Pulaski, Virginia: Where We See A Lot More Than We Expected…

Pulaski, Virginia: Where We See A Lot More Than We Expected…
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CHANNEL "REAL SHANE AND MELODY" at this link:
/ @shaneandmelody
We would appreciate your like, comment and if you'd subscribe to the new channel, thank you!
CHECK OUT OUR NEW T-SHIRTS, HOODIES, COFFEE MUGS, STICKERS & MERCHANDISE AT:
real-appalachia.creator-spring.com
Enter code REAL25 for 25% your entire order of t shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, stickers, etc.
Follow us on Facebook at:
/ realappalachia
Follow us on TikTok at:
www.tiktok.com/@realappalachia
Follow us on Instagram at:
real_appalachia
Follow us on Twitter at:
appalachianpro1
Thanks to our patrons!!!
Robert Martin
Tina Cook-Tolbert
Bradly Fitzpatrick
Jan Trent
Donald Nowve
Dana Richards
Melissa Chandler-Farleigh
Dean Kirkner
Leland Morris
MattyB83
David and Judy Winton
Nathan Keesecker
Michael Rudnick
Stephen G Morris
Penny Wright
Glenn Farnham
Jarrod Mitchell
Spooky Appalachia
Jennifer Timmons
Joe Grassi
Uncle Ben
Holly Willis
Mia
John Perdue
Rene Tetron
Tiffany Carlson
Julian Frasier
Carol Simmons Smith
William Martin
Ronald Tirrachia
Tracy Bosier
Tabitha Buckles
Joey Snider
Pam Broderick
Madhu Kollu
Susan Burrows-Rangel
James Lagan
Keith and Donna Timmons
Gregory Lewis
Eric Peck
George Sawtooth
Will Simmons
Chris Jurkowski
Rob Crotts
Christian Williams
Ghyontonda Mota
David L. Mullins
Joe Sullivan
Audrey Welch
Angela Smith
Andrew DeLong
Matthew Coon
Steve Surber
Wayne Maynard
Brian Serway
Jessica Rodrigues
George McNair
Bill Whitworth
Mike Adams
Shawn Hannah
Brad & Angela Davis
Michael Genecki
Kara Wyatt Rasnake
Jonathan Gartland
Karen Caddle
Andrew Diseker
Carol Wilder
Kimberly Carr
Dee Simmons Alban
Bill Seward
Daniel Armstrong
Thanks to these wonderful donors!!!
Samuel Cook
Mark Thompson
Toni and Savannah Johns
Bradly Fitzpatrick
Don and Debbie Adams
Jim Maiden
Sherri Ganske
Dana Richards
Charles Smith
Dean Kirkner
HS Serry
Denis Frauenhofer
David Hurst
Michael Cantrell
Richard Sitler
Brian Robinson
Sara Bella
Vern Weller
Earl Spratley
Steve from SC
Christopher Branham
Brenda Bray
James Gould
Steve Beatrice
Brenda Lane
Boyd Breece
Charlie Smith
Chelsea M. Jackson
Nancy Greever Brooks
Shelly Fenley
Brian Robinson
Betty Antoine
Christopher Moore
Kathleen Burnett
David McCray
David House
Randy and Dena Key
John Neilson
R. Parks Lanier, Jr.
Larry Allen
Ryan Farmer
Iris Lee Underwood
Vicki Murphy
Virginia Martin
Anne Wagner
Jim Peck
Anonymous
Heather Lovasz
Patti Dibble
Christopher Moore
Mark P Gholson
Teresa Dalton
AJ Wallace
Josh Taylor
Barbara Awbrey
William Mills
Robert Morgan
Chris Coleman
Chelsea Jackson
Logic Milkbone
Dana Lynch
Robert Hill
Jerry Murphy
You can support our mission with a one-time PayPal donation to:
[e-mail]
Cash App to:
$sssimmons1070
or monthly by becoming a patron at:
www.patreon.com/Appalachia
You can send an email with any questions or comments to:
[e-mail]
Our NEW mailing address is:
PO Box 2151
Abingdon, VA 24212

[@byronthayer8990]

I have lived in Florida for 37 yrs. But I miss the people & mountains! Being from Bristol VA origionally. Played Pulaski in football.

[@robinhaupt9119]

A lovely place. Thank you for bringing us along Melody and Shane!

[@realappalachia]

thanks for coming along, Robin!

[@hello9945]

Thank you Shane and Melody for another excellent video; we appreciate you!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@johnnyringo8319]

Originally from Draper which is next door. Pulaski was named after Count pulaski but he did not found it. For many years the town was called Martin's Tank for a water tank on the railroad. The name Pulaski came later.

