This work is a compilation of articles written by teachers during the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to histories of early schools and community origins, the book contains a wealth of other information—from stories of Indians, hunting, and the Civil War, to life and customs of the pioneers in general. The names of many of Dickenson’s early residents also found their way into the book, either as early settlers in one of the communities or as teacher, student, or patron of one of the many one- and two-room schools.

The Sand Lick and McClure Baptist Churches were the earliest organized religious groups of present day Dickenson and Buchanan County, Virginia. Sand Lick organized in 1837 while McClure organized in 1849 as a branch of Sand Lick. this book is a verbatim copy of the minutes books each church kept.