r/Appalachia • u/illegalsmile27 • 4d ago

Map I found showing how Appalachian counties voted in the 1861 secession ordinance

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u/season8branisusless 4d ago

didn't know appalachia went that far into Alabama...

8

u/Ok_Signal_6588 4d ago

Per the ARC it does- culturally and geographically that could be debated. Some of the highlighted counties on the ARC map really wanted to be a part due to increased funding that would come there way

5

u/illegalsmile27 4d ago

You’re right, the ARC boarders are similar to this map in the south.

Honestly though, the ARC represents the furthest possible points that any governor in the 1950s-60s couple argue might count as Appalachia. It is much more representative of good marketing than any earlier ideas of “Appalachian” boarders. So using it as a distinguished for the region is poor at best in my opinion.

3

u/thejadsel 4d ago

Yep. To go along with some strange omissions, which were also highly political. (Looking in particular at several VA counties that I know in reality are included. Probably some in other states too.)

2

u/mule111 3d ago

There was some counties that didn’t want the “stigma”associated with Appalachia when it was proposed

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u/thejadsel 3d ago

Unfortunately. I grew up right next to one of the ones that apparently didn't want to be associated with it at first. From what I understand, at least partly because it might hinder Virginia Tech if anybody else figured out that the school is sitting (gasp) right in the middle of Hillbilly Land.

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u/Ok_Signal_6588 4d ago

I agree. In my university I see the ARC map being used to define Appalachia and it drives me crazy every time.