Fleming-Neon, Kentucky: Hard Times For A Historic Coal Town

Fleming-Neon, Kentucky: Hard Times For A Historic Coal Town
Fleming-Neon is a big part of the coal history of Letcher County, Kentucky. The town once hosted a hearing conducted by Robert F. Kennedy inside the high school gym in 1968. Flooding has long been a problem for the town and 2022 saw another devastating flood hit the area. With an already dropping population, there's an uncertain future for this historic town as it attempts to rebuild.
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[@judypierce7028]

WOW! I thought WV towns had some odd names, but I believe Ky is in the running. There are also some odd names of town in Virginia. Love the photographs guys. Letcher County is probably one of the poorest areas in Ky. It is a truly beautiful place. Years ago I conducted several educational workshops with the teacher and administrators. It is truly a place that I will never forget. Thank you so much for this unique video Shane and Melody. Whoa! Loved the music!!!! Take safe sweet couple..

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Ya ain’t seen nothing with weird names. Ya need to come out here to Washington state and see some of these native names. Like chuckanut, Puyallup, skookumchuck and the likes. Lol.

[@judypierce7028]

@@fineartonfire_5327 WOW! I believe you.

[@stevedungan9034]

Here in Kentucky we have the towns of Gravelswitch (Marion County, Hell for Certain (Leslie County), Monkeys Eyebrow (Ballard County), Rabbit Hash (Boone County), Thousandsticks (another in Leslie County) and Possum Trot (Marshall County). There are many more...

[@judypierce7028]

@@stevedungan9034 Well, I lived in Virginia for two years. There is Horse Pasture and Intercourse, VA only to name a few.

[@dakotagreen9199]

WV literally had a town called odd lol that's an Odd name

[@keithtimmons378]

Good job in bringing the plight of these towns and the flood damage to our attention. What are some organizations we can contribute to that are helping these folks?

[@staciefallon5347]

Thank you so much for this video. My whole family on both sides come from this town and the one next to it in Mcroberts. I was there the day after the flood and it made me so sad. These people are the most humble prideful clannish people. But if they trust you, you’re good. I am so very proud to be part of this part of the country. My gr uncle and grandfathers were doctors there in the 40’s, and I get to hear great stories about the booming Neon. You guys are the best. I so enjoy your videos!

[@pastorg.3721]

My family came from there. When things got hard we all moved looking for work in Virginia..

[@GoodbyeKamala2024]

Another great video from my home state. Thanks as always. God bless.🙏🙏👍👍

[@DeborahHardrick-gw8gs]

I was born in Fleming Hospital. At that time the city was just Fleming. My father and uncles worked in the coal mines. Yes, I’m a Coal Miner’s daughter 🥰 We left Fleming in 1957. We go back for visits, we still have family in Mcroberts. Thank you for the video.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@robinhaupt9119]

Thank you Shane and Melody for showing these places. I can't imagine living thru floods like that.

[@ralfhexham2847]

I could see the odd Cherry blossom busting out in pink/white. Same here in the UK rn, lovely gret vid ta.

[@royboggs3849]

Hospital where my wife and I were born.

[@navydogsadventures3500]

Thanks for another ride through Kentucky. Liked the old pictures, too. How close the turtle man are ya?

[@debbiebowman3479]

Yep you're headed toward McRoberts and the school of course I went there when younger and don't down that away I went to church and I thank you all for bringing this video up it brings me home somewhat😊❤

[@corepersonalfitness]

Fantastic backstory. Thanks for the awesome trip.

[@andrewmastrandonas5123]

You guys have really opened my eyes about this part of America. Good work!

[@agds91078]

This is my home town ❤ Very small but full of loving amazing people who would make a stranger feel right at home. Remember don’t blink or you will miss our little downtown Neon ❤ I wished you could of traveled on in through Neon/Fleming on to Mcroberts because w shave a lot of history in our little town. So does Jenkins ❤I have some amazing g photos and video from the flood of Neon, Mcroberts and many of the surrounding areas I can send you.

[@PopsandSass]

@agds91078 I agree - I have so many fond memories visiting my Dad's hometown which, he always referred to as the Mountains. Did u know the Holbrook's by any chance?

[@agds91078]

@@PopsandSass many Holbrook’s that live down below me here in mcroberts Ky I was raised with ❤️ Bill & Marcella and all their sons

[@markeholbrook]

I enjoyed this video, Fleming Neon was a pretty happening place in the 1950s and 1960s.

