Jenkins, Kentucky: A City Built on Coal, by Coal, for Coal in Letcher County

Jenkins, Kentucky: A City Built on Coal, by Coal, for Coal in Letcher County. Consol Coal built this city for the sole purpose of mining coal and that is the legacy of the town.
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[@christopherhubbard3632]

I was raised in Jenkins during the last coal boom of the 1970's and 80's. Breaks my heart to see my beautiful town in such a state of decay and slow death. Home will always be home. I learned to read and write there. But most importantly, this is where I learned to love , to be patient, the importance of a man's word and his handshake. Was blessed by the Mother Superior there in 1982. My mother gave her working life as a dutiful employee and administrator of the hospital. When shepassed in November of 2020, she was the longest lived member of the Jenkins United Methodist Church. My grandfather managed the company warehouse and the minor league baseball team, as well as played and coached. My family runs five generations in this town. This town helped build an entire nation. Without our coal, there is no steel. We built America. Oh, the history we could share!!

[@brendalane4228]

You are so right!! Today, we the children of the coalfields, are so denigrated right along with the coal mining by the politicians. Wonder how much money has lined their pockets over the years?

[@sierrachoco5271]

@@brendalane4228 bless both you and Christopher Hubbard, from upstate NY!

[@brankobelfranin8815]

@@brendalane4228 Times change, places like these never planned for the changes, coal wasn't going to last forever.

[@letstalktruecrime01]

i was born in jenkins ky and live not very far from there to this day, i will be in jenkins on friday, it will always be home.

[@lou4134]

@@brankobelfranin8815 Branko Belfranin...how could they change when they worked Very Very Hard but the Rich Kept Them Down.. these workers were taken Very Great Advantage of and Treated like underdog... it is easy to make a comment when you Do Not Know the facts...

[@grayh1829]

Thanks for all your work. People got no idea how hard these men worked for what they made and how only strong families could of weathered that life. PA Appalachian fella saying thanks.

[@realappalachia]

you sure got that right...thank you, Gray

[@susanmooney494]

I was born and grew up in Raleigh Co. WV! Console had Mines in WV. These are good people living here. Spent their whole life in these little towns. Like WV survival is the name of the game. Prayers for all!

[@coalminergroupie]

You’re not a Skook are ya, Gray? Spent a lot of time with the Independent miners there. Now living in the Poconos

[@grayh1829]

@@coalminergroupie No sir. Born outside Johnstown. Dad worked at a Island Creek mine in a cross roads called Tire Hill. My kids are older now but when they was young i couldnt begin to explain what it was like there and in Johntown city. Mills, pubs, Pa RR Main line running through town. No BS, everybody worked and in awe of the WWII generation. Heck from the Bethlehem and US steel plants that lined the valley, just three miles out to the west or north you could hunt deer. It was amazing area go grow up in.

[@wendi2819]

I was down near Crum and Yawkey WV yesterday. I was thinking how the coal barons took the mega-millions$$$ out of those hollows and the people weren't left with much. Sad! Those folks gave their lives to the mines!

[@timothyt1312]

My dad and my grandpa worked for consolidated coal mines, in Jenkins my mom and dad was born and raised in Jenkins, my dad's name and his 3 brothers are on the veterans memorial, Id like to thank the Town of Jenkins and Letcher County

[@kathylanham5954]

You are right. The ladies you passed are Mother Treresa’ Missionary’s of Charity. They serve the poorest of the poor. They have a food pantry and clothing shop across from St.George Church. The visit the sick, elderly and poor and do what the can to help them. There are usually 3 or 4 sister there at their houses They do wonderful work. They take care of all not just Catholic’s. This is the only house in Kentucky. Since they demise of coal , poverty is much greater so the sisters are needed even more. Mother Teresa visited Jenkins many times. I am not from there but I have been working with the Sisters for 20 years They are very special. You might want to stop in and see them the next time you are in Jenkins.

[@realappalachia]

that is amazing, thanks so much for that information. I thought there had to be a connection like that but had never heard that story before. Really cool to know that Mother Teresa visited there.

[@samanthab1923]

They sound like a wonderful group of women. Definitely needed now more than ever. 🙏🏻

[@b1k2q34]

There is a place like that here in western Kentucky. The Ursuline sisters of Mount St. Joseph in Maple Mount.

[@letstalktruecrime01]

my dad was a coalminer in jenkins ky, when i was a little girl we lived at b&o hill area of jenkins and could hear the sound of the coal trains at night, i was only like 5 years old but i remember that sound to this day. jenkins is my heart.

