GEORGIA: Dirt POOR, DYING Rural Towns - Far Off The Interstate

[@kennethmattsson880]

When I stumble across old abandoned houses while out walking in the woods I often think about how it was someones pride and joy at some point long ago that they looked after. These people lived their lives, joy and sorrow, hardships and blessings. Now they are long gone from this world. Its humbling to think about.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree.

[@doriswhittemoore6457]

Where is a Grocery store and hospital in this town?

[@steveafanador6441]

I do the same 👍👍

[@Shavonbest4u]

@@doriswhittemoore6457 don't look like they have one

[@Shavonbest4u]

@@doriswhittemoore6457 it's humbling to see how some people live that's why I appreciate this channel. It makes u feel grateful for what you have

[@misterleech6418]

From GA. Drive through all those towns except Kite regularly on Route 15 while going between Athens and Savannah. Sandersville and Tennille are physically adjacent to each other. Both cool old towns, particularly Sandersville, which is seemingly the way richer of the two. The tower in Tennille is an old water tower. If you’re ever in that area again, go to Milledgeville; has a mostly abandoned Victorian era insane asylum that was once the largest in the world.

[@StephenBryda-jo5bz]

Milledgeville mesmerized me

[@billganas467]

i was recently in M-ville....I thought it was/is one of the coolest old towns i have been in. It was clean and there were people on the sidewalks enjoying life. I was most impressed by the numbers of pretty ladies I saw....sadly , i had many more miles to go....... safe travels 2 All

[@Swrqltr]

My late mother and her people are from there. Growing up it was a fun place to visit. It was like going back in time. Everyone dressed up and I can remember the gentlemen tipping their hats to my mother and my grandmother. Sadly time has caught up with milledgeville.

[@akeishaharris]

The small old house with the tin roof reminds me of my grandparents home in Union Springs, Alabama. No running water nor restrooms. I miss my grandparents ❤️

[@easyb622]

My grandparents house was like that in Central Georgia. I’ve actually had fun back in those days, but the racism in that city was unbearable. Things are changing a little bit around the city in Central Georgia but I am happy in Atlanta right now.

[@jenietate]

Hurtsboro, Alabama Born

[@Tamikias]

The small house with the tin roof in Harrison belonged to my great grandmother. She died in 1985. It was once restored.

[@45AMT]

Those old houses in Bartow (pronounced "bar-toe") those style houses are common throughout GA with sharecroppers. Most are very old and the people that live in the very poor. Most fell into disrepair and were abandoned. Heard of Kite never been there. My Mom was born in Sandersville. I've never been there I was raised in the Macon area. No living in SC after a career in the USAF. Thanks for showing me these cool small towns in my home state.

[@jamisonbernhardt3310]

Big plans to develop the bartow corridor.

[@mistyn380]

I’ve lived in Georgia all my life and believe me you don’t need to go to the rural area to find abandoned houses like these. You can find neighborhoods like these with houses all boarded up in Atlanta city itself. They did a clean up a few years ago around the city and they found so many bodies in those abandoned houses.

[@Scriptorsilentum]

r u serious?! i remember a couple of episodes of The Wire that involved murdering people and leaving them to rot in vacants.

[@ouijadon1]

You ain't never lied, 10 cemetery's worth frfr

[@mistyn380]

@@Scriptorsilentum I remember the city reported most were drug addicts that may have overdosed. A lot of homelessness in Atlanta city as well. Sad nonetheless..

[@niamac7777]

👀😳😳😳😳

[@hellomikie92]

Georgia has tons of abandoned buildings. They are indeed in Atlanta, but others are in other cities like Macon, Albany, kite, etc

[@kelleywhite6713]

I find it interesting that they all have really nice vehicles!!!

[@shavonfreeman]

I grew up in Swainsboro, GA . So I have rode through all these towns with my dad. This video brought back lots of memories.

[@outlawofga]

SWAINSBORO in the House !!! I here ya 😉👍 Me too. Currently

[@kerriealison6545]

My mom grew up in swainsboro All my life we rose kirw kite Swainsboro, exetera. There was no interstate. It just makes me so sad.

[@kountrypoet1859]

Portal says hey y'all👋🏾

[@thomashall291]

That overpass in Tennille is there because trains come through and they are in no rush

[@billysikes1374]

I lived in Waynesboro over 30 years ago, it was literally like living in Mayberry, it was awesome, love and miss it

[@cindyherring1998]

I live in Waynesboro and it's grown a bit! We now have a good many "home grown, mom & pop" stores, boutiques, cafes, etc. I love living here!

