OKLAHOMA: Rural Towns With High Children's Poverty Rates

We visited the rural Oklahoma towns of Clayton, Albion, Talihina, Red Oak, Wilburton and Hartshorne.
Travel Vlog 182

[@daviddecelles8714]

Did see the first cat in Clayton; but espying those three other cats imperiously ensconced upon an automobile in Hartshorne was a welcome visual addition. Didn't know Albion existed? No U.S. stats for it? Makes one wonder whether the U.S. government knows it's there. Said somewhat facetiously but, if it were true, it would be a delightful novelty. It's more than OK if they don't know everything. Counted four people on foot. Like to look for them. The poverty stats in Talihina (beautiful name) are especially grim since the numbers for the general population, the elderly and children (especially the latter) are all over 30% Still, for the kids (44% poverty) who grow up there, I don't think it's a terrible thing that'll scar them for life. Certainly hope not. Your beloved spouse's compassion for canines compelled her to break her deferential silence to be sure you avoided hitting the creature, although, I'm sure, there was no real danger of that happening. Coming East?! Looking forward to it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great comment as usual, David. :)

[@bobbieleland7687]

We grew up poor also, with focus on God HE blessed us.

[@johnhart125]

Child poverty? Wtf, most children don't have money, what are you talking about?

[@guysumpthin2974]

Toxoplasmosis & depression go hand in hand

[@brendaz9222]

Poverty does not equil laziness and nastiness! My extended family grew up in poor rural America and they kept their yards and homes neat and clean! No excuse for living in a junk yard dump even if you're poor!

[@robertmoore2049]

I heard this saying many times: sweep the floor even if it is a dirt floor.

[@davidroberson8030]

That is definitely for sure you don't need a lot of money to be clean course being sober is a good idea too I mean from everything not just alcohol.???

[@jamesmacswell9165]

Being poor has nothing to do with it being on drugs does

[@killgorian131]

If you grew up in a town like this you'd know they were junkers. Those people work very hard to make their yard look like that lol.

[@jamesmacswell9165]

@@killgorian131 yeah there's those two but junkers most generally equal up to junkies

[@matthewmayfield8095]

This needs clarifying. There’s no work here. Most people make a living by scrapping which is finding what most consider junk and selling it. That’s why some of these yards look like this but some of these people can pull a wad of cash out of their pocket and buy a new truck whenever they want. Everything they own is paid for. It’s a little rougher way to make a living but it works for them.

[@purplenurple5176]

I and my Family live in the small town of Clayton. And it may appear bad however. We don't have the crime your big cities have . All the people care about each other we know the kids in our town and we all watch out for each other.. So I would rather live where my kids grew up playing at the two beautiful lakes you did not show ..hunting fishing and many more things we enjoy. Safety. Love and Respect for your neighbor!

[@Friendofstfrank]

Exactly. He does not talk to anyone and knows nothing about it. Yards With lots of junk has to do with no trash service as much as anything else. People get creative about making do rather than buying more crap. Visits for groceries etc are 1 x a week minimum. People eat at home-know how to cook. And everyone knows everyone but big city spying crap. Pretty easy to figure out source of problems and deal with them in creative ways.

[@Mountainrock70]

@@Friendofstfrank not to forget these small towns look great compared to many major cities now.

[@gaylepothoff3420]

I was born and raised in a small town in Southeastern Oklahoma and it seems odd that all you look for in these places is the worst parts. Stop and talk to these people so at least you’ll know the correct pronunciation for these towns. Your approach to this makes me sick.

[@guitarpickin8431]

@@gaylepothoff3420 I am from Buffalo Valley, (between Clayton and Talihina, north of Albion) and I agree with your comment. They only came to trash the communities. It is a great place to live. There are nicer parts to each town/community, which were either skimmed over, or not mentioned at all.

[@pattypierce8189]

Whats his point ? Ilived in sall towns in Oklahoma and it was always a great experience.

[@macf2067]

Some comments were very inconsiderate! Such as “there’s no way people live in that”. Well guess what people do! They do the best they can with what they have ❤

[@hillbillybeerdranker6678]

Back in the 1970's Wilburton had alot of industry, such as a carpet factory and a sewing factory for baby clothes. Talihina also had a sewing factory. When the politicians were bribed to pass NAFTA years ago, which allowed companies to move to Mexico, they closed down. Before NAFTA, if they moved to Mexico, they couldn't ship their products back into the US without paying a high tariff, which prevented them from leaving.

[@russellhalford8811]

Yeah, Slick Willie had to get funding for his Mexican cartel buddies.

[@kathleennile7611]

This is so true. NAFTA did a lot to hurt small towns in the south.

[@daviddecelles8714]

Thanks for pointing that out. NAFTA was a very bad idea pushed by globalist politicians.

[@ridenourbikewithdystonia5888]

Yeah, it was Ross Perot, who tried to warn us about that, the people must have wanted it because he didn't get elected.

[@kathleennile7611]

@@ridenourbikewithdystonia5888 Ross had a hard road to climb to become president. The fact that he came closer than anyone else proved that people wanted it. When they threatened his family, he withdrew then came back. People never got over the fact that he withdrew.

