Gilbert, West Virginia: Coal Town Turned Hillbilly Heaven for ATV Riders Along Hatfield-McCoy Trails

[@kimmy3469]

My father in law was born in a little white house up by horsepen mountain and was the gg grandson of devil ANCE. His grandfather married Sally Hatfield. He grew up with the Hatfields-Carters and Brownings. He’s very old now but I showed him the video and he lit up like a little kid lol. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@realappalachia]

That’s awesome, glad y’all enjoyed it

[@corbo9578]

Lived in gilbert my whole life. I love seeing all the people that come to visit our little ol' state.

[@kevinnobody3052]

That's beautiful country over there. The people there are REAL. They say what they mean and they mean what they say. They're beliefs are based on real values and the media and Hollywood doesn't speak for them. I would rather live in an old log cabin way back up a mountain holler in Mingo County West Virginia than live in a million dollar mansion in Hollywood.

[@bookFreak8191]

Gilbert is my hometown. I recently moved away to go to grad school. Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to hear someone have something good to say about the region for a change. 💙

[@rebeccacole3451]

I’m proud to say that’s where I come from!!! 💙💛

[@noellewest4349]

Gilbert is where I grew up also!

[@erikcaldwell2913]

My mom was born in a log cabin, with a dirt floor ,in Gilbert Creek , back in the 40's.No running water , and had an out house. I believe she went to that school also, in the 50's.

[@realappalachia]

hard to imagine life like that but my mom grew up in the same conditions you described

[@carolyndavis7476]

Thanks for the road trip. Interesting that Patsy Ramsey was from that area. Glad to see two coal trucks...I know a lot of families still depend on that for their livelihood. Stay safe.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much

[@stoneycarter7789]

I don't think Patsy Ramsey was from around here, I've lived here in Gilbert my whole life and never herd of her before I think she was from Parkersburg WV. Now they say Patsy Cline was from gilbert but I truly don't know

[@jennifermiller3557]

Hello Shane. Thank you for highlighting our town. I am a lifelong resident and now Mayor of Gilbert. Our town actually has 3 entrances. Had you continued straight at the 3 way stop instead of turning right to pass the Larry Joe Harless Center (which was built by Buck Harless and named after his son), you would have seen the other half of our town. Over and over we hear from our trail riders, who come from all over the country, how friendly and helpful our residents are. Gilbert is a great little town to visit and a wonderful place to live. If you ever pass by this way again, stop and see us at the Municipal Complex!

[@realappalachia]

thanks for pointing those out, I will take note for the next time I am in the area. I know Gilbert has a sterling reputation among ATV riders and I can see why, I encountered nothing but wonderful and friendly people on my trip, which matters a lot to folks visiting. I appreciate your comment and for the invitation, you have a wonderful town so you guys are doing a great job.

[@matthewturowski8281]

Gilbert is a great town as are most small towns in West Virginia. I love coming down because the people are so friendly and the mountains are beautiful. I actually hate to leave, one day I won't. We stay in Man and usually ride the trails over to the BBQ at Twin Hollow campground. This year I hope to come down twice.

[@noellewest4349]

Loved the video! I grew up in Gilbert and Jennifer Miller was one of my High school teachers! I haven't been to visit Gilbert in years! After watching this video,I sure want to visit my hometown very soon!

[@gardenstatewoodworks8396]

We always stayed in justice WV during trail fest in October. Always liked the town of Gilbert. There used to be a restaurant right there at the trail head food was always good wonder what happened???

[@timpoore7823]

Jennifer is one of the nicest ladies I’ve ever met. We stayed at her cabins a few years ago. Going back next month and stay a week at miller cabins. See ya soon Jennifer!

[@kindnessworks71]

I tell you West Virginia is so beautiful thank you for taking me along in the front seat of your car I really do appreciate you God bless and stay safe my friend until next time

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, God bless you too

[@pathoward4798]

Awesome to see this! My grandma is from Gilbert/Justice, I have never been and I am glad to see this. Good Job!

[@realappalachia]

Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

I just found your channel today. Gilbert is my home area. I haven't been there in a long time. The first school you past was the Junior High when I went. Buck Harless built the Larry Joe Harless Community Center & named it after his late son. Thanks for a tour of my hometown 🙏🏻

[@virginiamartin7312]

It's like riding in the passenger seat touring the great mountain treasures. I appreciate what you are doing. GOD BLESS You.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, God bless you too

[@mountainfolk2000]

Thanks Shane, another great video. I remember the Gilbert area well. Most of the small towns are still the same as they were when I was there. It's like opening the door and stepping back in time.

[@realappalachia]

A lot of them really do stay remarkably intact

[@wvgatorgirl3069]

Thanks to you I feel like I travel all over West Virginia. Appreciate your time and videos ❤️

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching and for the kind words

[@toneybradford3338]

Great video my dad was born in raised down in that area he’s now passed but I haven’t been back down there in at least 20 years I was just talking about going down and visiting family members.Only about 4 hours from Columbus Ohio.Thanks for sharing.

