I live in Exchange. This was post office, general store, train depot, motel. The first Chevy dealership in WV was here. Lotta history/ memories... good times.
@susanwaltman26072 жыл бұрын
Why is the town abandoned?
@ethanhacker8393 Жыл бұрын
Yeah it I was I remember going down with dad
@XtremeBeauty77 Жыл бұрын
I am from there too, James
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I hope when they dig up all the tracks and turn the railroad into a state park this place will get to see a new life!
@frankgillespie4012 Жыл бұрын
My family is from there I remember going to the store there many times. In the 60's and 70'S IT WAS SAD TO SEE SOME IDIOT OS IDIOTS BURNED IT TO THE GROUND
@goldenmatrices242 жыл бұрын
My grandmother grew up in Exchange. Her father owned the general store/gas station. As a child, I would sit mesmerized by her excellent retelling of local folklore and events. She masterfully recreated many of the town’s personalities, notably Jimmy Leg, the mischievous local hobo/creep known for flashing the mail lady in the post office and saving my grandmother when she fell into a creek full of leeches. He was the center of many of the stories of Exchange, haha. One of the most prominent families in Exchange was the Loyds. They owned a lumber mill and made a fortune in the barrel-making industry after one member returned from WWI, having learned about the wine industry in France. She often recounted a great flood that came through and decimated the town and found her dog hung up dead in a tree. The town also had a colorful supernatural history chalked full of witchcraft, the devil, and other events of the otherworldly kind. I hope I could shed some light on the story of this fascinating little ghost town. There is so much more that could be told, but I simply do not remember all the details, as I was very young when she told me. Thank you for sharing this footage!
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
Exchange makes some peculiar noises in the woods across from the old Post Office & General store. Sometimes it would be a squirrel, but other times it would sound like something much larger rushing around. I was there at night getting some creepy shots and there is actually a resident black cat that appears to live in the foundation of the Post Office, it’s nowhere to be seen during the day however. Thanks for sharing your stories & information, it’s an honor to see the locals visiting my videos & channel. You guys seem very resourceful given the wonderfully kept farms & all of the cool cars I see around. God bless you all! I hope somebody can make something out of the poor old downtown.
@JMurray3699 Жыл бұрын
My grandmother grew up near Exchange. Her father was a tobacco farmer and this was the closest town to their holler. Sadly, Exchange recently burnt down.
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
There are a lot of fumes going around the world nowadays. We need to do our best to purify this world.
@dennisduffield6015 Жыл бұрын
I looks like you made this post 11 days ago? You said it recently burnt? My grandma and grandpa owned the old hotel which back then was also the store. My parents went down every year for a couple of weeks during my school break. I was making plans to re- visit next summer. Did it burn?
@faydenereed40562 жыл бұрын
West Virginia is a beautiful State.
@kevinw10902 жыл бұрын
Feels like every one of these buildings has a story to tell only if they could talk. Whenever I see these abandoned buildings in rural America, it always makes me to wonder what had happened to their owners.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Exchange needed a lot of infrastructure to strengthen it’s economy which the state had never ended up building, such as highways and bridges. I just hope they found somewhere more suitable...
@samawisenong55072 жыл бұрын
0
@Commentleaver-c6x3 ай бұрын
The locals don’t pronounce this as exchange would normally be said, it’s like two words, X Change.
@violasbakedandcookeddeligh15962 жыл бұрын
Absolutely stunning drone footage!!! What a beauty in the green foliage even under unfortunate circumstances. Was this a flood catastrophe? One house looks like a prior fire. Excellent video 👍BEAUTIFUL STATE!
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I thought it was a fire as well but it appears that is how that roofing material tends to break down. I have since revisited got a peak inside a few buildings and walked into one, that building has further collapsed in and the ceiling is down to my shoulders. It’s a shame to see but it still manages to preserve it’s own special beauty. The neighbor told me he hasn’t seen it get flooded much up in the town, but it’s possible that it had flooded in the past as it has a floodplain running right through the town.