[@dalew.6321]

Most of those towns are only surviving because of Ft Smith, Ar. Im native from that area. Majority of people are traveling to Poteau, Ok or Ft Smith, Ar to find work. Oilfield, logging industry, and cattle industry are some of the more popular jobs outside of towns.

[@delstanley1349]

One of the most scenic fall foliage drives I've ever been on, believe it or not, terminated in Talihina. It's been at least 25 years since I took the last trip, and I've done it twice. For me, it began in Mena, AR and ended in Talihina, OK. The drive is so popular that it is given its own name in various tour guides, Talimena National Scenic Byway. The year that I went (circa 1997) I saw more fall colors on this byway than I did on Skyline Drive in Virginia going through Shenandoah NP. Like Skyline and Blue Ridge you're driving on a high ridge with steep valleys on either side of the road. The valleys are carpeted with trees from top to bottom. The Talimena drive is less than 50 miles if memory serves. Your current trip is taking you westward, the Scenic Byway is east of where you were when you left Talihina. I really don't know how scenic it is before and after the fall color season. Skyline and Blue Ridge are still quite scenic regardless of season. The colors play out on the Talimena Scenic Byway in about mid November or so I guess. Anyway, in the future if you're back that way you may want to check it out in peak fall season.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I believe it!

[@reginachanley4118]

I was born in DeQueen, Arkansas. 15 miles or so from Broken Bow, OK. Mena, I grew up in with my grandparents and parents.

[@delstanley1349]

@@reginachanley4118 > I worked for Exxon back in the early 80s and met a new co-worker (Lesa James) from DeQueen. I never heard of DeQueen until I met her. I left Houston and Exxon in the mid 80s. When I did my fall foliage drive years later (Mena to Talihina) I was living in Dallas. From Dallas to Mena I passed through DeQueen and remembered Lesa. It was larger than I thought it would be! I thought there would a stoplight, MAYBE two, ha ha. I remember how peaceful the drive was going through there, it was all tree lined before and after you let the city.

[@enriquewilliamsteeny]

I live in De Queen! Your right about the scenic drive.

[@reginachanley4118]

So true!!! I love it there. My grandparents were there until they died years ago in DeQueen. Family in Mena, DeQueen, Lockesburg. I remember the drive to my grandparents every summer. Crystal clear and cold creeks we swam in, picking blackberries in the woods. I now hear from my Aunt that a lot of those holes we swam in dried up. Super sad. Lots of memories down that way!!!

[@mmm7m672]

Always enjoy your videos. America is in a sad state & lots of drugs. No matter where you go drugs are really taken people out. Texas rural areas is really going down. God bless everyone & 🙏🏻✝️for America 🇺🇸

[@SouthernNurseAndTheLaw]

Born and raised in Oklahoma. I’m 60 yrs old presently. I’ve never heard of Clayton , Talihina or Albion. What you are seeing is people that stay where generations of their family were raised. There are various reasons for this. The elderly living in those areas won’t care about higher incomes. The cost of living is low. Life there is what they are used to. It’s all they know. All they would be happy with. You must remember rural areas feed into the schools you saw in those small towns. Perhaps your way of life isn’t the only way a man can be happy ?

[@stevemelton4128]

In Oklahoma we are taxed to death. We pay taxes on everything. State and Federal taxes out of pay checks. Then taxes at the store for food and everything. Then property taxes. Then tag your car taxes. Then driving on the tollway taxes. Anything else you get taxes.

[@latifx3944]

I know right? Half of my electric bill is from taxes. Literally. My actual bill is only 80$, but by the time they slap on tax fees my bill comes out to over $160.

[@jbtornado]

Kansas is very similar, its odd for being so heavily Republican

[@lindataylor6512]

True were taxed above the limit each building on property porch inclued on property taxes garage also

[@bobmanfre5083]

14:24. That's my house on the left! Lived in Red Oak for many years.

[@deannewhitney]

My youngest daughter just walked in a saw the ‘downtown’ area of wherever you were and she said that looks like Skiatook. That’s where my family lives now, every small town in Oklahoma looks the same practically

[@katietaylor8659]

You didn’t see trash cans in front of some of the homes because people in rural Oklahoma (myself included) typically burn their trash instead of paying for garbage services.

[@amandamartin2777]

This is a different part of America. We are still free here in Oklahoma. No we all aren't poor. some of us work out state make 250,000 a year. There are thousands of people in these hills. We don't fill out census.

[@Coyotes-galore]

Amen friend. Small towns and rural communities here in parts of Oklahoma are so different than big cities. Yes we are a free thinking and free living state. Some folks choose to live a quiet laid back life-style. I live outside a small town in NE Oklahoma where million dollar houses are common in a 25 mile radius. We're not all poor here.

[@LJones69]

That’s so great your wife Nicole is with you and talking! Maybe she usually is but she doesn’t talk so we never knew she was along for the ride! I think it’s great that we are getting to hear part of her commentary…..

