OHIO: Fading Appalachian Rust Belt Towns - Along The Ohio River

[@misterrickschannel2238]

The carriage on the 2nd mural was a horse-drawn fire engine.

[@jerrileonard858]

The mural you didn't know about was showing an old fire brigade. The carriages were of steam powered pumpers and a hose wagon. They would use steam to push the water to the fire.

[@janeaair]

The dalmation was a nice touch!

[@deirdrepasko9965]

@@thebionicfrog8360 that's odd, because they're so high strung.

[@daviddecelles8714]

Thanks for that. Where was the water source? Were there hydrants?

[@jerrileonard858]

@@daviddecelles8714 well, that part I'm not sure about. If it's anything like modern firefighting they could have run the hose into a pond, or other water source maybe, or maybe they used portable tanks, although I didn't think the technology was that advanced. I know some places used pumps that were manned by rookies or volunteers. I will have to look this up.

[@wmcbarker4155]

@@daviddecelles8714 horse troughs were common on corners everywhere

[@derekjancart215]

I’m from Steubenville, my mom still lives there. At the peak of steel production the mills employed 23k in Jefferson county alone, that doesn’t include all of the businesses that supported mill operations. NAFTA absolutely decimated the town in the mid 90’s thousands lost their jobs overnight. The area never recovered, many turned to drugs, when the gas and oil shale boom happened 5-10 years ago they had a hard time hiring locals because they couldn’t pass a drug test. Our politicians, both parties, did this to us and countless other towns across this great nation.

[@Jeff-zs2pq]

Not just the steel mills, the entire industrial manufacturing capacity of the United States has been decimated. The textitle industry also. Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon, Grumman, are the arms manufacturers. They are doing fine, but they ARE tiny.

[@luvthecountry_creeker]

​@@Jeff-zs2pq Greed 😈

[@Jeff-zs2pq]

@@luvthecountry_creeker and predatory capitalism.

[@demonetizethis5608]

It all apart of the plan. Do not vote democrat. Not like either the choices we have is good anyway. Trump or biden. Why can’t we just have someone good. 🤨

[@Dan.Parker]

Democratic communism. International communism.

[@janetrhoades]

I was born and raised 20 miles from steubenville in the farming region of jefferson county. Not much in steubenville anymore mostly abandoned buildings,trash on the street and crime. The once flourshing river towns are slowing decaying. In all fairness the Ohio Valley is a beautiful place,very rural and wooded. Been here over 70 years and these hills are a very beautiful place. Lots of good hard working people here.

[@ravrachael69]

Absolutely agree with you I'm upstate just a little bit in Beavercreek upper east side of Dayton by Wright-Patterson but have traveled a lot and I do love Ohio I'm not going to lie Been here all my life and stay here out of choice not because I have to but that doesn't mean I don't have a beach outlet somewhere lol

[@screenarts]

The whole fn country looks like this

[@NautilusGuitars]

@@screenarts I disagree, and I wonder if you're not too familiar with this kind of geography. I've been to quite a few states, and the tri-state area ( the border area between Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) is very distinct. The flora and topography are both unique, and together, make it very easy to identify the area even in videos and photos, as no other area looks quite the same. It's instantly recognizable to anybody familiar with it. We're in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains here, so the topography by itself is only similar to a few other places in the US. The only other places in the US with this topography are entirely different climates with entirely different plant life, making it very obvious which is which. Then, when you account for the style of architecture that's prevalent here and doesn't exist outside of the Northwest, there's no mistaking it. Look at Google Earth, then notice how everything changes directly past the border area between the three states. Anywhere south of Oh/Northern WV, or east of Pittsburg PA has very different plant life. Then notice that everything west of central Oh is the same. That's what the majority of the country actually looks like. Everything from Central Oh to Nebraska is indistinguishable and can't be told apart. The tri-state area, AKA the Ohio River Valley, is very unique.

[@bigmac2752]

I moved to the Ohio Valley in 1987. To Bethesda Ohio in Belmont Co. I found the people of the Ohio Vally entitled. Worst place i ever lived.

[@toxicgracie3772]

Watch out for the occasional Sasquatch

[@t3hPoundcake]

I live in Northeast Ohio, the change in life from the North to the South of the state especially around the WV border/Marietta area is insane. I love the rare road trips I get to take through the mountains and that whole area. This video is awesome.

[@trinibagowaynecaribbean1611]

Yeah I live in Cleveland. It's like another world from this part of Ohio.

[@timothyharris1125]

Also Cleveland here, going down there is a different world forreal. I usually call them southies when I find out if someone was from down there.

[@erocker78]

Same, I live in in the Cleveland area. I wish I could move down there. One of these days I might just do it.

[@nicolefiocco4516]

Agree. Live in Cleveland, went to OU, would love to live in a beautiful old Victorian in Marietta.

[@bobhague2130]

Just wow. While I haven't been back in more than 20 years, I instantly recognized Steubenville. In fact you started at the foot of Logan Street and must have gone by my grandparent's home at 118. When my dad & uncles grew up there in the 20's & 30's it was an Irish neighborhood known as "The Patch." Steubenville was already in hard times when we visited Pap & Grandma and other family in the 1970's but the steel industry was still there - the pollution made our eyes burn! We knew whenever a freight train was approaching because grandma's china hutch would rattle. In the evening Pap was on his porch glider smoking his pipe & listening to a Pirates game on the radio. When we returned in 2000 for my uncle's funeral at St. Patrick I was struck by two things - the absence of that smog, and the large number of abandoned homes. I asked dad if he knew Dean Martin - no dice. As you can probably tell I have good memories of Steubenville and would love to visit again. Thanks so much for this video!