[@chase4381]

Hi Shane and Melody, great videos. I think adding in a Map with state border and a Pin of where you visiting would be a great information tip for your viewers.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

I think the Neon Dawahare’s was the first one ever, they had several stores all across Kentucky. I miss Mike’s but “The Junction” is pretty good too.

[@richardbyers7699]

@Appalachian Gunman Indeed it was!! I have been told stories on how Dawahare’s chain started . Hoover Dawahare a “pack peddler” came through Letcher county….. long story short, but opened up first store in Fleming Neon. Another opened in Whitesburg. And then stores opened in Lexington malls.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

@@richardbyers7699 the Whitesburg one was open in my lifetime but I’m much too young to have ever went in the Neon store.

[@MinnieMcfall]

I can't remember the year they combined Neon and Fleming , it might have been after I left, it breaks my heart to see the destruction to my home town

[@stevenww3560]

Loved the slide show of all the progress that happened in this town! At least this town still exists many towns have completely vanished! I know a town thatbjad over 4000 people up until the 1950s and now there might be 100 people there !

[@michaelcantrell3678]

I went to School in Fleming Neon Elementary!

[@mathewhephill8686]

Great work, thanks

[@chubbawubba4287]

Always dig the old photos, super cool to compare and see yesterdays life.

[@realappalachia]

That’s my favorite part of these too. - Melody

[@biarritz84]

Country Gospel Singer Martha Carson was from Neon Kentucky.

[@skipsalmon6728]

The "Knee on" conductor explanation for Neon, KY reminds me of the name of a small logging area in Bath County, VA. "Jerk-um-tite" got its name from a logger yelling "jerk um tight " as the logs were secured just before moving them in a logging operation. Skip Salmon, Roanoke, VA

[@BGerth390]

My grandfather and a few of his brothers worked in the coal mines. He lost one of his brothers in a mine collapse. His name is Orville Fleming. He is now 97 . Still kickin.

[@lostonwallace1396]

You look at towns like this one, and notice how similar they appear to towns like Haysi, Clinchco, Dante, Trammel, McClure, etc. So sad what's happened to all these towns over the years. Fleming Neon looks so much like Haysi, it isn't even funny! Even Clintwood has lost a lot of its population, some of it's identity, and so forth. I find it very sad indeed, but I appreciate growing up in a small community filled with hard working people. My family was poor, but I never felt the sting of it all that often. We made do with things, and treasured what little we did have, and felt fortunate to have that. Economic down turns in losing the bulk of the coal industry has gutted many places along the Kentucky/Virginia border region. All my life that I can remember, the young people would finish school, and have to move away to find work in States like North Carolina. It's always been the downhearted reality for coal towns. There just aren't opportunities for work in these areas for the younger generations. Back in the coal booming days, you had the mines as a possibility, but even then young people weren't looking to live the kind of hard life that they saw their fathers, uncles and grandpas living. Miners sacrifice their health and wellbeing on a daily basis, and now even that choice isn't available. I remember putting in an application for work at Hardees in Clintwood after graduating high school, and I was told that I wasn't likely to be hired because there were currently 247 applications already turned in to get the job. Work was hard to come by. With the help of Man Power, I was able to get work at the D&S Supermarket for a few years, and then a job with VDOT. Had to move to go to art school in New Jersey, and now I live in North Carolina, like many people from the area with an career in art. No chance to make money as an artist in Southwest Virginia. No chance at all. For most, there's little to no future there. Heartbreaking. All the same, I loved growing up in Dickenson County, loved my life with family and friends. Wealth had little to do with my happiness. I became creative out of necessity. I created things. Life's what you make of it, and I try to spend everyday enjoying it. Thank you both for your videos. I find them to be informative, but also a nice window into the area that I grew up. That adds a little extra sweetness! Keep up the good work. :)

[@equivlogs5813]

Thank you all so much for showing Fleming-Neon’s history. I live close to it and my older sister lives really close to it as well.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@natechamp4692]

lived here my whole life, the flood was devastating, the morning it happened I told my wife how bad it was while she layed in bed. she thought I was joking untill she seen for herself. It was almost like a dream. were just lucky we lived high up, a lot of others weren't god bless em.