[@johnrobinson1140]

Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton has a good forestry program. Robbers Cave State Park is beautiful with rock climbing, a lake and of course a cave. Beautiful area of Oklahoma.

[@Lkydo8165]

Thankyou for the videos of these small towns in SE Oklahoma I use to live in Snow about 10 miles SE of Clayton and did my weekly shopping there it's absolutely beautiful in those areas and yes definitely a different lifestyle and slower paced communities and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet...

[@richardbowers3647]

House upkeep & painting-time isn't a big thing, I'm guessing.

[@leslieirvin8530]

I worked for the US Census for a survey in Oklahoma. Lots of the houses looked vacant but there would be people living there. Look to see if the tires are flat.

[@kerrynight3271]

Thank you for finding everybody. The Census is so very important.

[@texasrodeogirl3814]

I lived in central Oklahoma for 40 years, rodeoed nearly every weekend all over the state. Hartshorne puts on one of the best rodeos in the state and has a beautiful big sandy arena. It’s pronounced Harts-HORN btw. Also it’s Wilbur-TON…lol. Talihina has the best old time soda fountain downtown. I live in east Texas so can’t wait for the next video. If you go back to Oklahoma, check out area around Apache, Medicine Park, Cyril, etc. love the videos ❤

[@billymania11]

I'm from Anadarko. Now live in Denver. I miss it. Thinking about a trip just just to feel the pangs of my youth and drive around.

[@texasrodeogirl3814]

@@billymania11 I lived in Shawnee and ran at many rodeos and jackpots at the Anadarko rodeo grounds and spent a solid 40 years at every round up club arena in that area. We moved to East Texas 2 years ago to escape tornado alley, the brutal winds, and unpredictable winters. Much calmer here.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I've got a rural Texas video coming up that features Brenham, La Grange and several smaller towns in-between. Amazing towns! Can't wait to show them to the viewers. :)

[@jeandlg1]

Some areas house looks run down but have some updated cars

[@lilaflores7816]

​@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip what small towns in the South part of Texas would be the best to move too, could you please tell what you think would be the best ones?

[@robertcampbell8639]

Just found your show a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. It shows what some small towns are. Ya'll do a good job with the show and comments on what people see in these small towns. Keep it up and my family and I will watch when we get a chance. Thank you for your time to show small America and what living is like living in some of these small towns. Thanks for your time.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Robert!

[@jaredbills72]

I live in Dallas now. Grew up in wilburton. That town was also a coal mining gown. That's why their high school mascot are the diggers and lady diggers while Hartshorne (I've always pronounced it like hearts horn but the other pronunciation could be used) are the miners. Wilburton and Hartshorne are rivals. Both cities had a population decreas when coal stopped being the main fuel used. Wilburton has done a bit better than Hartshorne in terms of growth but both need more improvement. The problem is there just aren't enough job opportunities in those areas. Franklin Electric, eastern oklahoma state college, and the local public schools are the only decent employers there which can pay a sustainable amount for a small family. The rest of the jobs are all customer service based and are made for high school students (mcdonalds, dollar store, tractor supply, etc.) Hartshorne has had issues with the city government officials. There was a lady in office a few years ago that had been stealing tax payer money for years using that money to pay for luxury purses, TV for her home and other non essential items. It made the state news. Literally stealing money from poor people. Wilburton had robbers cave state park just north of the city. Every fall, usually in early October there is an event called the fall festival which brings in loads of money and life to the town. You should go there sometime and capture what you see! It's a fun time for a small town venue and I always enjoy the car show. My parents grew up in talihina. My moms parents place and grandparents place was in town on Duke Street or avenue. We tore them down a couple years ago because they had been abandoned for years. I do wish we took care of them but it is hard since wilburton is about 45 min away, parents trying to take care of themselves and their own families, etc. Not many people have the funds of the time to take proper care of those assets and what they are trying to build at their own home.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Always interesting to hear from a local. Thank you for the great comment!

[@jaredbills72]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip happy to help. I do recommend you go to robbers cave in the fall. Great family event.

[@Street_Support]

Thank you for the time and effort in providing this information 🙏

[@jaredbills72]

@Jason Dupree happy to do it. I think not enough people from small towns get a chance to explain what it is like growing up in those areas. They are poor for the most part but people find a way to make ends meet. I wouldn't move back there unless I retired or had some stellar job. Dallas has a lot more opportunities for someone in their 30s.

[@octoberkitten949]

"Ton of stuff in the yard" it's just an Okie thing lol I enjoy Wilburton. Also correct way to saying the name is Wil-ber-ton 😁 Happy New Years. Can't wait to see some more adventures y'all do!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool! :)

[@marthaanderson2346]

Thank you for correcting him.

[@McCurtainCounty888]

Have you seen those permanent garage sale signs in the poorer parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas? Lots pure dee junk laying around with for sale signs on them? They're trying to cover their drug income with garage sale money. " Yes Mr Irs agent I made 100k on my garage sale last year"

[@BradFarris-pj1vi]

Oh I remember living in Wilburton great times :)

[@angeldodd34]

The house y'all passed in wilburton with the fire truck in the yard is my fire chief. The house with all the stuff in the yard is actually the asst chief of police that also has a construction company. We roll up the sidewalk on certain days and we live quite. There's a lot more to the great town. We also have one of the best state parks just north of town. Maybe Y'all should come back and check out more of our town.

