Keystone: West Virginia's Sodom & Gomorrah

[@jacobbell4462]

Thank you so much for this video. I was born and raised in Keystone. Left when i was a teenager. My grandparents lived on Cook st and my grandfather and great grandfather had 98 years combined working in the mine and tipple. It has been awhile since i have been there since my grandparents have passed on but there is something special about Keystone and it will forever be home. Thanks again for making this video.

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@howlinwulf]

You were lucky to be raised in such a small town. Although it's hard to scratch a living in a small town you learn great family values. Sadly drugs are rampant back in those woods of Virginia west Virginia and Ky

[@forrestcanutt3574]

Beautiful music in this video, and beautiful country too.

[@debbieepperly3821]

So good to see a video from y'all! I used to hear a lot of bad talk about Keystone, but mostly the places of ill repute. I hope y'all are doing good, as well as the new addition which has probably grown quite a bit! I love the old photos y'all show of places. Those are so neat to see. The past 2 yrs have been rough for me. I've suffered some serious back issues & am probably facing major surgery. My hubby fell on Nov 1, 2022 & suffered a severe spinal cord injury and broken neck. He was hospitalized for quite awhile, had surgery on his cervical spine and neck, then was sent to rehab. He was in & out of hospitals and rehabs until July 6, 2023 when he was admitted for long-term care at a facility close to where we live. He suffered from having no use of his left arm/hand, had trouble using his right hand but managed to learn to use it to eat with until he started having nerve issues in it & then needed help. He was incontinent in both areas and it made him miserable. At the first part of March this year, he told his dr he was tired, the medicines he was on were just making him sick and he wanted to stop taking them. His dr talked to me about his decision and told me he wouldn't last very long without the meds, but he had no quality of life being confined to his bed and the meds were basically prolonging his misery. I'm just thankful he was able to make that decision because I couldn't have. His condition worsened gradually, and he passed away on March 15, 2024. I have been in shock, disbelief, angry, hurt, and overwhelmed all at the same time. We were married 48 years, dated for 2 yrs, so together for 50. He was only 66...would've been 67 in June. Had it not been for our son & daughter-in-love helping with decisions & being a comfort to each other, plus God giving me the peace of knowing where he is, I don't think I could've made it this far & held on to my sanity. He had a beautiful service and I feel we did our best for him. It's just all the "after" stuff that's been hard to deal with. I hope y'all are back doing regular videos again! Y'all don't know how many rough, sleepless nights y'all got me thru when it was just me struggling physically. Now, it's way more than just me. I love seeing y'all out & about, showing places I've never been nor will ever be able to go see. Thanks to both of you for hanging in there and continuing the videos. I'm sure the little one keeps y'all busy!! And, Melody, I wish you a blessed Mother's Day & hope it was a great one for you! Sorry this is so long, but just wanted to catch up with y'all. Please stay safe as y'all travel & I pray God blesses y'all always! Hugs from VA! ❤️‍🩹

[@jefffuller6683]

When I graduated highschool in Western Kentucky I got hired at Pyro Mining company. I enjoy watching the video with the Coal mines. I spent the best years of my life underground. I finally wised up and got my college degree. I've been working in the Aerospace industry for years but I will never forget my Coal mining days. Thanks for the videos.

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@billyjackwashburn6970]

I am retired and living in Thailand. But watching these videos makes me want to return to the Appalachian mountains where I was born and partially grew up.

[@bachfan7537]

I lived in Ubon for a time. Where are you living over there?

[@ronc7743]

My father was born in Western Va. I've been living in Europe for twenty years and since COVID Ive been thinking about returning.

[@billyjackwashburn6970]

I lived in Chiang Mia for 5.5 months but returned to Pattaya 5 months ago.

