Beckley, WV: Then And Now

We take a look at the “City of Champions” Beckley, WV: Then And Now in this video. Fascinating to see what has changed and what remains the same.
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[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

I loved Beckley in the late 1960’s! ❤

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

And early 1970’s!

[@poppybell8217]

How ‘bout early 80s? That’s when and where I came into being! ❤

[@tiredofit4761]

Born and raised in and near Beckley. It’s sad that so many people move away including me. I love the people. Hate big coal. When I do go and visit King Tut Drive Inn is still my first stop!!! I have gone there all my life. There’s so much rich history and wonderful people in Beckley and really all of southern WV. They care for one another. I miss it with all my heart

[@larkhigginbotham5374]

King Tut Drive Inn is being sold.

[@josiahrickens4556]

Now playing at the drive in the real Appalachia with Shane and melody

[@realappalachia]

Now that sounds good! Haha

[@josiahrickens4556]

@@realappalachia I came up with tht when I seen a picture of the drive in on your video

[@johnreed8336]

Enjoyed your trip to Beckley WV . You picked a bright sunny day and blue skies . Looking forward to your next adventure . Greetings from Derbyshire , England .

[@realappalachia]

Thank you! Glad to have ya!

[@SheilaRiley-ug9pb]

I've been watching Mysterious WV for years and he's covered several crime cases in Beckley. Great to see it. Fascinating. Thank you for this

[@benlaw4647]

Enjoyed this ! I love Beckley and Raleigh County! Appreciate y'all..God bless..🙏❤️

[@hello9945]

Thank you Shane and Melody with another excellent video; we appreciate you!

[@m.jdavis5447]

Let me just start off by saying I miss Beckley West Virginia I was born in bluefield West Virginia and raised in Beckley West Virginia I live in Savannah Georgia I miss home so much there's no place like home 🏠🏡🏠🏡

[@robertlong8326]

Thank you all for making this !

[@deeallen945]

Awesome video! I love hearing Melody talk. It just makes my day.

[@realappalachia]

Aw thank you so much! - Melody

[@beverlyproudfoot583]

We went to Camp Beckwith for church camp. That was a long way from Clarksburg when you are a little kid. All back roads no Interstate. Thanks ❤️

[@davevan8864]

I miss Magic Mart store in Beckley more than any other. We drive 1.5 hours to go there.....so it does draw from a large area. thx

[@danielmoore7332]

A Menorah is what I saw in that tree as well! Nice video, you two

[@Heavy_Distortion]

Beckley! Never been there. I would love to spend a summer in Beckley. Just chill with the locals.

[@robert6897]

Beckley is full of crackheads have fun lol

[@robinhaupt9119]

Fun visit, thank you Shane and Melody. Loved the historical pictures, well done!

[@warmsignal]

It's honestly one of the most deluded places in the state. The town was virtually killed by it's suburban shopping center in the 70s and never recovered. There's little historic district revival, in fact, 100 year old structures of the town routinely get demolished every so often only to be replaced by private use parking. Virtually everything of historic value at the corner of Neville where you stood is gone, the government offices are new structures. Law offices and government buildings reside, alongside many derelict and dilapidated properties. Compare this to Lewisburg, Princeton, or any comparable WV town. Beckley is sadly a husk of something that once was. The shopping center might give you a different impression, but there's no local feel or representation to be found in it. Hate to be negative but the town really could stand to do much better, even by WV town standards.

[@flu4pdmt]

I'll agree with you on Lewisburg but not Princeton - I worked for Piedmont Airlines (and later USAir) in Bluefield and both those towns are shitholes for lack of a better word. I had to drive through or by them everyday for years and it's pitiful what they have become. This goes along with the airport for Bluefield as opposed to Beckley. Bluefield's is a dump with no service and a joke while Beckley you can land pretty much anything there and still has commercial service (limited as it might be - it's still alive) with an actual restaurant. Just my two cents worth.

[@jamese3169]

Man, I haven't heard of Value City in years. Never went to one, but I heard about them. Kinda like Maxway. Haven't been to Bekley in years. Great video.

[@sunnyvibes5406]

This is a great video!! I am from New Hampshire, and my family and I just bought a house in Beckley!! We are moving down the end of this month, we went there and fell in love with the city! I can't wait to be a permanent resident!

[@jackscott6551]

run..run fast.. its bad here

[@realappalachia]

That is awesome! Hope your love goes well

[@flu4pdmt]

Awesome video about Beckley. I'm from Mullens and we would go to Beckley all the time because it was the closest "city" from us..lol. When Shane apologized for not realizing that Beckley had so much stuff, it's always been said that the reason Beckley has so much is that Senator Byrd is from there and did a lot to promote the town and get business's to come there. People always used to say that southern WV stopped at Beckley because the other towns south (Princeton, Bluefield.....etc) never got the attention and stuff Beckley had. Keep up the good work :)

[@828hype]

King Tut drive in is my favorite restaurant ever

[@TJHayne]

Your soooo close to Richwood! I would love to see you guys do a video on Richwood WV. Great small town with lots of history. Thank you for your videos! Keep em comin’😃

[@realappalachia]

We’ll have to keep that in mind! Thank you! - Melody

[@patriciabogue6811]

So interesting. I especially enjoyed the old pictures.