[@courtneyjohnson782]

Small town Oklahoma is depressing, a lot of people are moving away so there’s a lot of abandoned homes. The cost of living is low but so is the pay. I always hated going somewhere and always seeing someone I know 😂

[@scottsmith1386]

These towns are in the Winding Stair Mountains area where the story of True Grit was set. The original movie starring John Wayne did not depict the area well at all but the well done remake with Jeff Bridges playing Rooster Cogburn showed the terrain much more accurately.

[@pamelahardwick4135]

I was adopted for labor, always fainted from hunger, worked sun up to sun down or beat senseless.

[@KevinBarry-n6i]

Sounds like my job at Amazon.

[@buzzardcounty]

Thank you for doing these videos dude. I’ve really enjoyed them all. God bless you guys.

[@gatorgogo2742]

So happy you've added cats. LOL These towns remind me of my hometown now. It's heart breaking to visit, but bring back good memories as a child when we were allowed to run free and be home at dark. Nicole, I'm glad you joined the conversation! You bring a different perspective that I enjoy. Happy New Year!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, GGG! :)

[@summerz8867]

Agree..🐾🐾😽💫

[@guysumpthin2974]

Toxoplasmosis is REAL and real bad : mild to severe depression, headaches , flu symptoms, miscarriage, low vision, eye floaters, detached retina, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, cysts(usually misdiagnosed), cysts (usually dormant,waiting for a weakened immune system) , behavior changes, loss of smell for the litter box, putting cats first, congenital in humans and cats.

[@willyschmidlkofer1753]

That's typical small town Oklahoma I grew up in Oklahoma a town of about 300 people

[@Turner2503]

"Holy cow look at all that stuff." 🤣 Pretty common for okies. I live about 50 miles north of Wilburton. Get out in the boonies of Oklahoma and you'll really see more of that, but you'll probably get lost because Google maps doesn't cove a lot of that.

[@teresitaabaloyan8081]

Love to visit Oklahoma one day...!! Looking forward travelling to this place..My .bucket list 😀 👌 watching from Dallas Texas 🌺

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool!

[@ericweber7707]

The band members “Kings of Leon” have a lot of family in Albion and Talihina. The band goes down to family reunions often. I attended one of these family reunions, it was really fun. The Talihina drive during the fall foliage is gorgeous. Sardis Lake near all these towns is gorgeous, make a visit there someday.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Really? That's interesting.

[@tinareed3606]

Sardis lake is beautiful.

[@ericweber7707]

@@tinareed3606 ❤️❤️

[@billywilliams8753]

I wish that was the case for Led Zeppelin. lol

[@jeffsmith846]

I grew up in Ada, OK but left in 1974. There are many beautiful parts of Oklahoma and the friendliest people I have encountered. I hope these kids who live in poverty in these little towns can overcome it. I did so by joining the Air Force. We weren't as poor as many of these people seem but my prospects for gainful employment were not good had I stayed. I enjoy your videos and whenever I travel I try to go through as many small towns as possible. I live in Kansas City and miss seeing the stars at night. (more than just a half dozen) and also miss the quiet of rural towns.

[@pamelawallace9671]

I'm from Oklahoma and still learning about other small towns this is the first time hearing about this town

[@marjorieanderson8626]

Red Oak has purple trash cans because of the school's colors. They are really good in small school sports there. Mostly baseball.

[@theroughneckredneck4417]

Yes we do

[@recycled3654]

Reminds me of my home state. Extreme poverty and low education levels, economies struggling, high crime and domestic problems. Seemingly unable to rise above, for generations.

[@kerrynight3271]

The people with the wherewithal to escape to greener pastures seem to have already escaped. The vast majority of those left behind just couldn't figure out how to get out. I hope they can figure out a way to have a happy life right where they are.

[@hoopty.]

I bet you are from Mississippi. You are describing it exactly 💯.

[@PushCoRednex]

The income reported for the towns is skewed. If you have a decent income you live outside of town on a few acres. Those who live in town are typically lower income families, the Government Assisted Housing is in town and the minimum wage jobs are typically in walking distance of town. If you would've drove through town in the early morning you would see alot of traffic leaving town for jobs elsewhere, you also would've seen people in town walking to the local jobs. Pronounce Albion AL-bee-un

[@blackgrl71]

I've always believed that we need to re-imagine dying rural towns, especially now with our increasing housing crisis. Obviously not EVERY town can (or should) be saved.

[@SouthernNurseAndTheLaw]

1980 an “ Oil Bust” occurred in Oklahoma and the most of the country. That’s why population declined in many areas. Prior to the early 1980s there weren’t enough homes and people were pitching tents in public parks in hopes to obtain lucrative petroleum industry jobs.

