SPOOKY, Empty Towns In Rural, Forgotten Texas

[@JohnEBoldt]

The two story house you looked at (19:15 mark) with the big porch in Yorktown was where I grew up between 1960 and 1980. Back then, it was surrounded by no less than 13 pecan trees that formed a beautiful canopy around the yard. There were also two beautiful magnolias in the front yard. There's a legend that the actress/stripper/burlesque show dancer Candy Barr (real name Juanita Slusher) stayed there at one time. I can neither confirm nor deny that, but I do know that her uncle and aunt owned it at one time. Thanks for the video!

[@manda.watching.YouTube]

That house is lovely! It must’ve been gorgeous back then. I grew up in Texas with magnolia and pecan trees too ☺️ that porch you had is amazing. Would love to see the inside.

[@RailroadEngineer123]

It's so great to see a home where the 1950s and 1960s never ended.

[@TheChristen96]

I swear I have become fully addicted to these videos. The narration, the filming, the research...it's just so perfect.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@Kite-te9km]

Watching from Africa. I like your videos. No silly background music, no swift camera movements and narration is calm and clear. Tks. 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@marthakierstead3415]

Just had to watch a Joe and Nic video today ! I find them all very relaxing and informative . Loved the creepy old hospital

[@dragons8822]

I agree with the commentor from Africa, very calming & informative, really enjoy it.

[@frankducett9]

Now that you mention it, that is a real good quality of this Channel, I like it. I am however.... beginning to worry about our country, I never knew there were so many junky places.

[@marcjohnson9270]

😂😂😂😂

[@bukimoore2645]

Harlon Block was born in Yorktown, Texas. He is one of the soldiers depicted raising the American flag at Iwo Jima! Oscar Eckhardt was born in Yorktown, Texas. He was a two way Star for The MLB Boston, Braves & Brooklyn Dodgers, and The NFL New York Giants! He was a star athlete for the Texas Longhorns! Santiago J Erevia a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service in The Vietnam War, was born in Nordhiem Texas. Claude Davenport. MLB Player And Mike Gisler, NFL Player were both born in Runge Texas!

[@Borninthewrongera]

Hey!! Harlon Block was my grandfather's cousin. My grandpa grew up here and they were close. My grandpa almost died at Pearl Harbor and was sunk on 3 ships throughout the war. My mom's maiden name is Block, we have a lot of heritage there.

[@tinamartina1801]

Bravo!

[@robertpaulson9369]

Bet they're all rolling in their graves

[@helengardner2714]

Those cows think you will feed them.🥰

[@MrMrliamo]

Watching from the west of Ireland, I'll tell you one thing, if a gang of us Irish landed over to that town for a weekend, we would soon bring it back to life

[@beyondthesea9648]

Please come!

[@RobertTrombley-g6l]

The place needs a SuperValu,and supermacs😂

[@manda.watching.YouTube]

I’m in Texas by Dallas. I’ve always loved Texas but I’m a bit obsessed with Ireland. I’ve never been but I’m pretty sure if I ever do it’ll be my favorite place on earth.

[@Poopster4U]

Come on over amigo!

[@jsterling6805]

Irish would be welcome.

[@StephenPage85]

Welcome to one of my favorite parts of Texas. My wife is from Yorktown, and that is where we were married. We left there back in 2015. Married in Yorktown in 2016, and moved back to my home state of Florida is 2017. We also lived in Runge for a while, my mother in law still lives there. We come back every year to visit. My father in law lives in Yorktown. My wife’s grandfather lived in Nordheim and we still have our family reunion there every year. And I used to eat lunch in Smiley multiple times a week! You ever want some history, let me know. Lol!

[@valerief1231]

Wow, it’s like this video was created just for you, what are the odds, totally cool if you ask me!

[@hakim4noor4]

love Yorktown

[@shelleynet]

Settled down to watch tonight........I live in a town called York in Western Australia!! Our York is the oldest inland town in our State. Settled in 1831.

[@audreyguilbeaucalhoun5713]

Live in La Vernia… those towns I’ve driven through, some La Vernia played sports against in the distant past . Wow!

[@cottagekitchen-dx9dm]

No, don't give him information. He is a communist collecting info on our city. They want to take over it because it's "empty"

[@nancyrauch9492]

Those cattle were really happy to see you, Joe ! They probably don't get to see many people in rural places like these. They actually were really pretty & soft-faced animals. A lot of times when they approach you like that, it means "feeding time" by the farmer. I love your videos ! You make excellent videos that some people have never seen that way of life & living before. Blessings to you & Nic 😊

[@Jody-kt9ev]

I expect the cows were expecting to be fed!

