Amonate, Virginia/West Virginia: Appalachian Coal Town - Once Part of the Famed Pocahontas Fuel Co.

[@judithhaughtphd9485]

How wonderful. I was born & raised in a coal camp in Caretta, WVa. We lived a good life & lived in a nice house up Tennessee Ave! A hard life for the miners! My daddy- Troy Bryant f died with “black lung” Caused by breathing the coal dust! God bless all coal miners! Judith Bryant Haught

[@kevinbarnett1152]

I was born in Amonate in 1967 and lived there until I graduated from Tazewell High in 1985. I then served four years in the Army and due to no jobs after that I moved to NC where I have lived since. I miss and love those mountains and will move back when I retire in 6 or 7 years. Oh yes Roger Barnett you mentioned is my dad and he is still living there today;he’s 88.

[@realappalachia]

Great comment, love reading things like that. Really glad to know Roger is still with us, he left a strong impression on me - a really fine man

[@mikebaber8238]

Hey Kevin. My Mother also lived there for several Years..across the road from your uncles home..( Eva Barrett ) Is your uncle still living?

[@kevinbarnett1364]

@@mikebaber8238 I remember your mother. My uncle Leo passed away 3-4 years ago at age 94

[@ricklove8588]

I have walked across it several times growing up. The tunnel you showed at the start I have walked and road my bike through it many times. Beats going across Bandy mountain

[@jenniferwoolridge5684]

I lived in Amonate back in the late 80's to early 90's.. Really nice place.. Changed alot since I lived there..

[@michaellegravley9006]

Hey Jennifer I remember you we used to be really good friends as kids I hope you are doing well... my last name used to be Cummins

[@glennacordill8028]

My aunt, uncle and cousins lived there when I was a young child in the 1950's and I went there to stay with them at times. I remember the upstairs' hallway had stairs at both ends, which made for great fun when chasing each other or playing hide and seek. As I recall, my uncle had black lung and still lived there even though he wasn't mining still.

[@paulastahl7227]

Really enjoyed this Shane! Unusual name for the town too. Keep ‘em coming.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Paula

[@backcreekcabin4994]

Great tour of the Amonate area. Loved the train trestle and especially the two churches. The statue of Jesus was beautiful in front of the church. Please keep them coming Shane. Thank you!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for the feedback and for watching

[@kiandevin4855]

instablaster...

[@virginiamartin7312]

I love the video. The Railroad bridge I love. We have High Bridge trail nearby that RR gave up and now is a walking trail. THANKS and GOD BLESS You on this cold freezing morning.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, shewwwwww, it was a cold one wasnt it

[@johnhartley4721]

Wonderful video Shane, thank you for what you do.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, John

[@kindnessworks71]

there's so much history there thank you for showing this I really appreciate it I've never been there before God bless and stay safe I hope you have an amazing weekend because you are an amazing human being

[@realappalachia]

Thank you and may God bless you too

[@mikebaber8238]

The white home mid way through the camp House # 5 was my Mother's Home. Pastor Barnettes Brother lived across the road. The addition on the Back I added for her ( a Large Bedroom ) and bath. Her name was Eva Barrett ( Baber ) .I really enjoyed the video. Brought back memories. My step Father Ray Barrett was the secretary of the Mine there at the time

[@sierrachoco5271]

I would rather live where I want and drive further to the store! Great video, loved the train trestle, thank you!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sierra

[@CodyCarr]

Another very informative video! I’d love to film all those old abandoned houses with the drone! I’m trying to film every one of them I come across so far in Pocahontas county. It’s a good way to document them and preserve their history through video. Once I upload to KZbin their memory can live on forever because let’s face it, these old structures won’t be around forever. Again, love all the history bits 👍👏👏👏

[@realappalachia]

Funny you should mention a drone, I brought one there with a videographer one time and we were getting great footage but he crashed it into a creek in Pocahontas and we lost everything lol

[@CodyCarr]

@@realappalachia NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! 😥. Sorry to hear that. Well if your ever this way you have to let me know! 👍. My drones are insured through State Farm 😆. If I were to crash they just buy another one. Love what you have going on with your channel!

[@realappalachia]

@@CodyCarr I will keep that in mind, thank you so much sir

[@1940limited]

That would be really neat.

[@mountainfolk2000]

Thanks Shane, another great video. This would have been a great place to be back in the horse & buggy days. This old world has certainly gotten a whole lot smaller in the last 100 years.