[@billysikes1374]

@@cindyherring1998 I miss it every day, still dream about Waynesboro, weird I know, I loved it there too, My parents divorced and I've been in Savannah ever since, It sucks here!!!

[@billysikes1374]

There was a BI-LO and Dairy Queen when I lived there lol

[@maryegan9946]

Lived in Waynesboro for about 10 years back in the 1980’s. Good memories.

[@jmathews470]

Worked a many a day in Waynesboro at plant Vogtle as a welder. Made great money and the locals treated this old southern boy like their own. Thanks for the hospitality.

[@harrisonmantooth7363]

I love touring through these older towns. They have such a rich and interesting story that needs to be told and archived for future generations. Thanks Lord Spoda for sharing. Stan

[@RichardFelstead1949]

I agree.

[@denisesmith2745]

Oh, my gosh! The house in Sandersville you took a second look at. How beautiful. Can’t we all imagine having lemonade on that porch? It must be something to see on the inside. I had a nice feeling about this town. I also had a warm feeling from Wrightsville. I woke up today wanting a car trip, and once again I got it.. thanks to you! Just sipping coffee and going along for the ride. You made it happen! Love to you and Nicole

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Denise. That house is amazing. I hope someone eventually renovates it. If I had the money I would.

[@revenge4468]

Sandersville getting rough.

[@williamburtjr.8730]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip there is a small mapdot town in ga that offers a college scholarship for all that live in the city limits for 2 years. Maxeys, Ga. Look it up it might be worth a visit to you on your way back through. Love yalls channel

[@mrsmincey9731]

I'm from Sandersville and after I left I didn't keep up with nothing but family and as the older generations die I visit less. Only time I go home and visit is to check on my mom,grandma and dad because he been sick and battling stage 4 cancer for some years now but i do turn around it's nothing there.

[@eclipse369.]

ew no busy road for a frontyard is the last thing i wanna be on

[@overtheGarage-ue8lh]

The crosses you see along the highways in the south are roadside shrines where someone's loved one died in an accident.

[@leticiawallace1220]

I live in sandersville. That big cement tower you saw is an old water tower. Tennille is pronounced (Tennal), yeah, I don’t know why either. Sandersville has civil war reenactment every year. Elijah Poole(Mohamed) lived here. Yep there’s that . There’s a church on every corner.

[@darstraveladventures7153]

I'm from Sandersville and absolutely loved growing up there!! Another bit of history, during Sherman's march to the sea, he had a stay at the Brown Museum in town and would not burn down the County Courthouse because of its beauty. Thank you for the video! I recognized all parts of each town you visited.

[@gregorywellssr7857]

Well,wasn't that mangy dog a sweetheart?

[@BasicUniversalEconomics]

burning that building should be a war crime.

[@lazloraj905]

If you're from Sandersville, have you ever gone to the restaurant Dairylane? It's in Sandersville, and it's really good.

[@darstraveladventures7153]

@@lazloraj905 yes, of course! We have to make a stop everytime we're in town :)

[@lazloraj905]

Glad to hear that :)

[@the4thnate]

I thought I hated the rural life until I hit my 30s. All of my old classmates/friends are long gone. Some came back only to leave again but here I am still here with cheap rent living just fine while they struggle in larger cities.

[@Evus-st5di]

@@msmissy143 Trump started your country heading into the abyss.

[@msmissy143]

@@Evus-st5di Who started your Country going into hell?

[@Evus-st5di]

@@msmissy143 unfortunately, if you don't have any evidence of a god or gods, there is neither hell nor heaven!

[@msmissy143]

@@Evus-st5di Who started your Country going to Hell? It's always been in Hell right?

[@Evus-st5di]

@@msmissy143 thankfully I'm not American!

[@amandagarnto9626]

The very first home shown on the right in Kite belonged to my great-grandmother. I grew up in Kite, and now live on the outskirts of Wrightsville. It hurts my heart to see the shape of many of these homes and buildings.

[@BrunieStudios]

You are uncovering hidden treasures, it’s sad how we discard the past, how we neglect people and places…

[@af-np4pg]

If old homes could speak. Georgia is a fascinating place.

[@charlyjames9145]

It's interesting your concept of old from a European perspective, virtually all the houses in our 'downtown' in our French village were built between the 11th and 16th centuries and are still lived in. When we lived in the UK, Cornwall, we had a structure behind our house, Trethevy Quoit, which was 5500 years old although no longer lived in!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right. :)

[@enitahofstrom6027]

I always like to look old houses and wonder who used to own it and where the family is now.