[@russellgtyler8288]

Smiley is on a state highway. It's a long way from a ghosttown. Just another small town. I had a friend whose grandfather owned the two story white building on the highway.

[@katestow9885]

As a Texan that grew up on a cattle ranch...those cows weren't looking to be petted. Ranch owners will pull up to the fence at various points on their property and throw hay bales over it. Some owners have feed troughs scattered around and they cross over the fence to dump feed into them. The cows associate vehicles with feeding time. We had multiple properties along a network of backroads and my brother and I sat on the tailgate and threw hay over the fence while daddy drove from spot to spot.

[@usmcmustang2972]

Those are Brahma cattle .. they aren't the petting zoo type... but can be gentle enough to approach.... They were just looking to be fed. That's all. Anybody stopping on the road is a potential "feed bringer" and gathers their curiosity

[@carboncopy62]

They thought you were bringing them food.

[@ELAINEAnderson-y3h]

Watching from Australia 🇦🇺. I find these small towns fascinating. It's like stepping back in time.

[@MM-ks7vs]

The silence, the old houses, the centennial trees... the truth of the rural way of life in Texas. Thank you Joe.

[@MM-ks7vs]

Funny comment on "Ramirez Bank" in Lunge Town 😂😂😂

[@MTknitter22]

Very much like in so many parts of middle America. This Texan found it so when we went on a long trip.

[@3dwag]

Thank you, Joe! My father was born and raised in Yorktown, my mother in Nordheim. I was last inside of the Yorktown Memorial Hospital visiting my grandfather in 1968. Still have a few cousins living in both towns. My mother's father was from Runge. I haven't been to the area since 2018, though one side of the family still have our annual family reunion in Yorktown. An interesting note about Nordheim - it was the small-town backdrop in Wim Wender's film "Paris, Texas". My uncle's pickup truck was one of the "props". Too bad that you missed the "shooting club hall" further down from the Lutheran church...it is quite a nice structure, a large 1920s wooden dance hall which was still in nice condition and in use 5 years ago.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That's cool. I didn't know it was a Paris TX filming location.

[@gals5252]

Oh wow, My dad & I were both born in Runge and my mom was born in Yorktown. My brother was born in Karnes City. Still have cousins there, also in Kenedy. Both my grandparents died in that old Yorktown hospital. We still visit, life is so different there. Love it!

[@brewstud]

I was born in the Yorktown Memorial Hospital. Spent much of my youth in Yorktown and Nordheim. Still have a lot of family in the area. Still have family reunions in Yorktown. Nordheim Shooting Club is a great old dancehall. And the Broadway Bar has been a favorite of mine for years.

[@rogertemple7193]

I live here in Oklahoma and we have a lot of communities like this especially here in the places near the Red River alongside Texas where I live always enjoy seeing these small places they may not be fancy but it's home to a lot of great people though.🇺🇲🤠🐴🇺🇲

[@28Josereyes]

4:50 The people doing work and remodeling this house are incredible! This is the right attitude and mindset. I like their optimistic and positive decision to improve their own house and make it look nice and pretty regardless of the appearance of their impoverished and isolated small town. This is the way of how communities, towns and cities change positively it all starts with how we keep our house in good shape and looking good then it goes on.. 🏡

[@AwesomeFinish]

I sat down with my morning coffee and I was just thinking "I could go for a nice Joe and Nic video right now... and BAM! Like magic this pops up...

[@ennuiblue4295]

same ☕

[@joseleyva7578]

Same here eating my Saturday morning omelette. And bam Joe & Nic's came up. Shout out from Brownsville Texas.

[@cindyhughes7452]

Same here I'm enjoying my coffee while watching and I live here in Central Texas (McLennan County Texas)

[@MrSirlulzalot]

Good one, for sure!

[@Kite-te9km]

Same! Having chips and fried eggs as breakfast on this beautiful Sunday morning in Africa. 😊

[@rmv15-ff8pe]

I enjoy your videos, with giving information on places you take us to. Also you are respectful and you do not say rude things about these towns. Thank you.

[@Bear_58]

I gotta tell you, I love Texas. Been a long time since I've been there in the 80's. Most of the time was spent in Dallas/Fort Worth. I love these old towns. They're full of character and untold human history. Fantastic video as always. Thanks for another great adventure 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤠👍🏻

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@larsedik]

It's a different story if your parents live there and you have to grow up there - that can be extremely depressing.

