We
love questions and even more, we love answers. Many people send
questions on West Virginia logging history to us. And, if
MSR&LHA members have some appropriate information available,
they are happy to try to help. But often answers are bits and pieces
from a wide range of sources requiring considerable research to tie it
all together - well beyond the services MSR&LHA, a volunteer,
hobby organization, can provide. Here are a few commonly
asked questions and answers. If you still need information
please feel free to contact the Association at info@msrlha.org.
How do I get more
information
about the Cass Scenic Railroad? If you require any assistance in
lodging, scheduling or any other Cass
Scenic Railroad State Park related question you might want to check
the Park's Web site at www.cassrailroad.com
or call 1-800-CALL-WVA
(toll-free) and the staff will be more than happy to help you. Lodging
is provided in the park, as well as close by.
What
magazines / books can I turn look at to get more information about Cass?
The Log Train
is
the Association's quarterly journal. It has been published
since 1982 and contains articles relating to West Virginia's , has been
publishing
articles of historical interest since 1982.
Tumult on the
Mountains - the
classic reference book on West Virginia logging by Roy B. Clarkson;
many pictures. (McClain Printing Co., Parsons, WV, 410
pages, 1964).
On Beyond
Leatherbark - a
detailed history of the lumber town of Cass, by Cass native, Roy B.
Clarkson; extensive picture collection. (McClain Printing
Co., Parsons, WV, 625 pages, 1990).
West Virginia
Logging
Railroads - a well-illustrated history of the companies
that operated
into the 1950's and 1960's, by William E. Warden. (TLC
Publishing, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, 108 pages, 1994).
100
Years Against the Mountain -- Shay No. 5 at Cass, WV -
Information
about Cass Railroad’s Shay 5 and its century at Cass, Gerald
Futej (Greenhill Station Productions, NJ, 72 pgs, 2005).
Essential
Cass - a small booklet that is an excellent introduction
to Cass, by Phil Bagdon. (Out of print, but available from the
MSR&LHA Company Store, 23 pgs, 1997).
100 Years and Still Counting -- The Town of Cass, WV - Photos and text showing the history of the town of Cass. (Greenhill Station Productions, 100 pgs, 2007)
Shay
Logging Locomotives at Cass - text & photos
describing equipment at Cass prior to it
becoming a state park, by Phil Bagdon. (TLC Publishing, Inc.,
Lynchburg, VA, 112 pgs, 2001).
The Cass Roster
- A very comprehensive listing of the history of all railroad equipment
at Cass since it became a state park in 1962. By Phil Bagdon.
(MSR&LHA, 24 pgs, 2002). Also available free on this Web site
here.
Transforming the Appalachian Countryside
- A scholarly book about the political, social, and economic impact of
West Virginia logging and deforestation from 1880-1920, by Ronald L.
Lewis. (University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill , NC, 348
pgs, 1998). Not available from the MSR&LHA Company Store.
The above publications are
available from the MSR&LHA Company Store except as noted.
I am afraid,
that we can`t be of any help
to you. You might want to check the magazines and books related to
Cass listed in another FAQ here, but we do not keep a people-databank.
The West Virginia University in Morgantown has a
comprehensive Regional
History Collection which includes the following:
-- a guide to genealogical research.
-- a guide to archives and manuscripts.
-- an exhaustive West Virginia history guide by
county and subject
-- the largest collection of historical West
Virginia newspapers in
existence
-- an extensive photo archive
-- public records (county courts)
You
can order printed copies
of back issues of The
Log Train from the MSR&LHA
Company Store. The Store page also includes a brief summary
of the contents of each issue. The Log Train is included when you become a MSR&LHA member.
Can
I donate old written material, photographs, or artifacts to
MSR&LHA?
Submissions of
appropriate written materials and photographs
are welcome and they will be considered for publication in The Log Train.
The Association cooperates with the West Virginia Division of Culture
and History in Charleston to maintain the MSR&LHA Collection of
significant items of all kinds relating to West Virginia's lumbering
and logging railroad history under archival conditions.
Donations
to this collection are welcome. The Association does not have
its
own separate facilities to store or maintain most artifacts, but we are
more than happy to document appropriate donations and if necessary, to
assist with transferring them into the State Archive or other
appropriate repository. If you have questions about donating
items please contact us at info@msrlha.org.