[@kathyholcomb724]

That's what we called my grandpa too. Pap pap. He'd go pick 2 bushels of fresh peaches and bring them home in his old green Ford pick up. We'd hop in the back and the peaches would still be warm from being on the tree. We got to have 1 each and the juice would run down our chins. Those were the days...I miss them.

[@bobhague2130]

@@kathyholcomb724 I remember on of our long car trips from St. Paul to Steubenville, the great aunties wanted my dad to drive them to W. VA. to get peaches. This was right after we'd arrived!

[@Pwrcritter]

Martin left Steubenville at a fairly early age never to look back.

[@jaspersknoll9013]

I was born and raised in this area and am still here. It is an incredibly beautiful area with undertones of what once was. Mostly folks who don't like the big urban life and want to continue living away from such. My brother was born in Bridgeport and I have kin scattered from Steubenville to Cincinnati all along the Ohio on both sides.

[@cliffordparmeter6940]

Wonderful 👍

[@Sealight007]

So sad to see the heartland of America dying. Maintenance on those old houses is likely costly. If the town has a historic museum, it would be interesting to see how the homes looked in their day.

[@deirdrepasko9965]

You and your family are so fortunate to live in the country! A calmer way of life, and fresh air!

[@surinfarmwest6645]

It is a beautiful part of the world and the individuality of the houses impressed me.

[@Champwsox05]

26:51 Haven't any of these people ever heard of Weed-B-Gon?

[@erinjacobs2894]

The painting in the 1st town with horses, carriages, and dalmation dog is the earliest fireengines with firerfighters.

[@crushthis123]

My buddy and I went down to the US to buy car parts. We saw many very large abandoned towns, it almost made me cry to see such magnificent homes all boarded up. They were in great shape 30 years ago and |I pray that people fixed them up as it would be a crime to let them go to waste.

[@Nipdog]

$$ will deny us all nice homes and quality living

[@riverraisin1]

My Grandmother grew up in Steubenville. Being Italian, she knew Dean Martin's family and at one time visited his mother's house while he was home from the road. His career was just getting started at the time and he was going by the name of Deano Martini. I'm pretty positive that Catholic church was the one she attended and the Jefferson County courthouse is where she married my Grandfather in 1932 and then moved away from the area for good. I've done quite a bit of research on her life in Steubenville, but have never been there. I really enjoyed your tour.

[@stayasleep9096]

The mural you weren’t sure about is an early fire department with horse-drawn wagons, probably turn of the century. The one on the left is the hose cart while the one on the right is a steam powered water pump. Around this time there were probably wooden water mains buried in some of the city but no hydrants. The firefighters would dig down to the main, chop a hole in it, and draw the water from there. When they finished they would plug the water main with a chunk of wood or clay, which is why we have the term fire plug (hydrant) today. You can see a fairly accurate representation of this in Gangs of New York during the scene with the firefighters.

[@JDMvids1105]

The Dalmatian has been a favored mascot for firehouses since the early 1700s. I didn't recognize the hose cart, however with an engine and pump taking up all the room I can see why you would need two.

[@Bluebloods7]

2:28 - how poetic is the placement/timing of that WalMart rig driving by right thru a fading rust belt town, as a beacon of mega business that is rendering small towns like this one obsolete.

[@amberlynn7933]

I was born in 1980 in Steubenville..my family lived there until I was 6 but my Grandmother and Aunt lived there my Aunt still does so ive been raised thru out my life ig you couldsay in Steubenville...i live about 25 miles from here now. Crime is high due to drug addiction and the fact that the highway and bridge lead to WV and PA means these states also contribute to crime in the area...making drugs easily brought into town. Thank you for shedding light on this town good and bad..it is very beautiful still...you passed a big part of the Steel Industry Mingo Jct. My grandfather was a train conductor when my father was growing up and thru my younger years. It was hit hard by the Mill closing

[@oscarantoniomoreno5247]

I'm from Corpus Christi Texas and I love seeing other towns even though the houses are abandoned I still find the city in Ohio beautiful.

[@johnohrstrom5112]

I grew up in Southern Ohio, and the river valley between Oh and Ky is gorgeous. It's an absolutely beautiful drive along the Ohio.

[@BounceBackBlaze]

I feel the same way. West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio are beautiful.

[@patriciabrenner289]

I was born in this part of Ohio but further north on the river. I think one of the things you miss for sure in driving a modern vehicle is the thrill of driving a stick shift through the hilly roads!!! Thanks for showing others how beautiful this port of the country can be despite the migration of people out of the area.

[@LoriVFenske]

My 86-year-old dad was just reminiscing about driving the hills around Bellaire growing up! ❤😂

[@JackycClark]

I grew up riding in the back of the pick up with all the other kids .

[@laminator72]

I lived further north in East Liverpool in the 1950s-i960s, then moved to Florida in 1971. Can't remember how many times I've wished I had stayed there. Too old now to move back but I think about it all the time.

[@johnsyler8580]

I was raised to the northwest of Steubenville about 50 miles. Back in the 60s and 70s the air in the Ohio River valley was terribly dirty due to steel mills.

