Iowa's Fastest Shrinking City: Clinton, Iowa 4K.

[@ChrisHarden]

Iowa Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sF7WiWqjn9WGY9E Mississippi River Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep6bYqykjNuIqa8 USA Small Cities Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmbXapScl6p6f8U ==================================================================== EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=43.06219876674538%2C-83.82163216337808&z=10 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: [e-mail] On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7/?... On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT/ DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!

[@robotbuster1487]

The ADM plant is hiring. You need to get a job and quit joyriding around 'Merica  Production Operator - Clinton, IA Corn Processing Archer Daniels Midland Company - Clinton, IA  Production Operator - Clinton, IA Corn Processing Archer Daniels Midland Company - Clinton, IA $21.13 an hour Production Operator - Clinton IA ADM Clinton - Corn Processing This is an hourly position. Position Summary: The ADM corn milling plant in Clinton, IA has openings for production operators. Job Requirements: Promotes the ADM Way and Core Values High school diploma or GED with strong fundamental skills (math, reading, writing) Strong safety performance and value for safety Knowledge of equipment operation and use of tools Stable work history Strong attendance record Strong communication and teamwork skills Willingness and ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts Flexibility in accepting change and an attitude of continuous improvement Physical Requirements: Ability to work in extreme temperatures Ability to lift fifty pounds routinely, climb stairs and ladders, wear respirator and work at high elevations Relocation assistance is not available with this position. Previous factory experience preferred. Starting pay (including $1.85 shift premium) is $21.13 per hour. This position offers a complete benefit package, including 401k/ESOP, pension, health, life and dental insurance. Selection methods include interview process. ADM requires the successful completion of applicable pre-employment drug screen, medical questionnaire and a background check. Candidates should apply online at adm.com. Applications will not be accepted at ADM. No calls please.

[@ChrisHarden]

@robot buster Thank you so much for the recommendation! Can I use you as a reference?!?

[@christyfisher4992]

I can't believe that you only showed a small portion of the Riverfront Road and completely failed to show Eagle Point Park! It is the greatest attribute to that town!

[@augl1300]

“Losing the lumber kings is the next saddest thing to happen to this town after losing their Target” nailed it 😂

[@glennso47]

When I was growing up in Mount Carroll, Illinois, we considered Clinton, Iowa "The Big City." Imagine my surprise the first time I went to Chicago a REAL big city. 😵‍💫

[@Hiei2k7]

Clinton was decently sized for us. Also, I grew up in Mt. Carroll. Had a bus driver named Ken Lego. Lived down the street from me too.

[@DarkFoxDragon]

The "cool building" Clinton Public Library mentioned briefly at 6:55 was one of the 1,689 Carnegie libraries built in the USA, it was built in 1904.

[@BoratWanksta]

That TOTALLY looked like a Carnegie library building to me watching this video, but I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for confirming, I was right in my gut feeling it was probably such a building. And I remember seeing such buildings in other towns, such as in Waukegan, IL where a library used to use such a Carnegie library building. It still stands to this day in Waukegan, but no longer houses a library. The Waukegan library moved to a newer building, a few blocks north.

[@glennso47]

@@BoratWanksta The public library In Mount Carroll Illinois is a Carnagie library. It was also built near the turn of the 20th century. So Mr. Carnagie must have been a busy little beaver .😁

[@AndAndmed]

Sad that they got rid off of the important books.

[@darthsavant23]

I was born in Clinton. Moved away in the late eighties. Have some great memories of it. Mr. Quicks, Roman Video renting vhs tapes, river boat days, playing in the woods by the cliff by 4th st, riding my bike to River side comics, getting Nintendo games at Paul’s, the 4th of July river boat days, and watching the Clinton Giants. Have a couple of family members still there. It’s always a little sad to see how rough the town looks when we visit.

[@ChrisHarden]

It’s too bad that so many of these towns have declined so much over time.

[@jillbloom81]

Mr. Quicks and Roman video?? Omg, that's some major nostalgia!! ❤😀

[@Hiei2k7]

The Quickie Burger. I know that wasn't a fever dream, it was up on the north end near the 138 bridge.

[@darthsavant23]

@@Hiei2k7 isn’t it 136 bridge ? I could be wrong. But good memories from their for sure.

[@suemar63]

I lived in Clinton for 6 months while searching for a new home in the area. You're right---STINKY. But , I still miss that place----they had some of the friendliest people I've ever met. The Candlelight was a nice place to sit on a sunny day and enjoy the river with a frosty beverage too. Thanks for this nice look back........

[@jgoodman85]

I'm from Clinton. What was the city is gone. I have several memories of what Clinton was when I was little. Tons of small stores downtown. I've not spent a night there in 6 years

[@jamarcussjohnson3414]

I love your videos. I'm learning a lot about different cities

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@RagnarokMic]

That abandoned neighborhood was literally just called South Clinton, it's where I grew up, and was really the best part of Clinton in the 90's. Just nice calm atmosphere, great park, awesome fishing spots. Most of that ADM district was houses, 16th avenue is where I lived most my time out there. 400 and 561. Haven't been back home since burying my dad in '06, don't even really recognize the place anymore, sad to hear South Clinton is gone.