[@marinachurch2088]

You asked what a citizen of McDowell county thought of living here so as being one for 56 years I can only give my take on it. I live across the mountain on the backside of Keystone. If you would have stopped and asked the people who live there they would have gladly told you their opinion. Everyone hears the bad about our county so therefore most people that live here will not watch anything anyone puts up about our county. As far as the cleaning up goes it has looked like that for years. Cleaning up of towns is sporadically done with one place at a time. Bids are taken by the county and then someone is awarded the job while there are funds to pay for this. Keystone Bank was probably the best place to work in the entire county. They were good to their employees and to anyone who had an account there- myself included. When everything went down i was detrimental to the entire county. ATV riding has flourished in the county but only a handful of people profit from this. Ou county still retain decendants of the first people that settled here- myself included. We are a close knit family -no matter the color- of people who have literally went through hell and high water together. We really don't care what anyone thinks about us because we are who we are and won't apologize for it. We feel blessed by God to be born and bred here. If we had wanted to leave we would have. Coal is still vital to us. If you cut us we bleed black- coal that is. My sons are sixth generation coal miners. We don't think about Cinder Bottom because it doesn't matter to us. We think about living and survival just like anyone else that lives and breathes. Everyone wants to say poor pitiful McDowell county. When we mention our home we are proud and grateful. We have a saying here "You can take the boy out of the county but you can't take the county out of the boy." We don't need your sympathy . You just might need ours.

[@markbonner1139]

Sound like Mr. Ben Johnson,R.I.P.

[@howlinwulf]

Hey I appreciate what you are saying and it's all what is inside your heart that matters. Some people wouldn't leave new York or Miami. They can keep thise places I love the country and our small town in the mountains. Just wanted to let you know someone understands you even though I've never been there. I don't think. Maybe i have ive traveled alot setting up mobile homes for 20 plus years starting in 1986. It's so beautiful up those hollers and hills. God bless yall and keep your head up. You sound like a good man and better than some. Again God Bless and have a happy life.

[@a..c..2469]

Born and raised in WV, you're right neighbor and you know your fellow hillbillies stand by you

[@cathleenweston3541]

Well said and Amen.

[@MichaelGloth-f7j]

Looks deserted

[@chubs1701]

Great video Shane and Melody thanks for sharing 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rlic9206]

This is the first video I have seen of yours. Nicely put together. I was raised in a very rural town in Central Illinois, moved to Indiana upon my second marriage with some of the wife's relatives living down that way. Really beautiful down there. Whenever you have a town with money, you have organized crime. When the money goes away, you have low class crime, tearing down the community even more. Doesn't matter which part of the country it is.

[@larrym.johnson9219]

Hey Shane and Melody, thanks for the download and the update! I'm a fan of History The Good The bad and The ugly. History's history, facts are facts!

[@rachaeltripp705]

Thank you for making videos about Appalachia and showing these towns. I'm not from Appalachia but I've been watching your channel for about a year now and I appreciate you showing those of us not from there what it is like and talking about its history. I hope that in the future we will see these towns grow again and perhaps regain some of what they had before. See y'all down the road!

[@ZoomedOut2020]

With love to you both, and for the entire state of West Virginia…. They came, they took, they left the mess.

[@SMichaelDeHart]

Amen!! And destroyed a beautiful culture in the doings!!

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

What rich, greedy men do best!

[@lewiswetzel8617]

Make a T shirt with that on it and sell it

[@kesmarn]

So good to see you back! Prayers that all's well with your little family. This video had it all -- lots of fascinating historic still photos, and more recent (but still historic) video footage. And bless you for having the courage to "go there" when it came to asking the right questions about what communities get help with updating their water and sewage systems in a timely manner and which ones don't! Shows that you're more than just a pair of pretty faces...! 😀 Please keep them coming!

[@jeanettecastle7916]

I've only been through McDowell County once. Unfortunately, some people want to put it down because of the problems, and make fun. I'm not one of those people. It's a beautiful area. My husband had worked on a bridge in Keystone. He knew all about the banking crime committed there. I had never heard of it. The information i this video was all new to me. I live in Fayette County. Another coal area. We have some money coming in because of tourism. So, it's not totally desolate here. But, we do have some that are leaving for work elsewhere. Especially, young ones. Sad. They don't want to leave home but they have to. Even with all of the money problems here we still have something that it's invaluable. Our mountains and rivers, waterfalls and creeks. The wildlife is wonderful, too. Black bears, deer, fox, and birds. I'm a bird lover. We have so many different kinds. From beautiful warblers to bald eagles and peregrine falcons. There's never a dull moment for nature lovers here! So many came to this area not to mine coal, but for freedom of religion when they left Europe. My ancestors are some of those people. They've been here going on 300 years. They came here for freedom of religion and to farm and take care of their families. For a better way of life that did NOT include coal. My family loves these mountains. We all know there is no better place to be! My father, myself, my son and my grandchildren have all ran through these hills when we were kids. We wouldn't have it any other way! I sometimes get emotional when I see these videos. Forgive my long comment. To all y'all who live in these Appalachian Mountains, you are truly blessed! I can't imagine living anywhere else!