[@maryflaherty7096]

Love to look at all the houses. This is every where you take us.

[@MichaelDonald-pe6wr]

Hello how are you doing I’m new here hope you I don’t mind me being friend with you 😊😊😊😊😊

[@ValiaEstri]

I hope you and Nicole are having a lovely time! It's a shame about these little towns. They are all so beautiful and full of history. Especially the houses.

[@StephanieWomack1992]

I really appreciate and enjoy your videos. I am disabled and much of my ability to travel is limited. I love stopping in forgotten places. Thanks for the statistics.

[@MichaelDonald-pe6wr]

Hello how are you doing I’m new here hope you I don’t mind me being friend with you 😊😊

[@robertsole9970]

I grew up in Weirton Wv, all my relatives worked in the mill. Let me tell you, the town was terribly polluted and full of chemicals and toxic dust. High cancer rates and at times the smog from the mill would take over the town and burn your lungs. Car paint would be eaten off your vehicles and in the winter the snow was coated with specs of graphite. They used dioxin on gravel roads. I’m glad I got out long ago. I don’t go back.

[@rossengland2024]

I visited and that region is very polluted

[@元景-j2n]

not only I love watching your videos, also love those of other audience who share their knowledge and add up more stories to your videos. ofc there has to be these great videos first!!👍👍enjoy my time spent here.

[@bigpump6163]

I was born n raised in this area n moved out 20yrs ago to salem ohio n as I drive down RT.7 to visit friends n family I feel a dark cloud come over me bc its so different back while I was growing up....its sad

[@redbeardsbirds3747]

Those Ohio River towns give me good vibes…like pure Americana at it’s finest. 🇺🇸 Reminds me in many ways of where I live down here in Chattanooga,Tennessee.

[@Antonio_Serdar]

Love this area of the country. Appalachia is amazing

[@chilipeppa7359]

He should have started in East Liverpool Ohio. It is on the state line coming in from Pennsylvania into Ohio. That's the first city in Ohio and it's very important. If you look on KZbin you will find it's important the marking of territory across the United States started in East Liverpool Ohio, at one time the pottery capital of the world. Is there any 20-minute drive to steubenville from East Liverpool, is as bad as steubenville because of the shutdown of the steel mills and the potteries. Homer Laughlin in which is across the bridge in Newell ,West Virginia, is still in production because of the fiestaware they make.

[@thewanderer5939]

Nothing but heroin along the Ohio river towns, from West Virginia to the Mississippi

[@katsiduzynski488]

thank you Joe for another lively video; with much to see as well as appreciate! Enjoy your presentations, they are a must watch in our household. Hugz to Nicole also, she is also a wonderful addition to the road trips. We like her comments & food critiques!

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I enjoyed these Ohio towns. Steubenville is my favorite. The buildings are really nice. I love the murals. Martin’s Ferry and Bellaire have incredible views! I agree. I would not want to drive those roads in the Winter! Looking forward to a view from the W.V. Side! Great to see the cat 😻. Also liked the old bridge.

[@josephhoover4542]

What’s there really to enjoy about Steubinville the place is a dump 💀

[@stphinkle]

Your channel is exposing all the towns that are becoming ghost towns. Everyone thinks of the bigger cities and such today but it is shocking how many small town downtowns have nothing left across the country. Your channel shows the remnants of what inequity, outsourcing, closure of industries, and other symptoms of urban change leave behind. It is very interesting.

[@officerminiwheats]

It's funny how he blames the steel industry for destroying this place but it's most likely their absence that destroyed it

[@tehpw7574]

@@SovereignTroll History will remind you WHY Unions existed. History will also reveal that Steel and Chemical Valley DESTROYED THEMSELVES by polluting their adjoining environments. If the Industries realized the damage they were doing a century ago, they would have never gone overseas to Asia (where those nations literally continue to destroy that part of the world with ZERO FUCKS GIVEN by anyone else)

[@aheineman9138]

@@officerminiwheats ​​⁠ Did he say that? I’m from an hour upriver and can confirm that you’re correct. The steel belt acquired the negative moniker the rust belt when the industry declined and ultimately ended (steel, auto manufacturing). The resulting economic depression was felt from Detroit to Cleveland to Youngstown to Pittsburgh to the cities along the river-the whole region.

[@aheineman9138]

@@SovereignTroll That is an inaccurate statement and fighting words in the Rust Belt, of which chemical valley in WV is not a part. There were many reasons, some dating back to the 50’s. Management-Union relations were mutually hostile and inflexible. Management was oligarchic, which is highly flawed leadership. Rule by the minority who have all the power and who prospered greatly on the backs of poor laborers working in dangerous conditions. OSHA wasn’t enacted until 1970 and two lockouts/strikes were in the 50’s. Starting in 79 the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates dramatically which impacted exchange rates and ultimately made US exports more expensive for foreigners to buy and foreign imports cheaper for Americans to buy. The exchange rate was remedied around 86; however, the unfair trade practices continued. Also during this time layoffs were occurring due to automation/technology advancements. Manufacturing plants moved from the steel/factory belt to the southeast. Hundreds of thousands of Americans from the rust belt regions migrated to the sun belt from the 50’s to the 80’s which led to urban decay. All of this coincided with the lockout of 86. After 6 months of negotiations an agreement was reached. 3 days later management closed 4 mills, eliminating thousands of jobs. And you have the audacity to suggest that management was not responsible? The bottom line is that the management, the USW, and the import/export disparity bear nearly equivalent responsibility.