[@Rideandlively]

The railroad bought it out for room when they build a new bridge that will replace the old swing bridge built in 1905.

[@jeffwilson3527]

My grandmother’s house was on a dead end street in south Clinton, with a great view of a grain building with Mr. Peanut on it.

[@RagnarokMic]

@@jeffwilson3527 Pretty sure I know the spot, was a great place to cross the tracks and get right to the DQ and Family Dollar.

[@christinezeeryp573]

I grew up there also. Practically lived in the park on 16th in the summer. Kids were everywhere. Had so much fun. And it was safe!

[@pumpkinheadqueen2071]

I lived there in the 90's. 14th Ave South is the block I lived on. I grew up there.

[@YouvebeenRicRolled]

This was a great place to grow up at one point. I lived there from ‘66 to ‘83, at which point I graduated from Burman’s Malt Shop.

[@michaelbacklund8360]

I graduated from Clinton high in the late ‘60’s. It’s anecdotal of course, but it’s my observation that most of my generation has an affection for this city and their coming of age years there. Succeeding generations, seemingly somewhat less so, perhaps for some of the reasons mentioned in your video. Thanks for sharing it.

[@ChrisHarden]

Seems to be that way with many cities of similar size throughout the Midwest

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

I couldn't leave Clinton fast enough.

[@erinp.420]

Didn’t that kid burn down part of the high school in the 60s?

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

Anthony Baresh was the CHS arson.

[@Bladeoceanic]

You forgot to mention the story of Flava Flavs fried chicken opening & abrupt closure in Clinton, IA 10 years ago lol

[@ChrisHarden]

Dang, wish I saw that one, lol.

[@ASAManifesto]

Lol what's the story with that?

[@msavochka98]

@@ASAManifesto Flava Flav started a chicken restaurant where Cousin's currently sits on 2nd St. It lasted a few months and was a total flop. Food was terrible and he barely paid the employees.

[@bstahl1121]

@@msavochka98 I heard cimino, his business partner, was in charge of paying and he didn’t. So flav shut it down. I thought the chicken was insanely good when it was fresh. I stood in line when it initially opened and I went back a week later and it sucked.

[@bstahl1121]

Also apparently flav tried getting enrolled in Clinton high for a new reality show but the school shut him down lol

[@emilymarchetta4770]

As someone who lived in a smaller town adjacent to here and drove here for work, I can tell you majority of folks who left is because of the skyrocketing crime rate but Davenport isn't much better either.

[@makhicaples6608]

He barely missed the deretio. 3 days later we had a devastating deretio

[@ChrisHarden]

I remember being completely oblivious to that being in the near forecast when I was out there too 😂

[@RjAllen420]

Ur videos are so cool. U did my state of Illinois. I like how ur doing Iowa cities now. And the music is relaxing. Thanks for spotlighting Midwest cities. 👍

[@ChrisHarden]

I’m not even done with Illinois yet! There are several small towns that I missed here and there in the rural parts, and I haven’t touched the Chicago metro area yet which will take a crazy amount of uploads and time to complete.

[@Bladeoceanic]

@@ChrisHarden For Chicagoland it'd probably be easiest to just divide the metro up into north, northwest, west, southwest & south instead of trying to cover every single burb plus the city proper. Either way you'll have your work cut out for you.

[@ChrisHarden]

@@Bladeoceanic That would be easier, but I’ll be doing a video on every Chicago suburb and the city of Chicago itself will have quite a few videos when it’s all said and done. It’ll take a long time but that’s ok. It’s apart of the fun.

[@BoratWanksta]

​@@ChrisHarden Whenever you film the smallest Chicago suburbs(say like Golf, Bedford Park), I'd probably combine those 2 examples with say when you do Glenview(for Golf), and Burbank(for Bedford Park). Elmwood Park and River Grove(smaller of these 2) probably could be combined into one video, and ditto with Norridge and Harwood Heights(smaller of these 2). Chicago area is a little like the St. Louis area, where it is surprising how small some of these municipalities sometimes can be in their small size.

[@ChrisHarden]

@@BoratWanksta Yeah I plan on combining many of the smaller ones.

[@jeremymurphy7320]

Back in the day, maybe pre-2005 (it's been a while...) Clinton had a grimy little bar called the Pig Pen and they drew all sorts of national and regional acts, mostly metal bands from what I remember. My wife and I, being children of the 80's and 90's, took a trip across Iowa from Sioux City for our one and only visit to Clinton and the Pig Pen which happened to close several years ago. We saw Dokken, Warrant and a couple other bands and it was a total disaster only aided by the cheap beer sold inside the bar. The sound system failed, the show ended early and all the bands went inside to get hammered. Edit: the Pig Pen sat behind / beside the Super 8 at 2:35. Looks like there's a gym there now.

[@ChrisHarden]

Cool story. That’s just the kind of bar that I’d picture a town like Clinton to have, haha.

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

Robbie was the owner. He had a contact within the music industry. PIGSTOCK was always a blast.