[@realappalachia]

good info, thank you...love the name Johnny Ringo btw

[@johnnyringo8319]

@realappalachia Thanks, it's a nickname I've had since i was a kid. Pulaski has a very interesting history. Unfortunately, it was a railroad and mining boom town, and I don't think it will ever recover from the loss of manufacturing and mining, as well as the cessation of passenger rail service. Side note if you're in the area, Draper is a neat little community with an interesting history. President Andrew Jackson loved to stay at the Red Horse Tavern in Draper.

[@johnnyringo8319]

Also you guys were talking about there being a furniture industry in Pulaski. The large industrial complex you guys passed several times with the large blue multi-story building was Pulaski Furniture. The acid plant you guys mentioned was behind the strip mall when you first came into town on your left.

[@jenniferstewart9012]

Thank you

[@Opaward]

Thanks for visiting our little town. Just a heads up that is not a river. It is known as peak creek

[@realappalachia]

thanks for that info, Peak Creek has a ring to it. We really enjoyed our time there.

[@blondespitfire]

​​​​​​​@@realappalachiaI live in Pulaski as well. Just thought I'd give you some info on the County of Pulaski. The town area that you drove through isn't the total population of the County. The County is a fairly large land area that includes the census-designated areas: Dublin, Fairlawn, New River, Draper, Belspring, McAdam, Hiwassee, Snowville, and Allisonia. The other unincorporated communities include: Claytor Lake, Caseknife, Newbern, Barren Springs, Wurno, Delton, Little Creek, and Tinytown. As of the 2020 Census, the population of the entire County was 33,800. By 2021, it was 33,759, and as of 2023, it is 33,629...the decrease reflecting the 171 total Covid deaths in the County. So, it's really not a "small town" at all, and is unique because of the large area it encompasses...a total of 330 sq miles. We have the New River which is the 2nd oldest river in the entire world. And Claytor Lake, which is 4,500 acres and 21 miles long. Pulaski is also home to the Volvo Trucks plant, which is the largest of it's kind in North America. Also, that theater you passed on Main Street is actually an old Vaudeville balcony theater from the 1920"s...which showcased many famous performers of that era, and is now a registered historical site. Our town is rather unique because of these features, and it would be lovely if you all ever decided to come back again sometime to highlight some of them.

[@thomastommy1192]

Pulaski Va used to be a nice-looking town. I live on Pulaski Hwy up North, lol. I can remember buying pop for five cents back in the 60s after we moved North it went up to ten cents then fifteen cents soon after as a kid I hated that, lol. My nephew and I use to collect pop bottles in the summertime. Those were the days, lol. Awesome video guys. Many thumbs up.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much for sharing those memories, we love reading those

[@thomastommy1192]

@@realappalachia Thank you for the videos. I don't always comment but I'm always here watching your videos. You should try a video on Southern Cooking now & then, lol. I truly hope you guys are doing well.

[@sandy89107]

Pulaski hwy up north could be Maryland. I lived off there around Stemmers Run Rd

[@thomastommy1192]

@@sandy89107 I never heard of Stemmers Run Rd. Where is it? What town/county? Where do you live now? Thanks for responding to my post.

[@sandy89107]

@@thomastommy1192 middle river Maryland right off Pulaski hwy across from Golden Ring Mall. (Baltimore County)

[@RokdimMayim]

I'm a bit disappointed that more of the downtown area was shown, though honestly the rest of Pulaski isn't much to look at. Great video; brought back a lot of memories for me!

[@flu4pdmt]

Shane and Melody, I can attest that at one point, Pulaski was a decent and "booming" town. My grandparents moved from Itmann, WV to Pulaski around 1975 and I spent summers with them. Coming from Itmann, Pulaski was the "big city". Watching this video brought up so many wonderful memories of my time spent there. Thank you so much for doing a profile on this city. My grandmother would do her grocery shopping at Kroger (right next to Rose's) and it was so fascinating to me because it was the very first time I saw doors opening when you stepped on the mat...lol. When you passed by the Pulaski theater, that's where I saw the movie Airplane in 1980. Sorry for the rambling but this tore at my heartstrings. Although the population has dropped, it's changed so much from my time there. Thanks again :) Greg

[@widefat]

Great Tour! 3:35 - My mom would take me grocery shopping; to the left was the A&P. A highlight was the occasional hotdog at the A&P lunch counter. 60 years later and it is still hard to find a better hotdog. 6:47 - The old firehouse. If you were in the Christmas parade, you were able to stop in at the firehouse afterwards and eat pulled pork BBQ. Yes, I liked riding in the firetruck with dad - but that pulled pork was a once a year treat. 20:28 - I saw Jaws I and Star Wars at that theater 23:23 - Born in the Randolph House, aka Pulaski Hospital.

