Appalachian Cities and Towns

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Appalachian Cities and Towns

The towns and cities of Appalachia, a region stretching across more than 400 counties in 13 states, are incredibly diverse. The Appalachian regions also has sub-regions, including the central, southern, and north-central sections revealing distinct paths of development. From the industrial hubs of Pennsylvania to the booming tech centers of Alabama and the culturally rich towns of North Carolina and Tennessee, these communities have been shaped by unique economic and historical forces. While often stereotyped as isolated and unchanging, a deeper look reveals a complex story of resilience, exploitation, and ongoing transformation. The arrival of the railroad was a singular event that indelibly marked the region, transforming its landscape, economy, and population centers, forever changing the course of life in these mountain communities.

Map Credit: Appalachian Regional Commission

To read more about the individual towns and cities, see the menu further down the page.

Railroads were key to the development

The importance of the railroad in Appalachia cannot be overstated, particularly in the rapid industrialization that occurred from the late 19th century onwards. Before the rails, Appalachian communities relied on water travel or difficult overland routes, remaining relatively isolated from major population centers and markets. The mountains posed a significant barrier, but engineers and railroad companies, driven by the immense financial potential of the region’s vast natural resources—especially coal, timber, and iron—began the monumental task of laying track through the rugged terrain. This expansion required massive investment and labor, and its success enabled resource extraction on an industrial scale. The railroads served as the arteries that connected Appalachia’s resources to the rest of the country, fueling the growth of American industry and integrating the mountain economy into the national one.

The birth of railroad towns and cities

The birth of railroad towns was a direct consequence of this industrial expansion. In many cases, railroads were built not to connect existing settlements, but to reach previously isolated resource deposits. As tracks extended deeper into the mountains, new towns sprang up at strategic points like junctions, terminals, and resource extraction sites. Roanoke, Virginia, for example, was an existing settlement that exploded in size and importance with the arrival of the railroad, becoming a major hub. But many other places, like Johnson City, Tennessee, were essentially born as railroad towns, centered around the depot, yard, and the industries that depended on them. These towns provided housing for railroad workers and miners, as well as the infrastructure for commerce and social life, such as general stores and post offices.

The regional impacts of the railroad differed based on geography and resource density. In North-Central Appalachia, cities like Pittsburgh, PA, thrived as railroad hubs, leveraging their location and access to resources like iron ore and coal to become industrial giants.  Cincinnati OH, while not strictly within the Appalachian boundary according to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), served as crucial gateways and urban centers for the region. The Ohio River Valley, connected by rail, linked Appalachian resources to broader Midwestern markets, influencing the economic trajectory of both the city and the northern part of the region. The proximity and cultural ties meant that many Appalachian migrants also sought opportunities in Ohio, creating a significant “urban Appalachian” population in the state and region. Atlanta GA, Charleston SC, Nashville TN and Richmond VA were also important gateways to the Appalachian region and its development.

Coal Mining in Central Appalachia

In Central Appalachia, particularly eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, and southwestern Virginia, the narrative of boom and bust is deeply etched into the landscape and communities. The railroads’ impact was profoundly tied to the coal industry. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rapid growth of “company towns,” built by coal companies to house and control miners, their families, and the local economy. The rails drove the development of numerous company towns and were the sole means of transporting coal out of the region. The decline of the coal industry in the latter half of the 20th century devastated these areas, leading to significant outmigration, unemployment, and persistent economic challenges. Today, many of these former industrial towns are grappling with the legacy of environmental damage and economic dependency, yet they are also centers of intense revitalization efforts. Community leaders are working to build new economies based on tourism, agriculture, and small business entrepreneurship.

In Central Appalachia, particularly West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, the railroads’ impact was profoundly tied to the coal industry. The rails drove the development of numerous company towns and were the sole means of transporting coal out of the region. Meanwhile, in Southern Appalachia, railroads like the Southern Railway connected major cities like Knoxville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama linking the population centers of the southeast and diversifying the region’s economy with passengers, textiles, and agricultural goods alongside resources. This intricate and often exploitative relationship with the railroad remains a key factor in understanding the diverse fortunes of Appalachian cities and towns today. 

Southern Appalachia

Southern Appalachia, encompassing eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, northern Georgia, and northern Alabama, has a more varied history. While also shaped by resource extraction, this subregion also developed major urban centers that have become regional economic powerhouses. Railroads like the Southern Railway connected major cities like Knoxville, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama linking the population centers of the southeast and diversifying the region’s economy with passengers, textiles, and agricultural goods alongside resources. Cities like Huntsville, Alabama, have long been important hubs and have successfully diversified into technology and advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, cities like Asheville, North Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, have transformed from manufacturing towns into thriving tourism and cultural destinations, drawing in new residents and investment. The growth in tourism has brought economic benefits but also complex issues related to gentrification and balancing local culture with commercialization.

The history and timelines of Appalachian towns and cities and their railroads is diverse and extensive. So, I’ve categorized the content of this section of the website into four categories:

  • Early Regional Railroad Conventions and Meetings
  • Grand Vision: Connecting the Ohio River and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Cities and Towns of the Appalachian Region

Railroad conventions of the 1800s

In this era of wilderness, no technology and limited transportation by water or horseback, the best way to meet and collectively plan and finance a railroad was to travel hundreds of miles to a railroad convention. Here are a few as examples.

The race to connect the Ohio River and the Atlantic Ocean

All of these constituencies had good reasons to see the Ohio River and Atlantic Ocean connection made. Some were battling to survive, while others wanted prosperity.

  • Port cities on the Atlantic Ocean (e.g. Baltimore and Charleston)
  • Port cities on the Ohio River (e.g. Cincinnati and Louisville)
  • The agricultural base in Appalachia
  • Coal, iron, and timber entrepreneurs,
  • Towns and communities of Appalachia

We’ll explore the race to build railroads across the mountains, compare and contrast the routes, and measure their success. You can read details about this Atlantic to Ohio River race on the Home Page and on Appalachian Railroads

As far as the outcome, there were temporary failures like the Charleston, Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad, but also grand successes:

Overviews of the Appalachian railroad cities and towns and the key gateway cities

Many Appalachian cities and towns owe their existence to a railroad being built through an undeveloped area, such as Roanoke VA. While other towns become a key railroad city due to their early establishment or their prime location such as Baltimore (Atlantic Ocean port) or Chattanooga (along the Tennessee River).

The following are key Appalachian cities that became an important railroad terminal, hub, juncture, or gateway as rails quickly grew across the region from 1870s to the 1920s. Click the individual links to read more about these cities and their railroads.

Alabama

  • Birmingham – Coal and steel mineral and industrial center, railroad crossroads

Georgia

Kentucky

Maryland

Missouri

  • St. Louis – Western gateway for the Appalachian Railroads

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

  • Pittsburgh – Appalachian Railroad and Industrial Hub

South Carolina

Tennessee

Virginia

West Virginia

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the collective railroad history data points on this website are verified across multiple sources.

Contact Us

Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

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3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org