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This sign shows a historical marker outside Appalachian State University. It reads, "Appalachian State University: Founded as Watauga Academy. State-supported since 1903. A part of The University of North Carolina since 1972."

"The coal industry of central Appalachia has been on the decline for more than 30 years, with West Virginia and Kentucky losing more than 38,000 coal jobs in that time. As coal companies pulled out, they took with them the dollars that small towns…