[@noellewest4349]

My hometown,sure do miss this place!

[@realappalachia]

it is a beautiful piece of the world

[@bconsley]

I enjoyed this one. Thanks for the background info and little tidbits of history. It really makes the videos interesting.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching and the feedback

[@bookFreak8191]

Driving good old U.S. 52 - I know that highway like the back of my hand. Gilbert is my hometown, I just moved away last summer to Huntington to go to grad school at Marshall. I loved the plug for Pizzamingo - that was my first job out of high school. I worked there for years and still keep in touch with the owners, wonderful people. Also, thanks for showing the better side, too! Poverty is definitely a thing, but I feel it’s become almost fetishized when it comes to portraying Appalachia. And, yes, you pronounced Guyandotte correctly! As for the Community Center, I’m not sure - I think originally it was connected to Buck Harless, but over time other people took over ownership and direction. Unfortunately, the movie theater closed around ten years ago; just doctor’s offices now. If people want to go to the movies, they have to drive 45 minutes to the town of Logan, where there’s a Cinema 8. Sorry to ramble, but this is such a great video. Thank you!

[@noellewest4349]

Gilbert is my hometown also!

[@burningsandsexploration3711]

Nice drive and very scenic. Thank you!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you

[@sodbuster4296]

We go there twice a year and stay at twin peaks campgrounds and ride the Hatfield McCoy trails.Always had a good time.

[@realappalachia]

Glad to hear from someone who has visited. Thank you.

[@Fatal4ud1gy09]

Your thumbnail brings back nostalgia. I was part of the environmental department of the company that put in the King Coal Highway. From the Premium 3 Surface Mine to Horsepen Mtn to Red Jacket - back 10 years ago...Great to see this video!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, David

[@mntliferdave]

I have always wanted to explore that part of the US....thanks Shane

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching and the comment

[@atvanstrails]

Visited Gilbert in 2007, was down to ride on the trail system from Nova Scotia Canada. Great spot, friendly people, awesome hospitality and look forward to visiting again sometime

[@tomcowle6211]

Another fine video ,,thankyou much...

[@marclayne9261]

Ancestors, since 1740s, Virginia & Kentucky...Scot-Irish... ...Duffield ,VA....The Duff Mansion....Mark Duff here.....We fought in every war, French Indian War, before the nation was founded, up to today....Thanks for bringing me home, for a while....

[@realappalachia]

I just heard about the Duff Mansion a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I worked in Duffield for BB&T bank about a decade ago myself

[@brianjackson9237]

You wouldn't understand it less you was raised and Born there I was myself from beencreek

[@dennislockhart7290]

I don't know how you made it through town going that fast without getting pulled over....lol

[@charleswells5266]

Gilbert was at one time, a real hub of activity ,They had a high school. academic and athletically competitive.🏈🏀

[@AdamBrowning]

Larry Joe was Buck's son, who passed away not long before they commissioned the community center.

[@toastoflondon3362]

What can I say , I'm going to do that drive one of these days please God. Best as always from UK

[@beverlygamble4789]

Beautiful area..

[@jaynemorris3895]

Thank you for sharing.

[@bricktx1]

Looks like a nice little town

[@dianaoneil5469]

Really enjoy your videos. It’s fascinating to see areas of the country that we would otherwise never see. To help viewers know where you are, maybe you could add a small WV map in the corner showing where the town is located?

[@realappalachia]

I'll have to try to think of a way to do that

[@audramatney1148]

Wonderful video keep the camera rolling

[@kimdads9261]

Brother you got to slow down a bit I want to see everything there is to see love your knowledge about these places keep it up another great video man

[@realappalachia]

Thank you. I think I let the person tailgating me intimidate me to go too fast on this one lol. I'll do better and thanks for the feedback and watching

[@darrelmurphy4930]

Larry was Buck 's son. My dad worked for Mr. Harless at one time and my cousin worked for him.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for the info

[@debbieepperly3821]

I really enjoyed this "ride along" with you. You could've just kept on driving it was so nice! And I learned something as usual...I didn't know that JonBenet's mother was from West Virginia or that she had been Miss West Virginia! That info may have come out during the investigation but I don't remember it. No wonder she wanted her little girl in pageants. That's a story that we'll probably never know the truth to. Thanks again for yet another beautiful drive! God bless you & stay safe!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching and the comment, they are most appreciated, Debbie

[@anthonyscott4679]

The truth is she was sacrificed by her very rich and powerful Pagan parents. She was hand selected and used by the media to carry out the sacrifice, same as all the ritual killings. Wiccan witch, Casey Anthony comes to mind. The media and freemason wizards and witches that run the world are pure evil.