[@realappalachia]

Ain't that the truth

[@debbieepperly3821]

Oh my gosh! That train being so high up on those tracks was rather scary! Loved the drive & seeing the older homes that were still in good shape. Sad seeing the ones in disrepair. Its a shame some couldn't be fixed up for homeless people. They could be the manpower to fix them up & then keeping them maintained could pay for them staying there. Some people just need a chance. Loved seeing the old churches. I've got pictures of old churches in Catawba & going to Paint Bank years ago. Have you been there? Enjoyed the drive, Shane, as always. Are y'all not getting all this freezing rain? It was bad here this morning! Road was shiny ice & my black car looked white & shiny under all the ice! It started melting early afternoon but we're supposed to have more of the same all weekend & some next week! You be careful & stay safe! God bless you for bringing these beautiful sites to us! Means alot!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, yeah, I dealt with the freezing rain this morning too. I havent been to Paint Bank or Catawba yet

[@cranerigging3604]

The Rail Road trestle is a very impressive work of engineering ! If you look close they never changed " graded " out the elevation of the existing ground at the base concrete footings . Left the hillside exactly the way it was and had different length steel beams on each side . Work of art that stands the test of time ! This is just me but I always have an odd feeling when looking at lone chimney standing by itself . I'm thinking what structure or home stood here at one time and who lived in it ? Keep up the good work !

[@realappalachia]

for the era in which it was built, a lot of thought, money and work went into laying that railroad and building that town. I have some of those same thoughts about chimneys.

[@1940limited]

As small and isolated as these town are, they always have an active railroad.

[@mikebaber8238]

That bridge is an Awsome Bridge from the road..not as pretty from on top...lol. been there done that

[@coolmoodee]

Hey bud.... been watching youre videos the last few days . I enjoy them . You ever come across any classic cars .. dodge or plymouth . Let me know .

[@larrym.johnson9219]

Hey Shane Love to Melody love the video! Happy New Year 2024

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, happy new year to you too!

[@tishacarroll9511]

Beautiful

[@ColleenOrender]

My Paw Paw was born there in the 30’s Carnace Orender, if anyone knew them or the family name I’d love to know where they lived. His Dad worked in the mine. They lived in Tazwell, Princeton and Bluefield. They owned the dry cleaners in Princeton eventually.

[@Electra225]

Like the others here, I also liked the train trestle and wonder at the effort it took to put that together. The churches are very nice also, especially the larger one. It looks very Victorian to me. I also think about where people shop, get medical services and other life essentials. I am glad to hear that there is resurgence in the coal industry, as you mentioned here. Wow, what a nice surprise to see you were able to catch a train crossing that trestle! Very cool! Thank you for another wonderful "thumbs up" video. Keep up the good work!

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for watching, Michael. Amonate is one of the more remote places we visit so people usually have a pretty decent drive for medical care, grocery stores, etc. You tend to get used to it when you live out like that and dont really think a lot about the drive

[@johnhumphries6116]

Enjoyed the ride. Next time could you pick up a couple of Dr. Peppers and some chips😀

[@realappalachia]

Deal lol

[@johnhumphries6116]

@@realappalachia Some of those places you go to you might want to pack a lunch. They are in the middle of nowhere.

[@realappalachia]

@@johnhumphries6116 yeah, no cell phone or GPS service. Can be pretty unnerving if you dont know the lay of the land.

[@johnhumphries6116]

@@realappalachia I can understand that, for sure.

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

Amonate, WV is now completely empty. In the early 2000s, there were still 2-3 houses left on the WV side across the street from the old barn. If I’m not mistaken, I think at one time way before I was born there were houses on the gravel road going to the prep plant.

[@lesterwatson8519]

I worked at MSHA with one of the men that barricaded and were later rescued and then back in the 1990’s I met a man who’s father was killed in the same explosion you are talking about. I was able to obtain a copy of the Bureau of Mines report and give it to him.

[@ulissacarter3094]

The coal mine my grandfather died at you past it stand open until 1960's the road is to it is just dirt now on the side of the mountain. The post office was a little country store my dad lived there until he was 12 years old . Grandpa died 1954.

[@bconsley]

Nice video!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you

[@fredvencill7639]

I grew up in Bandy. It's next community down the road.

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

Do you ever get interviews with the people who have been there and remember back on Video??

[@realappalachia]

I have 3 or 4 that will take a long time to edit but yes i do

[@TheTaylor91676]

These videos are neat. Are you the only person making videos for the Appalachian project or are there several of you?

[@realappalachia]

Another fella named Jason Barton does too from time to time but has had a lot on his plate lately so he's slowed down

[@TheTaylor91676]

@@realappalachia well they are great videos. Keep up the good work.

[@realappalachia]

@@TheTaylor91676 thank you so much

[@walterlangston4253]

the virginia railway build some big bridges like the all over west virginia and virginia

[@carolyndavis7476]

I could not fathom the height of that train track. This is beautiful country....but my my it does appear remote. It seems like u drove for miles after you left the town and there was no homes...no nothing. Do u know what the deserted building on the right at 11:11 (I believe) was?? Just sort of sitting there by itself. Thanks for the scenic drive. Thanks for the history..

[@realappalachia]

the train goes wayyyyyyy high across there, I would be scared to death to be in a train going across. I am not sure of the specific building but just about all the abandoned things still standing that weren't home were affiliated with the coal mine. Hopefully, someone with knowledge of the specific building can chime in.