@violasbakedandcookeddeligh1596 Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
@@violasbakedandcookeddeligh1596 Anytime, I’m elated to hear you had enjoyed my video.
@violasbakedandcookeddeligh1596 Жыл бұрын
@@indecipherabl3 sure 👍😊
@hikerx93662 жыл бұрын
Beautiful footage in a beautiful State accompanied by the most haunting tunes. Incredible upload, just subscribed. Happy New Year... 🎉🥂🌠 it's nearly upon us. 🙏
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I hope you have been having an excellent new year. Thanks for your compliments, future videos will be of longer length.
@hikerx9366 Жыл бұрын
@@indecipherabl3 Right on Dave... 👍
@marlinhacker105 Жыл бұрын
We are neighbors to this property, heard it totally burned to ground 2 days ago...so sad, much history 😢
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
What was the cause? I saw two or three utility meters around the property. I am sorry to hear that.
@ethanhacker8393 Жыл бұрын
The post office/store also served as a game check station as well…checked in my first deer there in the early 2000s
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I had read a few passages about how one of the largest businesses was trading furs in Exchange.
@XtremeBeauty77 Жыл бұрын
I was born and raised off Exchange Road in WV... Loved seeing this ❤
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I love when the locals see my videos, thanks a lot for commenting and letting me know. I really adore your community, the properties are very nice. Blessings!
@johnmason55742 жыл бұрын
O.K. There should have been some kind of narration here, not just music. Which was very nice. But we have no history. What's the story? I'll like it because of the photography. Thank you for going to this place and sharing.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Yes! I apologize & I will do my best to incorporate more immersive elements. I will try a new, longer video format on my next uploads. Thanks for your fantastic suggestion & support, may you be blessed!
@margaretdarr2613 Жыл бұрын
Very good!!!!!! Looks like a ghost town
@RBS.22 жыл бұрын
We are from Brasil 🇧🇷 Estamos te acompanhando. Você é uma bênção e detalhista a cada momento. Sucesso pra ti.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Estou-vos extremamente grato, bênçãos.
@bethmitchell76132 жыл бұрын
I would love to have a playlist of those piano numbers. Some seriously cool music right there! Though abandoned, I still see possibilities here. Someone's hopes and dreams should not be allowed to just return to dust like that. So sad!
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
I have been working on this playlist for some time. open.spotify.com/playlist/2iQm97Zm6nPx3qEkpvGfEM?si=zZznRnesSjenc8xuHviswQ
@ElaineMayall4 ай бұрын
I to was born in the hollow up across the railroad tracks i. Love west Virginia how did it get burned down?
@teresathomas5372 жыл бұрын
Where at in West Virginia is this? Please tell me.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
It is in Braxton County, just south of the Three Forks Cemetery. Be wary, it’s quite remote and you may want to take a 4WD vehicle to visit.
@lisacurtian82662 жыл бұрын
WOW I *LOVE* it, how much to purchase it?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
The large townhouse with the creepy dolls in the window seemed to be in good shape! It’s assessed on Zillow for only $30,000 or so, you can possibly get it cheaper than that! I’d avoid it personally as this area is built right into Zone A flood zone which has a 1% flood chance every year. If you put some work into structuring the home then it might be worth it but if there is ever a major natural disaster I would not want to live here.
@gbeachy20102 жыл бұрын
Current population of West Virginia is about half what it was 60 years ago. You might find yourself some distance from the nearest grocery.
@davegutenech71882 жыл бұрын
Were I come from: MONEY TALKS & BULLSHIT WALKS. Offer them $12.500 for everything. Oh ya GOOD LUCK.