[@thomastommy1192]

Sang it pretty guy, lol. Awesome video thumbs up. Stay well & safe out there on the road.

[@jenniferwilkerson4040]

My favorite King Tut ❤ next time get the meatloaf sandwich you can thank me later lol 😆

[@realappalachia]

Mmm I love meatloaf so I definitely will💯 - Melody

[@zxtenn]

Cool, i have passed that place a few times when driving around Beckley with my friend, i just came back from 3 days in Quinwood about an hour ago.

[@brianspivey9254]

How was the food at the King Tut? it looked good. Reminds me of a Drive In we use to go to in Bluefield, had the best footlong hotdogs in the world.

[@realappalachia]

Their food was fantastic. They had an amazing hot dog too

[@larkhigginbotham5374]

Sad to say that King Tut is being sold.

[@chubs1701]

Great video Great tour of Beckley y'all make us feel like we're there with you love the pics and you two are so Great having fun and we're having fun with you thank y'all for that👍👍👍❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!!!

[@MargieMD]

My Dad took his medical residency in Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital in the late 60's and I remember the beautiful woods surrounding the Hospital and it's clinic...❤❤❤

[@catholiccrusader5328]

Thank you very much. My first time seeing your show and am a new subscriber. Much love from Chicago.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much. Hope you’re doing well in the Windy City

[@barbaramilli980]

The Presidential used to be a hotel. Where they built the new courthouse annex used to be a G.C. Murphy's, it had the old restaurant with the counter with stools and booth tables. Rahall (prounounced ray- hall). Nick Rahall born in 1949 at Beckley is a former United States Representative. All the streets of uptown is where I grew up in the 80's. King Tut used to have the best food but have went downhill in the last 15 years or so. You missed Wildwood House, the home of General Alfred Beckley and the cemetery he is buried in.

[@realappalachia]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! - Melody

[@judypierce7028]

I just viewed a video that began the same way in front of the statute. I believe you two needed som more sleep. You two are so hilarious. Loved the music. It just fit the video. You are so much fun to be around. Both of you make of day. God Bless.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, Judy!

[@peterjhillier7659]

Thank you Guys, another great Video, thank for sharing your Day with us.

[@realappalachia]

Our pleasure!

[@2008ENJ]

Me and my mom love watching you guys and we were so excited to see you came to Beckley!! I absolutely loved the old pictures. You mentioned Value City, it is now Ollie’s. Some other notable places to see are Prinecrest now Jackie Withrow which was opened in 1930 as a Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Black Knight Country Club rumored to be haunted. One more is The Chocolate Moose which has a rock climbing wall and miniature golf course. Thanks again for another great video!

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much for those!! We learn as we go too and love it. We’ll have to check those out when we go back! - Melody

[@mell682]

« Lovely day » by Bill Withers could be your theme song of the day :-) Just love that man and his songs. Great video !

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!! We’re big fans too! - Melody

[@sheridankittle761]

I went to Jr High which is now part of the WV campus there you guys drove by, very historical building and this video made homesick. I will be back soon and thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@KarenAaron-e2s]

I love your picking back and forth with each other in fun. You two are awesome! Enjoyed the road trip!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Karen!!

[@Nathanjr815]

I was born there in December 27th 1982 at Raleigh General Hospital best hometown forever in my heart ❤ I moved away in 2003 after I graduated from West Virginia state university and today at the age of 40 I live in Charleston WV

[@jeffwilkes5151]

I enjoyed your video of Beckley it brought back memories of time spent there in 2001 while attending the MSHA Mine Academy just down the road in Beaver.

[@walterlangston4484]

You have been filming. Close to my housr live just short drive from beckley

[@realappalachia]

Cool!

[@michaelbragg6903]

Carter Hall at WVU was the original Woodrow Wilson High School. The empty space on the right past the Attar Center was some law offices that had a roof collapse about 3-5 years ago.

