Radford, Virginia, is a city with a remarkable history. Native Americans settled the area long before Europeans moved into the region in the mid-18th century. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad created a line in 1854 that linked Lynchburg with Bristol. Central Depot, which later became Radford, was a midway point on that rail line. Radford was established as a city in 1892, and two Virginia governors, James H. Tyler and John N. Dalton, have claimed Radford as their home. Radford Normal School, an institute for teacher training, was established in 1913 and has grown to become Radford University. Glencoe Museum, the Radford Heritage Foundation, and the citizens of Radford have all contributed to this collection of photographs. Images of America: Radford is a tribute to the rich and interesting stories of the city�s past.
Author John W. Barksdale has had a lifelong interest in history and is a second-generation graduate of Radford University. Barksdale is the grandson of Robert and Mary St. Clair, who were residents of Radford from the early 1930s through the 1970s. The author is an instructor at National College in Salem and a member of the Radford Heritage Foundation�s board of directors.