[@destineydevereux4722]

It is so strange where KZbin takes me, bonjour de Périgueux France 🇨🇵💋

[@realappalachia]

Welcome to Appalachia. You say bonjour and we say howdy :)

[@agds91078]

I’ve commented on this a million times lol but the hollow I live in there are so many coal camp houses up here plus we own an empty camp house we can surly let ya look at to see some of the old original work to it. The old camp houses use to hold two families. I’m just sooo excited to see places I’m so familiar with. Sorry for the comment blowup lol

[@pattyayers]

We can admire and respect those who worked so hard in the coal industry - and also do everything possible to shut that industry completely down as soon as humanly possible, and save many lives.

[@magesalmanac6424]

It's a tough conundrum for sure. I know it brought income to these areas but the health side effects were awful.

[@mysweetlouisvillehome]

Agree! It's a critical part of American history that should be honored by making the coal industry history. Coal miners fought and bravely gave their lives not only to dig coal to build Americas economy, but also to build America's labor rights ... Fair wages, time off, safety standards, freedom to not have your life controlled by the company via the company store and company housing. We have such a debt of gratitude to pay to coal miners and the Pullman Strikers, the best way to repay them is to respect unions, switch our country to renewable energy, and make sure these coal towns are revitalized with new industry.

[@jacqquelinetackaberry5450]

😜 from the MAJORITY of us in the Bay Area California 🤑

[@tigereye1006]

My family has alot of family history in Jenkins. Alot of the family still lives there. I love seeing the video

[@realappalachia]

glad you enjoyed it, Ann and Hope

[@DavesCaminoPilgrimage-2018]

"Saint Peter don't you call me, I owe my soul to the company store"

[@realappalachia]

sing it...

[@thomaswilliams8167]

Exactly anything to get rich and leave the workers poor and ruin the land

[@johnnielson7676]

Not only was Gary Stewart from Jenkins, but so was Kenny Baker, the fiddler for a Bill Monroe and IMHO the greatest fiddler of all time. And a true gentleman as well.

[@atldaddybear]

Your channel is simply Old Home Week for me! As I replied on your embattled video about War WV, my grandmother was the first valedictorian from Big Creek High School. She grew up in Coalwood and War in McDowell Co.WV, but was born in Jenkins KY. I've not been in or through Jenkins since 1972 when my family traveled from our then-home in Pikeville to Atlanta, so this whole video was a kick and a half!

[@groovethangralph]

My mom was raised in Jenkins and we spent many a holiday and summer vacations visiting my grandparents there. Thanks for sharing this - it hasn’t changed much and I remember a lot of these spots!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eemupitts9962]

there were also several well known movies filmed in and around Jenkins, Ky. one of my favorite was " Fire down below, with Steven Seagal, Kris Kristofferson,, harry dean Stanton and levon helms who also played Lorreta Lynn's father in Coal miners daughter which was also filmed in and around Jenkins.

[@craggyvalley2911]

My grandma live at the top of pound gap, and moved down to a house on the left right past where you turned on joes branch when they tore her house down for the new road cut going into Virginia back in the mid 90s. Thank you for posting this!

[@bradforddillman7671]

I really enjoy your videos. Love seeing small towns in a beautiful setting

[@realappalachia]

thanks so much, Bradford

[@paulbcote]

It is nice that the homes and town were built well enough to out-last the financial arrangement that caused them to be built there in the first place. And now it continues as a town because of the care that people took back in the day. Long live the spirits of Jenkins, Appalachia and the rust belt. Thanks for taking us along.

[@realappalachia]

Great comment, thanks

[@Kytnliving]

Also about the lion of Jenkins. Yes, she was there. Her name was Nala. She was eventually taken to a Wildlife Preserve to live out her days because to many people were getting drunk and shooting at her. And I also heard that it got too expensive to feed her as well. The lion cage used to sit across from Mountain Stone Quarry below Jenkins near the County line.

[@larryprobus3263]

Great video !! I hope much of the Appalachian History can be preserved..Incredible History !! Thanks from The Western Kentucky Coalfields..Beaver Dam,Kentucky

[@realappalachia]

thanks for watching, great to hear from the other side of the Commonwealth

[@ddeaae]

My heart goes out to our Coal Miners much respect here & appreciate all the hard dirty work...people have no idea of what its like growing up.

