Botetourt County
Botetourt County

Author: Debra Alderson McClane

Publisher: Arcadia Library Editions

Published: 2007-02

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 9781531626686

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Named for a Colonial governor and created in 1770 from Augusta County, Botetourt County lies in the southern end of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. At the time of its establishment, Botetourt's boundaries stretched westward from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. This area now encompasses 23 counties in Virginia as well as portions of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Located at the fork of the Great Valley Road and the Wilderness Road, Botetourt served as the last outpost for many settlers moving into the western territories. Settled predominantly by Scots-Irish, German, and English immigrants, the county still reflects the influences of these strong cultures, and many original family names remain prominent. Botetourt is known for its agricultural production, as well as its natural resources: over the centuries, visitors have been drawn to the area's scenic beauty, healing springs, and trout-filled streams. This volume contains images of the towns, farms, homes, industries, people, events, and institutions that have contributed to the rich tapestry of the county's history.

The Mad Gasser of Botetourt County
The Mad Gasser of Botetourt County

Author: William B. Van Huss

Publisher:

Published: 2017-11-13

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13: 9781979589246

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In the winter of 1933, rural Botetourt County, Virginia, residents were attacked by a phantom menace. An invisible gas filled the homes of unsuspecting victims, causing illness and resulting in a mass hysteria that reached the city of Roanoke. Despite best efforts of local law enforcement, the Mad Gasser somehow evaded capture. Who was this Mad Gasser? Was it simply a case of mass hysteria or was there a sinister attacker responsible for these unsolved crimes? For the first time, this mystery from Virginia's past is explored here, in detail, by historian William B. Van Huss. Go beyond the legend of the Mad Gasser; retrace the timeline of events, decipher the evidence, and explore the theories that have been proposed to explain this enigmatic cold case.

Places Near the Mountains
Places Near the Mountains

Author: Helen R. Prillaman

Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780806346069

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The areas covered in this book fall in Botetourt and Roanoke counties, Virginia.

Norvel
Norvel

Author: Kenneth Conklin

Publisher: Chapin Keith

Published: 2021-04-15

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 9781734480726

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Based on true events NORVEL: An American Hero is a meticulously researched story of an unsung hero. Norvel Lee spent his childhood in a rustic, segregated Black community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. His father was a day laborer for the railroad while his mother expected her children to get an education and become involved in community affairs. In spite of obstacles such as Virginia's Jim Crow laws, limited schooling opportunities, and a speech impediment, Norvel's life journey led to exceptional accomplishments in the larger world.After graduating from high school, he was selected for flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield. He served in a segregated unit in the South Pacific during World War II. Afterward, he enrolled at Howard University to pursue engineering and took up intramural boxing. As a pugilist he excelled, becoming the national AAU heavyweight champion. In 1952 he once again was on the U.S. Olympic team, making history at the Helsinki Games.Norvel married Leslie Jackson of Leesburg, Virginia, graduated from Howard University, and started a family. Later he received several advanced degrees and devoted himself to a career in education. He and Leslie became prominent mentors and sponsors of young people in the greater Washington, D.C., area. He also served as a senior officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.