[@jeremymurphy7320]

I couldn't help myself so I called upon the Internet and setlist.fm ...July 13, 2002 was the date of the show we went to. The Metal Edge Rock Fest was a tour that Dokken, Warrant, Firehouse and Ratt were on at the time.

[@Hiei2k7]

@@nathanj.bartels9789 Absolutely correct. I think the Pen went into his wife/ex-wife's hand if i remember the story right. I used to shoot pool at Lassiter's

[@S8ER]

They also brought some MMA to the area in the late 90s. At least one future UFC fighter fought there.

[@galactose1]

Stellar video, as always. Thanks for the care, detail, and effort you put into these. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@katheryngripton95]

Originally from Iowa. You actually drove right past my old house on 5th Ave S. We moved to Maryland. Much better job opportunities but I still miss Clinton very much. Friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Definitely nicer than the east coast folk. Thanks for the blast from the past!

[@Barbara-bk5sv]

I lived in Clinton most of my life and now live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I miss Clinton a lot.

[@donjohnson3701]

I’ve travelled the Midwest and I agree that the “service economy” with its lack of well paying manufacturing jobs will not benefit small town America. I’ve seen many towns decline over the last 40 years due to manufacturing decline which isn’t coming back.

[@DarkFoxDragon]

The "abandoned neighbourhood" mentioned at 4:45 were a bunch of dilapidating old homes the locals called the "South End". These homes were the cheapest in town, and unfortunately the people living in them were stuck there because they couldn't sell their homes. Some time in late 90s? Early 2000s? (Sorry, I don't remember the exact date), ADM bought up the whole area for purposes of expansion, and pretty much set these people free from their dilapidating prisons. There were a lot of these homes that had "Thank you"s painted on them.

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

Partially correct. South Clinton did have some bad houses. But a lot were nice.

[@DarkFoxDragon]

@@nathanj.bartels9789 I mean, I lived in Clinton for 20 years. Those houses were falling apart. Yes, there are some nice houses in the other parts of the South End, but I'm talking specifically the houses in the little area he's mentioning that were torn down for the ADM expansion.

[@coryboyer9888]

There were plenty of nice houses in the old south Clinton neighborhood and if I’m not mistaken many of those residents didn’t want to leave there homes n neighborhood that they loved....there was and still remains a lot of memories of south Clinton

[@brianhardy612]

It was called South Clinton. Not south end. You had to go through the subways to get there.

[@erinp.420]

From what I can remember South Clinton was getting rough. There were a lot of people that had lived in the same homes there entire lives. I completely understand why they didn’t want to move and why in a lot of cases they couldn’t move. Yes ADM did use expanding as an excuse for buying up the properties and have yet to really do so. There were also a lot of health concerns for people that lived so close to ADM. I recall reading in the newspaper about a storage tank that contained ammonia which could cause health problems and now there are also large ethanol storage tanks on site.

[@cattleprods911]

I grew up there, and moved to Texas as a teenager. You missed the good iconic stuff, ask a local next time. Thanks for this video.

[@cindywarner7684]

I was born and raised in Clinton. I wanted to leave but my family is here. The town used to be booming in my teenage years. You're correct population has decreased.

[@pdaddy1127]

We actually used to be five different little towns! Lyons, Clinton, Chancy, Ringwood, and then Camanche. All but Camanche are joined together now. Also fun fact: down town used to be apart of the underground railroad before they destroyed it to create downtown. Another fun fact; many famous people are from here or have been here. Also 4th, 5th, and 6th Avenue south where many apartments are now, used to be the richest neighborhood; hence all the large buildings. Not to forget the beautiful eagle point and the widest part of the river. But we also have had a famous person say if you wanna get away with murder go to Clinton Iowa so there's that as well. If we took care of crime and mental health as it should be, things would be a lot better. Instead there's just pedophiles and Shady drug addicts everywhere. So much potential being wasted and everyone has seemingly given up on the city.

[@pdaddy1127]

Can't forget people like Felix Adler and Lillian Russell of course. Now we have David Johnson and Devon Douglas. So many great people end up coming from here. And at one point when I was in high-school we were in the top three nation wide for best schools or something like that. Definitely probably not the same now.

[@pdaddy1127]

Also 5th Avenue is probably the nicest block you'll see downtown lol most the town has really run to the ground. Many houses boarded up.

[@ChrisHarden]

About 5th Avenue and downtown being nice, so many people get bent out of shape if I’m negative the entire time in some of these videos I make on run down towns, so I try to be nice every once in a while, even if there isn’t so much nice to say. Also, good to know some of the other insider knowledge that you shared!

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

Don't forget that the Las Vegas shooter was born in Clinton

[@BoratWanksta]

Never mind, looks like per other comments that area near the ADM plant(which they acquired all those blocks, for plant expansion) was originally called South Clinton. And interesting Clinton wasn't just combined with another nearby town(Lyons), but actually 4 others over time!

[@johnniezimmerman7540]

Thank you for the video. It's been probably a good 17 years since I've been to Clinton. I see the hamburger place that was up on the north side is gone but Hardee's and Jewell are still there. Maybe it's me but I really don't remember it stinking there on the south side. So many memories. Once again thank you for the video.

