The Western Maryland Railway in West Virginia: The Photographs of G.H. Broadwater

At the end of the 19th century, railroads entered the mountains of eastern and central West Virginia for the first time. This opened up vast areas of virgin forest to the lumberman. Later, valuable coalfields were discovered beneath the forests. The development of the region was in full swing by the first decades of the 20th century. G. H. Broadwater, a photographer from Thomas, West Virginia, traveled the Western Maryland Railway and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in state between 1906 and 1912, taking over 2,000 photos of these budding industries, workers and developing towns. Broadwater s photographs give vivid insight into the early development of West Virginia s industries and a fascinating period in the states history.