[@badabing9234]

The lion guy.. can't remember name but remember the cage.. was at the 23:40 mark you turned around at the elementary school. If you'd kept going straight for maybe a half mile or so you come to the city limits at a rock quarry entrance. The lion guy lived on the left side of the road given your travel direction there at that quarry entrance.

[@avalon1rae]

Helped build America to what she is today.We love coal and we love coal community's. Thank you for sharing.

[@realappalachia]

thanks for watching

[@j2themac778]

Another great video Shane, thanks for taking us along.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for riding with me :)

[@RexStrother]

My grandfather, Gene Strother, played coal field baseball for the Jenkins Mine in 1934. I don't know much more about it - but he evidently played 38 games with the team - before moving to the "Beckley Miners" (in Beckley, West Virginia. Would love to find out more about this - if historical records exist.

[@realappalachia]

it seems very little exists these days. i am researching a story about the cincinnati reds losing a scrimmage game to a coal camp allstar team but i can find very few details

[@lavendersunday8712]

I appreciate the time you put into editing these videos. I love the old photos.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, I'm trying to raise me game. I didnt realize how much interest there would be in a lot of these places so I want to do the best I'm capable of doing.

[@markshultise2189]

I used to live in the Consolidated Coal Company Building. I heard they tore it down. Two seperate times I worked for WREM-AM as Mark Allen. The studios used to be in the trailer atop the mountain but were moved into town. We were on the second floor. There was a giant walk-in vault with a combination lock. Since it was fireproof, we used it to store all our vinyl records (a record vault :-). My apartment was on the top floor and during heavy snow I was the only DJ who could get to work. I have not been able to visit since the 70's. I remember the fire in the appliance store across the street next to the telephone company building. We were worried that it would take out the two gas stations nearby thus closing down that part of town. A few of my friends worked in coal mines. I don't think I ever could. Thansk for the video.

[@CynthiaBoggs-o4u]

My mother was born in Dunham. She graduated from Jenkins High School, go Cavaliers. My (step)grandfather but the only grandfather I knew helped build the Parish Hall at St. George’s Catholic Church. My mother’s father died as a result of a mining accident when my mother was in her teens. We traveled over the mountain and through Jenkins from Pound to Dunham to visit family. You were talking about roosters I can remember staying at my grandparents house and being woken up by Ole Sambo’s roosters in the morning. It was a wonderful place to be.

[@CharlesRickett-w3d]

It wasn't in Jenkins but I worked for consol for 30yrs. I'm 74 so I'm retired now. Jenkins is my kind of place.

[@pamelahunter2053]

I think the town looks mighty good. I love all of Letcher Co., KY and its people.

[@debbieepperly3821]

Thoroughly enjoyed this ride along! Jenkins seems to be a very interesting and mostly well taken care of place. I enjoy the pictures you insert of the places you visit. The only thing that concerns me now is if that really rough road you drove on messed your car up? You're liable to need tires & an alignment after that! Hope not though! The water coming out of the side of the hill was awesome! Really loved seeing that! Daddy used to drive us somewhere (either to Bland or Mt. Airy) and there was a place with water running out of the side of the hill, just not as forceful as the one you showed. He'd always pull off the road there and we'd all get out and get a drink from it. It was so fresh, so cold, & best water you could ever drink! Seeing that brought back some good memories, Shane. Hope your car is ok! I look forward to these "ride alongs" so much! I thank you & really appreciate the effort you put in to showing us these places. Thought for a minute there you was gonna have a "ride along buddy"! Lol! That duck seemed very interested in getting to see your car!!! I'm glad it wasn't one of those that chase people! I know what no sleep feels like, hope you had a better night with good sleep. Always praying God protects you & keeps you safe!

[@realappalachia]

I was counting the other day that I have had over 20 flat tires in my life and none of them have been any fun to change lol. Thanks for the prayers :)

[@bonniefarmer1233]

Thank you for the ride. My great aunt lived at marlbone . I have lived in Indiana most of my life and I love getting to see kentucky again. I am from Garrett In Floyd county. Again thanks for the ride.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for riding along

[@robertmcculloch9443]

I live in TN in a very remote area near the Kentucky border. One thing I have found in the Clinch Mountains is in all the hollows no matter how dark and narrow the road there is usually electricity and people will be living there. It's remote - but never uninhabited.