[@hsserry5289]

I lived and worked in nearby Bluefield, WVA, and travelled extensively through Keystone and heard many tales about it. However I think it still is and always was God’s land and the people of Keystone still are part of our human brotherhood. They had to make the best of what they had! !

[@robertbolt5552]

Great video. Grew up in Keystone The old house is gone now grade school closed. A lot of good memories though. Sad to see the shape it's in now. A lot of money is still missing from the bank . The bottom was shut down before my time my grandfather told us a lot of stories about it. The cut you went through is known as dead man's cut when the highway came through a lot of bodies were found from the bottom from the old days.

[@charliepc56]

I was over there in the mid 1970s. I remember an old antique coal loading machine sitting on rails outside an old mine. It ran on rails and loaded the center if a cut of coal. I hope it wasn't scraped. It had to be one of the first loading machines made. Unfortunately Kudzu is taking the town, and Kudzu is permanent. Great video! Thanks!

[@ericday604]

Thanks for helping to document and keep this history alive. God bless!

[@davevan8864]

The vintage photos were cool. thx

[@lesterwatson8519]

Good video!! I have heard of Keystone and Cinder Bottom all my life. I have never been there before. I worked in the mines with a couple guys and one would tell a story about the first time he met the other guy. He said, as he was approaching a house of ill-reputed "to put it gently" he said, he saw the other guy being thrown out a window by two men. He said, the other guy hit the ground and jumped straight up and said "them SOB's can't do that to me I ain''t got my money's worth yet" and went straight back in, only to be thrown out the door this time. It must have been true because the other guy never denied it. Heck, if I was him I would have denied it, "even it was true". I think it is sad that of all the money that was generated by the coal industry that the area has run down so much now that the coal is gone. I don't blame the coal companies, I blame the government for allowing it to happen, but money talks. The answer is not in social welfare programs. It is about infrastructure programs developing opportunity zones by spending money on infrastructure "water and sewer treatment systems, building major highways into these areas to attract new and more sustainable industries. However social welfare programs gets votes and that is all the politicians really care about, "is their sustainability" not the sustainability of the people. It has been proven time and time again that social welfare programs only destroy areas and the people living there. Did not mean to rant but this is a sore spot for me.

[@TonyTitleGuy]

The government "allowed" it to happen? Sorry to tell you, but the government was responsible for much of the problem.

[@brianjones7660]

The Welfare Department. People who meant to do good....then settled with doing well......

[@brianbeecher3084]

Anyone know if there were any songs written about this place?

[@brianbeecher3084]

Was that before the now world famous Ponzi scheme?

[@TonyTitleGuy]

@@brianjones7660 Nice twist on the wording, Brian. Funny.

[@sicelly]

as a european i love watching these videos to see parts of america we usually dont get to see in movies. so interesting and rich in culture and history. I would love to visit one day.

[@beverlyproudfoot583]

Thanks so much! So ruggedly beautiful. 🌸🦋

[@kwester318]

I just stumbled upon your channel and watched Christmas in Appalachia today...Christmas morning. What a beautiful and tragic story. It makes me thankful for what i have. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@cobra30689]

My father is from Keystone, born in 1925. Never met my paternal grandfather, he passed in a work-related railroad accident at a Santa Fe rail yard in NM in the '40's. I don't know at what point they moved away to Albuquerque.....as my father never spoke much about it, neither did my grandmother. I did find a picture in an old album of the town.....as a railroader myself I noticed there was electric catenary wire over the N&W main line (which is now the NS Pocahontas District) so it was taken before the new Elkhorn Tunnel was built in the '50's. One of these days I'll have to take a drive out there.