@carl55362 жыл бұрын
I'm sure there's a story to be told about this but I gotta say it. There's alot of KZbinrs and tiktokers in jail for trespassing on people's property. It's like a certain group every 4 years gets a brilliant idea to video stuff like this and most of em ain't from the area that they video and put on KZbin. I enjoy watching people screwing up and they act like it's their idea but I've been watching this stuff too long and I think I'd make sure that I'm allowed to be there. Just cause everything looks run down it doesn't make it ok to trespass. People who went to Area 51 clowning around, they're in jail and I remember a dude wanted to beat the crap outa 2 guys and I'm talking young ones lol...That guy was mad and I'm pretty sure that he pressed charges on em for snoopn around in his huge building that had a firebird car in it. He was shaking cause he wanted to jump on em bad so be careful is all I'm trying to say. It might look abandoned but somebody's got ties to it and everytime I think of that one guy I bust out laughing cause I know exactly how he felt lmao...
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Due diligence is required, ensure that there are no threats on a structural or climate basis. You can check out the flood zones via FEMA & topography via Google Maps. Very few of these locations have warnings about structural damage, it is usually up to you to be the judge of that. It can range from asbestos shingles or roof tiles falling apart and littering the hallways, to a flood in the tunnel connecting all of the buildings (I have seen this happen when they tore down a portion of a State Hospital). A floor can collapse given an ounce of flesh or a gust of wind. Once you get there you are left to worry about the imminent danger of territorial aggressors occupying these buildings, this could be as simple as a security patrol telling people to leave (everywhere) or being followed by a shirtless man around the property (that was deep in the Catskill Mountains off Hudson Valley). You must respect the neighbors & not take anything from your destinations. Keep the souvenirs to memories & photos only and you will be left at peace.
@lerondapage43642 жыл бұрын
What happen they just up n leave. Or were they forced out?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
There was a post office which the State had shut down in 2011. There isn’t a cell tower for miles. You can see some people fixing up cars and tending to farmland. Here is a locals description of the area, I posted the rest in the description of the video: “Road building on Cedar Creek has been very difficult first because of the forests, second because the irregular stretches of level land were so valuable for farming that to avoid them the roads were built around them either in the creek or on the hillside. The high waters frequently washed out the roads. Later lumbering cut them into ruts. This continued for many years. In addition there have been irregular springs and landslides. Only in very recent years has there been a real program of road building to connect the community with other parts of the county by good automobile roads. About the year 1880 a mail route was established between Sutton and Stouts Mill, with postoffices at Lloydsville and Cutlips. Julia Lloyd, now Mrs. H. E. Engle, was postmistress at Lloydsville and has held this office most of the time since. The first postmaster at Cutlips was M. Wiesenfield whose home was two miles from the post office. W. N. Cutlip soon succeeded him. In this office there were frequent changes until it was finally established at the store of E. W. Cutlip about 1890. The post office at Exchange was established August 5, 1904, with Mrs. Samantha Duffield as postmistress. The first quarter's cancellation of stamps was $10.29. Lester Gerwig, the present postmaster, succeeded to the office in December, 1904. The cancellation of stamps in 1921 was about $150.00 per quarter. The Amos telephone line was built to Cutlipsville in 1895. The Citizens Telephone Company was organized and their lines built in 1907. The same year the flour mill was bought and enlarged by Lloyd Brothers. In the eighties there was a blacksmith shop built at the three forks and since then there has always been adequate service of this kind.”
@davidjones95182 жыл бұрын
No work mines closed coal industry closed down to many restrictions
@Commentleaver-c6x3 ай бұрын
@@davidjones9518that area was never a big coal mining location.
@scottdennison2236 Жыл бұрын
I live here, and I have questions. Did you get permission from the land owner? Did you get permission from surrounding land owners to video there stuff? Do you have your FAA part 107? On 2 of these questions I know the answer.
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I got permission from the neighbor there will be an update video. All videos are being filmed for noncommercial purposes and recreational enjoyment only. I do intend on monetizing future videos, however these will not be monetized and are purely for the enjoyment of the viewers.
@faydenereed40562 жыл бұрын
Mining is usually the story. Then when that goes everyone leaves! No money no stores no business!
@georgedunnigan14472 жыл бұрын
Thank you for morning walk this morning
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Anytime, come and explore again!
