Brownsville, Pennsylvania | What The Hell Happened?

Brownsville, PA...WOW! This is easily one of the hardest hit areas within the Rust Belt. Located 40 miles south of Pittsburgh, it really looks like time standing still from decades before. Abandoned homes, empty businesses, it certainly has that ghost town appeal. After the industrial era decline in the 1970's, Brownsville's economy collapsed and hasn't been able to recover since. Steel, railroad, and coal jobs were lost. Small businesses closed and banks shut their doors, people had to move elsewhere to find work. Will it ever find it's way back to recovery? I hope so. For now let's take a drive and check it out!

[@robinsmith8252]

You literally hurt my soul. This is my Mom's hometown. I spent many summer vacations and holidays with relatives there. Some of the best restaurants/pizza/hoagie places. The river, the railroad, a hospital, several groceries and pharmacies. EVERYTHING a small town needed. Wow. Just so sad.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you so much for watching Robin!

[@E.Grablinski]

may be just not a season? in Russia, many cities look dull not in summer

[@frankwoods4532]

Days gone by. At least you have your memories to hold on too.

[@anthonymiller8979]

Same here. I visited my grandparents here in the 1960s every summer. Was a thriving town back then. So sad to see it now. My grandparents lived on Angle Street just below Second Street.

[@AAA-uy2ob]

So what happened

[@1940limited]

If the people in that graveyard could talk, what stories they'd tell. Imagine what this place was like in their life time. Same old story: Jobs go away, town falls apart.

[@FloridaGirl-]

🎯 bingo

[@renatoamaral8259]

Believe it or not, parts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, also falling apart. Same mechanism, same thing happening here.

[@cynthiacrowe4899]

This is my hometown and watching this hurts because when I drive home every couple of weeks to see my family, it gets worse! Uniontown is starting to die off as well. I grew up in Republic and graduated from BHS class of 09. I lived in old coal mining houses over in Thompson/Pencraft area. We grew up calling these "patches" so we were know as Patch kids! I'd love to see another video of those little towns that are within Brownsville. Great video, very nostalgic

[@onrycodger]

Apparently it's like this of small towns all across the country....Really sad 😔

[@Biofeedback1975]

This is truly heartbreaking 💔. These are the beautiful and peaceful towns that need to be restored and brought back to life.

[@r.pres.4121]

You have to make these impoverished towns attractive to new investment and diversify their economy. Otherwise you will spends millions cleaning up, repairing and renovating buildings but end up still with a dead impoverished town.

[@jameshughes525]

It's weird seeing abandoned buildings with no graffiti, it looks like everyone just disappeared. Also I bet that place is really creepy at night

[@hoodsnhollers]

It’s got quite an eerie vibe even in the daytime.

[@moonfall8972]

Decrepit and depressing. There's no way this city/town can survive without an enormous reconstruction plan, and even then it would take untold years. There's no money to do it. And likely few patrons to sustain a massive revitalization plan. This is so haunting. Here in Ala, vacated property crumbles litter the landscape, especially the rural areas only a ten minute drive away from city. I always wonder why the city here doesn't take the long-abandoned structures down. But there's just too many. Thanks, again, for your time videographing --

[@jameshughes525]

@@hoodsnhollers very true and I didn't see any cops, very apocalyptic

[@MegaBait1616]

Tagging is a mostly California thing......

[@xbigwormx]

@@MegaBait1616 True and i live in Cali.

[@mattcartwright8272]

Brownsville was a substantial town back in the day which is clear by the quality and scale of the buildings. Looks like the boom started in the late 1800s judging by the victorian style architecture. And then was over a 100 years later. Such a shame, looks like the type of place you'd have been proud to have lived in back in the day.

[@Floridawoodsbanshee]

Very sad time for many towns across America.

[@slowboywhiteboardv4]

This town saw it's sad times when they closed the mines probably.

[@g.m3399]

Is this how it is… like everywhere where population of 20K or less

[@r.pres.4121]

This is most of small town and rural America, impoverished and forgotten about.

[@jonzaremba]

Maybe it was the weather or time of year but this is probably the most dismal of your videos i've seen so far. I love it.

[@jchoward6451]

That's what i was thinking: the weather suited the scene.

[@rdmeenach]

You are creating art with these videos. Urban decay drive by in silence. A beauty in these sad quiet images. Nice job.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much I appreciate it!

[@lindapietrasz8070]

I loved this one. This town has so many levels of homes and businesses. I wish you would have filmed Connellsville, the city where I was born 70 years ago. I am sure it's about the same.

[@lisabunnie22960]

"Haunting" is the perfect word. "Devastating" is the next.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

so basically it would be Devastatingly Haunting...

[@lisabunnie22960]

@@Nunofurdambiznez Very.