[@SeekTheTruth205]

Hay y'all!! Love yalls videos and always look forward to new one! Much love from Tuscaloosa Al.❤

[@hakunakahuna]

The instrumental music at 13:00 is absolutely heavenly. I am a vocalist and found myself singing along with it. I grew up in WV and still love this state. Many great people came from WV: Bill Withers, Don Knotts, Randy Moss, Mary Lou Retton, and Jennifer Garner, just to name a few. Something about WV breeds a certain humanity and compassion in people.

[@Suzannah4Christ]

I always enjoy your videos Shane and Melody. They're interesting and relaxing and I love learning about these kind of places. Sad to hear that some of those beautiful old buildings get torn down. I looked up the population of Keystone and the latest update was from the 2020 census which had it at only 160 people 😮. Looking forward to your next video. Love from Australia💚🦘

[@AMJDG]

Interesting video of the past and present. My dad's side of the family still lives in the New Tazwell, Cumberland Gap areas of Tennessee - about a 4 hour drive from Keystone. And some of the scenery reminds me of old Cumberland Gap. My grandfather was a coal miner in his younger years until he almost died in a cave in when he was trapped underground for 3 days. He never went underground again and spent the rest of his life as a truck driver.

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

My mom's family is in Floyd county KY and have been coal miners for generations. I live in north central Texas, Comanche, and for 3 yrs our water quality hasn't passed purity test and the state sends letters saying it's not fit to be consumed. Nothing has been done and the city says there's no reason for us to get another supplier. Very wealthy Californians have moved in and bought all the generational farms and ranches up and put multi million dollar homes up and drilled wells to the point some wells are going dry since we have been in a drought. The US is a messed up place and Washington has and still is making it worse

[@howlinwulf]

The rich folks is what's killing America it's fallen. They do as they please barely pay taxes and work the skin off of the poor folk for pennies . Hope you have better luck with water soon.

[@kim.jong.skillz]

You should be blaming Texas how they govern themselves not on the federal government. You are delusional & exactly why Texas is failing. 0 accountability. I bet you're an Abbott & Ted Cruz supporter huh?

[@bertvosburg558]

Great video! I feel a nostalgia for these places tucked away with so much history of who the American people are, a hardy bunch that could go any where and make a go of it, The strength of these Kentuckians should be commended.

[@UncaDave]

You and Melanie do such a great job on checking out our past. I really enjoy these videos. A lot of the people in the northeast that want to get rid of coal don’t realize the cost people in the coal states paid to keep industry running. They turn their backs on the plight of these communities. Obama closed over 72 coal power plants and not a care what it did to the people and the communities. He and Biden sit in their big mansions just don’t care. We still need coal. I was in Alderson, WV two days ago at a family gathering. Granny’s home is right next to the train tracks. Watched two big coal trains hauling out the Black Gold! Was great to see coal still being necessary and unit trains full of it! Keep our history alive! Thank you again!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, your comments are right on target

[@UncaDave]

@@realappalachia Thank you. Come to Alderson sometime, an old timber town, once had the Alderson Hotel, now gone, that was the working man’s Greenbrier and still home to the Federal Women’s Prison where lots of famous ladies stayed, Tokyo Rose, Squeaky Frome and even Martha Stewart who served her time quite well and was well liked by the inmates so it was rumored. The town is divided by the Greenbrier River in two counties, Greenbrier and Monroe. Also it was once home to Alderson College, still standing and a famous writer’s estate, called The Cedars. Be sure and check out the restored Alderson RR Station and the John Alderson store. Lots more if you look and a very big Fourth of July Celebration.

[@michaelwebb57]

That was an awesome video. Reminds me of Whiteville, WV. It was a booming coal town as well. Pretty much dead now. Thanks for sharing and safe travels!

[@roberthicks5704]

Interesting as always guys. I can't even begin to imagine the history in West Virginia. These old towns were so beautiful and so full of life. It's really sad to see what they've become today. It has been a while but once again I send greetings from North Mississippi.

[@hansblitz7770]

It's not that sad. What's sad is streets full of crazy junkies, an out of control over funded police state, cameras that take pictures of my plate and mail me a ticket, weirdos, dregs, overpriced crap, lines, and bumper to bumper traffic every commute for an hour both ways. That's sad.