[@happyteachersday5283]

i started to binge watch your videos december 18 last year. I just turned a month now watching your videos and loving all of them. Love from the Philippines, General Santos City!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!!

[@normanthidemann8310]

Thanks for the caboose and train station. You were about 2 hours away from me in McCormick SC. Thank you again!

[@keyup2626]

Rural Georgia is a very special place. Kind of sucks to see all those abandoned store fronts, I just wonder if they could ever save them.

[@tinafoxx4507]

It looks beautiful but idk about special....my brother lives in snellville Georgia and it was the most bizzare uncomfortable experience I have ever had in life going to see our brother....I'm the youngest if six , mixed although long hair and fair skinned you can tell I'm mixed all my older brothers and sisters are full white...went there was absolutely made to feel out of place even going to the gas station felt like I was going to get abducted... didn't stay but two days left asap didn't want my brother to get treated differently for having me as a sister those so called nice southerners were brutal and it emasculated me and made me feel bad for existing

[@southernparadise9896]

@@tinafoxx4507 how were you emasculated as a female? “Emasculated” refers to a man being made to feel like less of a man.

[@outlawofga]

The brick fronts could be salvaged in Kite GA. But nobody is interested in working in these parts hardly. Well the older people, but not the young. So it's chance of restoration is none existent. One of my close friends Mr Townsend owns all that, half the houses you see. That place was on American Pickers... Mike n Frank came to buy stuff from Mr Townsend.. Thanks for watching 👍

[@matthewsparks8821]

Not for another two years 😂

[@Jimmy_MZ]

@@tinafoxx4507re you saying snellville as in the one next to lawrenceville in Gwinnett county? If so then this is the most far fetched description of that area lmao. Nothing bad happens in that area. You want sketchy then go below Atlanta.

[@4eyes2sea]

I watch all your videos.. counting humans.. on the streets, going to work, school, skateboarding kids, old people with walkers, couples with young kids, bicycles.. there aren't any! (maybe one) are we all isolated in our own little worlds? Thanks for your hard work. Hugs for the wife🤗

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@williebeamish5879]

Seems that way to me. I just moved back to a university town of 26k. Used to be hopping at night. Now it's like they rolled up the carpet at 6 pm. Creepy. I blame "the covid" and trauma based conditioning.

[@ardiris2715]

The younger generations drink relatively little alcohol. The US isn't the only country that has lost night life over the past twenty years. Mostly the same reason, young adults don't drink much.

[@daviddecelles8714]

I too look for pedestrians. Didn't see any in this video.

[@4eyes2sea]

@Ardiris it's true. Kids don't go out and party like we used to cuz it'll cost um big time when they get caught.. right? They're home glued to their screen.

[@Sojourner24_7]

Couldn't help but notice how quaint and clean most of those small towns were in spite of the poverty.

[@tanburanbu]

All the 'urban youth' went to the nearest city. Go figure

[@adnanbinabdullah9615]

Who took care of the thrash ehh!

[@alabamaal225]

Probably because most of the houses are owned by the residents. Whenever you see trashy neighborhoods, you can bet most of the houses are rented.

[@Lilybeth7]

As always lord spoda. I love your videos. Brings back memories I’m from South Carolina a small town just like these. Thank you.

[@33MarciS]

My father was the minister at Tennille First UMC when I was born. A wealthy family went to the little church and gave generously to it. It was lovely and even had a pipe organ, which is unusual to find in such a small church. Also, people from Tennille pronounce it ‘Tin-ull’. Phonetically, your pronunciation was correct.😊 Also, that house in Sandersville appears to have new windows and looks to be structurally sound. I can’t help but to wonder if it’s been prepped for repainting. I hope I’m right.

[@elizabethjordan5755]

My daughter's babysitter lived in the Sandersville - Tennille area. I visited her and her husband years ago. Wondered what it was like living in the segregated South 70-80 years ago.

[@kaylangham2713]

I'm thinking the wealthy family you referred to was probably the Paul Thiele family. Mr. Thiele was born in Wisconsin, but came to Georgia and founded Thiele Kaolin. My mother worked in their Reedy Creek operations office until she retired. The Thiele family were great community supporters.

[@33MarciS]

@@kaylangham2713 It was the Smith family. I believe they started the Tennille Banking Company.

[@zenobiamartin1936]

I have really enjoyed your videos !!! One correction about Elijah Muhammad, he was born in Deepstep Ga., a few miles outside of Sandersville. Many relatives are still there. He established the Nation of Islam a few years after leaving the area. Keep up the good work and safe travels !!! 💖🌹

[@hveal81]

Correct!. Elijah Poole was the name to which I am related. A lot of rich history here.

