The Virginia Blue Ridge Railroad

Set against the backdrop of 1849 Virginia, the narrative chronicles the ambitious construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad, a vital link to the Ohio River's trade. The project faced immense challenges as enslaved workers and Irish immigrants tackled treacherous terrain, enduring deadly explosions and labor strikes. Chief engineer Claudius Crozet grappled with the haunting consequences of these tragedies over seven years. Award-winning author Mary E. Lyons draws on extensive historical documents to provide an in-depth account of this perilous endeavor.