[@sarahlaster445]

Keep in mind that the population of the town are just people within city limits. There are always people who live near the town that depend on the town for goods. That can make the town appear larger than the population.

[@Nativeindi123]

Lol so the thing with this Area is all those small towns gravitated towards the major city there which is McAlester. A lot of people I know that started in one of those small towns usually just end up in McAlester since it’s close to doctors and groceries. As for income I mean it’s either work for the tribe, small shops and neither pays much.

[@poowg2657]

Old railroad towns all and some still have service. Excellent video as usual and always like hearing your wife's comments. Thanks much!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@Bearclaw_Jake]

You can always tell who's not an okie by how they pronounce our town names. SE Oklahoma is considered The Choctaw Nation. Theres a hospital in talihina ran by the tribe, my daughter was born there.

[@Not_your_mom1986]

My family has family reunions in Clayton during the summer. We gather at Lake Sardis. It's beautiful out by the lake

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Lord Spoda Happy New Year to both of you. Thank you for showing these rural micro interiors of Oklahoma. Life is a mosaic. That includes all: rich and poor, prosperity and want! Times change, life goes on. Through these virtual trips we are able to see all facets of America. A patch in the video @18:00 to 19:10 is simply picturesque. Waiting for your next video. Have a nice time.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Rajeev. Happy New Year to you and your family as well.

[@jonathonhansen6005]

Loved the ride today. Wishing Lord Spoda and Nicole a prosperous and healthy new year 2023! Thank you for sharing. Safe travels

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Jonathon. Happy New Year to you!!

[@kituwahband]

Boy you went to some boot splat towns!! Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton is where Dept of Corrections used to train their officers. My mother and dad went there for their DOC training in the 90s

[@anthonyburdett2167]

I think most people in the UK have a distorted view of the USA , I watch a similar channel about rural Russia and think how can people live in what people in the U.K. would regard as sheds as we tend to have brick or stone built multi story houses, 40,000 $ for a home appears cheap until you see it’s a shed. Maybe if there were more programs like this on international tv and less like Desperate Housewives you wouldn’t have so many immigrants down at the southern border.

[@jamesmacswell9165]

I am from Oklahoma just thought you should know the house that you seen with the blue tarps on it you think it didn't have anybody living in it there's a very high 90% possibility that there was somebody living in it that's Oklahoma

[@macf2067]

Exactly! I didn’t like their snide comments! They seem like snotty people. Maybe they should get out and get to know these people!

[@jamesmacswell9165]

@@macf2067 🤣 they are just need help all good

[@Lyle_918]

It would be interesting to know the history of some of those unoccupied dwellings, the ones about to collapse, to know about the original inhabitants. How many meals were made on a coal oil stove or about the babies born under that failing roof and what happened to those people. Reminded by your movie theater comment, in Coffeyville Kansas during renovation the crew at a movie theater has turned up nearly 20 wallets that were lost over the years.

[@donnakeeling7197]

With all the money in Oklahoma, why isn't the mayor in that town requesting money to upgrade that town ? Or there city hall if they have one. Invest on bringing businesses to that town to create jobs. I don't get it.

[@richardwooley876]

I haven't lived in Oklahoma in 18 years. It's sad to see the condition of my home state, although, I know it's that way in every state. " Happy New Year," and keep up the good work!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Richard. :)

[@richardbowers3647]

Poverty is 'to be an interpreted word'' Just saying.

[@charleswillams9501]

It's really getting better in Oklahoma Richard

[@richardwooley876]

@@charleswillams9501 - Good to hear! Oklahoma will always be home, regardless of where I live.

[@Kerfufflekitten]

Exactly Richard, it’s like that in every state.

[@marcodarko6941]

Happy New Year Lord & Lady! 🎉🍾 You two are like hanging out with old school friends taking a country cruise like back in the old days. I quite enjoy the good mix of quiet and light hearted banter, it's nice having the occasional chuckle. Your view of how things are out there is similar to mine.. til the next time happy trails! 🚗💨✌🏼😎

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment, Marco!

[@bunnygaffney2765]

Thank you for taking us along, totally enjoying your videos. Happy new year

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Bunny!

[@Melanie-xb7tg]

Oklahoma has some of the sweetest, most loving people you will ever find. Every time I have ever visited there, it was a joy. Wouldn't it be great if some people with extra money, maybe some athletes, would go to some of these towns and reclaim buildings or land and put willing people to work??? Many places could use just a little love and elbow grease.

[@joemalikowski8961]

@lord spoda I live in the hills off the grid in Red Oak thanks for coming to town. I thought the purple trash cans are cool. I'm a transplant from Central Minnesota. I'm not sure because I'm only in Red Oak for four months the winter months but I believe the purple trash cans are the school colors.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

That makes sense.

[@matthewchipman5596]

All of this is interesting. I am considering moving to Oklahoma.

[@debilarge]

My Great-Grandparents lived in Red Oak. You might've seen Maw Cash Road...that's her. I spent a lot of time there. My mom was raised in Wilburton (pronounced Will-Bur-Ton). Spent many summers there. You were right the first time...it's Harts-Horn.

