[Dusty Road]

You forgot one of the biggest hazards of that time, our consumption of wood. Heating, cooking and building all involved wood, when the wood ran out you moved to where there was more wood. Look at pictures in the late 1800 and early 1900’s of those that lived in the midwest and how barren the landscapes were. My grandparent came out of Kansas during that period and wood was used like money.

[RedMonqey]

Look at pictures in the late 1800 and early 1900’s of those that lived in the midwest and how barren the landscapes were.

True..What shocked me was seeing pictures of that period in my home state of Tennessee.

Tennessee, if you haven't driven through is known for it's rolling hills covered with trees.

Well, it wasn't back then.

Timber was cut for building northeast cities, railroads and iron smelting.

Most of the states's parks are "second growth" forests from abandoned logging company lands that were considered worthless because it was so badly eroded..

There's probaly less than 5% virgin forests and that may be overstating it.

I was floored when I learned this!!!