[@Bear_58]

@@larsedik Everyone I've ever talked to concerning where they grew up is the same. They dislike or hate it. I've been fortunate in that I've been to about 40 states. I've seen the good and bad everywhere. I still believe wholeheartedly that Texas is a great state filled with natural and diverse beauty. The people are friendly and wonderful. In the end there's good and bad everywhere. Make the best of everything and God bless the great state of Texas.

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, Here is our True Savior HalleluYAH “Praise ye YaH” YaH is The Heavenly Father YaH arrives via the TENT OF MEETING YaH was Who they Crucified for our sins YaH was Crucified on an Almond TREE - Ancient Semitic Cuneiform of Moshe (Moses) - Isa Scroll (The Original Isaiah) Isaiah 42:8 "I am YaH; that is my Name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 43:11 I, I am YAH, and there is no other Savior but Me. Isaiah 45:5 I am YaH, and there is none else.

[@ЕвгенийЧернышов-ш3ш]

Why do you love Texas?

[@4GSR]

In 1982 I moved to Westhoff, TX, rented a house from a old lady there and went to work in Yorktown, Texas. Met and married my wife who was from Cuero, Texas in 1985. Since then, we have moved to about every corner of Texas. Now my wife and I live west of Victoria. That bar & Grill in Norheim is supposed to have some of the best food from miles around. Also, if you had driven to the north end of Norheim, you would have run into the Shooting Club, a big dance hall in its time. Keep up the magnificent work, I enjoy all the ones of Texas and the mid-west. Thanks for sharing, Ken

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@ЕвгенийЧернышов-ш3ш]

@@4GSR What professions are in demand in your area?

[@conniebaker1958]

What I love is peace and tranquillity, so this is my kind of town

[@bradhampton6457]

Hey Joey- always enjoy your videos. You were wondering about those Brahma cows… they’re just naturally curious and always hungry. My Dad had a small ranch here in Florida for over 30 yrs. He had that same breed of cows. Even his bull was very gentle and never got riled up. Keep up the good work.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting!

[@michaelhance8402]

I was commenting another person on the cows.... And probably I don't think I would have went up to him either because there might have been a bull around and they usually will come after you if you go around their females.....

[@shadowbrown3942]

JOE you inspired me to jot a poem about the “gnarly tree” in your video~ hope you enjoy: The Gnarly Tree The gnarly tree tells a story Of gain and loss ~ Of joy and pain ~ It reveals the story Of life it cannot regain ~ It tells of tragedy And patterns of regret ~ It shares memories It simply cannot forget ~ The gnarly tree knows It has reasons For every crooked limb You see Yet it never Makes excuses For what it has come to be. Shadow

[@shadowbrown3942]

Thanks ✍️

[@CDubsJourney]

Enjoyed your poem! ✌️💛😊​@shadowbrown3942

[@shadowbrown3942]

Thanks

[@CDubsJourney]

@@shadowbrown3942 you're most welcome

[@andrewless4067]

Thanks for the video. Building at 9.05 looks like it was a masons lodge, going by the shape left by the missing paint on the top of the barge.

[@tadias13]

It feels like we are in the car with Joe checking out the towns. These videos are great.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I was just sitting here in Wisconsin looking out the window after a foot of snowfall and wishing for one of your videos❤. Thank you! Smiley is a great name for a town. Interesting library. I love the cow welcoming committee ! Yorktown Memorial Hospital sounds like a cool place to tour. Nice peacocks! Glad a cat appeared in Runge! Love the old bank. I don’t think I’ll ever lose my fascination with the small rural towns. Looking forward to CC!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Alexandra! I didn't know you were in Wisconsin. :)

[@rachelolvera9435]

I’m from San Antonio and am grateful that you indicated what major city it was near.

[@jan-erikandersen933]

Thx for another great video from rural America. Greetings from Norway 🇳🇴🇺🇸

[@jacintabyline]

Watching this from rural New Zealand. What a FANTASTIC video! Your narration, historical facts, and current information is second to none. I have subscribed and I just know I'm going to become addicted to your channel. Thank you for a very enjoyable 50+ minutes sir.