[@vickielusby4068]

Downtown Talihina is own the way back. There are lot's of cute new shops that have opened in the last few years. I wished you would have been able to go into a few. The town depends mainly on tourism & the Indian Hospital for employment. Crooked politicians shut down the other main employer which was the Veterans Center. The Veterans Center's property is for sale. It would make a wonderful location for a resort, casino or upscale retirement center. It has a million dollar view!

[@louisesiegrist4520]

In small towns everyone knows one another. Most small rural towns have no trash pickup and factories for jobs..the weekly incomes has to cover all necessities and basically leaves small amount for anything else. I always said smaller towns have less violent crimes than larger cities.

[@Castleknight]

Rural America for the most part is emptying out. As old people die off, they aren't being replaced, as most of the young folks have moved to larger towns for work. I think most of these small towns are probably comprised of retired folks and people of working age who commute to work.

[@stacyjaye6350]

My mama used to say, it's not a sin to be poor, but it's a sin to be dirty. Soap and water are cheap.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Greetings from Australia. Thanks for sharing. I noticed several basketball hoops on the roadside and not on the properties. Your pronounciation of Albion was interesting. I gew up up in Melbourne Australia and there is a suburb call Albion which is pronounced " Al-bee-an". Happy and safe travels.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@vickielusby4068]

The local's pronoun it the same way the Ausie's do.

[@Brian-mp2mv]

7:54 at that intersection, to the left where the red picnic tables are... was a shootout and explosion that destroyed buildings May 11, 2018 "TALIHINA - One suspect is dead following a shootout and explosion that occurred when law enforcement officers attempted to serve a search warrant Friday in Talihina, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol."

[@derekb7814]

This is a very interesting part of the state. I used to storm chase all through this area when I was a meteorology student at OU back in the mid to late 90s. If you are ever back in this area head over to Krebs to a restaurant called Pete's Place. Great Italian food and craft beer. I love your channel!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Derek! I will do that. :)

[@Brian-mp2mv]

Chauffered a limousine group out to Pete's Place earlier this year... I used to love taking groups there and a few dates before 2014. This year's experience and food was extremely unpleasant.

[@jbtornado]

you were daring to chase that rough terrain.. coming from a storm chaser.. I didnt like chasing east of Stillwater to Ada at all.. and would avoid it all I could

[@Brian-mp2mv]

@@jbtornado Craziest thing I saw yesterday in Poteau... 8 city police cars had a guy pulled over in walmart parking lot, cuffed him and stuffed him. He had "Storm Chaser" BIG printed graphics on all 3 back windows of his SUV. Pretty sure he didn't go home last night! 😆

[@Street_Support]

Randomly came across this channel. Great job on editing and narration, you've got a new subscriber!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you, Jason!

[@BLUERAVENWANDERER]

Thank you for sharing this 🙏🏻 ive been driving state to state and seeing this everywhere its scary.

[@jamesbasaldua100]

Another fantastic video on your travels threw Oklahoma sir. Take care and be safe sir. See you soon on your next video.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, James!

[@carlaechols8427]

Awww!!! I grew up in Clayton. The best memories!!

[@mistylovetroxel3087]

Some of those falling down "gas stations" in Oklahoma are know as stops for Bonnie and Clyde back in the day.

[@melissabeck7932]

I live in Southwest Okla. if you also show interesting places- you should check out Medicine Park, established in 1909. It’s got a rich history- many think it has healing waters. Lovely little place- Medicine Creek runs through the middle of town- which is also used for a swimming area. Sir- it’s history and beauty make it wonderful- many gangsters and famous people visited- President Franklin Roosevelt was one- even has B&Bs for you and your wife- I’ve lived out here in the Wichita Mountain range most of my life- it is considered one of the oldest in the USA- I am 70 years old. Lake Lawtonka is a man made lake at the base of Mount Scott- Native American lore is fascinating. Ken Burns the director of many films like “ The Dust Bowl” has a mention in his film about Mount Scott-anywho- a sweet place to tell stories and is quite beautiful- I truly like your demeanor- your voice and respectfulness. Be safe and well on your journeys..

[@jbtornado]

I think SW Oklahoma is extremely beautiful for nature when I've been through it..

[@Joseph-sv2hk]

Happy New Year! Thank you for another great tour!! I'm hooked on your videos, especially the ones of my home state MO!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Joseph!

[@empressvogt]

I like watching your videos. I like seeing random towns! Thanks for sharing these.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, EJ. I love seeing them too.

[@jasmith1867]

I know people who live in some of these little Ok towns. Sometimes they are without electricity for weeks or a couple months after ice storms. No urgency for power crews to service the little towns I guess. Cars and food costs the same or more as it does in bigger towns. So that poverty level number affects them a lot. Half of those houses that look uninhabited are inhabited.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting.

[@Friendofstfrank]

Most people in little towns who are accustomed to power outages, water freezing up etc. are prepared for it. Have generators, back up storage water, etc. So losing power is not as 'awful' as it is for city slickers.