[@caracoates4834]

I grew up in the Mon Valley. We moved 30 years ago and it was dying then. When the mills closed, the state never really replaced the jobs there. It is really sad, I had a wonderful childhood in PA.

[@BWowed]

Its a shame to see such a nice small town so abandoned. Great video. Very peaceful.

[@11mralman]

Again, thank you for not adding narration or on-screen commentary. Your images are powerful enough to stand alone.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Glad to see your channel continuing to grow. 40k so quickly!

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much Linda!!

[@ruthmccurdy8623]

Although this was sad. The lack of graffiti and intentional destruction made it less sad. Thank you.

[@jasonpopielarczyk7511]

I grew up 10 miles south of Brownsville in Fredericktown. Very sad. I remember mid 80's as coal and steel industries started to leave, these towns fell apart. Not much left of the area.

[@PortlandsTransport]

There's something about the way you present this material that actually creates the actual "feel" of the places you cover.

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Yes, I believe it's because he doesn't use music and he doesn't narrate. He just lets us experience it as is.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for the comment. I try to make it feel like you’re there with me

[@haleyscore8477]

When I saw the diner and wall painting at 07:10 , I knew w/o a doubt this was where one of my favorite cancelled Netflix shows was filmed : "I'm Not Ok with This"😄

[@marz_mitzi]

when even detroit has more future, this breaks your heart houses in detroit of all places are being renovated while this... is dying-

[@1940limited]

Many of those homes look liek really nice places, especially the brick construction models. How beautiful they'd be restored.

[@sandevieira5674]

I'm attracted to these decaying industrial towns. The derelict remains of industry has some kind of mystery and beauty, and feel familiar for some reason. I love your videos.

[@craftygrandma8506]

I live 20 minutes from Brownsville and I've never seen these places that you have shown. We only drive though there on rt. 40 to go to Uniontown so I never knew there were places like this on the back roads. Thanks for sharing.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you for watching!

[@Salvaging-in-Az]

I would’ve watched an hour of this. Great stuff.! Steve.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Hey Steve! Thanks so much. I'll be doing some lengthy special editions coming up within the next month!

[@karentoffan7027]

You're video's have a sad beauty. Great work, thank you.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@azdrifter3968]

Watching videos like this made me decide that once my kids are on their own I'm going full time off grid living and spending time in these semi abandoned towns. I just bought a truck, now I just need a travel trailer to pull behind it to stay in. My kids are almost 17 and 18 and will be out of high school soon, ones already working and the other will be soon. We don't really have towns like this in Arizona, so I'm looking forward to exploring around the old parts of America in the Midwest and east coast. 👍

[@noahroad6577]

I ❤ Pennsylvania. I upload videos myself. I do a lot of Stealth Camping in Pa.. you capture reality in your videos better than any I’ve seen so far. Great channel..

[@toolsteel8482]

The steamboat Arabia was built in Brownsville. Brownsville was once more important than Pittsburgh .

[@allenscamaro2816]

I've always wondered who owns these types of properties, where the owners are, and if they still pay the property taxes on buildings not worth anything. You do great videos and I agree with the rest, it's like we're there ourselves driving around. Thank

[@InsaneSurvivors6]

You showed accurately what a abandoned or close to it area is.Thank you for a true great video.😁😸✌️

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@InsaneSurvivors6]

@@hoodsnhollers You are welcome.😸😁

[@jimpossidente5004]

I went to Brownsville in 2010. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

[@royfrye333]

Reminds me of my hometown ; McKeesport, PA

[@hoodsnhollers]

I have McKeesport uploaded on the channel. Check it out thanks for watching !

[@TheManInTheMasks]

I’ve never seen a town in my life where the projects are the nicest part.

[@concernedcitizen9466]

More common than you realize.

[@jamesyman007]

Very haunting, sad and cool at the same time.

[@rbisme113]

It's the rust belt. I lived in California, PA and Centerville, PA between 1989 to 2004 which are close neighboring towns to Brownsville, PA. Many people moved away due to job loss or better job opportunities. I have fond memories and so does my child of this area of the US. We will probably never return for more than a brief visit.

[@parr40]

I just bought a house in Hiller PA, right off Bull Run Road, Mike Walters & a few others actually cleaned up downtown, not too bad in the summertime, he own the sandwich shop & deli and Ron Whites Pickers Pub & Grub on high street has great food too

[@bobdagres4010]

that church at the end is awesome. 😍

[@hoodsnhollers]

There’s so many of them and it’s sad to see they probably won’t be restored anytime soon..if at all

[@robinsmith8252]

@@hoodsnhollers It's an old coal mining town. So many groups came to work. I know someone from that area by the way they speak and the foods they know. The families helped each other when times were hard.

