PINNICK KINNICK HILL: AN AMERICAN STORY

by G.W. Gonzalez

Nearly a century ago, hundreds of families journeyed from Spain to the United States, to search for a better life in the growing zinc-industry towns of Harrison County, West Virginia. As they created a new culture and a new home in this strange land, they added another thread to the rich fabric of our nation. Writing from his perspective as a first-generation son of this immigrant community, González recounts his childhood memories of his neighborhood, where these immigrants raised their families, worked in the often insufferable conditions of the zinc factories, and celebrated "romerias" and feast days with their neighbors.

246 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Maranie Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a descendant of the Spanish immigrants who settled in north central West Virginia at the turn of the last century, I found this book to be a fascinating view into their history. However, the book itself follows no narrative; in fact, the anecdote at the beginning never really connects to any point later in the book. Also, the author's use of fake names for some places and real names for others left me confused as to locations, and overall, to how much of the book was fact and how much was fiction. While overall it's not the best-written book, I'd say it's a must-read for anyone who has immigrant ancestors from that time and place in West Virginia, particularly Spanish immigrants.