[@aheineman9138]

@@SovereignTroll Ohio is unionized and, yes, I openly and proudly support unions. You’re obviously opposed and side with management. I grew up near Youngstown, which was hit the hardest by urban decay, losing almost 50% of its population. My father was a member of the General Motors UAW for 40 years, started in the 60’s, was hardworking, and never missed a single day. I’ve been a school psychologist and member of the local and state teachers’ union (OEA) for over 20 years. As was my grandmother, as a school guidance counselor, for 35 years. I have a vested interest in the area, hence my so-called “diatribe.” Your dismissal of my comment is both offensive and rude. As a senior citizen, please consider modeling kindness online for the younger generations.

[@leeny1871]

Watching from Australia. Loving your videos, this one is my favourite so far. Beautiful houses and buildings. I enjoyed the drive around very much!! 💚💚

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@KittyKat75]

I am a Texan living in Australia and I too enjoy the road trips and especially the Texas small towns.

[@BeckBeckGo]

I like the trees.

[@akimalu]

I'm from Melbourne Australia and I studied at the FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY in STEUBENVILLE from 1990 to 1994. It was a good memory...

[@jimfoley8014]

Great video, great history. Steubenville claims Franciscan University. Franciscan is one of less than less than 20 Catholic colleges that uphold Catholic identity and theology. Traditional Catholicism runs through the curriculum, faculty, and student life. This is in contrast to schools like Notre Dame and Boston College which are nominally Catholic, but have adopted a secular world view. Steubenville is less than two hours from Youngstown which was a mob town. So with all those glass factories staffed by Italians, Croatians, Greeks, Serbs, Hillbillies,… Steubenville must have been a very colorful place. Friday after payday things must have been rocking.

[@HazDee28]

Franciscan University is really a big deal for several of the surrounding counties as well. I lived in Harrison County for a few years working at a camp and we got lots of business from Franciscan. Plus Steubenville was where we went for the malls and events. This was in 1995-2010. It was the Big City for us.

[@JohnPriceAutowerks]

My dog seems to enjoy your videos , she always lie downs and listens until the end, must be your voice

[@poowg2657]

As an ardent railfan I have come to love the area for it's rail history. Some of the most powereful and efficient steam locomotives on the planet called the area home. Excellent video as always, enjoyed it much!

[@clevelandcbi]

I was raised in Kingman AZ. It's famous for a massive BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) in 1973. There's even a video of it on KZbin. It's still used today as what not to do for firefighters around the world. A dozen firefighters were killed and hundreds of onlookers were severely burned. Anyway, it's worth looking up if you're interested. The radio stations were begging people to bring ice to the hospital. The tanker car that blew had roughly 30,000 gallons of propane if memory serves. The fireball was a quarter mile and literally hundreds were pulled over nearby just to watch. The ones who got out of their cars to watch were obviously the most hurt.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

I remember riding the "National Limited" through Mingo jct, OHIO back in December 1978. At the tower were three ALCO C425s waiting for their next assignment. Just about the end of the line for these locomotives. We rode the train to Harrisburg, Pa. Fun trip but it was COLD!

[@pathynes4835]

@@jeffreymcfadden9403 thats so cool jeffrey thanks for sharing

[@shantellacolson2116]

Is there any good rail fan spots near there??

[@zachperkins688]

I appreciate your positive outlook lol - I also am the type of person who can find beauty in gritty-run-down areas and it's refreshing to have someone else see the potential rather than just making negative comments about it. Also, you should've stopped in Mingo Junction! It's probably the roughest looking town on the river and it looks basically like a ghost town today

[@Sohvnly]

From Ohio here, Bellaire actually 30 minute drive from Steubenville

[@allisonlynch8824]

I believe the carriages are early fire appliances. The one with steam coming out is the one to activate the pump. The other carriage has a rolled hose on the back. They work together to put out fires.😊

[@theonlyegg]

Wow. I’m from Ohio and have never even been near this part of the state. It’s a shame to see that big beautiful downtown area next to the river sitting empty. It could be so vibrant. Sad.

[@bruceheckerman7343]

Me too.

[@infomercialwars]

My Grandparents and a lot of their relatives moved to Weirton from Italy after the war, there were a lot of old italians there when I was growing up. You can see the influence in the area especially in the older buildings since Italians and Greeks were hired to build a lot of stuff

[@theonlyegg]

@@infomercialwars Some of the architecture is stunning!

[@Slick2462]

I could not live in these towns, the steep hills would kill me! I like when you show the neighborhoods and the fire houses with the equipment. Thanks for taking me along.

[@Champwsox05]

I wonder how many cars slide down those steep hills when it snows. Heck, even hydroplaning during some heavy rains could spell disaster.

[@Concretelicker]

​@@Champwsox05 sliding down isn't as much of an issue as driving up them up in the wintertime but I live in Pittsburgh and they're pretty good with plowing the steepest streets.

[@jennyrosd2003]

That was awsome. Im in a mountain town with nothing but new construction . Its so weird to see the apocolyptic decomposition of homes . The vines there just pull them under.

[@VK2FVAX]

Great Job. Nice to see an Orthodox church. Doesn't matter which one. Actually.. nice to see any churches. Best Wishes.