[@ChrisHarden]

I like it when people enjoy the videos I make on places that they have roots in, but haven’t had a chance to go back in a long time. Thanks for commenting!

[@erinp.420]

What hamburger place?

[@heatherpaar1980]

I think it was called Quicks. I could be wrong. They had really cheap burgers. I miss it.

[@LennyBsMyLove]

This is where I grew up. I know every bit of the areas you videoed. It used to be a pretty great little town. Past tense. I've lived in NYC, LA, KC, and Houston; traveled internationally; I refuse to return to Clinton - very unsafe these days, sadly. You did manage to make it look pretty, though. In this video, you passed 4 houses/apartments I've lived in; Central Fire station, where my grandfather was Captain; and a few of my past places of employment. Ironically, I now live in another Iowa town, that you also created a video of. Admittedly, I'm proud of my roots, but very disappointed in what Clinton has become.

[@helenwheels1405]

Why on earth would you live in all of those great cities just to return to Iowa?!

[@cattleprods911]

I was born in Clinton (1970), moved to Texas in 1985. It was on the steep decline back then, blue collar stink hole etc., but wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything.

[@paulbroussard2907]

Wow! This video is a great eye opener. I'm from the area, but haven't been back there since, maybe, 1978.

[@clairelfhs02]

ADM is Archer Daniels Midland. They manufacture grain and corn products for human food as well as animal feed.

[@danahess1974]

And the smell is extremely sickening...

[@_lucas_1k_]

@@danahess1974 lmfao completely over exaggerated it

[@danahess1974]

@@_lucas_1k_ not overexaggerating...you probably live there and are used to it. For those who do not it IS an extremely sickening smell.

[@pumpkinheadqueen2071]

​@@danahess1974I have lived here in Clinton for most of my life, and I agree with you on that. The smell has made me feel sick.

[@gregsells8549]

Clinton, Iowa, used to be where grocers would redeem cents-off coupons. I think A.C. Nielsen ran that operation, which they moved to Juarez, Mexico (with an El Paso, Texas, mailing address).

[@edwardpladna8718]

my mom worked there

[@cattleprods911]

Correct, my dad worked there (Nielsen’s).

[@fairlaner69]

The Eagle Point Park has great views of the Mississippi, said to be the widest point of the river at the north overlook.

[@BoratWanksta]

I finally did look up Eagle Point Park, myself. Sadly google street view didn't cover the roads running through that park, but the pics I found on google maps look extremely nice! Too bad Nostalgia Tours didn't spend a few extra minutes, to do a drive through that park after he filmed the north part of Clinton(former Lyons). I wouldn't have minded this video being a tad longer myself, just for a brief look inside that park.

[@erinp.420]

7:58 The building on the right is an awesome consignment shop called Deja Vu. The top two levels are very nice, yet affordable apartments. I used to live in one and was so lucky to have a river view. I miss it so, so much. The owners of the building are a big reason the downtown looks so good as they are a part of a “downtown” group of business owners and volunteers that help maintain the area by keeping it clean and planning events. They have an awesome Music on the Avenue event where a stage is basically in the middle of this intersection.

[@RadicalRohde]

That abandoned neighborhood at 4:39 used to be a suburb called South Clinton. I grew up there until I was 7 when ADM bought out my family and all the other families that used to live there so they can expand their business. Still haven't done that yet, but you know how it is lol

[@jacor653]

I've only been to Clinton once, but I'be driven through it a few times. Being from Davenport, I like to think of Clinton as the Muscatine of towns north of Davenport. It has the same run-down, older industrial feeling with several little things that are good but which are overshadowed by a few larger bad things.

[@BoratWanksta]

In southern Iowa, Keokuk had that run down industrial feel to it as well, a la Muscatine when I visited Keokuk years ago. Which on a side note, Nostalgia Tours/Chris has also done videos on.

[@christinezeeryp573]

I grew up in Clinton. Our graduation class in the 80's was about 400. It's half that now. Used to be a bustling town and pretty safe. Driving 2nd street and the river front was a big weekend thing. Many businesses gone now including Smittys on the corner of 4th street. But that store also wasn't what it used to be when I was growing up. It was packed and the Smith Brothers knew where anything was. Really sad to see what the town is now. If they had the right people running the town it could have potential. River Boat days was a huge deal. That got ruined too.

[@PaulSikkema]

Yes, you did only see about 25% of the town. You missed all of the bluff area and the beautiful homes and yards there. You ignored the Riverfront, the Sawmill Museum, Eagle Point Park, The Arboritum and many other unique places that make Clinton a great place to live. In the older parts of town you did cover you missed a lot of the history and the fact that many of those older neighblorhoods are being cleaned up from what they looked like just five years ago. There is more to Clinton than just a WalMart. The city is a rivertown so it is approximately 25 blocks wide and 100 blocks long so there are many shopping areas spread out over it's 12 mile length. There are new homes being built, new businesses and restaurants. If you work from home online and don't mind a little work there are some great housing bargains available in the town. The town may not be growing but it is improving a lot from the it's lowest point in the 80's. At least you managed to go by my house :)

[@stevehickey9826]

I love Iowa , Kansas , and Nebraska. Cities like Clinton IA , Salina KS , North Platte NE , York NE , and others. Maybe a little slow , but they just seem cozy to me lol. Nice people it seems as well.