[@mikemartin6114]

Sad to see. I used to travel on business driving from Pittsburgh to Masontown and back around 2001 to 2003. Can't remember the highway number, but driving from Pittsburgh onto the bridge over the Mon, the view of Brownsville to me was a beautiful sight and I will always treasure that.

[@jasonpopielarczyk7511]

I think Route 43

[@jjkdc62]

I made a day trip to Brownsville about 10 years ago. There was a lot of truly beautiful architecture in that town. I didn't catch it in your video, but I most remember the General Hospital, which shut down decades ago. I may have been demolished by now.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Yeah unfortunately it was taken down. It would have been more towards the very end of the video I believe.

[@whatabloodbrush]

We need the same footage in the summer, thats a big difference and would be interesting!

[@thejudgmentalcat]

6:55 what a strange dead end, looks like it goes right in the river! 😳

[@Whisthum]

It does! most likely used as some sort of boat launch

[@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956]

Tells you how long it’s been since being abandoned when a Coca Cola sign says 5c, such a shame for a beautiful town

[@marial8235]

I used to visit in the 1990s as a CUP student. I had time in between classes and would visit towns in the Mon Valley. Brownsville was bad back then, but it is far worse now. I seem to recall a drug store still being open then. There was an antique store up on top of the Fort hill, left hand side I would patronize. Did a tour of the haunted Fort. In the 1990s the grounds were nicely landscaped. Took my Mom back circa 2010 and the Fort looked almost abandoned.

[@stephentepper976]

I went to California state college 1970~1974, not far from Brownsville. my roommate was from. Brownsville. Fiddles is still in business

[@Reggie-The-Dog]

I haven't been to Brownsville since 2000 and I am glad to hear that Fiddle's is still open!

[@aprillundberg1197]

So tragic but you're right- those churches were beautiful!

[@thefridaynetwork]

10:28 That was the site of the Brownsville General Hospital. It was finally demolished in 2021 after being abandoned for many decades.

[@narutouusi-maki8483]

the new Hospital that was built to replace it on Simpson Rd is also abandoned, lol

[@fredshepherd7925]

I was born in that hospital in 1958. I have lived most of my life in Maryland but still have quite a few relatives in that area.

[@norwoodwildlife9849]

They've lost 75% of their population since the end of WW2.

[@dalecrowe5340]

Your content is amazing. Are you planning on making a video in Yakima, WA? That place has a very 'unique' reputation as The Palm Springs of Washington.

[@hoodsnhollers]

I'll definitely do that in the future, I love that area. Thanks so much for watching!

[@richard1849]

some serious old world stuff still there...thanks for sharing, peace.

[@mimalemonclock]

Fiddles Diner looks like it’s worth a drive into town!!!

[@l.salisbury1253]

9:50 - piece of trivia: "Esso" is now Exxon!

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Congrats on 40k!

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks Linda! I still can’t believe it!

[@703am]

i worked at a car dealership on route 40 back in the mid to late 90's and drove thru the downtown area on my way to work it was bad then, now looks even worse. if Brownsville ever makes a comeback, it will be years and years.

[@terrysmith7076]

I was born in Reading PA in 1957 left at 6 months old went back with my grandparents in 1966. Now I understand it's a very bad place kinda sad.

[@toddglover1121]

Nice video as always of times gone by,thanks for sharing.

[@williamburke6210]

I was born and raised there in the 1960’s I had to leave when I turn 18. I still go back to visit. Many forgotten towns like this.

[@lindapietrasz8070]

Thanks! As promised... Keep on keeping' on.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much Linda!!

[@darknessislight3689]

So much joy 😊 has turned into so much pain 😔 if this town could talk.

[@giclat1098]

What horrifies and fascinates me is despite fire and neglect the bones of these former homes - built mostly by hand by skilled workers of many trades - still stand after these years of neglect and emptiness. Many of these houses I recognise as kit houses ordered from catalogues to be assembled on site. In Canada many of these homes still stand occupied and loved. It has been a tragic waste of trees and human resources to see what is happening in the US and to see the same decline in the American worker!

[@tedkulinna9093]

I am 85 years old. SOOOO My grandfather at 16 started to work for the Monongahala

[@nintenbeer64]

Don’t mind me, just watching these videos looking for a place I might be able to afford a house. Love the sign that says “we start up to $30/hr” so… starts or up to?

[@makeitso4793]

Worked at a large church that had a copper roof. Never saw a fake one but it looks good and sound.

[@lindapietrasz8070]

01:30 Stop sign has a sign attached that says "Smile you're on camera." *NO, YOU'RE ON CAMERA* !