[@titanman8302]

I think you're very close to the age of those homes in Bartow. I lived in S. Carolina as a child, about 95 miles north. Most of the shacks we and others in the town lived in were worse than those homes and they were built in the mid 1890s. They've most likely been abandoned because they don't have indoor plumbing. People left those homes in a lot of cases because the owners didn't want to install bathrooms and running water. S. Carolina for instance, started mandating that around the late 60s into the 70s. So, those homes have been abandoned for at least 40 to 50 years.

[@daviddecelles8714]

Thanks to you, I now see the relationship between mandated indoor plumbing and abandoned low income tenant housing.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

@@daviddecelles8714 In Australia , they're called "renovator's delight" .

[@gabe-po9yi]

@@RichardFelstead1949 Lol, that’s hilarious. Best code for “dump” I’ve heard.

[@gabe-po9yi]

@Titan Man. I can understand for new construction, but I’ve never heard of forcing someone to put in plumbing. (?)

[@titanman8302]

@@gabe-po9yi why do you think they condemn homes that don't have running water, or the toilet doesn't work. It's considered a heath issue...believe me, it isn't a good feeling getting up in the middle of the night and relieving yourself in a 5 gallon bucket. 😉

[@cherienafo7676]

LOVE your work !! You dont need to 'jazz it up' !! as its perfect the way it is, which is why I come here- to see the historical houses and hear the stats -(I,m in Australia) Thank you. Great work.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for this, Cherie!

[@youngyhasard3219]

On devrai faire ce genre ce film a BRISBANE QLD

[@johnh8705]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip please keep it simple. I like the amateur stuff

[@millertoyal]

I grew up in a small town in South GA. This is exactly what it looks like. However, it is still one of the safest places to raise children. We never locked our doors, played outside all day, and everyone knew each other. There were occasional fights between the local drunks @ times. I remember maybe two local homicides, which were usually domestic violence.

[@asamanyworlds3772]

Why we moved to one

[@stephanielong2674]

Where did you stay at? I use to live in Multrie can't remember how to spell it but it was kinda close to Tifton and I lived in Adel(cook county) and I live in paulding I lived in Bartow before as well and Unidellia is where my aunt lives at hogansville is where my brother lives at. I love South ga.

[@millertoyal]

@@stephanielong2674 I stayed in Barwick GA. It's like 20 minutes from Moultrie. Small World, huh?

[@nikkibankhead6759]

So you lived in Mayberry 😅

[@wll1130]

Rural America. Safest places to raise children. Worst places for those children to try to begin life as a young adult. There are reasons why everybody is flocking to metropolitan areas despite it being less safe than suburban and rural areas. Safety isn't everything. Safety doesn't even register as a need if there are no opportunities for one to adequately provide for more important needs.

[@embwhitton9792]

Over one hundred years, and probably looked good when they were first built. They were, evidentially built real well.

[@hotlanta35]

Those old houses in Georgia and Tennessee were built solid

[@islami658]

Imagine how many tornadoes they survived

[@jeanettemelendez4967]

BEAUTIFUL as alwayssss..... the most important thing that I love, is when you show the churches and I know in your heart your a great person....just the way you complement them,,,,as a cristian that I am, that really moved me. Lots of blessings to you and your wife,,,,,excellent video....love it.....

[@88scotteeee]

I’ve really been enjoying your channel the last few months. I’m not able to, working and being anchored in Maine, but what you do I would love to do, traveling the country and seeing rural areas and towns!! I’m glad you do this on your channel, I’m seeing the country through you!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Scott!

[@neelytara5940]

Wrightsville is home to author Alice Walker. Her story, the Color Purple, takes place in Hartwell Georgia.

[@knowledgebornunderstanding8826]

Is she and Herschel related?

[@stewartmerrell8321]

Alice Walker is not from Wrightsville

[@palamabron2481]

@@stewartmerrell8321 I think she's from Eatonton.

[@nancywhitten2585]

…and why is that? “We” sent our textiles manufacturing overseas. Smart of “us”. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@stallion1733]

Roy Evans was from Bartow, GA. Roy owned American Bantam Company and is credited with creating the first Jeep for use in WWII.

[@joshuaturner8559]

The town you’re in is called Adairsville and it’s on the out skirts of Bartow county. Downtown Cartersville is actually the main part of Bartow county

[@thomasroth4533]

I found your channel yesterday and have watched quite a few of your videos as they are absolutely fascinating. And a lot of Americans still think that this is the greatest country in the world to live in. As a Scandinavian it makes me laugh out loud.