[@jamespruett2849]

When I first visited my brother in Coalwood 3 years ago he took me on tour to Bluefield,I couldn't believe all the abandoned rundown buildings and houses on hwy 52

[@garycallihan4206]

Only wanted to add...my West Virginia grandfather, born in 1882, died in Beckley, WV, in 1975. He was a coal miner. My father was born in 1917. His mother died in 1918 during the flu epidemic.

[@WJr_88]

I don't think they meant anything negative about the town and county or their videos they post. I just watched this video and from what I gather he was interested in hearing about from people that know how it use to in its glory days to what it is now. I drove through this area just last week as I love to explore and sight see of the history of the area to include things like the buildings, mines, culture, etc... Watching videos like this from zthis channel and others will bring in a little bit of business and this gives us explorers ideas of places to go and enjoy history of our country's hard working glory days!

[@davidhaas3681]

Absolutely beautiful music, steel guitar beginning at 8:29. Would love to know who and song. Great video, thanks .

[@tracycc123]

Thanks for another great video, guys!!

[@jonathandorr2234]

I am, curiously drawn in. My fave, u-tuber ,is homesteading, in W.V. My father, went to see paper mills and do connected business, I think with a player in the industrial paper biz. Parts of my rural, Massa-choose-its, is just like what you are showing me. The Connecticut river, in Mass. called the Pioneer Valley. Sam, same famous for the last 2 generations, and observed for what ws created, without regard to the times. It’s a soul journey, thru a lifetime. One that I recall. I’ll return.

[@judypierce7028]

WOW! Folks! I so very happy to watch another one of your awesome videos. I have been missing them, As a matter of fact, you were on my mind today wondering if Melody had a great Mother's Day. It has been years on end since I was in McDowell County. I don't believe that I traveled through Keystone. Goodness! I can understand why it might have been referred to as West Virginia's Sodom & Gomorrah. It cerrtainlly is a beautiful part of the state. Just look at the beautiful mountains. Breathe taking. Thank you so much for this awesome piece of history. Be safe on the road. By the way, when I lived in Winston-Salem, NC, I heard that Charlotte was the State's Sodom &and Gomorrah.

[@ToddHavel]

The windshield you are filming through could stand a cleaning and be less distracting for the video. Really enjoy the causal way you two share the story and of course the most beautiful country of the United States. All four seasons are so beautiful, never gets old. Midwest here and flat land with corn looks the same all year long! Lol

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@ronmounts8075]

Who is this Music by?????!!!!!! Absolutely Beautiful!!!!! If anyone knows please tell me.... We were all raises in Pikeville,, Freeburn Ky,,, and my mother was on the West Virginia side,,, my father on the Freeburn side..

[@leesacoker7370]

At 6:48 the red building on your left is famous for a movie Richard Gere starred in called Primal Fear. And cinder bottom is still not a place you want to be. I live in McDowell county and it’s just a whole other world down here. Peaceful and calm!

[@JoeB-r2x]

Your video brought back the depression I feel every time I go home to St Albans WV

[@tinysampson8832]

Beautiful sad story. Great video. Showing our beautiful state after the govt has dealt two serious blows in the past few decades. People here are still proud and i. Sure they would love for their towns to become half even of what they used to be.

[@deaneddie873]

Great job. I have really missed watching you guys.

[@thomastommy1192]

Awesome cool video. I remember hearing older guys talking about Keystone. It was a mess from what they said. What was the name of the book written about Keystone you mentioned? How far is Keystone from Hurley, Va? Does anyone know? My family moved away from the Hurley, VA area in the 60s. I was only a kid. But my older siblings used to talk about it a lot. I'd like to know more about these areas. Keep the videos going guys. Many thumbs up.

[@Ricekrispy73]

I want to know also.

[@thomastommy1192]

@LonelyPlanet-eb8wr Thank you for replying to my post. Where are you located near? If you don't mind me asking.

[@terryt2728]

If you take the road over the mountain you can do it in about 1:15. If you take 460 it will take you about 2:30. Hurley was wide open like Ketstone. From what I understand. Maybe not Cinder Bottom wide open but you could find plenty of trouble if you were looking.