[@realappalachia]

I hadn't thought about that before but youre right

[@robertmcculloch9443]

@@realappalachia Only thing I would add is the hollows here are usually inhabited by one or sometimes two familes. Same last names on the mail boxes. When I bought land here 20 years ago or so the old time locals wouldn't respond to me when I talked to them. They were not rude but looked away and just didn't talk to strangers (people they didn't know). I grew up 3 counties away in lower country and never experienced anything like that. Not that bad anymore or maybe they realized I wasn't going away. Can't say. If you can mention someone you know nearby they are likely to know that helps.

[@tundrawomansays5067]

@Robert McCulloch That’s the kind of reception I got in this area 40+ yrs. ago after I moved here from NY. I learned my “fine edu-macation” was about useless for conversation or survival up here. I had never ridden in a pick up truck. Was shocked to learn people subsistence Hunt, Fish and Trap. I thought “Fur Fish and Game” was some kind of porno magazine the way the men’s eyes would kind of glaze over as they discussed “fur prices” ??! Didn’t know what a Carhartt was; now I own one, admittedly well broken in but stylish-some man told me his wife liked it so much he’d give me $200. for it, had never been in a “mobile home,” never mind a “fur house” where the skins were being processed (I came to one right from work in my heels and suit, poor men about had a heart attack thinking I was a PETA person), got the hell scared out of me one evening when I made a house call waaayyyy back in the woods by a bear while walking back from the house to my car and worse yet, a guy with a rifle shortly behind the bear who immediately decided I was more interesting than the bear, I thought there were four seasons but there’s more seasons than I can keep track of except for the opening of large game hunting because there’s deep woods on three sides of my home (where people jack deer year round) etc. I can at least make some small talk now and people know who I am but as far as they’re concerned I’ll never be “from here” and I still look and dress “city.” I’m now here by choice not chance so I relinquished my right to complain about *anything*!

[@robertmcculloch9443]

@@tundrawomansays5067 I agree after 20 years I'm not and I’ll never be “from here”. It's not possible to pull that off. Maybe in Knoxville or Nashville.

[@REPS-kb7up]

I love the way this guy narrates. Well done.

[@loafandjug321]

I understand your frustration.

[@brendalane4228]

Thank you Shane for taking us on another adventure! I love your videos. I also am a Gary Stewart (Or is it Stuart?) fan. Saw him once at Good Time Charlie's in Claypool Hill. He was an incredible singer, but sadly he was not able to finish his concert as he eventually became unable to function as the night wore on. His story is such a sad one for a guy with so much talent. I really enjoyed your tour of Jenkins, KY where once coal was really king. Sad that those days had to pass so quickly.

[@realappalachia]

Man, I wish I could have seen him live. I had no idea hed came to Good Time Charlie's, I'm from Richlands myself so that really hits home with me.

[@brendalane4228]

@@realappalachia yes, that was many years ago. I think it was in the 80's. Could have been 90's but I doubt it. Time gets away from me. Anyway, it was a fun night that my husband and I will always remember!!

[@MountainChristian45]

This is where my great grandfather settled and had a wife and 8 children. Later relocating to the East Coast after the mines closed. Proud of my Kentucky heritage.

[@frednevin6066]

So beautiful I love seeing the videos of the mountains and would love to visit

[@virginiamartin7312]

I love my coffee first thing in the morning too. Thanks for taking us along to Jenkins. I enjoy all the neat places. GOD BLESS YOU always. Looking forward to the next trip. 🐕‍🦺🐈

[@realappalachia]

God bless you too. I have to have my caffeine and another hour or two lol

[@virginiamartin7312]

@@realappalachia I noticed this video had 4 commercials that kept braking in. Use to not have. Is this from you tube ?

[@realappalachia]

@@virginiamartin7312 yes, they plug multiple ads in longer videos which is a downside of doing longer ones but some places like Jenkins are hard to tell their story in a short video. I try to keep them all to a minimum but some cant be chopped much.

[@virginiamartin7312]

@@realappalachia I didn't know that. Thanks

[@dixiedoo5876]

I think the goose at 9:42 was expecting something to eat. I would've tried to find something to feed him if their was a store nearby to buy him something. Lol! I'm a sucker and they tear at my heart, I always try to find them something. I've even gotten my husband to being the same way after all of these years.

[@williamwelch8362]

Thanks for mentioning Gary Stewart. Just recently appreciating him. What a voice! Great music, but sad life apparently. I hope the movie (mentioned earlier) happens.

[@lawrencetaylor8064]

Such nice videos you do. I enjoy your stories.

[@hm12460]

Very well done young man. My favorite's are your video's through West Virginia and rural Virginia.