@borba2042 жыл бұрын
Great video.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Lots of projects being uploaded, an abandoned military base, hospitals, hotels, mines all in progress. I recently tracked down a dead mall about to demolish hopefully I can get a video in time.
@victorremick97212 жыл бұрын
What makes people brake the glass out of everything every time?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Usually younger or immature people with angst breaking these windows. These buildings are also off square & are un level and extremely dangerous causing doorframes to bend, and window panes to have too much stress.
@victorremick97212 жыл бұрын
@@indecipherabl3 That mite be the case in some but not often.
@timewithoutconsequence2 жыл бұрын
I’m always surprised how many people travel with spray paint.
@carolblair28442 жыл бұрын
How old r these buildings?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
One of the buildings was built in 1910, I am outlining ideas for a nighttime visit and more informational video.
@davidjones95182 жыл бұрын
Same with logging industry to many restrictions
@johnwilburn9 ай бұрын
I read there was a fire here in August of 2023. Anyone have video of the aftermath?
@charlieburke15292 жыл бұрын
Where is that, I wanna live their, is it scary at night?
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
Braxton County, West Virginia. It’s very creepy at night, I’d rather live among the valleys near the farms.
@argylekennethdobbinsiii1565 Жыл бұрын
The last owners of this Property have the last name of "Arnold". They were pretty nice folks. Went to school with the owners kids. Its the same story I think. Mom and Pop have business. Kids grow up get married and such. Have their own things going on. Things fall into disarray and disrepair. BTW. The property was occupied till recently. The out buildings and store and stuff was falling in but the house was used as a residence. I dunno what all happened with the paved road and old Bridge. But I think there was some contention between the owner and the State and the state built the new bridge above the old one to either avoid this or to position it in a better location. The old bridge was demolished. And the road reverted back (I think) to the Arnold's ownership and care. (The old Bridge was in a nasty turn as well and flooded) This property would make a great mini farm. And it is actually pretty close to Flatwoods and I79. But also far enough out. That you can pee off the front porch if you wanted.
@marcylane6217 Жыл бұрын
The Arnolds were my grandparents I spent many summers there
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I have since revisited Exchange and spoke with the neighbor right next door, I have found several phone numbers for the Arnolds. The neighbor and some other locals I spoke with referred to them, however, as “Linger”. I am filming Pocahontas county as we speak but I am returning to Braxton one last time before I depart the state.
@Commentleaver-c6x3 ай бұрын
Dotty Arnold owns it now. Her husband, who is deceased was Linger Arnold.
@washingtonlagandaon89572 жыл бұрын
What happened why we're they abandond?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
There is a brief timeline of the Three Forks area, which Exchange is a part of in the description in the video. I also responded to some of the first commenters with some historical background. I will be making a detailed historical video with nighttime footage of this place. I am also going to cruise the area and try to find other places like the legends of the water mills that may or may not be standing, nobody has footage of them. Hopefully I can grab some local newspapers too for archiving!!
@KHKH-os6kt2 жыл бұрын
Your camera moves in a to make one motion sick.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
I am sorry... it’s my fatal cinematographic flaw, I am doing my best to minimize this. I found my GoPro finally, much smoother scenes are on their way.
@leonardkimple55972 жыл бұрын
What town is this ??
@missrita18262 жыл бұрын
A very small town called Exchange, in Braxton County of West Virginia.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
The Cutlips bloodline had contributed a lot to developing most of this area, just Northwest of Exchange is a community named after them, it also goes by Three Forks of Cedar and Cutlipville. Braxton County is fantastic, such a beautiful area to drive around. Just be respectful to the inhabitants and go slow, I saw several family dogs patrolling their roads & properties. Not only that but a lot of the locals are walking about enjoying the beautiful scenic roads as well.
@Commentleaver-c6x3 ай бұрын
Exchange, WV, a tiny unincorporated area, not a town and never was.