[@olinwright7628]

Unique, yet strange looking towns. Enjoyed this.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

St Peter’s….wow…just…wow. They really knew how to build churches back then. These days, they’re all garish and modern…can’t tell them apart from a modern bank building. Of course…both are centers of worship.

[@jimfoley8014]

Dean Martin might have been baptized into the Christian faith right there in Saint Pete’s.

[@Christianmtt]

The sad part is this goes for nearly all buildings and architecture over the years

[@Antonio_Serdar]

Catholic churches in general are beautiful.

[@jellojoe00]

Do they still build churches? Weird.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

@@jellojoe00 I suppose so. But these days, they are built from prefab steel and really no character.

[@STEVEBURK100]

As a routine follower of your videos and an Ohioan I particularly enjoyed this video. I live in central Ohio but have traveled these towns many times but haven't been through recently. You did a good job of catching the essence of the river towns and the houses built on the hillsides. These towns seem to survive the ups and downs they have experienced. Thanks for the work. See you on the road!

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Very well said!

[@jdavis1770]

Doesn’t look like there’s any businesses open on Main Street,,,

[@45AMT]

Such a beautiful area. Classic Appalachia Lots of beauty and generally Low crime. Thanks for the tour!

[@FullAutoAssaultBanjo]

Low crime lol

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Some of those roads and especially the hills were really scary to watch, merely because they don't believe in guardrails in those towns! They are lovely towns though, and the scenery is breathtaking! Thank-you for the video. I Love rural Ohio, and her historic little towns.

[@julindahiggins1582]

After watching some of your trips, it's amazing how there are still sooo many teensy little towns still around . on a recent one I saw, you commented on a swimming pool in Missouri (built in 1936).. During the depression the WPA(PWA?) swooped into the dustbowl(Midwest) and BUILT BUILT..BUILT.. It was to get JOBS for the men and to build up infrastructure.. that's also why so many of these small places suddenly flourished after years of desperation The artistry and engineering remains today...if these buildings managed to escape the wrecking balls of the 80s .. fyi.salina kansas (my home town)has many of these old gems

[@billwilson-es5yn]

FDR's administration might have been liberal but they weren't stupid. They listened to conservatives views about the troubling signs in Europe and Japan so used the Army's NCOs and Officers to run the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps,) WPA (Work Projects Administration) and the CAP (Civilian Air Patrol) to keep them around after downsizing the Army. Those programs provided paying jobs but also served as boot camps where they lived in barracks, ate in mess halls and learned how to take orders while learning skills. The CAP provided training for pilots, navigation, ground control, ground crews and airframe/powerplant mechanics. They were obligated to serve in the US Army Air Corps when called to duty. The rest came in handy when the US had to build military bases and factories overnight.

[@jlucasound]

Thanks Joe and Nicole! Excellent adventure, as always!

[@kvaselakes]

Gifting John Havlicek and the Niekro brothers, Phil & Joe, to Martins Ferry is a real slap in the face to Bridgeport, where all 3 were star athletes in high school. Bridgeport and Ferry had a great rivalry in football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling from the 1960's through the '80's. As a 1980 Bridgeport graduate, hearing Ferry get credit for our famous athletes really stuck in my craw, and I couldn't let it go unchecked! Nevertheless, I enjoyed the video and informative, colorful storytelling. SIDENOTE: Havlicek and the Niekro's were born in Martins Ferry because that is where the nearest hospital was located!

[@coments101]

I was born in Ferry too, would be pissed if someone said I was from there though because I graduated from Bellaire. Greatest rivalry in all of sports.

[@Phrenicglitter_Itsallinmyhead]

I truly enjoyed this trip, it was fascinating! Ohio has some pretty amazing landscapes. Ohio is one state I've never been to, thanks for showing it to us!

[@Champwsox05]

I'm not trying to be mean, but Ohio stinks. I've been there multiple times to visit (Cincinnati, Canton Pro Football HOF) and to pass through and it's nothing to write home about.

[@Champwsox05]

It is very interesting, though. So it's got that going for it, which is nice.

[@KimberleyB]

I love Ohio!

[@elijahjp2158]

@@Champwsox05 Better than Indiana imo. When people think of Ohio, they picture what Indiana is. Ohio is more varied in landscape.

[@sharoncrawford7192]

I live in rural Ohio close to the river. Small town. We left in our 20s and moved to SW Florida for 25 yrs. Moved back to Ohio in 2006. I didn't care for Florida. I like the 4 seasons and we haves hills.

[@cgargoddess]

You can just feel the history and the stories just by looking at.. that’s crazy.. amazing..

[@brendaz9222]

I love all those older large 2 story homes. Each with their own character, unlike the cookie cutter designs they build today.

[@jennbasil]

I really enjoyed this one Joe. If it wasn't for the snow thing, I'd be interested in Martin's Ferry to live. What a cool town! Thanks, Joe. ❤

[@audreyguilbeaucalhoun5713]

I thought the same… ❤ it!

[@georgeallen7887]

Martin’s Ferry, childhood home of poet James Wright. His father worked for Anchor Hocking. Wonderful poet. The town features heavily in his early work.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Ah... Anchor Hocking... there's a story you'll want to deep dive into...