[@thomastommy1192]

I live in Maryland now. My family lived in Blackey/Hurley, VA in the '60s they all moved to Maryland looking for work. Where are you located? Thank you for responding to my post.

[@thomastommy1192]

@@terryt2728 Clinder Bottom was wide open too. My oldest brother was a young teenager he said those old guys around Blackey & Hurley would get drunk on the weekends and ask him to drive their cars to these places and take them there. He said once in a while the cops would arrest them and they say to him, "James Ray" Take my car home and tell my wife to come to bond us out. He said sometimes he would keep their car all weekend and go wherever he wanted to. He said the old guys trusted him cause they knew he did not tell their wives what they were doing in Keystone and Clinder Bottom. A really great video here. I wish it was longer. You guys should do another video about this place, lol. Thumbs up.

[@dannyfullbright1049]

LOL cleaned my computer screen 3 times before I figured out it was your windshield

[@realappalachia]

Got a new vehicle in the hopes it would fix that problem but it’s been worse, sadly

[@johngalanti1010]

😂😂😂😂

[@TheJoktan]

Good job you guys! Thankyou

[@decoy8645]

My aunt , uncle and bunch of cousins lived in Keystone, some cousins still do. I remember once you turned off the main road onto their unpaved street, there were holes that you could literally half bury your car in. If it had been raining you best not trust your luck and try to drive through one.

[@JohnBurdette-or7if]

Makes me miss my family up in West Virginia

[@MeAre-l6p]

Logan W.V 25601 Mud fork🙋❤😮

[@MeAre-l6p]

Born there.

[@homesteadgal4143]

Lived in Logan for 2 years as a child. My mom was a teacher at Mann High School, Dad worked at Columbia Gas. My mom got a teaching job in Montgomery County, MD and we never returned to WV. Was born there, family there (Huntington area). Generations back they were mostly farmers in Cabell and Mason Counties.

[@charlesfritz2540]

Hey I really like you guys show very very informative. When you're riding around in the car could you please clean that windshield. It would make the drive around Parts better. Just saying God bless you all

[@mrharrison76]

I liked the views and loved the music thank you, keep up the good work.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you 🙏

[@michaeldaltonsr8954]

Yeah! Fond memories of Keystone in late 60's!! Hauled a lotta "shiny" refreshments over there!!😅😅😅😅! Wild times!!

[@michaelgarrity6090]

Hey guys. I haven't watched any of your videos for some time. Getting over my cancer. It was a rough year. Keystone looks like another sad town in deep Appalachia. It's definitely sad that there are so many places like this all across America these days. It's also kind of depressing. Do you know if there is still any kind of work in the Keystone area? There has to be something for folks to earn some pay. Well, safe travels as you make your way through Appalachia.

[@redcloak676]

You didn't tell us the title of the book you mentioned at 6:40

[@empressvogt]

I"ve been watching your old videos while waiting for a new video to be uploaded.

[@rebagilpin2634]

Thank you, my grandfather and uncle worked at Eastern Associated Coal Company

[@katsiduzynski488]

Had a Koppers Coke plant in my hometown in the Midwest. They made the briquets, so on certain days when the wind was going to the northwest, that was the only day a relative (who lived with the house's backyard facing the plant) could wash her family's clothing. Otherwise the pollution from the manufacturing process would dirty all the clothes freshly laundered, then hung on the clotheslines outside. This was decades before dryers in homes. In the 1930s. I suspect anyone living on the few streets adjacent to the rr lines all the homeowners had to deal with that issue. Koppers Coke business is no longer there. Closed and building torn down easily some 40 years ago. There is an industrial park there now.

[@MillerMeteor74]

Very interesting. Big thumbs up. I don't think I've ever heard of Keystone, unless y'all mentioned it in previous videos. It's so sad though, about places being torn down, even if they were in bad shape.

[@stephenaddair1337]

I was a patrolman at keystone and northfork , great people

[@redhead56]

You all need to use a White Green Cloth to clean that windshield inside and out so we can see better

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

1:43 - That is the first picture I have ever seen of beehive coke ovens under construction. The piers down the middle will support the track for the "larry" car that dumped a charge of coal in the top of the oven. The circular bases of the beehives are seen about halfway back. Very labor intensive to build and operate.