[@paulclifton5532]

The first building was a car dealership in the day and in the early 90s two Brothers Barry , and the late Cowboy Wright turned it into a great custom motorcycle shop .

[@randomvintagefilm273]

I wonder how the locals abbreviate it

[@cspattison1]

They dont abbreviate it. Everyone calls it Fleming Neon.

[@pamwalker6284]

I don't know anyone who doesn't call them Neon and Fleming, separately.. Fleming starts after you turn off Main Street, Neon...

[@robatsea2009]

Excellent tour - always fascinating to see. Thank you!

[@richardbyers7699]

Thank you Shane and Melody for showing Fleming Neon . A coal mining town and when coal industry was booming was FN was a booming town. We were there to assist in flood clean up and people were so appreciative of help, but was more impressive how people came together. I’m very familiar with Fleming Neon and coal history of Letcher county. As I commented in a prior post, I married a “coal miner’s daughter” from Letcher county. You’re correct Shane, location of Dawhares ! Thank you for your commentary on coal mining history in Letcher county. Was Dr Brenda Baker’s office open? It had been totally destroyed by flooding. Enjoyed the historical pictures at the beginning, in particular the pics of Robert Kennedy visiting FN. I can’t recall if it was John F or Robert Kennedy who visited and then established the ARC (Appalachian regional commission) ?

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Somebody need to help those people in the small towns. They want to force those people to move from there. The engineers should build ghauts to make the water run one way straight down the mountains. The Europeans did that for the Caribbean Islands. They built bridges for children to cross the rushing waters if there were big floods on a school day. On very rainy days the children had to go to the bay road in order to avoid being drowned in a flood. No lives and properties were lost since the 1800s.

[@kesmarn]

Thanks so much, Shane and Melody, for showing us an area that was (sadly) really hit hard by the awful flooding. So tough to rebound from that kind of devastation. And another thank you for endorsing the use of helmets when driving any vehicle that may have even the slightest chance of tipping over and ruining your (and everyone else's) day. Finally -- we might want to start a collection for the benefit of Shane's car's suspension system after having experienced a few of those potholes first hand!

[@deanroberts2737]

I’m from Williamsburg. I like you guys.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, Dean

[@kentuckylucky8316]

I work for the city of neon water and sewer and that was temporary city hall. Our city hall was flooded badly but we are rebuilding it. Nice video guys.

[@michaelcantrell3678]

Neon was the town you talked about, because of the Elkhorn mine it was known as Chip!. The Train and "Chip "! Fleming was a different town! Just down the road....

[@MrNoName_]

Love you guys channel just found you guys im from boone NC went to app state im assistant for the football team just wondering if you guys have visited boone yet ?

[@tonimactavish9937]

I enjoy your channel so much, thank you, it is so interesting.

[@franka8888]

My uncle had a fruit stand where the gas station now is. Fond memories of the 70'/80's ... my family's home town

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

I enjoyed the ride! 👍

[@williamharring5536]

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GOOD CONTENT!!!!! I REALLY ENJOY THE VIDEOS FOLKS!!!!!

[@careyh38]

Great documentary of a interesting name mining town. New subscriber. Keep up the great work.🎉

[@MegaBait1616]

👍👍.. safe travels.

[@reginadeel1085]

I'm from Haysi born and raised. I love that town.

[@patriciabogue6811]

I throughly enjoyed this video. I’m from a small farming town in the flatlands of Southeast Missouri, so I find these coal towns so interesting. I loved the pictures in the beginning.

[@1940limited]

That was one of your best videos yet. Amazing there's no one around and the traffic lights are set to blink. Sort of liek a ghost town. I wondered if any of the houses from the coal town were still there. Nothing here looks as it did in the historic photos. Great job getting all those together. I did want a closer look at the 51 Chevy in front of a garage or car wash, not sure which, but it got passed by. 🙂

[@bobpratt5625]

my dad graduated fleming high school ad mom mcroberts they married went to fla, but we would come visit every year or more

[@bobpratt5625]

are yoiu shane nullis my old fried there

[@bruinsfan8278]

Love to Speculate !! Nothing wrong with a little speculation!! Well Done Video Folks! Thanks for sharing :-)

[@dwaynepuckett16]

I used to pull a flatbed cross rockhouse mt.mine supplies to perry co.