[@peggyadams5025]

Shane, I hate mornings too! In my world "Good morning" is an oxymoron, lol

[@realappalachia]

you said it, Peggy lol

[@snaker9er]

I love mornings, hate waking up

[@twistoffate4791]

Agreed. All these years later, my college roommates still talk about much of a NON-morning person I was. They learned not to wake me up if they could help it.

[@b1k2q34]

I am definitely not a morning person. I love the night. Once my daughter headed off to college I was like.....okay, no more morning job for me.

[@jeffstull2534]

Reminds me of my old homeplace in Western Pa. Like the Longhorns hoodie...my wife is a tea sipper. I really enjoy watching your videos. They touch my heart and remind me of when I was a kid growing up in the Appalachians of Western Pa.

[@SouthernMechanic]

I was born and raised in letcher County, I moved to Tennessee about 14 years ago but the lion you are talking about belonged to Winston mead an old vetanarian that worked out of one of those trailers

[@realappalachia]

Bless you 1000x for telling me that information. It has worn me out for years lol

[@SouthernMechanic]

@@realappalachia your welcome, a little more info if you like, Winston was operating for years without a license so eventually the state came in and shut him down and took the exotic animals he had, he now works at the letcher county clerks office, I seen him a few months ago

[@donaldatkinson7937]

@@SouthernMechanic was he a good vet? Few years ago I went with a girl to little place in Pennsylvania, don't remember the town but on the other side of place called Hollywood we are in SC, anyways we went through what seemed like every mile of west Virginia second time I went through portion of west Virginia, I still say, it's the most beautiful state we have!

[@SouthernMechanic]

@@donaldatkinson7937 yes he was actually really good, we have taken many of our pets to him in the past with no issues

[@logicmilkbone]

Great video, thanks for doing what you do!!👍

[@realappalachia]

thank you so much for watching and the comment

[@PatriotGranny53]

The old Country Club is now destroyed which is sad. Jenkins was a booming, rich little town back in the 70s and 80s

[@PatriotGranny53]

The old hospital was a rest home for a while. Now it's a privately owned home.

[@randygriffith1209]

Some beautiful sights

[@kathiestamper1865]

My home town..a model coal town...it was actually toured back after it was first built. Consol sold to bethehem steel (local was Beth Elkhorn and I think in the early 80s renamed Beth Energy) in the 50s. I left for college a couple years before Beth Elkhorn/Beth Energy sold and like most didn’t return except to visit family because of lack of employment. By the way, when I was growing up Beth Elkhorn was mining in Pike County. The main office was in downtown Jenkins. The coal company was tied to Bethlehem (PA) who wanted coal to make steel but the company also had contracts with electric companies. There was plenty of coal and demand but home office in PA made the decision to sell. Jenkins didn’t recover from that sell. The town looked much nicer back when I was growing up but still looks good under the circumstances. I have no idea about a lion. You can see bears walking around tho.

[@silveradoman298]

Gary Stewart was technically from McRoberts, a neighboring coal camp up the road from Dunham. Census records indicate many Stewart family members lived along the same road up one holler in McRoberts. I wonder if they still own property there. Gary Stewart is a hugely underrated country music star that was never given his due by Nashville. The world lost Gary much too soon. I heard sometime back Gary's daughter was seeking funding for a movie about him, I dont know if that project has ever progressed.

[@realappalachia]

Did not know he was from McRoberts. I watched a documentary on Dean Dillon the other day (I think it was called Tennessee Whiskey or some such) and it talked about how great Stewart was. I hope his sister puts that movie together because he surely led a fascinating life. Thanks so much for that info, that was awesome.

[@agds91078]

The Stewart’s are neighbors to us not far down the road fr us

[@John-uv7zp]

Gary Stewart theres a country legend

[@YouSUBSCRIBE739]

I have tenn wwhiskey saved to my watch list. I luv documentarys & watch them all the time!😊

[@Brando-UK]

Sheas Fork is where the singer Gary Stewart’s first cousin by the same name lives in McRoberts. The country singer spent a lot of time in McRoberts but he was actually from Jenkins. His cousin Gary still lives in Sheas Fork behind the old elementary school. I have lived in McRoberts for 25 out of 42 years.

[@davechristian7543]

Theses videos r so relaxing also, cheers from sydney nsw.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you like them! Hope you're well in Sydney

[@clarkehowardjr.8152]

I was just in JoLo WVA helping out Pastor Charlie Rose with his mission building. He took us for a ride around town and Jenkins looks like the big city compared to that area. A lot of need in those areas.