[@drdwgmd14]

Same. Love all of them

[@FerventLotus]

I'm surprised you didn't take the time to research the historical buildings that were there. There's the Curtis Mansions on 5th. The Roosevelt School building on 6th. There was the Van Allen building and the Lafayette building that just recently made the newspapers for getting a Preservation contract. I understand if you wanted to keep the video under 30 minutes, there's plenty to have shown that wasn't. Eagle Point Park is the giant miss you should not have as the entire path and roads through that preserve were recently updated, along with one of the oldest structures in Clinton.

[@ChrisHarden]

Hmm maybe you should make a video on Clinton, Iowa. Seems like you have a strong passion for the town. Give it a shot!

[@peteshadle3779]

Born and raised. South Clinton. Fook ADM. Great vid

[@xaiyu4104]

I worked in clinton for nearly a year. It wAs a depressing time for me. I always felt like I was in the twilight zone

[@glennso47]

I don't know if it's still there but connecting Lyons and Fulton, Illinois there was a bridge that connected Fulton Illinois and the Lyons area. Right at the Iowa exit from that bridge was a huge Chevy dealer McEleny Motors.

[@oliviagossard1234]

McEleny motors eventually moved south near Walmart and the theater. The family sold it to a large Iowa car chain called Billion auto. That happened about five years ago. Not sure how long the newer McEleny place was there but they sure are missed. They had way better service than Billion.

[@glennso47]

@@oliviagossard1234 where I grew up in Mount Carroll Illinois , there were two car dealerships, Seitners Chevrolet and Moltman and Smith Ford. A few years ago a large chain called Kunes Country Auto Group bought both of them. I understand that Kunes doesn’t have as good service as either Moltmans or Seitners.

[@branhicks]

That bridge has been gone since the 70s. That entire area is mostly grass and left over parking lots from the old dealerships

[@BBracingLLC]

Most of us move because ADM makes the entire town smell like a rotting corpse in August.

[@brianhardy612]

The rotting corpse smell is actually National By Products. It's west of ADM. it's where they process dead animals old meat from packing plants.

[@nathanj.bartels9789]

And not the whole town. The North End smells fine.

[@erinp.420]

It really doesn’t smell bad once you get away from the industrial area. Sometimes when it’s very windy and depending on the direction you might smell it a little further away. I’ve lived downtown and near the Courthouse and it doesn’t smell in those areas. And the rotting corpse smell doesn’t happen everyday. It’s usually a rotten eggs or a burnt sugar smell. 😂

[@jasonburmeister4746]

I live in Clinton County just 20 minutes away from Clinton and most of us refer to Clinton as the armpit of Iowa because the smell there is so bad. It's unfortunate that it has that reputation but it is what it is.

[@edwardpladna8718]

the smell is the yeast from achol plant at adm

[@RagnarokMic]

Has the smell spread with the factories? Used to be just about a half mile stretch of road, but that was 20 some years ago.

[@Hiei2k7]

@@edwardpladna8718 Oh there's more than that sunshine. I think it's owned by Darling International now but there's a place that was called National By-Products and they would collect dead animal carcasses and boil them down into building blocks for dog food and makeup. That smell would give you nightmares.

[@pumpkinheadqueen2071]

​@@Hiei2k7That smell is so disgusting.

[@Upnorthoutfitters]

Hey, thank you for making this video. I was looking at moving here how far away from that chemical plant did the smell go? Was it Miles or should I move a little bit out of town?

[@302Mustang13]

From what I remember, the Mississippi River flooding around the late 90's/early 2000's really set Clinton back. I used to drive through there on my way to Cedar Rapids.

[@slechtajames53]

Looks like a nice city

[@64BitRevenge]

Its not

[@DonnaLueders]

It is actually.

[@jonboyd8513]

Not really

[@erinp.420]

It’s an ok little town. Has a pretty interesting past, a little rough around the edges presently but has a lot of potential if the money was there.

[@joseantoniofernandez1890]

I was there today. First time. It is not a nice city. People are great tho.

[@jKLa]

I love your chanel!

[@dustyvanbrocklin4731]

Used to shop there all the time when I was kid with my parents taxes are cheaper there than in Illinois . Gas is still way cheaper. From Mt.Carroll, IL originally also a cool little old town

[@erinp.420]

Mt. Carroll is a cute little town.

[@glennso47]

@@erinp.420 I’m from Mount Carroll Illinois also. Big state, small world. 😬 Carroll is cute but cute doesn’t pay the bills or put food on the table. So I left.

[@Hiei2k7]

Sheeeit, a familiar name on the internet. Sup Dusty?

[@dustyvanbrocklin4731]

@@Hiei2k7 don’t know depends on who this is?