[@delontereid7584]

Kudos to you and your wife for showing beautiful small towns and giving us a history lesson on wheels... It's very interesting and fascinating. 😁

[@gatorgogo2742]

In Smiley that ancient gnarly tree exudes personality! I 'd like to see it with its leaves. LOL The cows were ready to eat. Hey Stranger, "Where's our chow?" Out of sheer curiosity I would have gone in one of those old bars. No telling what some locals would have told you. LOL Keep on traveling and entertaining us. 🦚😺😺

[@tomaz9601]

I'm always impressed with how we don't see anyone walking in these towns

[@piehound]

WHY ?????? USA is completely automobilized. Walking is obsolete.

[@tomaz9601]

@@piehound "Walking is obsolete" ☠

[@BulletproofPastor]

We live in NE Texas and when the temps get in to the 90's+, not too many people care to walk anywhere. Even when temps are comfortable, when businesses are boarded up, there's no place to walk to.

[@piehound]

@@BulletproofPastor Well i don't care anymore . . . no matter what the temperature. Got that ?

[@TheErilaz]

​@BulletproofPastor that's above 30 degrees Celsius. No fun for someone from Norway.

[@rongreen8962]

No residential sidewalks except for little spots in Runge. These towns were supported by automobiles starting in the 20’s, and then over time hollowed out by them. When the Dollar Store shows up in your town, watch out: it means you don’t have enough community strength to meet your retail needs.

[@williebeamish5879]

Jackson MI has like 27 dollar stores. Says it all to me.

[@diamondbeats2024]

I was feeling pretty insecure about the only store being a dollar store! Food to think on …

[@TheLeamonLane]

So true, about the dollar store!!! I thought i was the only one who noticed...lol

[@ThunderTheBlackShadowKitty]

Yup. Dollar Stores exist in so called "food deserts" where people are poor, local businesses are gone and the big chain stores don't make enough profit to consider staying. And no, theft doesn't cause big chains like Walmart to close. In fact, they are usually oversaturated and close one store to turn another into a supercenter while laying off the old store's employees. It satisfies their shareholders and makes more money than keeping both old stores open as they were. When the Dollar Store opens in your area, that's a red flag.

[@ThunderTheBlackShadowKitty]

@RepentandbelieveinJesusChrist_ God is dead thanks to capitalism.

[@regand7830]

I appreciate someone cruising through towns like this. I really do. Thanks so much, this big city native (Los Angeles, CA), likes to know what other places must be like. I've visited a few. Definitely passed through or passed by. What struck me, is they won't have much of anything. Not even a supermarket, or gas station. But there will be a bunch of churches everywhere.

[@deniseshephard3347]

The cattle are hungry your videos are always epic and very educational thank you for taking us on your travels and for taking your time also

[@thomasroth4533]

Wonderful video as usual. When I started following your channel you were on the verge of giving up and suddenly you had 200 K followers. Now you have almost doubled that and you are so worth it. My congratulations to you, but even more to us who have the pleasure of watching your travels.

[@MonicaGrubb-u4y]

I only recently started watching KZbin and came across these videos. So glad he did not give up. Love watching them and look forward to new videos. 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you for the kind words!

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

Thanks for the video, & everyone, I'm Simon from Adelaide Australia 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Simon!

[@lindaburns4890]

JOE I LIKE YOUR VIDEOS, YOU TALK VERY CALM, EXPLAIN EVERY DETAIL OF THE CITY'S YOU VISITED, AND TALK WITH RESPECT ABOUT THE POOR ABANDONED HOMES, WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS FROM MY BEAUTIFUL STATE OF ARIZONA 🇺🇸

[@jonathanlee5185]

👍Shocking yet evocative, nostalgic, compelling viewing. Grey, lightless, bleak- lands👍Smiley: such flimsy, teetering, temporary buildings, -- want to hope a tornado doesn't hit.

[@katbot2190]

Actually they pronounce it Nordime. We had our family reunions there at times. When you were first driving in Runge, one of those buildings was a dry goods store. They had one of those lines that the owners used to took the money up to the office. My mom worked in one of those stores, I think the grocery? My sister would remember. Across the street was a meat market. They had sawdust on the store. Used to be a lot of German families living there. My mom's parents were from Germany. Mom's family were Methodist. I even remember going to that church.

[@f.fayerweather1409]

The wicked trees shown at the beginning of Smiley video look like they are California black pepper trees! Also the city hall in this town made me laugh! Yorktown has a very nice Chevy building! Looks very Deco! The haunted hospital building in Yorktown looks older than 1950! Thanks for the KZbin tips about that place!! This was fun!

[@jb117354]

This is such a cool KZbin channel. Very relaxing to watch. Keep up the great job.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you!