[@hoodsnhollers]

LOL! I say that to myself all the time when i see those

[@1940limited]

What a nice town it must have been at one time when people were prosperous enough to afford those homes. No place in America should look like this. Then there's always the "affordable housing" that also gets trashed. Despite everything, there's a big coal train sitting on the tracks, ready to go. Coal isn't dead yet.

[@piroskaracz3621]

Bring it back to life. Ill bet there's so many businesses that would do well there...not needing a cold big city. Nice trees and greenery freshen it all up. So sad

[@robinday2137]

My father grew up in a small hamlet just outside Brownsville. This town was a coal town. Strip mining and the subsequent collapse of the coal industry hurt the town.

[@maticbukovac6966]

We usually think of homes being traded.... But if there is noone to buy these abandoned homes they just become derelict and their owners have to start afresh somewhere else...

[@sabrinatscha2554]

So sad to see all those cute houses decaying

[@victorortega9845]

THERE'S 1 THING IN LIFE: AND THAT IS, THAT PEOPLE FORGET THAT EVERYTHING HAS A BEGINING, AND ALSO AN END." EVERYTHING".

[@Surfguitarist59]

Thanks for showing this video. This was sad to watch. I mean every one of those buildings was a beehive of activity at one time. This is America damn it. This should not happen here..

[@tomcatt998]

I hauled steel fo a guy who lived there George Pollachek back in the 80s.. Allenport to Martins Ferry... Haven't been back since,, it's sure looking sad🥺

[@micheleboris2851]

No jobs, no way to pay bills. Also, love the video. Can you make the captions larger? Thx.

[@yelapa999]

Quite a few scenes for "I Am Not Okay With This" (Netflix) were filmed in this town.

[@dorisdaumann5914]

Here in Germany are abandoned houses also ... but I've never seen so many in one place ... + I'm 64 ...

[@pikachu7118]

Unbelievable, just looking at theses homes and businesses, what it must have been like when it was a great place to live, it’s so sad that money rules this sad world 💔💔💔💔♥️😪😪😪

[@huskboo]

0:24 that’s literally my dads old house. Lots of memories there.

[@canadiancowboy75]

Great would be a split video, one side when it was a well cared for neighborhood and present day.

[@morganchatsworthiii9178]

7:00 Fiddles Diner. We ate their today. Such a cool place and location. Nice people, great food, and nicely priced. What was the building at 7:20?

[@kellysavage7073]

the one sad thing i noticed is that almost all of the business are all closed but the BARS are in open running fashion

[@cordeliabuffy6419]

Years ago there was a revitalization project , but like so many of these things the people in charge took the money and nothing got done. All the river towns are like this to some degree. Its Pennsylvania and nothing good ever comes from that state .

[@gazoontight]

I used to have family in Brownsville. So sad to see what it has become.

[@robertstevenson57]

Both my parents graduated from Brownsville High School in 1944. The moved to California in 1950 or 51. They would be saddened by this video.

[@davybeardshall3709]

I go to college in California, only 5 minutes away. It’s interesting going straight from campus to this. Makes me wonder why they put a state university here.

[@Khryptic]

sad to think theres so many homeless people and so many homes, less the people

[@jayjaynella4539]

5 cent coca cola sign looks fresh. The paint used must have been top grade paint. Up there since the 1950s.

[@litaheffley6990]

Sad I like it when you talk on your videos

[@sueclark2399]

This really isnt do bad, sime of these homes are quite nice and quaint little ones too... Not that bad at all!!

[@HackHunter1835]

Well the residents there dont have to far to drive for a Walmart, theres one right across the river. That being said, that place was bad, real bad. There was a FOR SALE sign on one of those houses. Interested?

[@AlaskanInsights]

a shame,. I love some of them old houses...

[@mcarlkv53]

family in brownsville since the late 1800's....only one relative left....sad

[@micheleemcdaniel389]

It would look beautiful in the Summer.

[@franciscaalvesmachadoqueir9861]

Nossa, que triste, lugar lindo abandonado.

[@_Lightning_Dog_]

Seems like a fairly nice place with a lot of potential.

[@masterspin7796]

I just checked the real-estate sales you can get some good deals on a house...

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Welcome to America

[@gerrymarten4558]

A town full of fixer upper's

[@lindapietrasz8070]

I think they are beyond fixing.

[@_Lightning_Dog_]

That’s what I see as well as more people are working from home.

[@daveburrows9876]

I've spend 63 of my 65 years within a 20 mile radius of Brownsville. This is what happens when greedy unions and greedy company execs force business to move so many of our jobs to other countries, who are now prospering.

[@rosannacellini2158]

This is so so sad. 😢

[@flavaflav7769]

so sad to see these small towns dying

[@williamroberts7919]

It's the same in Europe, Britain has been hammered by mine , shipyard, factories closers, they go and so does the people.