[@williamharring5536]

GOOD HISTORY OF THIS ONCE THRIVING COAL MINING TOWN!!!!!

[@letchercountysfinest8868]

Hometown!! No place like it

[@Garyinhou]

At 19:48 to 19:50 coming up to high school, on left up hill is house my grandad built..white porch rails

[@zxtenn]

I was in Welch for a few days and they had a serious flood many years ago and some downtown stores that are left had flood line markers, still with all the crazy home prices i think a smaller town with LOW property prices with peace and quiet is a good thing even with a low paying job, my place in Quinwood is paid for so even a walmart job i can easily pay utilities, etc

[@michaelcantrell3678]

The football field is near McRoberts Kentucky!

[@traceym.8680]

Wearing a Helmet won't help you when you're driving fast...I'm a Biker and I Never wear one! Wisconsin is a State that Doesn't require it...

[@macman1138]

Buy yourself a Jeep Wrangler, 4 door with manual transmission. I’ve been driving stick shift up in the hills and hollers for over 58 years. Thank you for your wonderful videos, my wife and I love them.

[@realappalachia]

We’re trying to upgrade! Thank you!!! - Melody

[@danalynch8889]

I have a question. I see in some of your videos a cage with looks like a giant plastic container. What is it?

[@danalynch8889]

@@davebryant8050 Thanks for the answer.

[@berhorst59]

I clicked on your new channel and YT says its not available

[@realappalachia]

The link keeps messing up as soon as I post, I guess the link is too long. I will try to fix it in the description but it can be found by searching “Real Shane and Melody” Thanks for letting us know

[@fineartonfire_5327]

Y’all should go to my old stomping grounds of Morristown TN. There is allot of cool stuff around there. Davy Crocketts home he was born in is still there. But cool vid. See ya soon.

[@AnnC....]

Did a dam break? If a place has a dam they usually break, very sad

[@stevedungan9034]

In a five day period, between July 26th to July 30th, meteorologists estimate parts of Eastern Kentucky received 14"-16" of rain. Some areas had a period of rainfall with 4"/hour. That water shot down the hills and caused all kinds of destruction in the resulting flooding.

[@AnnC....]

@@davebryant8050 Praying

[@AnnC....]

@@stevedungan9034 Praying

[@mariekatherine5238]

Here’s a place I don’t think I’ve been to. Hopefully, this Summer or Fall…

[@annettefabiano3578]

After the first couple of floods you would of thought the townspeople would have starting building the newer buildings a little higher up on the ridge. Why does this area flood so much--- is it close to a river? Such a shame for such an innocent and lovely lifestyle. Must have been really nice back in the day.

[@chuckhussey9761]

Question.......how come y'all never go up to the old mines? I believe it would be pretty interesting. We're still watching all the videos all these years later. Remember when I was one of 15.

[@wvhillbille9458]

I gotta get home to Appalachia I need some mountain therapy.

[@debbiebowman3479]

Yeah my brother owns that's school up there

[@hipglossrecords]

Hi what is the first song that plays at 1min? Thanks

[@pastorg.3721]

Did you go up to see the war memorial over near the cemetery in Neon ? My dads name is on there George Williams

[@realappalachia]

No I wish we’d have had the opportunity to see it

[@michaelcantrell3678]

You are wrong Fleming and Neon merged it was two towns, Fleming and "Chip or Neon" Fleming Neon came after they merged the Two towns of Fleming and Neon merged. I know most of my Family is from this small little Town! I grew up there!!!!!!!! During the Time you are referring too. My Aunt runs the Library!

[@debbiebowman3479]

Okay I know how it got his name cuz I am from Fleming neon it was because a fancy woman used knees to get on a train that's what I was told so I want to hear what you got to say because that's my hometown hope it's right

[@blublood22]

Good ole' Letcher County pot holes lol!!! #606

[@bpruett6819]

Are you REALLY surprised by the motorcycle rider?? He probably can't even spell helmet.

[@realappalachia]

😂😂

[@greyfight]

That was a totally uncalled for comment. We are not stupid. This is my home town.

[@greyfight]

Our people are resilient. Our whole county suffered greatly. We take care of our own just like many small communities do. It was heartbreaking. My mother just got to come back to her home almost a year to the day after the flood. The reason people lived close to the creeks was that mining companies built camphouses for the miners on flat ground. Thanks for putting our little town in the spotlight.