@carolblair28442 жыл бұрын
What is the history of these buildings?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Lot’s of coal used to pass through the railroad tracks you can see East of the town. The Smyth survey, consisting of 56,000 acres included most of the Exchange community and was patented in 1798. Before the coal boom, locals would exchange cattle, furs, corn, wheat, maple sugar, ginseng (it is still plentiful throughout West Virginia) as well as Walnut & Poplar timber through the use of Saw & Stave mills. I will be diving deep into this community once again and hopefully I can find some never before seen homes tucked into the woods, I will also be charting exhaustively to find one of the mills still standing but I imagine I was born a bit late to see that.
@vickieross21572 жыл бұрын
I am a fellow WV. Most likely what happened when coal was shut down. It is sad when people lose what they have because a certain few that want to push their agenda. They don't care about the people. I am sorry but I do care.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
It’s such a shame, there were so many accidents and disasters during these years and everyone hated coal for it. The difficulty of the terrain did not help either, these mountains & rivers are notoriously difficult to build on. There has to be a better way to mine coal then sending breathing souls out to dig it up.
@vickieross21572 жыл бұрын
@@indecipherabl3 Yes I can agree with that. I mean their has to be a way to make things more stable. I believe we are more technologically advanced then what we are being told. I have always been for clean coal technology. Which WVU & Marshall were working on until Obama. The old ways of doing things is no longer a option.
@JohnDoe-zz7on2 жыл бұрын
I wonder what does it take to build a business in these run down towns. West Virginia looks like it has abundant resources of something other than coal.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Bituminous coal specifically, theres a lot of glass factories as well, wild Ginseng is bountiful and profitable, though tedious to farm. I have heard of Uranium deposits as well but that may be more of a Pennsylvania thing. They are fracking for shale just past the West Virginia border in Pennsylvania right now. West Virginians are also very well mechanically inclined, people actually take care of their cars out here and there is no shortage of highly rated auto shops.
@d.l.hemmingway37582 жыл бұрын
Coal Town gone bust?
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Yes, the Coke & Coal railway used to run through here. The line has fallen into a state of disrepair and is now being converted to a State Park between Clendenin & Gilmer called the Elk River Trail.
@Commentleaver-c6x3 ай бұрын
No, it was not a mining town.
@blancacardenas8402 жыл бұрын
Wow very creepy abandoned Town I can imagine at night the Ghost And noises.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
I think I’m going to have to come back for a nighttime video now!!
@WVhereford Жыл бұрын
I’m thinking you need to stay off private property.
@norahglavin52262 жыл бұрын
What in hell is happening and all the people sleeping on the streets
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
It’s so unfortunate and is certainly a growing problem. I hope everyone that was here as well as their families have roofs over their heads.
@timewithoutconsequence2 жыл бұрын
Visited this past summer. You better go soon. This place will collapse to the ground within a year or two.
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
It has collapsed a bit more after the cyclone but it is still standing for whoever wants to see.
@jamesjacks20102 жыл бұрын
If there's a specific or special prayer that could be sent forth, that would help Me in the fulfillment of My dream of living somewhere among the hills and mountains of W. Virginia, I would Greatly Appreciate knowing what the words of that prayer might be! For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to live in the mountains , and for a very long time now W. Virginia has been I want to be, with all of My Heart and Soul! I'm not looking for charity, nor, am I trying to live off of someone else. I can pay My way and I don't have to depend on others to pay My bills, or be responsible for My living expenses. With all humility, I would like to ask if anyone might know where I might find a decent little place, that would be for rent, and that I might be able to call it home. I am, almost, 72 yrs old, a Vietnam veteran, I live alone and I definitely want to be out in the country, some where! I would Greatly Appreciate Anything , at all, that anyone might consider doing, on My behalf, in just pointing Me in some direction to head towards. Thank You, All, Very Much?!