[@johngibson7001]

Greetings Joe and Nic ! Always happy to see a new video about small towns to large cities and learn things I'd never learn otherwise. Keep up the great work Joe 😊🇺🇸💜

[@kholwaninkuna3416]

I'm watch from Johannesburg South Africa, amazed at how we hardly see anyone walking about, dead quiet!

[@Buggarden1966]

This Iowan was in Smiley Texas in 1990 just passin' through. As I recall it was a DRY county location with no alcohol sales. I had stopped to buy beer and remember the name Smiley.

[@LanNinja11]

I grew up in Smiley and my parents still live there. It’s not spooky but it is a quiet place to live. Not much to do growing up but somehow we managed ok. I’m grateful for being raised in a small town. It makes me appreciate the city life now. I live in Colorado now.

[@tinamartina1801]

Nothing in the small town. Nothing.

[@couerl]

@@tinamartina1801 That's the point. Live in the city long enough and you'll wish you lived in a small town.

[@ЕвгенийЧернышов-ш3ш]

What do people in your city do? Do you love this city, the city where you grew up? Why did you leave here?

[@ЕвгенийЧернышов-ш3ш]

Don't you like living in small towns?

[@beachdiva9586]

Good show! Love seeing that bank building in Runge and your comment. Have fun and safe travels.

[@israelruelas5756]

I’m from Houston and ready to get the hell out of here. These rural areas look comforting to live in

[@biancabutler523]

Hi there! A friend of mine sent this video to me because as a child back in 1970 my dad was the football coach for Texas. We lived in a very small house one block from the high school Nixon, which is 10 miles to the north of Smiley is where he moved to the next year, and you would consider it to be a bustling city in comparison :-) lol! If it worked for the Chicken Plant in Nixon, no one would have a job in that area. It was only about six years ago. They even got a Dollar General there… when we lived there, absolutely all of those closed down buildings, or shops and stores were open and busy. It’s sad but all most all of the kids who were raised there fled for bigger towns and now ppl are racing to get small town life for their families. It’s crazy…New to your channel so I’m not sure if you went to the haunted hospital in Yorktown it spooky for sure. 😊 guess I should’ve finished the video before I made a comment lol! You’re in Yorktown now.haha

[@barbaramarkham4736]

Joe, thank you for another great video. ❤ At 9:18 the gray building that had siding on the bottom, the symbol at top of building, it sure looks like a Masonic Lodge symbol. Maybe at one time it was their lodge. Before that it looks like an old general store. Love to you and Nicole from B.C. Canada 🇨🇦

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I think you're right!

[@Dargonhuman]

That's what my impression was as well.

[@CyberDocUSA]

I scrolled through the comments before posting to see if anyone else picked up on that. Good call.

[@barbaramarkham4736]

@@CyberDocUSA Thank you so much for your comment

[@keyup2626]

There’s something so special about traveling the rural parts of the country, the things you might see leave an impression on your soul.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Agreed. I prefer these places far more than the big cities.

[@keyup2626]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip right there with ya, it cities are nice to visit but suck for living.

[@everydaypresent444]

It is always fascinating to have the vicarious experience of visiting these small towns, and you do an excellent job of narrative consistency (statistics, cat sightings, architecture) with plenty of pithy observations and an abundance of empathy. There must be a gazillion stories from each of these towns. For me, I always wonder why such a town was created and what were the circumstances that caused it to lose population. It is a bit like an Edward Hopper portrait in a live presentation, all the empty streets and derelict buildings. (I am forever wondering why you seldom encounter any of the inhabitants out and about in their yards or about their chores or errands.) Always look forward to your videos! Thank you!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@ronmckiernan1691]

Happy cows coming to see Joe. Out in no mans land these cows are lonely. Your doing a great jobs touring these small towns. Relaxing videos while sipping my coffee.

[@fumanpoo4725]

These videos are very soothing.

[@brenttoman5485]

Love the show Joe, I’m going to guess the I .O.O. F or the Masons inSmiley ?!. Also really interesting home designs in Smiley ,yes lots of mother nature returns but still homes that really would have been something in their day and all the Kool porches! Thank you again and stay safe!

