capital, including the National Road and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. This was built in 1849, and was the model for Brooklyn Bridge, New York.
Playing time: 5 min
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Upper Ohio River
In this video we cross the Upper Ohio River several times exploring how towns developed along this steep-sided part of the river valley. As the frontier moved west, forts were built at strategic points along the river, which was important for communication and transport. Towns and industry grew up around these early forts, and there are still power plants in the area today.
Playing time: 6 min
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Crossing the Appalachians
This video is a drive along Interstate 77, the road which goes from Charleston, West Virginia, to Charlotte, North Carolina. It is useful for giving a sense of the geography of the Appalachians, with high ridges and deep, narrow ridges, and therefore how difficult crossing the Appalachians from west to east must have been for people in the past, especially traveling by wagon during the time of the frontier.
Playing time: 5 min
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Downtown Huntington
This video shows downtown Huntington, a railroad town founded by Collis P. Huntington and Delos W. Emmons as the western terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
Playing time: 3 min
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Flood barrier at Huntington
This video shows the flood barrier put in place to protect Huntington, West Virginia, from the Ohio River flooding.
Playing time: 2 min
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The history of America
An introductory video about the history of America, from Native American peoples to the present day, through early settlers, colonial times, revolution and independence, Civil War, the Gilded Age, Immigration, the Great Depression, and more. Designed to support our 'History of America' book.
Playing time: 15 min
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