[@sandy89107]

I like this town...clean, no traffic, no pedestrians. 😅❤

[@louisamason5521]

No jobs! G

[@kalabhairavaSiva]

If you notice their videos, you never see any people in the roads.

[@judypierce7028]

I believe Pulaski is pronounced depending upon where people are from in this nation. I have visited this town several times over the years. I, too, like the stone Shane. Pulaski is a really neat, neat town to visit and shop. Thank you for another awesome video. You are greatly appreciated.

[@realappalachia]

thank you, Judy, we appreciate you watching!

[@Animefruba]

Hey you're always pointing out how you guys are documenting history and how things are changing the King Tut Drive-In in Beckley is being sold after being owned by the same family for 80 years good thing you guys stop there for a meal 🍔🍟

[@realappalachia]

oh no, that hurts to hear. Their hot dogs were top drawer.

[@AlexaLake1]

I love stone buildings and stone walls along the perimeter of a property. That stone building in your video was awesome.

[@realappalachia]

We agree!

[@MillerMeteor74]

I know about Pulaski being a Revolutionary War hero, but I had no idea he founded a town in Virginia. That's cool. "Who's on first" was the gag from Abbott and Costello, not Laurel and Hardy. 🙂 Okay, that fire department building around 7:00 sort of reminds me of a firehouse in Salem City, NJ. I just noticed that a lot of the traffic lights were removed in Pulaski, and replaced with 4-way stops. I guess with the lower population, they were no longer needed. I love murals, but I didn't see the train murals Melody mentioned. That George Washington Memorial tree was a Norway Spruce. Millville, NJ is home to a Major League baseball player, Mike Trout. I really enjoyed your tour of Pulaski. 😊

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@tlb2732]

Count Casimir Pulaski didn't found the town of Pulaski. It was named in his honor. He is actually buried and has a monument in Monterey Square in Savannah, GA. My wife and I have visited Savannah six times celebrating our wedding anniversary and have visited the site.

[@timandtammytime]

Y'all are always so much fun to watch! Love an old theatre marquee! Great thumbnail. Thanks guys!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching. We really enjoy your videos too.

[@gc134]

I was born in Pulaski and grew up there. The county was named after Count Pulaski, the town was not. When the county court house burned in Newbern, the county seat was moved the Martins Tank and the name changed to Pulaski City. B/c it is the county seat. The main industry was high end furniture and textiles. Furniture by Pulaski was featured on many game shows up into the 1990s. Peak Creek was enclosed inside the stone all channel for flood control. The collapse of the furniture and textiles caused the huge decline in Pulaski. Also, when I-81 was routes to the east of town thru Dublin, that caused a shift in industry and shopping in that direction. North of town were hot springs which were a huge tourist attraction. The railroad built a huge Victorian hotel, Maple Shade Inn, demolished in the ‘60s. It stood where the sad strip mall is across the tracks from Jackson Park and the train station. It was a huge tourist attraction. Queen Victoria of England stayed there in the late 1800s. I went to school with Jeff King.

[@jimward1586]

I was born and eaised in Pulaski, and still live in Pulaski County. I attended Jefferson School. Thank you for stopping here.

[@realappalachia]

I hope that Jefferson School can be saved some way, it was a cool looking structure

[@alanwilliamson9350]

Hi Shane and Melody....hope all is well on your end!

[@realappalachia]

thank you, Alan, we are great and hope the same for you!

[@heatherfulmore3412]

I like that neat little town. I miss seeing old church buildings and historic places.

[@patrickharlan9586]

Thanks for the drive. My mother was from Pulaski I grew up in southern NJ but loved visiting Nana and Pawpaw in Pulaski as a boy. My father was a Harlan so even though I grew up near Phila PA and now live in Norway I have Appalachia in my veins.

[@dianebays5484]

Hey yall, i used to live in pulaski. Its a cute little place. I miss it. I live in charleston, WV now. Born in charleston. I have left several times, but always come back. They made a lot of furniture there in pulaski. I lived on memorial dr.. Back in the day, women didnt wear panry hose, they wore hosiery, with a garder belt. Panty hose came later.

[@southernman5839]

I love the small town feeling. I grew up in a small town near Richmond Virginia.

[@skylerlambert610]

Many memories of OK Barber Shop. Fourth generation in my family to have my hair cut by Steve, who now cuts at his home in Max Meadows. Best barber in all of Southwestern VA.