[@georgiapatriot13097]

I'm from Georgia and I most definitely love running into these old towns that we have here

[@allensmith9012]

Know this part of Georgia pretty well, back in my working days I traveled these same roads. Not to far from you , just below Washington Georgia is a little town called Sharon, back about 100 years ago it was a thriving town until a fire destroyed just about all of it. Today about all you will find is one original store that is still open, or it was about 20 years ago, and it is home to the oldest Catholic Cemetery in the state of Georgia, it is way out in the woods and a pretty erie place. Very few people still live there but it is about what you would see in this video. As for the big beautiful empty home in Sandersville, you might want to find an exterminator and check for termites.

[@fastsetinthewest]

Hahahaha, I lived near Leefield back in the 70s. You hit a home run about bugs.

[@ruxrox]

Imagine the people of area, 60+ years ago, were either excited they had the house, or, thinking they deserved better. Could have been a lot wives telling their husband, I deserve better! Next thing you know the husband and wife are in subdivision shopping at the local Walmart. Sad. Enjoy what you have and forget "what if" or "if I could". Just thank God you're alive.

[@angeldance08]

Grew up in Adrian my entire life before moving to Swainsboro! Adrian used to thrive. Had the best gas station chicken at Food Chief. After they closed the school, population started to decline. Love my little towns. Thank you for visiting our small towns

[@nikkiboyd9844]

I saw the Georgia towns. I’ve lived in a small town. For the last 6 years. The main thing Georgia is that they are putting all of the businesses and shopping area’s in Atlanta and surrounding counties. They forget the rest. There are a few areas that are worth visiting.

[@bunnyman6321]

Damn

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

Because Atlantas metro has 6 million people and counting. We in the metro have BOOMED. Mcmansions going up in bumblefuck nowhere means we need strip malls and new suburban artery’s to help commuters

[@pamelacoe44]

@@LucasFernandez-fk8se That’s all fine and dandy! However you can’t abandon other parts of the state.

[@billstill1794]

lol - Bartow: at least they had a brand-spanking new fire hydrants (@5:00) installed recently! Love those old abandoned houses! ...Kite was beautiful in it's own way too! The person(s) who owned that gem of an old gas station (and car!) most likely passed and had no relatives to claim it and so it sits. ...Tennille was quite interesting - definitely once (or stll could be?) a major railroad stop as RR tracks wind throughout the town. ...Did I miss a cat?

[@FiremanTonto]

That’s in Wrightsville, and I work at the fire station we recently painted them 😂 and there’s a few new ones.

[@COL1N_]

I’ve been watching you for several months and it’s compelled me to go exploring too. Ironically this video was filmed about 90 miles from the last GA county I explored. You may like exploring Dahlonega, Ga. It’s in Lumpkin county.

[@chrisgarrett601]

Hershall grew up on Brewton Lovette Rd. My Dad lived near Hershal and farmed near there.

[@GeorgiasGarden]

Could you give demographic makeup as you go through each town?

[@diamondtron01]

I was born in Waycross Ga but I live in the neighboring town of Blackshear. The one thing I have a problem with is that there's nothing to do on weekends.

[@southernparadise9896]

Herschel Walker grew up in a single room shack with no running water or bathroom. He was dirt poor. He is the perfect example of being anything you put your mind to and climbing out of that poverty.

[@easyb622]

Shannon Sharpe also grew up like that too.

[@ayoslimthaproducer4828]

Everyone can't play sports

[@johnh8705]

You forgot to mention the genetics. He's 6'1 220...

[@southernparadise9896]

@@ayoslimthaproducer4828 who said anything about putting your mind to something being limited to sports?

[@southernparadise9896]

@@johnh8705 that’s actually a pretty average height and weight in the south.

[@peopleofonefire9643]

I was on the original planning team for Peachtree City and designed its original path system. At the time, Senoia was almost a ghost town, with a population of about 900 people. Girlfriends and I would go biking there, because automobile traffic was almost non-existent on weekends. The way that Metro Atlanta is exploding now, you can county on those rural hamlets being just like Senoia in the future. Now there ARE many rural communities in South Georgia that have died or are dying. Different economic situation there. However, I understand that Floridians are beginning to move into South Georgia , because the real estate is so much cheaper than Florida's.

[@user-es3zh3jk5o]

I've looked online for homes for sale in rural Georgia. What I've noticed is there are very few to no jobs. There are limited grocery stores, only gas stations and dollar stores. The state really should invest in the entire state. Too many little towns have died.

[@pamelacoe44]

They’re to busy focusing on Atlanta and their metro area.