[@colingeorgeh]

The beginning of this video was excellent, what a great blending of photos and music. What was the music?

[@tedd8055]

I grew up in Southwest VA in the 60s. To us, and many counties around us, it was well known that if you were a male looking for a good time with loose women, Keystone was the place to go.

[@SMichaelDeHart]

Which county?

[@tedd8055]

@@SMichaelDeHart Smyth

[@SMichaelDeHart]

@@tedd8055 my mother is from Grayson County and dad was born in Weyanoke Coal and Coke Camp in Mercer County, WV...but primarily raised in Giles County on the small family farm after his father passed due to Ruptured Appendix in 1923, when he 6 yo. We grew up in southern West Virginia but tied into southwestern Virginia. My 8th generation Paternal Great Grandfather fought under Layfette in the Revolutionary War and settled in Floyd County.

[@tedd8055]

@@SMichaelDeHart Man, I love Giles county. I did a lot of hunting and fishing over there when I was a young lad.

[@SMichaelDeHart]

@@tedd8055 so have I. And my father grew up hunting off the small farm on No Busness Creek. We've got cousin's all over southwestern Virginia. I remember turkey hunting at my dad's first cousins in Bland County. Got my first gobbler with my 10 year old Christmas gift Savage-Stevens 20 ga. Shotgun. Many many years ago.

[@ginathacker6207]

So, where exactly are all of the brothels and saloons…?

[@_808TLien_]

Could you do a video on Hamlin, WV and the nearby Branchland area? Would really appreciate it. Thank you! Love the videos

[@realappalachia]

We’d love to if we can find some time

[@vernwallen4246]

Sign on bar in Keystone"loose women tightened here".Or"don't laugh lady your daughter may be in here".🤣🤣😂😂

[@Surfguitarist59]

Have always enjoyed your videos guys. I agree with Melody, the Lord Savior cleaned up what man would not. I just love the history you bring to us.

[@gingerlancaster3033]

I love the music in this one. What is it? The old photos r wonderful. Thanks Shane and Melody 🥰

[@evdallas123]

I've never seen a married couple that look more alike than y'all

[@RobertCReady]

There's a line of dialogue in the movie "Matewan" mentioning Cinder Bottom...

[@BlackMan614]

What mines were in the vicinity of Keystone? I know Eastern had Keystone No. 1-5. I worked at Keystone No. 5 and it was in Affinity and I know Keystone No. 4 was in Stotesbury; neither of these mines were any where near Keystone. LOL BTW... that is the Eastern logo @1:19

[@doughill3396]

Thanks! I enjoyed.

[@Chic_N_Greece]

What's the name of the book? I'd like to read it.

[@splithoof9567]

Where can I find the music you use in your videos?

[@kyleelsbernd7566]

Great video from Milwaukee

[@joanmerriken9216]

Had no idea. Thanks for Sharinf.

[@timothyhall861]

I would like to add that here in Logan County (right above McDowell County) that there is a Drug problem here but unlike most other places We hillbillies are All, armed to the teeth and we won't hesitate to shoot if someone threatens us or breaks in on us, Therefore if you are not stupid enough to get involved in the Drug Culture NO-ONE will dare bother you!. Probably 99% of all Shootings or crime here is between people involved in the Drug Culture so if you stay away from it you have nothing to fear... People are VERY friendly and will almost always help you out if you need a small favor (even most of the druggies are friendly to strangers)....Yes we are friendly and helpful and go to Church but we don't take no guff off no one!

[@Horaciowild1]

Greeting from Switzerland 🇨🇭👋

[@annabelleb.8096]

Such beautiful scenery! The same thing is going on with old historic abandoned buildings here in my suburb in the Chicago area. The problem is, those buildings were neglected for too long. I am sorry to see them go but after many years of neglect they have to come down. If they had been kept up they could have been saved. I always wonder why in these small towns homes and businesses are built literally right off the main road. One step too many out the front door and a person could easily be hit by a passing car.

[@johnnymayo8534]

Was wondering where yall were.....although I'm sure the new addition is keeping you busy! I don't like to see old buildings torn down. I understand the safety aspect and the refurbishing cost, but it's still a little sad to see that old architecture destroyed and lost forever. Your videos from 2015, 2020 and today really chronicle the slow demise of that town.