[@ritathomas5167]

I just discovered your KZbin channel, and I love it! I am 65 years old, born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and have lived many years in Dayton, Ohio area. My husband and I have been to the Steubenville area several times, doing genealogy research, as my father-in- law was from there. I love Ohio. It is a great place to raise a family. But I have to say, the main reason I love your channel here is because you present things as they are, without personal judgement. Yes, a lot of our older towns are shrinking, and are not what they once were. Sometimes drugs and crime are heavily present. However, I have watched other KZbin channels doing the same kind of format as you, but they continuously speculate as to how lazy, Godless, etc. they believe the people to be, based on how run-down the area is. I refuse to watch such people. We all know the problems across the U.S. No need to keep pointing out all the supposed "bad" stuff. I enjoy your upbeat, pleasant, non- judgemental attitude! Will definitely be checking out more of your content!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Rita!

[@1991windsor]

You definitely don't want to watch Nick Johnson then because he pretty much bashes every city across the country.😢

[@sharoncrawford7192]

I'm 66. I was born at WPAFB in Dayton, Ohio. When my dad retired we moved to Southern Ohio. I was 15. My husband and I moved to SW Florida and lived there 25 yrs. I didn't really like it there. We moved back to Ohio in 2006. Florida was getting way to crowded. We are back to our small rural town.

[@jan-margaret6970]

Well said ,though times are changing ,fast the rural population has scattered ,died,or moved on, including steel ,mineral, manufacturing farming & slaughterhouse businesses,they have mostly "outsourced. Sad ,but true ,We still have great people all over North America. ❤this type of download.🇨🇦🪶 Vancouver BC

[@robertstevenson3281]

We just visited Steubenville, showing our teenage son the Catholic University that Breathes a little life into that town. I appreciated the history of the place, but was so sad to see the depressive conditions. The effects of Horrible decisions of our government, that exported our important industries & jobs.

[@RobinGerhart]

Love the River towns of my home state. Lancaster OH where I live is about 1 1/2 hours from the Ohio River. So much history and diversity. Thank you!

[@jessicamills2829]

The first building you showed under construction, has been that way for years... the second one you thought people might work in, holds doctors offices and lawyer offices still. Being in the downtown part isnt so bad, the crime is more further down from where you were... this town can be beautiful tho. And every year around Christmas they set up life size nutcrackers around town and thru Fort Steuben. If you ever get a chance to see that its definitely worth it. We live outside of town which is even more beautiful. The small lakes and parks are great too. Thanks for sharing!

[@journeytree]

I have a picture from a few years ago of a life sized nutcracker of Slash from Guns N Roses. Fort Steuben is definitely a cool place. I'm pretty sure I was on local tv that day as well as a camera crew was there the same time I was back in December 2019.

[@ianplatt1375]

Great video the best one so far for me love the old beautiful houses shame there left in decay just imagine how many trees were cut for them very expensive when first built 😮

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Ian!

[@HAVENWELLE]

These towns have some beautiful homes. The abandoned houses even have a unique beauty. Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@KimberleyB]

Beautiful desolation.

[@mort5490]

St. Peters must be awesome on the inside. What a gorgeous church. Second mural is a fire department.

[@doncash675]

FYI..John Havlicek, Phil Niekro, & Joe Niekro are not from Martins Ferry...They may have been born at the Martins Ferry Hospital, they are from Lansing, Ohio, just about 2 miles west of Bridgeport....Raised there, went to Bridgeport High School

[@Christianmtt]

MUCH respect for the you giving us the ability to check out these cities vicariously 🙏

[@joeisabella6811]

Been through there hundreds of times. So many towns in this shape down the river. Beautiful architecture and history crumbling away with time

[@petestephen4922]

Thanks for this video. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the late 60s and 70s. The SW Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and WV Panhandle area has a similar look and feel to it. And it all suffered a similar fate with the decline of the steel and coal industries. Pittsburgh has recovered with the growth of Healthcare and high tech industries. Not so much for the rest of the area. It is still a beautiful area (maybe more beautiful without the pollution) and a lot of good people still live in the area.

[@nirkann]

Phil Niekro (Neek-ro) also had a brother, Joe, who also had a decent Major League career.

[@oNeGiAnTLiE]

8:24 That is the fire dept Horse drawn fire engines along with the Dalmatian (coach dog) to run ahead and warn traffic? Looks like they are light on firefighting gear. The left carriage has a spool of hose on back. Fire hydrant is there in mural.

[@garrykennedy9357]

Went to Bellaire High School in the mid 70's, lived in small town to the west. When Rt7 was rebuilt, the state did not include an interchange with the bridge as it is privately owned. A large number of people left when the state bought their homes for the rebuild. Also missed any comment about William Kennedy (Brickyard Kennedy.). He played pro baseball in the 1890's until 1903 for Brooklyn, NY Giants, and Pittsburg. If you think that the area is beautiful, you should see it in the fall with the color changes. Very good video.

[@andrewward5891]

The last town on the video, Bellaire (not the Fresh Prince one) has been losing residents for over 100 years. Not surprisingly whole neighborhoods have been abandoned for decades with nature reclaiming them. A harbinger of what’s to come in a lot of declining towns.

[@AlanDavidDoane]

And every other town and city, not long after.

[@deetrvl4life875]

So many good memories, as well as sad. I fondly recall all the great times I had in alleys as a kid. (50's and 60's.) The alleys in Steubenville look like 'mine' almost. It was safe to play then, dodge ball, catch, hideNseek, riding bikes. And that was the alternate 'secret' thoroughfare, traveling through the back yards via the alleys. If I didn't have to be in by dark, we played under the street lamps at the corners of the alleys. Thanks for this video!

