What happens to a community when its formal boundaries disappear?
Though the formal town charter of St. Charles was dissolved in 2022, and the county physically removed its roadside corporate limits markers in 2026, the history contained within those 115 acres remains unforgettable. In Between the Signs, authors James Willis and Jerry Buchanan deliver a meticulously researched, deeply affectionate portrait of a classic Appalachian coal town.
Spanning decades of heavy industry, local commerce, and profound social shifts, this book takes readers on a journey through the heart of the valley. From the strict financial architecture of company-owned commissaries and scrip tokens to the beloved local hubs like Baker's Grocery, Beezer's Esso, and the bright marquee of the Virginian Theatre, Between the Signs reconstructs a bustling landscape that time and economic displacement threatened to erase.
Richly illustrated with archival photographs, rare historical documents, and deeply personal community memories, this volume highlights legendary local figures-from baseball standout Frank Scott to the unforgettable Woodrow "Mainline" Wilson. More than just a regional history, Between the Signs is an intimate sanctuary of pause, generosity, and quiet connection, proving that a town's true legacy isn't written on a green roadside sign, but in the enduring spirit of its people.
Jerry Buchanan was raised in the coalfields of St. Charles, Virginia, where the values of service, resilience, and community-forged in the heart of the American workforce-shaped a life dedicated to country and craft.
A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a Purple Heart recipient for his service in the Vietnam War (1969-1970), Jerry later served as a military policeman at Camp Lejeune. Following his honorable discharge in 1972, he embarked on a distinguished 31-year career with the U.S. Postal Service in Indianapolis. During this time, he balanced his public service with higher education, ultimately earning a Master's degree in Management. His expertise in organizational leadership led to a second career as a contract instructor for the University of Oklahoma, and later, a decade of service as a substitute teacher and custodian in Johnson County, Indiana.
In 2024, Jerry turned his focus to writing to bridge the gap between his personal history and his observations of the American landscape. Drawing from his deep roots in the mining community, his work explores the historical patterns, personal memories, and civic stakes that define the American experience. His 2026 releases, In The Shadow of the Tipple and Between the Signs, capture the authentic voices and enduring spirit of those who built their lives around the coal industry.
Jerry lives in Bargersville, Indiana, with his wife of 56 years. He continues to write with passion and purpose, inviting readers to explore the intersection of heritage, memory, and the human story.