[@realappalachia]

Very true, so much need in some areas that it is overwhelming

[@fats6582]

Very interesting. Great job !

[@realappalachia]

thank you

[@jbridge08]

I grew up in Hellier ky 70/80s father worked for Beth Elkhorn mine # 29 all his life , we went through Jenkins a lot I remember it being a lion and he was well known by the Miners because of his low cost spaying and neutering in those day people weren't as responsible about it and didn't have much money ...I think he has quite a collection of exotic animals I was only there once late 70s its a little foggy memory I have I do remember a fortune telling lady the lived below the road over the hill, me and a few friends went to her, pretty sure it was1983 She used playing cards ....great experience and she was pretty accurate about how my life turned out now that I'm thinking about it anyway thanks for the video

[@realappalachia]

thanks for the info, that is some wild stuff

[@Coalbucketlist]

I think the saddest thing is that no matter where you go, you never see people outside anymore. My families not too far from there. You use to drive up into the holler and everyone gathered on their porches to talk. You couldn't drive 3ft without somebody waving at you. My parents moved to Indiana for employment opportunities and I grew up in Indy. I was born in Whitesburg. So I knew both states fairly well. There's no one outside in the city anymore like there was when I was growing up. I figured maybe it was because things got a lot tougher in Indy due to crime. Then when I'd go to KY I noticed you don't see people outside there either. We've lost touch with each other and now the world's even more divided. Its sad!!!

[@realappalachia]

Very good observation, so true

[@athleticguy15]

I have family living in Wise Co., Virginia, just across the state line from Jenkins, and they have seen the lion also, and even turned around and went back to make sure it was a lion. (which it was). This was quite a few years ago, not sure if it's still there or not.

[@mountainfolk2000]

Thanks Shane, another great video. I just love'em.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you like them! thank you as always, Jane

[@navydogsadventures3500]

Hey Shane, weird seeing you without Melody. Wow that goose was not afraid at all. Looks like it hasd been raining alot because the water was very brown from mud. I like the mornings because none else is awake yet to bug me. 😂

[@r.pres.4121]

Jenkins appears to be very clean and well kept. Most of its housing stock appears to be in excellent repair. It doesn’t appear impoverished like so much of Appalachia and there appears to be some significant business activity.

[@kesmarn]

Definitely with you on the aversion to mornings. Appreciate your ability to overcome rooster rage and get the job done!

[@Kytnliving]

Oh wow, just now got to see this video and recognized our vehicle sitting downtown.

[@silveradoman298]

Thanks for the video Shane! My grandfather grew up across the road from where you began filming. Jenkins consisted of the coal camps of Jenkins, Burdine and Dunham. Dunham is where you began the video. It had it's own store and also had it's own cemetery. Consolidation Coal company of Pittsburgh, PA prided themselves for their Cavalier Queen coal from the Jenkins mines. The scatter tags were thrown into the coal wagons before it was shipped as a form of advertising and to let's everyone know it was Cavalier Queen they were purchasing. If anyone has information regarding the Dunham, Cemetery or the homes on Smokey Row, please reach out to me.

[@realappalachia]

I've heard of Dunhm but wasn't sure where it was located, little did I know I was sitting right in it lol. I would love to know more about Smokey Rowe too, seems like there's a real story there.

[@markcopland5738]

Glad to see those row houses were remodeled, where you were reading rhat sign,I use to go to a church that was close by,oh the memories

[@realappalachia]

Glad to know it brought back some memories, love hearing from locals

[@PatriotGranny53]

Lakeside is beautiful. That's where the park is. Beautiful homes on Lakeside.

[@carolynkeith8041]

Yes.. I know Jenkins Ken. I live in Va. About 30 minutes away. I love these videos

[@kathiestamper1865]

In college I wrote a paper on Jenkins and there’s plenty of interesting information and videos about this town and area. If you ever decide to return, I’d suggest checking out the info for a more enjoyable 2nd visit.

[@TheROKnROLLOUTLAW]

You're a good guy. In fact the reason why I watch these videos is because you're good guy.... and I like long drives to nowhere lol.

[@realappalachia]

Two good reasons lol…thanks so much, Austin

[@michellemlmille8171]

Nice video. I really enjoyed this, thank you👍🤗

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks

[@cliffmounts7878]

You ever go up around Freeburn Kentucky, Barnshe Holler? Great Job on all the videos I appreciate all that you do..