[@zachperkins688]

An interesting fact about Martin's Ferry is that, to my knowledge, it's actually the first true permanent white settlement in Ohio. I know Marietta usually gets that title, but Martins Ferry was actually illegally settled a few years earlier, and because it wasn't a legal settlement, it wasn't technically the first town.

[@russellstewart5414]

Well said, grew up there and still have family there, it’s funny how you can drive 50 miles away and have a totally different experience, more prosperous and progressive looking forward instead of hanging onto the way it was, people have to want more and find ways to invest in their businesses and local communities for things to really change. I’ve been waiting 40 years and the needle hasn’t moved, wouldn’t count on it ever happening.

[@kimberlyphillipssmith7956]

I grew up in Martins Ferry. It was a fine town in the 70s & 80s. The mayor is doing his best to tear down dilapidated homes like what you saw in Bellaire.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Regarding the Tuskegee Airmen….The Army Air Corps may have shown racism in separating them with the bright red tail on the planes, BUT…..they flew the absolute best airplane used in the European Theater, the P-51 Mustang fighter plane….state of the art for the time. Fastest and most maneuverable….and very well armed. The Tuskegee Airmen showed themselves to be top notch (top gun?) pilots.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@jimfoley8014]

How did Japanese zero compare? And one would think the Germans would be a step ahead in airplanes?

[@edcctf]

Hello! I hope you are enjoying your trip!! I grew up and still live in Bridgeport, Ohio. I work in Martins Ferry. I've very familiar with most of the areas you covered in this video and overall your comments were very insightful. The only thing you got wrong was that John Havilcek and Phil Niekro actually grew up in Bridgeport (Lansing) not Martins Ferry. Lou Groza did grow up in Martins Ferry. Bridgeport also had Joe Niekro (Phil's brother MLB), Bill Jobko (NFL) and Bobby Douglas (Olympic Gold Medal wrestling). There's a lot to these towns, but for a guy just driving through you picked up on an awful lot. Once again, hope you enjoy your trip and have safe travels.

[@pattimeckleyfree9484]

Welcome to the ohio hills . I'm was thinking about yall the other day walking around the small town I live in. ❤

[@cesarem1977]

Thanks!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@cesarem1977]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip u are helping me understand a lot tks to you and your lovely family 🙏💓

[@deannaback5461]

Thank you for making this video. It brought back a lot of memories and I shared it with quite a few people that will enjoy watching it as well.

[@joekelley1014]

At 8:36 the building is a Fire House. The equipment is on the left a hose wagon you can see the roll of hose and the other wagon is the pumper. In those days the pump was steam driven, thus requiring a boiler to supply the steam necessary to run the pump. Looks like the fire dept is getting ready to respond to a fire or it is a drill, who knows. Good video!

[@kenjohnson5498]

The mural of the wagons was a fire brigade and the guy with the trumpet sounded the alarm for volunteers

[@66THEOSU]

Born and live in Flushing, a small south eastern Ohio town built by the railroad and coal industry. I am roughly 30 minutes west of Bridgeport. I have been in every town you visited many times through the years. I have many memories of a time when these towns were still booming. Sadly this is what is left for nearly all the small towns in this area. I still would not trade my nearly 60 years here to have lived anywhere else, I still love my small town life and the memories of my childhood here. Thank you for the ride along.

[@mango8918]

Steubenville should be known as the city of churches. Just about everywhere you turned, there was another church.

[@Marvel_Polaris]

It was beautiful in Steubenville.Martin's ⛴ who would not ❤ to live there I'd 👍 to live there the scenery is ridiculously gorgeous @Joe & Nic's Road Trip

[@meatlv80]

Love to see the ohio river valley being explored

[@celestialviznz2134]

Just wanted to say that I love your videos, they are truly capitvating and I appreciate the emotion that you have when you visit these sites.

[@brock_decoy70]

I was raised in Bellaire and graduated from St. John Central High School (now known as St. John Central Academy) a couple years ago. The school is shown on the left at 32:07, and the church straight ahead (St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church) is absolutely stunning on the inside. At one point in time, Bellaire was a lively village with many people, but the population decrease over the past decades has left the village as it’s shown in this video. It obviously isn’t the best-looking village, but Bellaire will always be considered home to me as it was the place where I made so many memories throughout my childhood and grew into the person I am today. Thank you for making the trip to the Ohio Valley and shining the spotlight on our area!

[@charleshammer2928]

My cousins grew up in Shadyside, and went to St. John's HS. My uncle eventually built a nice house in Bellaire, where he passed away, 11 years ago, age 92. I spent many summers there back in the 60's and 70's as a kid. It was very nice AND safe.

[@LoriVFenske]

My parents graduated from St John’s Central in 1954!

[@jtlbz]

I live in the next county in up columbiana county also hit hard My father lost his steel job back in 1982.. we had to move to Florida.. I came back to Ohio 1990. It has slowly gotten worse in all these river towns...

[@SnarkyLady]

My Dad was from West Point.