@michelleasunnydays1402 жыл бұрын
missouri is a good place to look. also. or buy a small camper home and druve to any campgrounds . instant country. living
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
All I ask of you when living in the South is make sure your land is out of the FEMA floodplain zones. This state is gorgeous but the environment can be quite unforgiving!
@violasbakedandcookeddeligh15962 жыл бұрын
I agree 100% with your perspective on this state. This video drone footage shows straight green beauty. Might be in the middle of a prior disaster, but definitely a beauty, Gods touch for sure 👍
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
Contact Eaden in the Alleghenies AFC. They are just what you are looking for. God bless you!
@davidjones95182 жыл бұрын
No mines no work government closed everything down to many restrictions no work 😢
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
Such a shame the stigma coal mining has gotten in these years.
@gypsys2 жыл бұрын
Would love to know more and why it's abandoned.
@lmmorta12 жыл бұрын
Красивая съемка
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
благодарствуйте сударыня
@gloriatorress58922 жыл бұрын
Q tristeza y yo sin casa. I don't have house . thankyou for the video.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Anytime! We will all have our own houses someday.
@WVhereford2 жыл бұрын
It’s not abandoned and that is all a private drive now. Hence the posted signs you clearly seen.
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
I sincerely apologize for any privacy of property I may have violated with this footage. I have decided I will not be publishing any more footage of the drive for fear of the privacy of the owners and their own values in life. I sincerely enjoyed my time in Exchange and Braxton County as a whole, it was truly a breath of fresh air in my life each time I visited. I hope you can understand I did not intend any malice, I simply wanted to make sure that I could document the culture of the wonderful state of West Virginia. From now on, I will make sure my videos follow the highest principles of ethics. If you read this far, thank you.
@davegutenech71882 жыл бұрын
Looks like a good place for the homeless.
@timewithoutconsequence2 жыл бұрын
Too remote with not a lot of resources.
@davegutenech71882 жыл бұрын
@@timewithoutconsequence Ok. Thanks. Thought maybe they could get the help they need. There has to be a start for everything.
@mse75012 жыл бұрын
They aren't haunted. Wild animals took over them, I bet.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Birds love making nests of out of old roofs and gutters. Raccoons and rodents find themselves cozy dens in the attics & walls. The humble bumble bee finds peace ten miles radially away from society. This place has a special glory that no smoggy city could ever possess. I feel more at home here than I ever did breathing in highway emissions 24/7.
@Dan-uc1vr2 жыл бұрын
I'd move in under that covered porch and stay there a few months
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
It needs some cleaning because you’re gonna be breathing in a lot of fiberglass or asbestos, but it definitely looks habitable. Single story buildings are usually the most structurally sound.
@ElaineMayall4 ай бұрын
Yes ARNOLD Gary thats what mom said
@bonnieleelee99362 жыл бұрын
Not creepy at all just sad.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
I’m just happy to have seen the place before a new owner does something with it or if it collapses on itself someday.
@ElaineMayall4 ай бұрын
Who owns it
@johnballerino91722 жыл бұрын
Times change.
@brucesheehe63052 жыл бұрын
Death and taxes. Died or can't afford to stay with no money or jobs.
@indecipherabl3 Жыл бұрын
The meters are all on, somebody is still paying off the utility bills which I personally find impressive. It doesn’t appear to be delinquent taxes, it may have been inherited.
@WVhereford2 жыл бұрын
That’s private property you’re walking around on and sticking your camera in without permission.
@gailspaw55212 жыл бұрын
Sad
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
A number of buildings went missing recently but I was appreciative to see what was left when I made my rounds, it’s superb that it’s right in between several hollers.
@rociocaceresjuradodelosrey91792 жыл бұрын
You are showing us a landscape that's all. Urbex is to walk in, and show how people used to lived, there social lives, whale you only do landscape, you haven´¨t got it.
@indecipherabl32 жыл бұрын
Yeah I’ll show up with a pair of bolt cutters to cut into their townhouse... somebody has it sealed shut for a reason I’m not going in. They could live right across the river for all I know. This is a castle doctrine state!!