Preston county, west virginia, is the only county in the united states with that name. it lies nestled into a corner of the state bounded on the north by pennsylvania and the mason-dixon line, and on the east by the state of maryland. this scenic appalachian region has a variance in elevation from a low of 870 feet to a high of 3,236 feet. with more tillable land than any other county in the state, preston county is naturally a farming community, although mining, timber, recreation, and tourism are vital contributors to the county's economy. in this vibrant retrospective, local author charles a. thomas brings the county's past to life, covering the period from 1890 to the mid-1900s. vintage images portray the pioneer era, the early commercial and industrial ventures here, and the people who brought it all about. we visit turn-of-the-century schools and mills, and see the trains and railroaders who made this area prosper in the late 1800s.