[@Hiei2k7]

@@dustyvanbrocklin4731 How many Colemans do you know?

[@kenth.832]

Very interesting!! Thank you for sharing....

[@lizkilpatrick8123]

I was raised in Clinton Iowa and I find your video very misrepresentative of the way the town really is. You make it sound like some kind of unpleasant place that is shrinking away to nothing and people should just run away and leave it. and looking at the homes as you pass through the streets I was impressed once again with how neat and tidy the people keep their homes in our town. I thought some of your comments were extremely rude. You can be honest without being rude just so you know. You didn't spend any time showing our great riverfront nor our wonderful Park out north of town called eagle Point Park which is always been a source of joy and pleasure to all of us who live here. one other thing I noticed is that several times you almost ran stop lights or lights. I found that almost funny because you were paying so much attention to all these things you were saying that you weren't safety conscious. So my advice would be to focus more on the positive side of these towns. The people here are very proud and friendly and they are true Iowans through and through which is a good thing!

[@ChrisHarden]

No, I can't be honest without being perceived as rude. Nobody can be honest anymore, this comment from you is why.

[@lizkilpatrick8123]

@@ChrisHarden I understand what you are seeing but you can be truthful without being quite as cutting as you were in a few of these instances. I'm sure you didn't see it as that but try to take it from the viewpoint of a person who lived in the area and thinks of it as a special place. It sounded at times like you were making fun of the people living there. I did like at the end where you were making reference to the fact that it's possible that the community can recoup its losses and I do hope that that occurs. Anyway I encourage you to keep on making your videos but just be a little careful with how you say the truth. There's more than one way to say it and still get the facts out that you want to convey. I hope you understand that. another thing too is I think you should make more comments about the areas you are passing through. You just kind of whizzed down the street and pass by a number of different important things that you just seem to have not seen. Perhaps a study of the town before going there would help you to pinpoint some of these areas and make sure to include them in the video. Oh yes one more Point regarding lyons.it is true that that town was incorporated into Clinton long ago but most people still call it lions and think of it as a whole different city almost. The same is not true of Chansey which was another town incorporated into Clinton, which people know is actually the case but no one refers to it as chancy at all anymore except for in reference to a park call chancey Park.Thanks for your efforts and the opportunity for me to respond and clarify :-)

[@lizkilpatrick8123]

Saying not seeing..typo

[@Hiei2k7]

@@lizkilpatrick8123 Ya know what, sometimes the truth hurts but you have to deal with it. Clinton has seen better days and needs more than ADM if it wants to get above its station.

[@jeffkilpatrick6204]

@@Hiei2k7 well sure it has seen better days. Things tend to go in cycles. That doesn't mean it can't be good once again! Still a lot of wonderful people live there with great memories and ideas of how to improve!

[@CaptainCarter44]

Small world seen my car in the parking lot of my old job!!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I miss the large grain elevator in Clinton, IA that used to have the huge image of "Mr. Peanut" (as in Planters Peanuts) on the side of it. It was a welcome sight when entering the town westbound from the east on highway, U.S. 30.

[@sarahpromenschenkel8678]

There are only two residents left in that part of town by adm the rest were bought and tore down by adm when they expanded

[@Hiei2k7]

Used to be a little alcove, had a junkyard, a pub, and a number of houses but ADM bought it for a plastics plant they ran for 2 years and closed.

[@spencercorby4571]

@@Hiei2k7 the junkyard and pub were owned by the same people, my dad had an automotive body shop in South Clinton. My dad knew them pretty well. The shop my dad owned was called "autocraft", my dad did everything from cool paint jobs, like stuff you'd see on a hot wheels car, flames etc. to simple fender benders and rust removal. and eventually my dad's friend who knew mechanical stuff did the more mechanical things on a car.

[@olivjer]

I am moving to Clinton, IA for work in September from Astoria, OR. I am so bummed :(

[@neropowers6199]

Big Nostalgia trip. I was born there and grew up there all the way till 2013, contributing to the population decrease. The reason is because my mother found another job in a different state. Hopefully one day I can return for a visit. Would be nice to see if any of my old friends are there, maybe visit Eagle Point Park.

[@danielsentertainmentproduc1527]

Kenosha and Racine Wisconsin are both typical manufacturing towns until foreign companies took over and the population declined and except for the city the suburbs of both cities are growing

[@joseantoniofernandez1890]

Thanks to being close to Chicago and Milwaukee tho.

[@darthsavant23]

Crazy talking about the town I currently live in while watching video of the town I was born in.

[@TwitchDesu]

My home

[@ryanstinkler4451]

Hey. Me 2

[@howitzer8946]

Seems to be a well kept little town.

[@RuDev23]

No

[@glennso47]

It’s “kept “ alright. Just kept from growing and prospering. Like so many other towns in the area, by greedy and small minded people.

[@MB-xj9cd]

That's my home town. Live in NV but go back as much as possible still have a lot of family still there..I lived on 6th Ave s and my grandparents house is literally at the stop sign on 6th (15:25) I miss river boat days as a kid! And goin to eagle point park. 🤙🏿

[@msavochka98]

The Lumberkings were picked up by the Prospect League for this upcoming season. So the town will still have minor league baseball fortunately.