[@earlljrquesenberry4826]

I grew up in Mabscott, my great Grandfather was Kester Thompson. Kester was a company man and worked for Mabscott Coal Company. My father worked for C&P Telephone Company. So far I have enjoyed the pictures in your video. I can remember all the locations. My wife worked for the Beckley City Police Department as secretary for the detective department. I wonder if you'all making the video are from Beckley? I live in Colorado now and worked for a coal company here for 22 years 3 months and 10 days. My life long friend is from Mabscott and now lives in VA. I hope you make more videos. Thank You, Q

[@TimmyLittle-n5h]

I met you guys in Sophia WVA at the local go mart. I love your content! ❤

[@realappalachia]

Yes we remember you!! We were stocking up on pepperoni rolls haha. It was so nice to meet you! - Melody

[@TimmyLittle-n5h]

Love pepperoni rolls for sure! Keep up the excellent work y’all are funny too, gotta love it❤

[@sandy89107]

That town seems like a big city the way the streets are a little confusing to get around and more modern buildings. I prefered the older photos and music 😄

[@teresadalton741]

What is the name of the song played during the photo/video collage at the beginning? I love it. Any info greatly appreciated!

[@MrRoseandrc]

Grew up in Beckley nice place Thank you

[@karenreichenbaugh856]

Awesome video

[@BlackMan614]

There is half the population in Beckley from when I grew up there (though Raleigh County is roughly the same), yet traffic is just as bad despite the new bypass.

[@jimmilton3203]

Where those metal cardinals sit there was once a building that burnt down. Grew up driving by it frequently and always found it very eerie.

[@madamountaineer2459]

Mountain State University is now the University of Charleston Beckley campus. They closed King Tut in the fall. I was born here, spent most of my life in westen Raleigh county and now live here. Great representation 💙💛

[@omar10213245]

They closed King Tut??! No way! Are you serious???

[@randalljames3080]

Jeff Galimore created the statue of Alfred Beckley. He was a friend of mine and passed away a few years back. The King Tut drive in was closed and demolished recently.

[@greatmusicfan57]

😅❤Sing it y'all. Great old photos.

[@hsserry5289]

I’ve worked in and around Beckley, WV, for many years on and off (1974-2002). Got trapped one time during a snow storm for almost 3 days, mid 1995.

[@billbergendahl2911]

I was born at the Beckley Hospital in 1954. When I was growing up in the 1960s all the shopping was in uptown Beckley.

[@omar10213245]

My Mom was born in Beckley in 1947, raised there all her life.

[@richvest7212]

My hometown

[@monac9459]

Ive been through beckley at least 20 times buy never made it pass the Chickfila. The downtown is very cute. I live in Georgia but work in Ohio alot. Wanna talk small world...my hair stylist in Georgia is from Beckley.

[@monac9459]

ps...I do ultrasounds all over the country.

[@realappalachia]

Very cool!

[@omar10213245]

Is your hairstylist Jerry McSprinkles??!

[@danalynch8889]

There was a store in New Jersey, don't remember its name our family shopped in the 1950's and 60's. People cam from all over to shop there. It was huge and was three stories tall with two places to eat in it. It had everything you can think of and more, it was like a Walmart on super steroids.

[@michaelbragg6903]

Near where Walgreens is now was Big John’s Packette used to be. You had to stop and there was a window where you asked for whatever you needed and the clerk would hand it out a window. The empty space on the left across from the church used to have a theater and some stores. There was another theater on the corner when you turned right on Heber Street. It collapsed after a heavy winter storm.

[@shelbykidwell9138]

My dad and mom from beckley, still have family there

[@michaelbragg6903]

Near the Cody’s Corner area is East Beckley. That’s where the black residents lived in Beckley and where Stratton HS was where Bill Withers went to school.

[@userangelamoore76]

My childrens family is from Coal City they are the Thompson and Grubb family I lived there for a few months but my children are half Virginian half West Virginian gotta say west Virginia had some awesome people there

[@garybryant6148]

I just watched your video about Beckley WV. Very good video. I am from Beckley and still live here. Up date, The Presidential is a Hotel. King Tut has went out of business.

[@poppybell8217]

Really lovely music- I sense jay unger and Molly mason ❤

[@earlljrquesenberry4826]

My wife and I had fun at Little Beaver State Park.

[@LinaUzumaki42]

first 33 seconds in and im smiling real big. i love you guys.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!! We’re so glad!

[@stevedavis6879]

..amazing video. Love watching these old and new clips of the states. I'm in the uk and if I was to visit over there I'd sure choose these kind of places . 👌

[@johnmarshall8021]

WVVA-tv is like storefront studio I saw at WLS-tv(Chicago)

[@stevenww3560]

Looks like this is a very peaceful place to be!! So is Shane Mr. Farley or Mr. Roper? Lol haha

[@heatherfulmore3412]

The place looks like a city but iit is clean.