[@nealhathaway2004]

My parents were from a little town in Oklahoma.. I remember going there as a young kid at my grandparents house. In door plumbing, outdoor sewer. You get the picture. Love your work, happy new year.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Neal!

[@randysghoul2134]

Red Oak school color is purple and gold.

[@westonmontgomery3161]

Hey guys! Im from the last town yall visited (Hartshorne) and also work for the local Police Department as a police officer! Yall should have called us and I gladly would have given yall a tour of this old mining town!

[@TheStoryOfNell]

I grew up in Atoka, OK. I left back in 2007. At the time I lived there, it was the second poorest town in the state. Coalgate was the poorest which was just 15 minutes away.

[@billallen4235]

I live in Stringtown about 15 mins from Atoka and about the same from Coalgate . We are all still here and Atoka, Coalgate have grown some. Still making it not ghost towns yet.

[@Guovssohas]

We live in a very rural area, in the far north and poverty is very relative. We are "poor" people, most of us are in this little town. Living in an area like this is much much cheaper. We cut down firewood ourselves, so house heat is pretty much free. Only a little gas for the atv for hauling the wood home. We fish alot, many many lakes around here. We fish so we have fish dinner for the whole winter. We hunt for meat. We collect many sorts of berries during the autumn, again enough for the winter. So it's just a much cheaper life overall here.

[@raimobalk757]

Love your sharing. I lived in tulsa in 1970-74 when I attended university there. Drove around Tulsa a lot, Osage county too, one christmas in Westville, near Arkansas border. so maybe everythings changed now. I did drive (twice) route 66 to California to my aunt's place for summer hols. that was a great experience too. Keep these videos coming!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I will! :)

[@iamiao94]

There’s an interesting beauty in all of it. Reading the different responses to poverty ridden towns/cities based upon geographical location is indicative of our country’s current state of affairs.

[@okie-kan9240]

One thing, old falling down structures, are not necessarily a sign of poverty. It just means they haven't tore down those structures. Now what they actually live in tells the story.

[@billgarrison3228]

This kind of poverty is what you get when the Indian casinos are established, enticing those that are already poor to believe they can "win it all' and escape their lot by chance. It would seem that the economy of the area is worse now, than it ever was before the casinos. Certainly, the average citizen has less to spend on groceries, health, gasoline, etc.

[@scottsmith1386]

These tribes often turn around and pump money back into the local economy while providing jobs as well. The Indian casinos are not just a giant sucking sound.

[@MegaBait1616]

I travel around our country as you guys do since I retired n even before for work.... You make excellent videos giving the Data for Each Place..... Always give ya a thumbs up.... Happy New Years n be well.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, MB!!

[@jeanniebain7042]

Videographers do not include families who do not live in these towns, but on their ranches or farms. Their per capita income could be a stat breaker. They have also overlooked the fact that the Five Civilized Tribes were located to Oklahoma in the early 1800s. Many of these noble people struggle economically and probably contribute to the poverty rates. My question is why counties involved don’t have laws pertaining to planning, zoning, health and welfare, dangerous buildings, or refuse codes.

[@sheronturner8787]

Happy New Year Sir and the Wife love traveling with you to all these small towns in the US. I am a silent watcher looking forward to seeing more in the new year. Watching from Jamaica 🇯🇲.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Sheron. Happy New Year to you as well!

[@henryrudolph8845]

Hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿 😊 WOW! It is really sad to see such a great country riddle with poverty. I would imagine that crime would be ripe.

[@SouthernNurseAndTheLaw]

It’s very safe living in most of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City and Tulsa have a great deal of drug crime and other crimes. But other cities are fairly safe. Enid, Stillwater, Lawton are fairly large cities. We live in Stillwater where Oklahoma State University is. It’s very safe here. But if someone is looking for trouble one can find it. It’s out there. College kids drink and that can cause problems. But our economy is good. Stillwater is a nice city. Well rounded. Educationally focused. Unfortunately, due to our population size we are considered”rural health”. About 80,000 plus outlying smaller towns So for some medical specialities we must travel an hour to Tulsa one direction. Or an hour another direction to OKC.

[@henryrudolph8845]

Hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿 😊 You don't know how lucky you are, Until you see how others live. There before the grace of God, Goes New Zealand 🇳🇿 😍 ❤️

[@SouthernNurseAndTheLaw]