[@ChrisHarden]

Looks like the top prospect league is a collegiate summer baseball league. I worded it poorly in the video. Meant to only say that the team is no longer a minor league baseball team.

[@brianhardy612]

Its not affiliated with minor league baseball anymore but at least we still have baseball in Riverview Stadium. I still call it that. Lol

[@paulj6756]

Clinton didn't really lose the Lumberkings so much as the Lumberkings lost their affiliation with MLB. The team remains as a Collegiate league team. Kenosha and Madison have successful Collegiate teams (both having lost affiliated teams many years ago) so it might work out for Clinton too. What puzzles me about the whole MLB "restructuring" of MiLB is that Beloit, which has always been near the bottom of attendance levels, was kept whereas Kane County, always near the top, was dropped.

[@theoriginalswan]

It helps to have a billionaire involved and a brand new stadium.

[@paulj6756]

@@theoriginalswan The billionaire being affiliated with the Beloit Snappers?

[@BoratWanksta]

Wow, Kane County got disaffiliated with MILB, when they were restructuring all the minor league teams last year?!? That's sad, since Kane County Cougars historically did draw pretty well. I do wonder if a la the Clinton Lumberjacks, if that stadium that had the Cougars at least has a different team still playing there, even if it isn't affiliated with A/AA/AAA(whatever level it was at, I forget sorry) MILB anymore.

[@Fitz3470]

I really enjoy your videos. I think you should seriously should write a book on your experiences, they would be so educational ! :)

[@ChrisHarden]

Quite the compliment! I despise writing, but who knows maybe one day I'll like it.

[@Fitz3470]

@@ChrisHarden I wa70s just thinking too. You should do the city where I live & we are coming back really good too and that is in Cedar Rapids,Iowa, and if you do, would like to meet up with you for lunch, if you do a video on Cedar Rapids, come up on a Sat or a Sun and it would be great to meet up with you ! Here is my email address, [e-mail]

[@brianhardy612]

Nostalgia. The video was nice but you missed the Wild Rose Casino on the far west end. Lol do you have a video of your own home town?

[@ChrisHarden]

I’m not gonna tell the KZbin creeps where I live sorry lol. (Edit) not saying you’re a creep, Brian but there’s definitely some weirdo’s out there that could easily see my reply if I told you.

[@glennso47]

@@ChrisHarden let’s just say that Chris is from The Midwest and let it go at that.

[@heatherpaar1980]

I was born in Clinton.

[@atsf4931]

Adm recently purchased that abandoned neighborhood across the tracks as now you can no longer go back in that area except that Canadian Pacific railroad moved the depot over to there along the tracks across from the abandoned large depot near Hyvee

[@darrellgarlough7140]

I was born in and lived in Clinton until I was 7 yrs old. I was a good town then. Had many neighborhood areas with small corner grocery stores. One of which I saw on your video. The town looks good and clean unlike some of the other towns you tour. It would be nice if they could attract some larger employers, but I agree with you that it's doubtful if they can, especially with ADM smelling up the town, which isn't as bad now as when I was a kid because some of the other smelly industries have closed down. Thanks for the tour of my hometown.

[@jamesgoodman3414]

My company is about to build a new plant there. I have been watching videos to see if its a city I would like to transfer to.

[@ianerickson761]

What company is it? It'd be nice to see this city thrive again. I live in the Quad cities but go up there for work sometimes and it looks worse every time.

[@chelseacassandra1071]

My home town!

[@SpudForceable]

I moved to Albuquerque NM blind to gtfo of Clinton. The only thing I knew about ABQ before was from Breaking Bad, that's how much I hated the town. I only lasted a little over a year in Clinton, but sweet Jesus I swear I will never move to another small town after living in Clinton. Anyways the blind transfer to ABQ ended up working out quite well, I bought my first home here. The only good thing about Clinton was the friendly people, otherwise I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

[@SidLaw500]

Looks very clean, spacious, and beautiful.

[@rocketisis]

Nice video, but you really ought to consider getting a local to show you around. I grew up here. You missed....a lot.

[@ChrisHarden]

How long do you want these videos to be?

[@daltonpothof4409]

The history in the Lafayette apartments you drove past is actually pretty interesting,

[@joshuasummers7440]

Dalton Pothof Lafayette apartments used to be Lafayette Inn.

[@rebelcountygaming45]

Lol I am a Clinton hillbilly born and raised

[@rebelcountygaming45]

When you said something about the fire works and shopping carts it honestly wouldn't surprise me that people do that got to find your entertainment some where

[@nicholasrice6933]

I work at ADM.

[@joshuasummers7440]

Nostalgia Tours the apartment complex on the left at 16:49 is called 4th Avenue Lofts.

[@hexnooneescapesdeath1041]

lived there till i was 14, always knew it as a meth town, you missed some of the highlights of the town, when we moved we always said we “made it out of clinton”, sad it’s such a declining city with a meth problem

[@erinp.420]

If you had made this video just a few days later the town would have been trashed from the Derecho.

