ABSTRACT
Manufacturing plays a prominent role in the economy of Appalachia. An assessment of the changes in manufacturing between 1958 and 1977 suggests that the region maintained its position in manufacturing vis-a-vis the United States. The spatial distribution of manufacturing in the Appalachian region it is also important to examine the technical level of industry. The industrial structure of a region can be examined through investigation of the major types of manufacturing industry as defined according to the Standard Industrial Classification system. The chapter examines the historical geography and standing of several key industries that have had significant impact on the region. The textile and apparel industries are closely related and concentrated in two or three areas of Appalachia. In some respects the history of the furniture industry is similar to that of the textile industry. Originally established in New England, the industry migrated southwestward to the southern Piedmont as the nation's population center moved west.