[@userangelamoore76]

I moved to West VA in 1994 from VA with my then boyfriend we went off the mountain where ep😅erly and farly hill meet it's right up roads from Coal city and odd west VA it was terrifying bc when you go off a MTN in west Virginia it's a big one I loved it there but I was only 18 when I got out of surgery I went back home to VA but west VA has wonderful people in it

[@chrisrichson8833]

Love the video as always. But the pictures went by to fast especially the ones with text. There was no time to read.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks, Chris! We’ll try to slow them down a bit next time. - Melody

[@codydeboard1991]

Love the video like always! And loved the threes Company theme song! Will that hit be on your Real Appalachian Greatest hits! Lol “Call now and get bonus CD for 1 low price” lol 😂 love all your y’all’s videos!! Much love Shane and melody!!

[@realappalachia]

Hey that’s a good idea! We need a CD!! 🤣 - Melody

[@codydeboard1991]

@@realappalachia I would most definitely buy a copy!!

[@Desert-Tan-Whiskey]

👍👍👍

[@runningkeith]

My first job was Revco drug store downtown. Then I worked at G. C. MURPHY CO. Downtown was a happening place. So many stores and memories.

[@daviddryden8088]

Some of the best jibber jabber on YT. 😉

[@realappalachia]

Thank you! Haha

[@JBowman-ps2ri]

Nice Video! I'm from Wyo. Co myself🤙 Next time yall are out Beckely riding, speaking of Woodrow H.S. if you turn on the road goes down by it, All of that area behind it is a nice neighborhood u can drive around... its private "Rich Ppls" Houses lol... it's just right past Appalachian hospital...it be a cool video!

[@realappalachia]

That does sound like a cool place to see

[@wvhillbille9458]

We are from Kermit West Virginia, Dang I need to get home and get some mountain therapy.

[@wilbertdrake5214]

My home town is gone 😢 😪

[@johnmarshall8021]

It’s a lot like the car hop restaurants in Cumberland MD and Logan WV (pre-sonic) can you send me up something from there…

[@wilbertdrake5214]

Beckley was fun just like oak hill west Virginia but drunk and drugs took out the town in 202020

[@R.yeehomeO]

Great videos i love em seriously. Not my business but why or how are you guys able to do this? This is what I'd be doing if my financials was right. Do yal get paid to travel, or just an occasional hobby when you can? Again not my business but so curious as I'd love to do this also.

[@kennethsnyder4848]

Grew up in that area. It breaks your heart to see how things have went down hill for the great state of WV and it’s people. These videos show how good hard working people get F….KED by our government.

[@realappalachia]

Sad but true

[@dajammyjamz1104]

We had a value city, its been ollies ever since!

[@cathygray4923]

What do you feel is the most southern affordable safe city to live in WV? Looking to buy property with two small homes on it.

[@berniegoodman2823]

Born Crab Orchard jist outside Beckley not too fur away, then Oak Hill, then Bluefield, then South Charleston, then army , then Florida, now in South Carolina. video made me want to go home to West by God Virginia.

[@realappalachia]

Glad we could bring some of home to you.

[@garycarpenter6433]

I used to know a girl from that town and I can't remember her name she and I worked at the Charlotte Airport as security guards in the old part of the airport

[@pamelajamesgardner8651]

Bill was from Slab Fork WV.

[@abbiegreen817]

i live here now but i wish i lived here in the 50s and 60s. it was so alive and beautiful and now its just kinda dead 😿

[@sandwichfromyoutube]

Beckley VS. Princeton, Which is the better place? 🤔

[@bradlane3662]

Beckley is bigger but so is the violent crime rate. I've spent a great deal of time in both towns. But for me personally, I've never liked Beckley. But that's me. Definitely more restaurants and entertainment in Beckley if that's what you're into.

[@sandwichfromyoutube]

@@bradlane3662 I'll have to visit sometime. Thank ya! Ya, crime is pretty bad all around anymore. It's sad to see.

[@pm8302]

Yeah well I remember Beckley when it was still hanging on as a coal town (1984-2001) We had Billionaires such as Chris Cline/Paul Kizer/ Jim Justice/ Tracey Hylton/ Joe Maynard. All gave to the Beckley community.

[@828hype]

RIP KING TUT

[@Michelle0670]

King Tuts will be closing September 5th. Owner is retiring.

[@realappalachia]

So sad

[@robatsea2009]

Got to keep an eye out for those Monotone people! 😆

[@fredholley6248]

@ 17:48 no way you can call Beckley 'sun city', especially from Nov thru March lol.

[@Waddict]

So sad that King Tut just closed for good. :'(

[@realappalachia]

Heartbreaking, we loved it there

[@jessdrake2422]

Melody, did you eventually go to school for ultrasound,?

[@realappalachia]

I did not. That’s a whole story of God leading my path. Every time I tried with ultrasound, something major come to stop it. I ended up doing MRI instead and loved it! - Melody

[@AgnesCongdon-xk8hr]

King Tut Steve Martin

[@earlljrquesenberry4826]

I spent a lot of my life walking the sidewalks you are on.

[@wilbertdrake5214]

Try Fayette County place went to he'll with drugs and drunks