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, I go by Freeburn about once a week but it is always at night so I havent videoed there yet but plan on it. I'm not familiar with Barnshe Holler, where is it at?

[@mimiwatching]

Thank you for the tour; just loved it.

[@PatriotGranny53]

Thank you for mentioning the late, great Gary Stewart!

[@realappalachia]

I love me some Gary Stewart

[@kppriest]

My Mammaw lived on Brickyard Hill when I was a kid. My Aunt lived next door to her. My Mom grew up in Jenkins.

[@PatriotGranny53]

My hometown ❤

[@MrBlawes]

Flew a helicopter for Tackett & Manning coal company in the early 1970’s. My daughter was born in Whitesburg. It was a real culture shock coming from Michigan but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Loved the people in the area. Donnie Manning and Calvin Tackett were wonderful to work for. Job came to an end when a high wall collapsed and crushed about 4-5 helicopters in side a hanger in Pound. What a shame. Think about the time there often.

[@agds91078]

The place you came to with the mural painted when you came fr the amphitheater there use to be a tunnel there and it went past the newest Jenkins high school and there is part of the tunnel there you can walk under. I could show you soooo many places here in Jenkins, neon and mcroberts, the little road you asked about in Jenkins is called #2 bottom I believe.

[@agds91078]

@@berearose I’m just in McRoberts 🤗

[@agds91078]

@@berearose I subbed to you too love 🤗

[@mmmmcheese4850]

“AMS” + your delivery = brilliant

[@realappalachia]

thank you lol

[@normanpage3690]

You r correct about the loin, in East jenkins across from the rock quarry. There were 2 loins behind the gas station. Norman G Page

[@realappalachia]

I’ll never forget it lol

[@vernonreed415]

I have family living in and around Pike county. Your posts remind me of last family reunion up on meat house holler

[@brendahamrick9337]

Oh my goodness you are my soulmate! I didn’t think there was anyone who hated mornings more than Imdid.There we’re six kids in my family and my Mom made sure I was the last one to be woken up for school because I was so miserable! Still am!

[@realappalachia]

I feel your pain lol

[@davidryle1164]

My wife and I would get up, drink a cup of coffee, look at each other, and then flip a coin for who was going to get our youngest daughter up, lord, I love her but she was awful!!!!!!!😀

[@jeffchilders236]

You say you hate mornings be thankful grateful that God give you a new day of life I am blessed thankful grateful and you should be too

[@wesfleming208]

The tiger was owned by the local veterinary/cornoner was Winston Meade. It was on the old road came out in Fleming Neon junction.

[@sueannstewart5821]

Like these places very much!

[@michaelcunningham6644]

Been there many times. Remember when it was a 2 lane road coming down the mountain from VA state line 🤯 I'm not from Jenkins but lived in northeast TN. When I was in Jenkins, it was at St. George Catholuc Church ( + RIP Father Randrall) 🙏Missionaries of Charity (especially at Christmas time helping distribute Food for the needy) and Hardee's 😁

[@angelacross3180]

Thank you I felt like I was on a Sunday drive❤

[@electricslider1091]

My momma is from Jenkins Kentucky my grandma was a Webb before she married. I was born and raised in southern West Virginia mountains

[@Sweetiecoop90]

Alot of my family lives in letcher county Kentucky. Halcombs , phillips my uncle still lives there

[@bosshoggg8259]

I live in one of many old coal mining villages in southwestern Pennsylvania the row houses, brick lamp house and company store are still being used.....the mine opened in the late 1800’s closed in the late 1940’s an explosion in 1917 killed 12 miners...

[@realappalachia]

Sounds so very much like these towns

[@heatherjohnson5659]

Please visit Belcher KY. My moms family is from there. Mom's maiden name is Belcher. Great grandpa ran post office out of a trailer there. Havent been there since my great grandma passed. I had heard they bought out most of the people to widen the road but it never happened.