[@boglesnar606]

Building around 9 mins was definetly an old masonic lodge you can see the square and compass outline in the paint

[@nancysimpson4246]

That tree looks awesome. Hi guys I’ve been starting to watch your videos. I really enjoyed them.😊

[@rosiejuarez7547]

My ancestors were down here in York Town , Texas where most of my ancestors were born. They are well known as the Villa family. It's the most friendly people I've ever known. My husband and my children whom they already grown ups , used to visit our family every summer and holidays. It was awsome. But now the family have all descendent or younger ones move out to next cities. Those were the good old times. Brings me good memories. Thanks. 😊 awsome , those small homes were for rent , my husband and I would rent one for us one for the kids , s there young cousins would come and stay all night. And in the morning my husband would start breakfast. Good old times. Thanks for the video.

[@johnnymidas5879]

AWESOME!!... I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT TEXAS.❤

[@dinaochoa4920]

Runge is so clean compared to the other towns. The yards are so well kept.

[@TheMijanou]

Thanks for yet another exciting trip through your beautiful country. I think...there is a special kind of nostalgic charm in towns like these. Best wishes from Poland.

[@mariemccann5895]

Wow, that's one take on it I guess.

[@lillypad9960]

Always a good time with you Joe. Thanks and blessings from Michigan.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@JostenDooley]

Dollar generals slogan should be “when there’s no other store around you can always find us”

[@danielciemian]

😂😂😂

[@elliebellie7816]

I'm beyond happy they are in my small town, for sure. If it wasn't for them I'd be making a 25-mile round trip for things like 5lbs. of sugar.

[@cyndielsb]

😂

[@margarettburns7544]

Actually, that would be 'Everything is a dollar...generally'.

[@themustafagoldenboy9008]

lmaoo

[@melvin151515]

I watch this channel for the architecture. As a contractor, I am rebuilding in my mind all the old houses.. For the most part in California all the old stuff is not only gone, it has been replaced by other buildings already torn down as well. Also watch for, “Wow, that’s a lot of stuff.”

[@michaelwoodford3990]

Yet another great video Joe, greetings from Yorktown, Surrey UK, sadly the roads over here are not a lot better than those you found in rural Texas

[@carolprice9473]

You're kidding I live in the UK and no way are the roads in that state of deterioration. And I drive on them everyday. Another person happy to talk down the U.K it seems !!!

[@michaelwoodford3990]

A bit of a tongue in cheek comment, however, over 80 cars a day are taken off the road because of pot hole damage as reported in the Telegraph and Daily Express@@carolprice9473

[@randomrandomness8743]

​@@carolprice9473Agreed, no negativity please Michael Woodford!

[@richardbailey202]

Thanks. Nordheim looks like the set for "The Last Picture Show".

[@evilgrag]

There were scenes of the movie "Paris, Texas" filmed in Nordheim.

[@AdamBBQ]

Keep up good work. Happy new year from Poland ❤😊 🇺🇸🇵🇱

[@del-marmare1646]

fascinating. I live in South Africa, took a drive around my childhood town earlier this week. I'm 46 now, terrible to see the decay which sets in after 30 odd years of neglect...

[@lorenrobertson8039]

Yes it is sad to hear that it's happening all over the world. I used to follow a guy from Bungoma County, Kenya. And the villages were so poor. The folks eaten up with jiggers and barely able to survive. It was wonderful to see him build an elderly hospital, and now a hospital just for jigger victims. I celebrate his work and ministry. Many called him crooked and other nasty things for his successes. Jim Nduruchi earned my respect by all the help he gave and did for the poor and suffering. He went all over through the brush into villages and houses well off the beaten path just to bring them food, clean water, and to dig the jigger parasites out of them. I bet you've heard of him, and I hope it is a good respect you have for him too. Nobody is perfect, we all have a thorn in our side to remind us of our humanity. He suffered the deaths of 7 or more siblings and all of his elders to sickle cell anemia. Which he himself has. I see his wealth, I'm not blind...he has earned enough through youtube to have a nice house and clothes for himself and family. Don't hate what he has, but look at who he gives thanks to for those blessings! I'm sorry for the neglect in your home town. I can relate so much. My home towns are trashed now too. Bless you~

[@walterprice8728]

Outstanding, thank you. At last, something I'm qualified to comment upon - those cattle are being fed, and were hoping - seeing as you had stopped - you had some feed with you! The breed says a lot about the Summer temperatures in TX.

[@garycronin209]

JOE, I HAVE WATCHED MANY OF YOUR PODCASTS, AND THEY ARE VERY WELL DONE. I GREW UP IN WILLOW, ALASKA, UNTIL I WAS DRAFTED TO WAR IN 65. I LEFT THE USA IN 74 AFTER 4 TOURS, MY CHILD HEART BROKEN, BUT I WILL ALWAYS BE AMERICAN, AND SEEING AMERICA THROUGH YOUR SHOWS BRINGS ME GREAT JOY. I HAVE SEEN THE WORLD NOW AND I AM SURE THAT MANY WILL ENJOY YOUR REPORTS ABOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN EXPERIENCE FOR 1000 YEARS. GREAT JOB, FROM MY HOME IN SPAIN.