[@NoSpam1891]

If you own a home in one of these dying towns, what's the chance you can sell it or even rent it out? I guess that's why people stay until they die.

[@eeclass20]

Tennille looks to be a bit of a railroad town, and the house listed for sale was up at $185k (Feb 2023). Sandersville also has railroad connections, being the headquarters of the Sandersville Railroad.

[@trishasfh8842]

I lived in Georgia for a while. You would be surprised a lot of those abandoned houses have people living in them. The horrible poverty keeps the owners from being able to do even the simplest repairs. There are a cars at a few of those houses..people are living there.

[@melrol8860]

Really enjoyed looking at these familiar towns--close and personal from somebody else’s lens. Being from that area it was entertaining and informative to get a visitor and historian’s unscripted insight of the towns. I’m ready to see your stop in Augusta!!!!!!

[@garou198]

Stumbled upon the channel by total accident, and now I have to watch all the videos. I love it! Greetings from Hungary!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool! :)

[@jacksontown2224]

Greetings from Stonecrest, GA. Plan to watch more. The last courthouse looks a bit like the one in Oglethorpe.

[@cryeyres1610]

What I'm amazed by is there's almost no people seen walking around ... I wonder what the towns look like when the night comes.

[@johnthomas1843]

Suggestions for more small town visits: Hawkinsville, Cochran, Eastman, Montezuma, Manchester, Pine Mountain.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I'll put them on my list.

[@ThatFatMom]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Add Empire, Chester, and McRae to the list. All in the same relative area. I grew up in Cochran.

[@donniebrasco4114]

I watch these videos and makes me want to sell everything and move there. I absolutely hate society and everyone in it. I know why people live in these towns and don’t leave.

[@indianprincess8219]

I like learning what famous person is born in the towns that you visit. Another great video!

[@theramblingsoflarry9290]

Great video! I am in south GA near Lakeland GA. I love riding my motorcycle through the small towns. What I am always interested in the demographics and what is the main source of income.

[@lmcwill0502]

Have not had the time to catch up with you and the wife, did some traveling ourselves. I have lived in GA for a short while , there are only a few places I like in GA, that's Savannah and some small northern towns in north GA are pretty . My husband had a thriving car business in GA that we left to move to FL , primarily because back then the schools were better in FL then GA and we wanted out daughter to be in good schools. Now the schools are getting worse in FL , no longer have a child in school , thank God . I still enjoy going to Savannah , very cool town .

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Savannah is awesome. Absolutely beautiful city.

[@ShadMorningStar]

I grew up in towns like this in south Georgia. It was impossible to have a decent life there. We barely made it living in a rv behind a automotive shop. Schools were horrible and the gang activity was through the roof.

[@jamesbasaldua100]

Another awesome overview about your travel threw Georgia historical sights. Take care and be safe sir. See you on your next video.

[@LuisJimenez-el3rd]

Me too thnks Sr.

[@jeffclark5268]

Threw? Georgia educated?

[@TinkerTailor4303]

@@jeffclark5268 It’s everywhere, don't single out GA. Besides, it's rude.

[@PedroNord]

Your videos are so fair and impartial. I really appreciate the work you are doing. It makes it very difficult to be very optimistic about large swaths of this country. I’m also speculating that a large portion of the southern US has a severe allergy to house paint.

[@southernparadise9896]

The only thing that doesn’t peel or warp in Georgia is metal or vinyl. A lot of these older homes are clapboard. The humidity and sun tear them up. I paint my pump house every 2 years and it always starts peeling by the end of its first summer.

[@kfizzle1795]

😊

[@rosamwen2267]

So I’ve watched a few of your videos and I’m a bit puzzled due to the lack of people in all of the towns. Where are all the people, the pensioners sitting outside on the bench, the kids playing outside or coming from school, people going to work, people that work in their garden etc. I’m German living in Germany and never have I ever seen a town let alone miles and miles and miles of towns with literally no life in it…appears more like a film set rather than an actual town where people reside. Madness!

[@ardiris2715]

If that house lacks plumbing and the electric is still spool and wire, if any, it is not worth renovating. That area of the CSRA still had outhouses in the 80s. (:

[@hisdness1]

Wow, the landscape is beautiful and the area rich with history. What is alarming though is that you barely see any people outside, barely anyone is taking a walk. Why is that? Everybody loves to stay inside or they don't know what to do outside?

[@watershed44]

@hisdness1 They're dead.

[@Laurel-zg8tn]

I am really enjoying your video's, my heart hurts whenever you show a town that once was full of life and good times..I would like to understand a little more on these towns...do you know what the main companies that the towns were built around were and what happened that the jobs were lost?