[@hwwilliams3878]

I have lived in Clinton, or around it, since 1966. A lot of what was said was complete B.S. The two references to crime and the comparison to Chicago is ludicrous. As for your two references to fireworks and the people being hillbillies, I'm not sure what your problem is. Did you sit on a bottle rocket when you were a kid or something? Surely, you can make a living doing something other than criticizing a town you just drove through and the people you have never met living there.

[@MicheleNicole]

Thank you. I am glad I scanned the comments first, won't bother watching now. Won't even watch an ad. Though, our comments help keep this yokel going, helps him fit into the algorithms.

[@hwwilliams3878]

@@MicheleNicole Thanks Michele. I just don't like people that seem to get pleasure out of judging and criticizing others, especially when you just looked out the window while passing through town.

[@pdaddy1127]

That beginning part about the bottle rocket killed me lmfaooo what a way to start. Clinton really be like that lol there's nothing to do. Something the people should be investing in. Would help a lot.

[@lizkilpatrick8123]

The bottle rocket comment was rather crazy and ridiculous!

[@donaldzickau5362]

That abandoned city is south Clinton

[@coleheister7390]

if i remember right Clinton used to have two rail yards.

[@spencercorby4571]

Yeah and my dad used to work at the Chicago Northwestern one. He owned his own body shop in South Clinton after leaving the railyard though

[@mattlaucamp5852]

as someone who delivered soda up and down the Mississippi.. Clinton was the worst town by far

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I wonder if the corn syrup used for producing the soda you "delivered up and down the Mississippi" was made by ADM in Clinton, IA.

[@charlessheppard9397]

You past right by Grandma's Goody Jar candy store. 401 n 2nd street

[@14isoldenough]

I was typing my comment about paddock then you mentioned him

[@leftyguyiam]

I left Clinton 25 years ago. Only been back once. It has changed for the better as best I can tell. Sometimes I have a twinge of nostalgia but then I come to my senses. I do get annoyed when a casual observer claims a particular town is boring. For it's size, Clinton is, and was, just fine. I have lived all over this country and it is no better or worse than other communities of its size and geography. Would I ever want to live there again? I would rather have a scorching case of herpes.

[@dickdewater80]

Driving endlessly through non-descript neighborhoods is great for filling time but boring.

[@SoldierUSArmy]

Clinton, Iowa has more guns than any other city in the world!

[@user-ow8sw8fg4y]

You should come back through clinton now it's even worse

[@mattwatson123]

An excellent contrast with your channel is Bald and Bankrupt. They have done the same thing to us.

[@thegoatshow7255]

dude you forgot felix addler, and so far i dont see the neighborhoods filled with drug dens

[@thegoatshow7255]

actually i take that back u did get a few of them

[@hannahandisaac4098]

My BMW at 14:00 really do be lookin fresh tho

[@ChrisHarden]

So fresh like it’s straight out’ the dealership.

[@hannahandisaac4098]

@@ChrisHarden I wish lol, its on 05' thats just extremely well-kept

[@TJTinerella]

So you really are bashing what look like a beautiful little city...wow.

[@alanstrong3295]

The loss of DuPont and Clinton Foods hurt the city.

[@MicheleNicole]

and the railroad on Camanche Ave, and Hawkeye Chemical. What was the steel place back by the city pool and tennis courts? That hurt too. :(

[@erinp.420]

@@MicheleNicole I think it was just called Clinton Steel. Random fact...the factory polluted the ground and grass was used to clean it up lol. They had it all fenced off for years and grew certain kinds of grass to remove the toxins. Now it’s a soccer field on the riverfront.

[@edwardpladna8718]

when the strike happened a lot of people left

[@NativeDrummer_]

Straight Outta South Clinton!

[@krisgreenwood5173]

Everybody is moving to Cedar Rapids or Ankeny.

[@jasonludewig4126]

12:12 ... Fiero. Nice!

[@davidwpinkston4226]

i didn't come for the ads

[@ChrisHarden]

Then stop being cheap and start paying for KZbin premium. 💀

[@h.m.badger465]

I just looked at the price of houses in Clinton on Zillow and am very puzzled as to why they are so inexpensive. I live in Sarasota Florida and HATE IT HERE. This whole video I’m like “damn I WISH I lived here! What’s so bad about it?” It looks nice and clean. Seriously what’s the problem?

[@smeekyevie4348]

the ones that are under 100k are either in a very unsafe and broken down area of town, or they're by the factory which stinks incredibly (not exaggerating its BAD). so that's why no one is buying them/why they're such a low price. because its just not worth it most of the time

[@S8ER]

One winter of subzero hell with no sun for days / weeks at a time and you’ll go running back to Florida. Edit: I won’t even bring up the summer…. F that place and it’s weather.

[@brendanclark3743]

Lived there all my life. Dont care to go back. Meth has taken over just as much as ADM.

[@kyleiselohim]

Im from clinton

[@ChrisHarden]

How do you like it there?

[@jeffreyl.wiseman2597]

I can tell by this guy passing on the right-hand lane, he is a clown.