[@bextar6365]

Cant imagine what those homes look like inside ....

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Old hospitals were always haunted. I worked in one that had a spooky breakroom. I almost ran out of there sometimes.

[@edwardzarnowski5558]

I used to work ina Hospital,one time I was passing through a section of post op rooms and I was sure I saw. someone sitting on one of the beds. The area was closed and I was going to ask what they were doing there and l looked back and they were gone.! Totally convinced me that there ghosts or spirits around. 😬

[@edwardzarnowski5558]

I used to work ina Hospital,one time I was passing through a section of post op rooms and I was sure I saw. someone sitting on one of the beds. The area was closed and I was going to ask what they were doing there and l looked back and they were gone.! Totally convinced me that there ghosts or spirits around. 😬

[@RandomDudeOne]

There was an old hospital in Minneapolis that terminally ill people with no money or family to take care of them were sent to to die. Thousands of people died horrible lonely deaths there. A few years ago it was converted into an apartment building!

[@OldManOnTheRidge]

Hi Joe! Watching and enjoying your latest video. I’m going to try and answer your question posed at 8:55 into your video. The old white two story building looks to be an old Masonic Hall. The giveaway way the impression left in the gable end. Look up a Masonic symbol and it seems to resemble it. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@zoidmo3388]

Agree with the Masonic Hall, look like.

[@mikejohn0088]

If it's Masonic it's haunted as the master of the building screams to find his once upon a time followers.

[@TheLeamonLane]

Another great video!! I know that we all watch videos like this for the decay, and the (thank God I don’t live there factor) but you do a good job telling the stories of these small towns and keeping it in perspective. Well done, please keep going!

[@sarit3495]

Have you visited the tiny, tiny, tiny town of Maxwell, Tx? Down the road 2-3 miles is Reedville, a tiny bit bigger and better. Then next to it is Martindale. It’s also tiny, but a tiny bit bigger and better than the other two.

[@hildahilpert5018]

In that area is Staples.

[@JoabBoyd-x6m]

@ 16:22, when you pull over to the right is a Hand Painted Window and there is more across the street. I used travel and do this type of work along with other types of Signage, you name it I did it. There is local talent there is this town something I did not find a lot of during my two years of living on the road painting signs from coast to coast, I even went up into Canada. If you look at the bottom right side mostly you should see a name. This is a good sign too, people are open there, where some towns are tight and closed minded to art, bright colors etc...

[@BirdDogey1]

Peacocks have long been used as "watch dogs". They squawk quite a bit when guarding the property.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@zoidmo3388]

Seeing peacocks kind of gave me a WTH thoughts. A bird native to India in this town? lol.

[@Lazydaisy646]

​@@zoidmo3388there are peacocks all over the world now , they are beautiful but their cry " help , help , help " gets pretty annoying after a bit .

[@everythingtaken19]

One of the cows protested when you said you were not going to pet him! 😭🥹

[@disco07]

Lived in Houston for awhile. Never left the city limits because there was sadness in every direction. Seem like the only things to do was eat bbq (gets old quick), walk the dog and escape the heat. No parks, no malls, no decent restaurants, no movie theaters except in unwelcoming places. I went stock raving mad. Ran home to mama, lol!

[@rufusearl9475]

At 6:30 it shows "Bantams Roost" which refers to the old Smiley high school mascot...Smiley and Nixon which is 8 miles west consolidated their schools in 1984 and had to rename both schools mascots...Nixon Bobcats...Smiley Bantams turned into the Nixon-Smiley Mustangs

[@troygoggans5495]

I can remember playing football against Yorktown High School in the mid 1960s. Most of those towns like Yorktown and Runge lived off providing services to people that worked in agriculture and oil and gas field services. Most of that is long gone and with that went tax revenues for roads, municipal offices, water/sewer systems, police, and fire departments. Take a look at all the old indigenous people ruins in the four corners area of the USA those had numbers of people living there but things like the weather and climate changed and the people moved somewhere else. Us humans no longer think of ourselves as nomadic but we move just to stay alive that is the way we have always been. And by the way the cows came to you thinking since you where human there was food involved.