[@ashleystuart9427]

Look at y'all rolling thru the back roads of Gods country. Love the show as always. Stop by Forsyth in middle GA and grab some lunch.

[@Solutions3000]

"The crime rate is high here." What kinds of crime would they commit, in Bartow, GA?

[@marywalker2896]

Roflol 😂 maybe stealing a newspaper oh wait nm u can get the news on your phone now.

[@hoopty.]

Stealing a gas jug.

[@claudehighsmith7311]

Probably drug arrest. I know in Brantley County that's what's happening , basically your safe here.

[@lmcwill0502]

You would be surprised at the crimes those small towns have drugs is probably #1 , thieves stealing for their drug use , and lots of DUIs . It's not just in the big cities , the southern small towns that have lots of poverty , drugs are the crimes

[@greenbrown7776]

The crimes: Drugs and domestic violence.

[@Whatisit_1999]

I love your statistics and history. Very well presented and you really give a good perspective of each town.

[@trainnerd3029]

13:24 locomotive, sitting there, waiting to do switching in town. You come across some really cool railroad stuff… Not sure if you realize it. Lol. Great videos though!

[@Steve7318]

I love the older towns in the South and these might be good areas for relocating people who don't need to be geographically based to earn their income, retirees, former military and people who work from home. I have been living overseas for a few years mainly to escape the high cost of housing and rents and other things. I'm going to investigate GA and other places ou've videoed. I cannot imagine who would not complete high school these days, unless these are people who are working on a GED? I think you even need to complete high school to join the military or get almost any job other than fast food.

[@greenbrown7776]

The issue moving to these places for retirement: Medical care. Certainly 40 years ago and even 20 years ago, the rural South had a halfway decent supply of smaller hospitals and medical practices. That's gone except for the larger sized, relatively wealthier small towns and rural counties. Another reason: Insularity. Even if you're aligned culturally and politically with the town residents, you might have trouble ever really being fully accepted. It can happen -- I've witnessed some people being fully accepted. But more often, it doesn't. I know people who moved to my hometown when I was teen, and the families are still considered "new" four decades later. And heaven help you if you're even a political moderate, much less an outright liberal, or have anything less than a fanatical devotion to fundamentalist style church.

[@Trisha_B_done]

I live in a small rural town which us about 45 minutes from Warner Robins. My dad was retired milutary who dIed at 46, but bc of hiis benefuts my mom got most of her meducal care through the AFB in WR. You might enjoy the peace and beauty of retirement in rural Ga.

[@catherinenyoro3953]

@@greenbrown7776 in other words... "racists?"

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Visiting Bartow is like taking a step back in time. I can picture tying off the horse in front of one of the houses. I’d love to tour one. Enjoyed the tour and trivia. Sandersville has a nice downtown. Thank you!

[@cindydeen4594]

I go through Bartow when heading to Evans. I love it.

[@hondapreludepbb99]

My gosh I was just in kite last week a lot of farms an unpaved dirt roads too but very calm and scenic if your a naturalist … good information keep up the good work !!!!

[@richceglinski7543]

Prison population is probably included in the statistics for Wrightsville.

[@suefink7292]

i watch the urban explorers who explore abandone houses. some over in France and Italy, and sadly the neglect is there too. some really heartbreaking stories. makes me wonder why someone didnt step up when it first started happening sure would have cost less then. thanks for sharing. i really like your channel and how you share things. save travels

[@leospring6264]

Glad you made a second pass at the home at the end of your video. It would be a "money pit"; but boy oh boy, to paint the home and restore it to its former glory ............just imagine. It would make a great bed and breakfast! Love seeing real smalltown America. Thanks for sharing!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree.

[@DeeMoback]

GREAT STUFF!!! .....my whole family is from 1930-1940's Kite, Statesboro, Soperton...... they couldn't afford a traffic cop once so they parked a police car on side of the road and moved it every now and again.....I heard many stories from those old days.....wild country always

[@stevenanderson1766]

The house for sale in sandersville is 185,000 on Zillow. Amazing on the inside. Would be closer to $400,000+ here in Madison Wisconsin.

[@zenobiamartin1936]

There are many large old homes along that street that he took a second look at. I believe across from that house is another home that is referred to as the old Brown's home. Allegedly General Sherman stayed there during his march to Savannah. At one time it was about to fall down, but was purchased and repaired. Not sure, but once it was said to be turned into a museum.

[@tonyamcnure4312]

I live in Sandersville and you are correct. It is the Brown House Museum.

