Nestled in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, the little hamlet of Clifton Forge grew from a tiny dirt road stop to a scenic, busy and friendly city thanks to the C & O Railroad as well as the many adventurous and intrepid explorers moving west from the settlements on the coast Many of these people became entrepreneurs due to their personalities or out of necessity. This is the story of those who willingly braved the wilderness to start a new life and to grow a city that became home to not only one of the finest railroads in America, but also famous diplomats, entertainers and inventors.

This is the story of their courage and perseverance to create a vibrant city in the middle of nowhere that would grow to become somewhere, and a place the natives who were born here are proud to call home.