[@GAMarine137]

Wow. Didn’t know about the Ramsey connection

[@jdub229r]

We come up from NC a couple times a year to ride & support the local economy, Mercer County has excellent trail riding and good food.

[@audramatney1148]

Beautiful country ❤ God bless keep camera rolling

[@realappalachia]

Will do, God bless you too, Audra

[@Chihausen]

Great Video! I’m a local from Duffield VA and I was wondering the next time you are in the area if you could make a video on Rye Cove VA. Lots of history about our small community, including the most deadly tornado in VA history. I also went to high school there. Thank you!

[@realappalachia]

I'll try to remember to do that. I worked in Duffield a lot when I worked for BB&T bank

[@MsRybak1]

Shane….While I’m watching your videos and I see the old coal communities, I can’t help but wonder why technology hasn’t come up with environmental solutions for the use the coal. We have it in such abundance and these beautiful towns could once again prosper.

[@logicmilkbone]

Who gave this guy a 👎

[@realappalachia]

I do have 2 ex-wives so...lol

[@1Dougloid]

Your scenes remind me of my home in Newton Falls New York. After the iron mine closed down and the paper mill closed forever a lot of people moved away. The only growth industries in that part of the world are Fort Drum and prisons. It's achingly beautiful but you can't eat that. What kind of camera do you use if I may ask?

[@realappalachia]

you're right on the money about all these industrial towns. In that video, I was using a GoPro Hero 9 Black camera - I am still trying to get the hang of using it.

[@jodyellis2222]

Home. I used to live where Twin Hollows is. Long story about that one.

[@glenfrancis40]

My father was born in that little town…Wandering if there are any Copley people still living there?

[@mikeberry2135]

Love your videos, but you need to turn your mic volume up. I always need to turn my volume up the whole way and even then can barley hear you

[@christianlady6168]

Wish u could have drove thru Gilbert when the trees were full green or in fall changing colors..yep on a beautiful day..beautiful place no one take advantage of w.va. beauty in this videos so sad

[@billystacy8102]

my granpa used to live in gilbert big old house

[@TJHayne]

Any chance you could do a video on Richwood WV??

[@realappalachia]

I'm hoping to plan out that general part of West Virginia for the summer or fall. Hopefully, it'll work out.

[@TJHayne]

@@realappalachia That would be great! Thanks for responding and thanks for the cool vids.

[@kevinjohnson3012]

Love and appreciate your videos. With this being Black History Month I believe people would enjoy a video on The Resting Tree. Burial place of slaves. Located on Resting Tree Lane next to Sugar Hollow park. On the left going up. Keep up the good work and God bless you!

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for the kind words and the suggestion. I'm not familiar with The Resting Tree but it definitely sounds like something that needs to be checked out.

[@nookam]

Anyone remember any people with the last name England from Gilbert?

[@juditheggleston7189]

Patsy Ramsey was born in Parkersburg,not Gilbert.

[@FORTRAN4ever]

What I see is are Alabama rolling stops.

[@Elkviewwv]

Is there a reason for driving so fast?

[@realappalachia]

For one thing, I was the passenger and for another someone was tailgating us

[@kennethhaynes7772]

I've hauled alot of fuel to them mines in that area

[@ronjacobsen3264]

Damn. My hillbilly ass better move to Gilbert.

[@brianjackson9237]

Oh yeah they sure did you don't rest to sure someone still making it happen in the mountains

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Ya would think Pennsylvania would Make a large ATV trail system with some of its land like WV did and bring in revenue! Instead of making everyone register an have insurance! But not allowed to ride on roads just certain areas and handing out citations to every Tom Dick and Harry!!!!!

[@realappalachia]

it is definitely big business in that part of West Virginia. A lot of other places need to figure out how to work with ATV riders.

[@matthewturowski8281]

With the current governor in Pennsylvania, that unfortunately will likely not happen. The state has for years collected fees for ATV registration but hasn't really expended much on meaningful trail development. Hatfield McCoy worked because it had support at the state level and they have realized what a tourism boom it can be. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is now working with the closest local town, Shamokin, to allow riders to come into town and patronize restaurants, etc. It is the model that HM follows and so far, seems to be working, on a much smaller scale though. Its success will depend on riders acting responsibly and not idiots in towns.

[@track1219]

I agree! I live and ride in Michigan. Northern Michigan has an extensive trail system, I bought a 2 nd house up there just to ride! It fuels their economy.

[@ginny46able]

Go to princeton please

[@realappalachia]

that is a great suggestion, thanks

[@rrich52806]

a FAMILY DOLLAR ACROSS FROM McDs.

[@koda4398]

Love the place but trail riders don’t have a bit of respect, i live probably 15 mins from gilbert

[@tomlowe7947]

Slow down.

[@Mistyberryzz]

Mentioning ANY other pizza place with PIZZA MINGO is blasphemy!!

[@realappalachia]

my apologies lol