[@scottcalkins1248]

Interesting video. Really enjoyed it… very cool and well done. That house in Sandersville is beautiful… I just want to buy some paint and a scraper and go to work on it!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Me too! :)

[@Scriptorsilentum]

i've always wondered what kind of business could be made by dismantling abandoned buildings to recover old lumber, stonework, brick, flooring...

[@laneydeanwill]

This might be obvious, but some of these places look like they don’t even have an electric company, telephone company, water system, and definitely not a hospital. It seems like the state government would have a department that goes into these towns to establish these things. I’m under the impression that sometimes churches or entrepreneurs with resources do this, assuming locals are willing to be involved.

[@claregale9011]

Hi from the u.k. , 8 find these places fascinating nothing like this in England where I live , but saying that I live in Kent on the outskirts of london which has villages with homes older than the u.s. my local pub was built in the 1500s , love watching your videos 🙂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Clare!

[@greenbrown7776]

I grew up on the other side of the Savannah River from these counties. My hometown is downright prosperous compared with some of these. But you see a lot of the same kind of thing on the SC side of the river, too. You got kind of close to some bigger small towns with some real money in them and nice homes, such as Eatonton and Milledgeville.

[@pennystewart9469]

Milledgeville is very pretty.

[@joey6223]

Good stuff! I used to live in "Tenn-ul" and "Sand-uz-ville." Twin cities, and a great place full of great folks. The per capita income doesn't tell the story of that place tho. Millionaires everywhere, kaolin made it that way.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Is that how Tennille is pronounced? Dang!!

[@melrol8860]

Yes. I love when visitors come through. They always pronounce it Ten-nille--like captain and ten-nille. Not sure of the spelling🙈. And yes sandersville is the kaolin capital!!!!

[@joey6223]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Yes sir. Tenn-ul. I lived half way between Harrison and Tenn-ul.

[@mrsmincey9731]

@@melrol8860 correct 🤣🤣 I'm from Sandersville and graduated 2006 left and it's still the same. It's a culture shock when you hear others that didn't grow up in the "country " as we call it. You should've took the main street from tennille into Sandersville where they have a few more stores but still not much.

[@revenge4468]

Go up toward Dublin. There's beautiful old houses in Dublin.

[@geraldturberville2068]

I use to live in Wrightsville Ga. Until I move and I been to Kite Ga. And thank you for sharing this.

[@raymassie5319]

The house you past in Sanderville which was the 2 story nice house. It’s a 4 bedroom 3 bath 3300 sq ft asking for $185k

[@ValiaEstri]

I'm really loving your videos! Any plans to hit southwestern Georgia? Americus, etc? I hope so. There are a number of really great small towns, especially De Soto, Georgia. Super-duper small population. I wanna say about 100 to 125 people. But anyways they are so small, they forgot to hold elections in 2005 and 2007. How does anyone forget that? 😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We will absolutely be visiting SW Georgia. Probably in April. :)

[@ValiaEstri]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Fantastic! Be safe out there! :)

[@overtheGarage-ue8lh]

Those old gas stations scare me. Think about those giant underground gas tanks. When they went out of business who would come out and make sure the tanks got dug up? Who would pay for it? Nobody I'm guessing.

[@deanalanna]

You can see the character in many of these houses. Some of these towns will be revived at some point… I hope.

[@microbios8586]

The most depressing drive I've experienced is from Atlanta to the Florida panhandle. Atlanta area is so far removed from the rest of the state, economically and culturally.

[@treyparker3775]

You spoke the truth

[@pamelacoe44]

Really sad!

[@jerrydwyer9057]

Thank God

[@tobydavis5673]

Enjoying your travels. You’re getting very close to where I live. If you come southeast of this area seen in your video, you’ll be around Statesboro and Brooklet, GA. That’s where I live. Looking forward to more of your small town videos.

[@akeishaharris]

I have a friend who is from Statesboro.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We'll be heading to that area in April, Toby. :)

[@briandefnall]

Excellent videos! I just discovered your channel about a week ago and have watched over a dozen! I love riding through all of these small towns. It drives my wife crazy in person, so I can live vicariously through you 😂😂

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you! 😀😀

[@alroc2]

Thank You!!! I love visiting little towns and you saved me a lot of gas

[@silvercash64]

I absolutely love this Channel !!!!!

[@gregkerr725]

When you see very large red cedars on a property the place is very old as those trees grow exceedingly slow.

[@hankogle6858]

Spent many days in Kite ,Wrightsville and Sandersville. In Sandersville they have a hamburger restaurant called Dairy lane. The best hamburger you have ever had in your life.