[@carolyndavis7476]

So are u saying that train track is still being used?? Oh gee..unbelievable...

[@michaellegravley9006]

At 1049 if you are talking about that building it used to be garages to park cars of the residents that used to live on the opposite side of the road but those houses were tore down back in the late 80s an they just never bothered to tear the garages down also where he turned around there used to be a school there an if he would have looked you can still see there is still a small bridge there from the school

[@mikebaber8238]

It was a parking Garage for the home across the road and on the hill right above it..Mrs. Humphrey a long time School teacher at the school house there live above it.. I went to that School in 1st and 2nd grades..also been on that Bridge

[@khana5pc]

My first husband now deceased recently, talked about amanata quite a bit. I believe he lived there in the mid '70s. He said It was a unique place societally speaking, because it is fairly isolated, that there was no racial divide between black and white. And the dialect, manner of speaking, was unified... amanata accent everybody had it. People played music on their porch. I think he said it was wet a lot. So a lot of moss? I hope I'm not getting my cities that he lived in conflated. He loved it and we always thought it should be studied since no racial divide at least back then. Does anybody else have a comment like this from back in the '70s?

[@realappalachia]

I’ve heard similar comments. Everyone lived like a big family

[@melodieharrison4708]

I lived in Pocahontas in the late 60 early 70 the mining tipple we called the. Hollar where we lived they called it tipple hollar

[@patriciadavis4824]

My mom was born in Amonate in June of 1942. I wish I could walk through the house she lived in, I wish I knew which one it was or if it's still even there. She always thought she was born on the WV side. She even ordered a copy of her birth certificate from WV...which it is from WV but it has her listed as being born in VA. Both sides of her family were coal miners...Helton and Adams. We always joked about her being from Wrong Turn, WV only to find out recently she wasn't even born there and she's no longer here to appreciate the fact we can no longer pick on her about it. We never actually knew how to spell Amonate until I was looking at her birth certificate so we always spelled it Amanada which is absolutely no where on the WV map. I always told her she was from Amanada No More! She never found us comical! I love all the videos I find though, makes me want to visit. I just wish she was still here to finally see where she was from.

[@realappalachia]

The spelling of Amonate has taken down many a person lol

[@danielcoleman4807]

Shane, will you please do a video of Bishop Va/ WV? My Dad was killed in the mine there, Feb 4, 1957. I think 36 men died there plus many more the following October. I don't know where the mine is exactly but I want to go see it . I tried to find Bishop but couldn't tell if I was there because I didn't see any signs. Thanks for your videos. Daniel Coleman

[@realappalachia]

I did a video at Bishop a few years ago on the old channel but definitely need to get back over there

[@Zoubirking-1970]

Hi Shane what do you do for living I’m just curious 🙃

[@realappalachia]

Nonprofit work

[@lisaartis1632]

I was married in that church in 1974. Its the Methodist church..

[@realappalachia]

That's great to hear from someone who was married there

[@GAMarine137]

LOL, I have an almost identical car. Exact same color too

[@timsheneman1826]

I remember - Thumb up and comment anyway (metrics) I appreciate havin' a buddy down Appalchia way that can dispel any nonsense and mis-characterizations. I don't know if you've ever come across this before or not - but - some dictionaries describe 'hillbilly' as - " . . . a Michigan dirt farmer " ( some of us kind of own that with a bit of pride - like it connects us back east or somethin')

[@realappalachia]

Someone else pointed out that definition of a hillbilly but I'd never heard it before. Thanks for helping out the channel.

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

Did you say a "script collection "? What are you referring to?

[@realappalachia]

Scrip was a form of money used by coal companies instead of money. They mostly made coins that looked similar to real money (kinda like you see in arcades). A lot of folks collect those old coins now.

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

@@realappalachia I learn alot from you and your videos. Thank you

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

I have only heard of a source of money, called "Company Script" in the John Sayles movie: "MATEWAN," (Filmed in Thurmond, WV.) The coal miners would be paid in such format since the Company owned the housing and the stores, even the Medical facilities, etc. Any Company employee, being paid in such "script" cannot spend their earnings anywhere else but at Company owned facilities.

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

@@williamh.jarvis6795 thank you

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

@@monicavanopdurp9853 It MIGHT be possible for any Company employee to make a request some of their "Company Script" converted into US money, for "outside" spending purposes. However, the value of the Script you are "paid" with, versus an actual dollar value, will likely have a difference in what one can afford. Kind of tough to explain, but, consider it to exchanging of currency from another country. Yes! Even a Company's "script," versus the US Dollar, may have a slight difference in value.

[@1940limited]

Plenty of houses, but not one person out and about. Almost looks like a ghost town.

[@melodieharrison4708]

A lot of Lester's lived there

[@anner.5347]

Your videos are interesting but hard to hear, louder please.

[@realappalachia]

the older videos had a lot of issues with that, I have purchased better equipment for future videos. Thanks for the feedback.