[@michaeleades8935]

I got a seatbelt ticket in Keystone when I called courthouse and spoke directly to the mayor she was so sweet said that sanitation department was in need of a microwave I sent extra money along with the fine if anyone can help plz call Keystone courthouse to donate thank you

[@realappalachia]

Yes I’ve heard they have some financial needs like that. Thanks for contributing, that’s awesome

[@RatRod-yk5om]

What's the name of that book

[@outdoorlife5396]

This reminds me of about 6 or so years ago when we were in southern WV. The miniseries H/C was hot. We were passing through; I think it was Logan or Mingo County. We just following a self guided tour at the visitor center. Some guy stopped us and asked us who we were looking for, lmao. He was nice, so I told him there was a self-guided tour from his local visitor center.

[@realappalachia]

I’ve been stopped like that too lol

[@cherifleury]

The music playing through the intro photos is so wonderful. Can anyone identify the name of the piece and the players? I just love it.

[@cherifleury]

BTW, West Virginia, is beautiful.

[@johnlane5053]

would like to see you do a story about widen wv in clay co

[@steventwiddy3402]

What are the property prices like up there ?

[@realappalachia]

About as cheap as you’ll find in the country

[@hansblitz7770]

There are parts of the state that are not that cheap.

[@leecoleman822]

Enjoy each other ., safe be and love LIFE. amen

[@petergreenwald9639]

Where would you recommend somebody move to in W.V. to retire?

[@realappalachia]

Depends on what you’re looking for but my personal favorite towns are Bramwell and Harpers Ferry

[@petergreenwald9639]

@@realappalachia I am from the Catskills in upstate NY. I have lived in MN since 1979. I miss the hills and rural life. If I could have my dream, it would be a nice house with a big kitchen and a place to start up my hobby of watch repair and some gardening. Just some where quiet without riots and people who are kind and let me be.

[@hansblitz7770]

Lewisburg, anywhere in Greenbrier or Randolph Counties. Cheat Lake Area. Tygart Lake area. Moorefield, Petersburg. Davis/Thomas area.

[@thomastommy1192]

What was the title of the book? Who wrote the book? You are right about this place even more than you know.

[@walterlangston4484]

Was just in keystone last Sunday and GPS sent us up some mine road 😅

[@Any-Okra]

How far is this from Abington??

[@MoivinSulunker]

I would have liked to have heard more details. "Nefarious activities", "houses of ill repute" -- these are generalities. Specific incidents, names, specific houses or whereabouts. I liked it that the link between the flood and the wrongdoin was made. That kind of linkin should be done every time -- always tell the consequences, not only the incidents.

[@MoivinSulunker]

"All kinds of saloons". How many kinds? I need a number. Thank you.

[@giggles8458]

Turning my ugly negative reaction to Melody's herculean effort to sound like a Southern Bell, into something completely acceptable. She is not hurting anyone with her herculean effort to sound and be A Southern Bell! I accept it now, is cute! Oh My God! That twang oh hers! Such a Southern Bell Diva!

[@valdivia1234567]

I always thought WV could be a good place to put in a long mountain bike trail, something akin to the Appalachian Trail, going from town to town through the beautiful mountains. It could help with making WV, particularly the small, remote towns, a destination.

[@hansblitz7770]

That's sort of going on with rail to trails. That kind of thing isn't a big draw.

[@jeffchilders236]

Hey hello everyone much love from Lincoln county West Virginia

[@johnknippenberg-LandmarkYards]

Very interesting and great old pictures. You should check out Piedmont, WV sometime. I recommend the wings at Duckies. 😋

[@Whatsupbuddiebud]

Is the name of the book A HANGING AT CINDER BOTTOM?

[@realappalachia]

No this book is long since out of print. Probably 125 years old. I’ve heard good things about A Hanging at Cinder Bottom. It is a novel and the other was a book written by a local newspaper editor. I’m in the process of getting it republished.

[@ronaldtiracchia2017]

​@realappalachia that's great I would love to read it.

[@stephenaddair1337]

Cinder bottom was a rough place and has a long reputation but it was flooded and is gone now unless they rebuilt it lately