[@marcjohnson9270]

All by design fren.

[@marcelovillagran6366]

... I have seen your videos... and from CHILE, my country... for me is beautiful towns with houses of excellent design and very well built... they are only missing the people who have sadly left and who I wait for wherever they are you have found what you are looking for... thank you very much for showing your beautiful country with those beautiful landscapes and good roads... and listening to a luxury presenter... thank you friend...

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

No problem, Marcelo!

[@rvlivingwiththegeezer7791]

These towns were quite a bit more active when Eagle Ford oil field was really active.

[@katbot2190]

You are around my mom's stomping grounds. Her family lived in Runge. Only one of the 12 kids married and stayed in Runge until they passed. We briefly lived there when I was around 4. I don't know for how many years we lived there. If it weren't for Dollar General we would have to drive 17 to 21 miles one way to the closest grocery store. You know I remembered something. When we were little we went to a carnival in Yorktown. I remember riding those little horses they had. I'm 62 now so that was eons ago. I know I had to have been 3 or 4.

[@shirleynelson1183]

The cattle want you to feed them.

[@brucezilbert3798]

I'm here for the range cubes.

[@Kate11.11]

I love when you visit the small rural towns like I grew up in. Thank you Joe this was really good. That Yorktown hospital looks pretty creepy!!! 👻

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@mikeivey7167]

It’s supposed to be Haunted!

[@TomTobin67]

This was a good visit video. Interesting stats about Smiley. You should do a video on Anita, Iowa. Sweet little town with a great steak house.

[@glennbrymer4065]

I grew up in a small west Texas town back in the early 1950's. Your videos bring back many memories.

[@eatwithcandy7147]

Thanks again for great video 😊

[@catlover614]

Another wonderful video ! Endless interesting old buildings ! The old Memorial Hospital and the abandoned Motel are so creepy and awesome ! I'm always so fascinated with old abandoned motels, especially. Imagine being there at night ! I love these old towns ! Thanks so much for showing us around, Joe !🥰

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, CL!!!

[@billarnold3253]

Love your vids Joe and Nick……I live in San Antonio and throughout my job and travels have seen a lot of these towns. I’m not sure how they are sustainable, crazy stuff. Keep the great vids coming, interesting stuff.

[@steven9541]

My favorite videos when you do alone... another great video

I really enjoy your channel! Small older towns are very interesting!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@SteveB-ht3fe]

I love your videos! You have a nice calm way about you. How about taking a minute each video to show us the local cemetery?

[@Yawndave]

As a huge aficionado of gnarly trees, I really liked the way you kicked off this episode. It's always nice to encounter friendly "wildlife" when you're on the road, isn't it?🙂 It's always interesting when places claim to be the "most haunted"-- I live in San Jose, home of the Winchester Mystery House, and over the years the stories associated with the place have mostly turned out to be made up. If you still happen to be in central Texas, stay warm!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, YD!

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

We saw a lot of cool and unique things. Loved it!!

[@floydlooney6837]

Yorktown looks like it could make a comeback still, downtown would look amazing renovated

[@evilgrag]

When Eagle Ford was active the oil companies wanted to come in and renovate those old buildings to use for offices. My understanding is city council would not allow it for some reason. It may have had something to do with not wanting to give them tax breaks

[@poowg2657]

More neat old railroad towns where the railroad is long gone. Another great tour, thanks much!

[@kurtstephan9959]

Hi “Lord Spoda”. My best wishes to you and your esteemed wife from Berlin, Germany. Your videos are always so relaxing and educational at the same time. Nice insights into a culture that is foreign to me. Still best wishes.

[@haveagreatday3664]

York Town is super cute!!! Beautiful buildings!!! Charming AF.

[@alanjones3874]

Looks like the ancient Witch tree , at the start , kind of set the stage for what was to follow . Legend has it not to blame the trees but what walked past them .

[@emilsm8407]

Watching from Indonesia, very amusing and sad at the same time to see abandoned places like this, but also so peace. I prefer to live in those places for sure.

[@TheSeaweed64]

Love your videos. Interesting you made no mention of Runge School Building which shows up in your video. Runge has a new High School, Middle School and Elementary campus that is really nice. The Runge spent $17 million on their school campus. Yorktown about 10 years also had major school renovations.

[@evilgrag]

There are also beautiful churches and very VERY old large trees on the grounds of the Lutheran Church in Yorktown.

[@tadianaayuma2509]

Very informative videos,Nic n Joe. Always enjoying watching you guys from Africa