@@henryrudolph8845 🙏🏼AMEN !!! My husband was raised in a very small town about 25 miles from Enid OK where I was raised. Marshall OK is 10 miles to the south. Which is where my grandparents and their parents / extended families immigrated prior to statehood and bought land. They were farmers and very happy to become US citizens from Bohemia/Czechoslovakia. There was constant war and the Austrian Army at the time was kidnapping boys from their beds as young as 13 to fight for them. My grandparents were very afraid. They arrived by banana boat at Galveston Texas. Most of NW Oklahoma was settled by German, and Czechs. I joke that I’m related to most in a 3 county area. But it’s a fairly true statement. They were Catholic families and had large families. Their child married into other Czech families for generations. Then you become related widely to everyone years later. I’m now 60. It’s still the same Czech families in those areas. That farm. However that said, the small towns have changed drastically. While the Czech families that owned land had to diversify when wheat was no longer lucrative some did not. Covington besides the long time families has become saturated with poor young families often with drug addiction problems. Because housing was very cheap. Their children would arrive at school without having eaten all weekend. So the schools enacted a back pack program that sends home food for them to eat at home on weekends. During the summer the cafeteria at the school serves two meals a day during the week to ensure the children eat. There is no cost. This is paid for by the federal government. However it is the federal government that has caused many of the problems that made these small towns dwindle and die. Now they allow chia to purchase our farmland and they grow marijuana Everywhere you look grow houses for those operations. Crime as escalated. Marshall is a literal ghost town. It is very sad. In Europe the governments are making it difficult for farmers to keep their land and put crops in and harvest. This isn’t just a US problem. It simply reared its head in certain places first. So please don’t walk away from this video thinking the are has just the stereotypical “ uneducated rednecks”. That have been left behind by modernization. While to a degree that may be true. Some of those people are trying to protect land and business in their families for generations. Out of respect for their ancestors. Many are also of Native American descent even. The federal US government have cheated them every step of the way. Thanks for your interest in my home state 🙏🏼

[@doogalloonni]

All the positive comments aside, when you kids eventually hang up the Bronco keys, you'll have so many years of adventures to look back on. Most people never get out of their state, much less record what they see... Your and the wife's 'Memory Lane' will be many thousand miles long, while we happily tag along to look over your shoulders. Thank you for that.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You're right. :)

[@ipaintu]

Nice video, seems like a fun adventure touring the small towns of America

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It is. :)

[@Oklaprepping56]

If you had on toward wilburton and go to a small town called panola it has the smallest Post office in the world.. plus just got some really cool mountains right there behind it I used to live in when I was 16 in a bus but no electric the bus is abandoned and sits in that mountain behind that post office. I would like for you to see it and explore it it's really cool.

[@victoriasanchez6821]

Gracias por el tour excelente, las casas muy tradicionales.

[@sonuntoktobaeva7939]

Happy New Year! Wish you happiness! Thanks for the interesting video! Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you, sonun! Happy New Year to you as well.

[@TheMayor5000]

As sad as it is seeing our country fall apart, your videos are very relaxing to watch thank you for driving so much and showing us america in ways we cant see for ourselves

[@hibbo1351]

This is nothing new. Rural America has no jobs or are reliant on one industry. No social or economic diversity. No infrastructure (public transportation, hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, etc). Not all states have it this badly though. Most are south of the Mason Dixon line.

[@hibbo1351]

@Chad Thompson Yup, social and economic diversity. Like here in Minnesota. We have 19 Fortune 500 companies and a 17 BILLION dollar surplus. How is Oklahoma doing? Oops, welfare state. They'll never KNOW what a surplus is. Minnesota sends it's extra money to Oklahoma so kids can eat.

[@hibbo1351]

@Chad Thompson Good think Biden is working to get those companies back, right? What crime statistics are you looking at? America is WAY below the crime rate of the 90s.

[@hibbo1351]

@Chad Thompson Who or what are you mad at here? Do you just lash out at strangers and have an inability to make a salient point without raging? Whipping, not whiping.

[@gorillaump5869]

My dad is from Raynosa Mexico, we use to go visit 2- 3 timrs a year- this looks no different than Mexicos slums. Only difference is the streets look decent in rural Oklahoma compared to to pot hole ridden dirt roads in Mexico.

[@cyndyrn1]

Welcome back to my neck of the woods take Hwy 1 west and come to our small used to be booming town of Stonewall Oklahoma. And Fittstown Oklahoma home of one of the biggest oil booms in Oklahoma history. Home of birds Mill spring. Drive north and you can visit Ada the birth place of Robert S Kerr, Mae Boren Axton and Blake Shelton and sadly one of the most notorious hangings in Oklahoma history in 1902 where the citizens took it upon themselves and issued Justice for the killing the town Sheriff Gus Bobbitt. 😊

[@jurgenkuhlmann9194]

There is something common to every episode: Mr Spoda stops at EVERY stop sign, even in the most ramshackle - looking village!

[@indianaslim4971]

And usually uses his turn signal also!

[@jurgenkuhlmann9194]

@@indianaslim4971 Exactly🙂!

[@bluejohnson8856]

In 2021 we made an offer on some GORGEOUS acreage in Clayton. The land was on the market for over a year. However, the same week we drove out to see it (we're from Texas) the seller had 3 other people scheduled to view the land. We ended up being outbid. Moral of this story...land in Pushmataha County has SKYROCKETED. Don't let this video leave a bad impression on this area. People with lots of money are buying up the land there. Expect those little towns to start accommodating for that.

[@davena4Jesus]

Im in lawton and that is half the houses here. Its really creepy. I've never in my life seen any town like this one

[@olinwright7628]

I have seen alot of these types of towns in southeastern oklahoma. I have a buddy in Antlers Oklahoma. Thanks!