In the book "John Vachon's America" (University of California Press), there are numerous letters written by him to his wife while he was on the road for the Farm Security Administration. In an entry dated January 24, 1942, he writes:

Romney, West Va. First day out. Night now, and many Saturday night people on the main street of this little town of dark West Virginia. The gaunt brooding state of the U.S. The West Virginia people have lean angular faces with dark seamed wrinkles. The bony women have thin breasts and strange sweet straight lips. Black Sunday suits on the men with combed hair, and shapeless color printed dresses on the women.

Like Fort Pitt, there were a lot of breweries in the area of Allegheny County. Most of the buildings are still standing. Some still have that ascetic appeal of the early architecture of years ago.

"A toast to the holidays" Fort Pitt Ale. Fort Pitt Brewing Company, Sharpsburg and Pittsburgh, PA(1906 - 1957). Perhaps the best selling beer in the Pittsburgh area at one time and Romney was certainly within the marketing area of the brewery. It vaguely looks like the woman on the billboard is wearing a ski outfit, but at that time skiing was far from the popular sport it is today. Curiously, this sign may have explained the origin of a colloquialism known to many from Pennsylvania, "That's it, Fort Pitt" or the reverse, "Fort Pitt, That's It" was an advertising slogan for Fort Pitt Brewery. See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13ball/2334579584/
Also, I would note that there is no Interstate 50, but certainly a US 50.

That'd be US 50, not Interstate 50.

Aside from the car and the billboard, it almost seems as if this photo could have been taken yesterday. There are many areas which still look exactly like this.

West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads.

At first glance, I thought this was another of tterrace's slides. Surprise, it's by John Vachon. For photo historians, it must be nice to have the year prominently displayed on a billboard!

The road is Interstate 50, and the cemetery is Indian Mound.

Gorgeous! What a lovely photo. Can anyone read the brand of ale in the billboard on the right? "Fort Pitt?"

["A toast to the holidays. Fort Pitt Ale." - Dave]