[@danag6998]

My people settled , jenkins. Ky. My home, my people. Queen of the coal camps!! Jenkins was their show piece at one point. Water lilies used to cover most of that lake. I remember the lion. Right across the road from the rock quarry. Tied to a bumper with a chain in the dust. People called , EVERYBODY!!! to try to help that animal. ASPCA, zoos , agencies, couldn't help him. Around the time they put the road around the town, he just disappeared. A few months later, in joe's branch, some guy's horses were attacked and one was killed. Some say, cougar, others.... lol

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

😂😂😂😂 you and mornings, and all you said about "mornings" I truly can relate... LMAO

[@realappalachia]

I have never found a way to get up happy lol

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

@@realappalachia lolol, I can't say that I have either. It seriously is "don't talk to me until I've had my coffee, and my coffee intake could take quite some time. Hahahahaha

[@realappalachia]

@@monicavanopdurp9853 you said it lol

[@monicavanopdurp9853]

@@realappalachia 😄😄😄😄

[@lawrencetaylor8064]

Okay. That portrait freaked me out. But I am very interested in “The Little Shepherd Of Kingdom Come.” I have heard that title but that is all I know about it. Thanks for mentioning it

[@danag6998]

Thank you shane

[@brcisna]

Thank You for the ride along Shane. Don't quite understand what the "scatter tags" thing is about? Love seeing the various 'standards' for each area you travel through. One thing that just struck me,is,, if anyone in this area,,and all you travel ,,want to do any vegetable gardening,would assume it could be done by doing raised bed setups,,and getting everything 'level' this way? Also,, am showing my stupidity here. What is the reason all the coal mines at all the areas you travel have fizzled out? Is it simply,,the coal that comes from out west is just so much easier to extract and get shipped? Thanks again. Keep the videos coming.

[@realappalachia]

Scatter tags were pretty flimsy and made of foil that they threw in the coal shipments for advertising. The purpose was for customers to see who made the coal and reorder the same brand. They are somewhat collectible these days. I would think in the coal towns with small to almost no yards you are correct about the gardening methods. Coal fizzled out for a variety of reasons including foreign competition and it being cheaper to mine out west as you mentioned. Also, of course, people are trying to force folks away from fossil fuels and that has impacted also along with the fact that fracking has made natural gas far cheaper than coal right now as well. Hope that is helpful, thank you, Barry.

[@melanie7781]

A lot of towns in this country were built to support coal mines, factory workers, industry etc., such as steel mills, cotton mills, the list goes on and on. A whole lot of them hanging on by threads. Familiarity, family, keeps people living in them. I have watched my own home town, a cotton mill town look less and less what it once was. A thriving community of small town businesses like, banks, shoe stores, jewelry stores, gas stations, local butcher shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, repair shops all shut down due to the loss of the mill, due to bigger businesses like Walmart etc. moving in. Where we all used to know each other, to we barely know anyone. Where local banks knew who you were and if you could afford to payback what you owed, where they knew if it was not you trying to cash a check. We all went to church together, to school together, play in the neighborhoods together. The jobs you could take right out of school in trades, mills, coal mines etc., and earn enough money to buy a home, are drying up and your only hope is a job a fast food restaurant or Walmart, Dollar store for low wages. I find larger towns to busy for myself, being a military family, I like the quite small towns even though choices of shopping might less, the peace and quite, slower pace of life is worth it, especially if your raising children. We often wonder what is wrong with country these days, the disappearance of small town America and jobs is what is wrong.

[@realappalachia]

sad but true

[@scottthomas3792]

I've been there once back in the early '80s...I remember a little mom and pop store with really nice people running the place.

[@realappalachia]

I miss seeing those little mom and pop stores like that, they are disappearing

[@brianison5087]

I live across the MTN on Indian Creek . Yeah they was a lion there across the road where you cut into the quarry . I saw it many times

[@jeffracer6231]

My family came from McPeeks Branch down by the old Adams rock quarry last house up in the holler I still have a aunt and cousin's there The Bakers

[@kennyscott1089]

Very interesting. Greetings from Australia

[@realappalachia]

hello to you in Australia

[@helenab3999]

That's where I'm from Pikeville Kentucky that Pikeville Kentucky has a beautiful sound to it. US 23

[@michellegilliam2892]

Much of this part of the country would never have been inhabited by caucasians if not for the coal mines and I know many a family could not have existed there without the mines. But I have to say I hate the mine companies for how they came in and took the best of the land and left thousands of families without a good town infrastructure to exist when they just pulled up stakes. The coal companies are true robber barons who got fat from the land and workers and have no care or loyalty for those people or the land which provides so much. I am bitter when I think how my lovely hills have been top mined and strip mined and left for dead. These are some very good, very hard working families from these hills and they deserve so much more. I would so love to see these mountain places find a way to make a good living without killing the soul of the place. Full disclosure, both of my grandfathers worked for coal mines in Harlan and Letcher Counties.