[@zachperkins688]

Interesting video - I grew up in the area and I think it's honestly a super underrated area. All of these river towns have amazing character & architecture to them (especially Wheeling!) - if they were closer to bigger cities or jobs, I think they'd take off. But they're just too isolated. Some towns though are much more kept up than others. As for Steubenville, it's actually a pretty suburban and nice town, but the older part down by the river is really rough. For a long time, there's been a big disconnect between the older poorer part of town and the middle class suburbs, but in the past few years, there's been some great efforts to finally bridge that gap and revitalize Downtown. Personally I think Steubenville has a good future ahead of it even though it'll always be working class. Also, crime is bad, but again, it's very concentrated to one part of town. Also, if you haven't driven on the West Virginia side yet, make sure you check out the overlook at Highland Hills Cemetery in Weirton - it has amazing views of the river and Steubenville! You also need to check out Center Market in Wheeling and the Mount Wood Observatory!

[@tomd864]

Not sure how Wheeling is Isolated with interstate 70 going right through it.

[@zachperkins688]

@@tomd864 It's isolated in the sense that it's not close to any job centers besides Pittsburgh which is still a good hour and 20 minutes away

[@doctorskull8197]

I was born in Steubenville, 1955. North 9th St. Single best thing that ever happened to me is my family moved away when I was 2 years old. It was very dirty. High Shaft coal mine at the end of the block. Most of my relatives died of cancer.

[@jerrydemain2346]

Thanks for taking us with you ! Its just like going myself.

[@edwardpincus]

Really appreciate you showing the residential areas. In a way they reveal more about a town’s history than do the downtown areas.

[@rosseganjr9402]

awesome video I used to live in Ashtabula county north of steubenville!

[@sassmacfru]

My family lives in Martins Ferry and I have visited Steubenville, Weirton and wheeling. I live in IL but went back every summer

[@daniellejohnson3633]

Steubenville is nothing like it used to be .. Growing up here we had so much fun and it was much safer back then to run around and have fun as kids back then but it really has changed a lot over the years

[@netraam1893]

Thank you 'Lord Spoda' for another one of your very interesting videos incl. statistics

[@jacqui7261]

Not sure what the mural is you asked about, but Dalmation dogs were well known as Fire House dogs, there is one in the Mural. Some of the people have uniforms on, not sure what the uniforms are. All the murals are well done, what a shame the town seems quiet for a Saturday. Very interesting video again ! Was trying to imagine people making their way into church in their finery.

[@causeitflies]

I live in Steubenville and just came across your videos. Other than being away for college, I have been here for 71 years. WOW can't believe it. When I was young I never believed I would stay here. Life has different plans. My grandfather is on one of the murals you showed. I know it's difficult to do more than scratch the surface of these towns but there are vastly different areas within them. Steubenville has the downtown, the hilltops, and the west end. Most of the businesses and residential areas are over the top of the hill which you didn't quite get to the top of. Houses range from low income to the multi million dollar price range and geographically aren't that far apart. I'm surprised at the slow but steady influx of new families to the area from all over the country that see how unique this area is. They love it LOL.

[@craigbeats1498]

Definitely a different area. I’m from New England and spent half the year up that way moving Frac sand. Quiet and played back I wouldn’t mind throwing a couple steaks on the grill living off Rt 7.

[@gnolan4281]

One thing that continues to pique my curiosity in this video and others by Joe & Nic is that even though the cities, towns, villages & hamlets are showing all the signs of a forlorn decay it seems like everybody drives a nice new car. I grew up in Omaha in the 50's and even good, solid, employed working class families made do with old cars. Plus there were plenty of rusted, beat up rattletraps. The salted winter roads did a number on cars. I wonder why there's so many nice cars parked out front in these videos.

[@intergalacticmeow]

Easier to get a car loan

[@daleupthegrove6396]

@@intergalacticmeow Pius if crap gets too deep and they have to bail in a hurry reliable transport is a must.

[@adamsky77]

Thats the thing i noticed first as well when i started watching these videos. I live in a beautiful prosperous area but drive a an old scratched up weather beaten '98 corolla. Maybe its a cosmic trade-off . :)

[@gnolan4281]

@@adamsky77 Yeah, the cars were beat up some but the houses were kept tidy.

[@mcherylyn]

What I have observed is that a lot of the "new" cars that folks comment on are actually older cars that no longer rust. I can look at the style and tell that they're earlier generation, but look new.

[@catmiller5784]

I came across your video going down the ohio river. I’m from a bit up river from Steubenville and haven’t been back to the Ohio Valley in nearly a decade. Almost made me cry seeing how decaded “back home” is and made me long to go back home again.

[@pc-sound-legacy]

Steubenville might have seen better days but its people seem to care. Its beautiful and clean, no waste layin around👍

[@robertclymer6948]

Hey Joe and Nic!!! be careful, you are in Mothman territory. lol Quite sad the decaying of a once beautiful and special place. Thanks for sharing, loving your travels and sharing them with us. Love light and blessings from Michigan. (Lowper) lol

[@jimrobertson5931]

Visited Steubenville last spring to attend the funeral of a friend. The city has certainly seen better times but we found some nice areas and nice people. The nearby coal fired power generating plants on the Ohio river are very impressive. I guess coal from West Virginia mines.

[@albertbuchheit425]

That generating plant would be in Stratten which is between Wellsville and Toronto. It is right next to the Stratten dam.

[@mobeefus]

Some of the movie The Deer Hunter was filmed in Steubenville, as well as in Mingo Junction just south.

[@nancyparker9986]

Streets are so clean there ! Awesome !

[@Emily_Marilyn]

2:52 wow what a beautiful church! I am enjoying all the old buildings in this video, I wonder what life was like at the heyday of these beautiful structures.