[@jameswithrow8958]

Enjoy I appreciate you guys

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, James

[@GrammieSammie]

I love watching you two. You are very entertaining but educational as well. I do think that was a black cat on mural and the little black thing was a Scottish Terrier dog. I had one hahaha. Keep up the great work. I have made a travel journel from places you visited and hopefully next week will be able to see some. Love from Ontario Canada

[@realappalachia]

That’s fantastic. We hope you have a safe and blessed trip!

[@lindabell3337]

My Dad was born in Pulaski and still has family there. My grandfather did some of the stone work around he was a stonemason there. Lots of beautiful scenery.

[@SpookyAppalachia]

Melodie had it right 😂 AL’s is my dad’s favorite restaurant. And yeah those old factories are abandoned as far as I know.

[@notme123]

Most people in NYC/NJ pronounce the General's name as "Pew-laski" That is how we refer to the steel Skyway near Newark Airport. It crosses the Passaic River. Trucks have never been allowed to use the Pukaski Skyway.

[@realappalachia]

Always interesting to hear how it’s different or the same in other areas. Thank you.

[@peterjhillier7659]

Hi you Guys always love your Videos, what a lovely Town wasn't it, thanks for sharing. Have ever got up to Ada near Bluefield?

[@racecar388]

I grew up in Pulaski. I left there in 1998. That town has changed a lot since I left. My family still lives there but I wouldn’t move back there. The town is dead and barely any jobs. Pulaski went down hill after all of the factories left.

[@talldude5841]

Jolly good show Shane and Melody.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@lIxEnvyxlI]

I live in Pulaski. Al’s on First is awesome.

[@lucycucy]

You two are a hoot! I wouldn’t have it any other way!🤣😊

[@realappalachia]

😊 thank you

[@angieslife3648]

Oh wow my hometown

[@joyn2781]

Starting in 1977 with the release of his first single, "I've Got a Feelin' (Somebody's Been Stealin')", Anderson has charted more than 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts, including five number ones: "Wild and Blue", "Swingin'", "Black Sheep", "Straight Tequila Night", and "Money in the Bank".

[@GarrettHensley-j1s]

I have lived in Pulaski va all my life 55 years

[@jamese3169]

Where else can ya watch a video with a reference of Abbot and Costello and the Jets, which, by the way, I loved them back in the day. Nice to know that some things down there haven't changed. Ive seen several things there that I can never unsee. Thanks for the video good to seeyou all.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it! I was hoping somebody would remember the Jets - they were a big deal for a short time but they were fun back then

[@andrewmastrandonas5123]

Great little town, though the Jackson Inn is fairly expensive.

[@AikawaMartialArts]

I miss that area... i remember the day that court house burned down in the 80s.... the one in the video wass rebuilt. Old factories like Jefferson Mills.. "yarn factory " Pulaski Furniture and so much more. PS that was a cougar..... "pulaski county cougars" ......

[@garyhall6294]

Played two years of minor league baseball in Pulaski in the early 80's. Being from California, the hospitality of the people is something I'll never forget.

[@PastorDanWhite]

Melanie - Cokes in those small "return for deposit" bottles were only 5¢ in the 1950s. Ice cold and pour a pack of Lance peanuts in it. Now that was something finer than a frog's hair!

[@petegregory517]

Yep, been there done that in the day. Forgot about it though. Our little grocery (Martin's Brothers) had the coldest nickel cokes I ever had. Big deal for me was to sit in the cart seat and put the nickel in. Had to be a nickel, wouldn't take anything else. They used to practically beg my mom to take chicken wings. In those days few people bought em even at around 10 cents a pound. We got our chicken from my grams farm. I used the frogs hair saying here in FL to a bunch of FL native kids (in their 30's) and they looked at me like I was from mars. Had to explain it, no use, didn't help.

[@BigFnWhiteGuy1]

Im not sure if yall have yet. But you should check out Floyd VA. Beautiful little town.

[@realappalachia]

We’ve had that on the hit list for a longggggg time and hope to get there this year

[@jameswithrow8958]

Melody you are amazing

[@petegregory517]

Cutest on the 'net too.

[@Stan-uj6zo]

Melody could be really cute if she lost a few pounds.

[@glenbo2464]

A pretty sleepy little town for the most part.

[@LarryStallings-dk4rr]

use to go around and collect empty pop bottles when i was kid, take back to store and they would give you money to buy candy

[@msliew52]

Very clean and well maintained. Well done !

[@realappalachia]

Yes a nice town

[@navydogsadventures3500]

I always enjoy yhe ride alongs.

[@joyn2781]

Every song John Anderson had was a hit

[@lethargicmotorsport2025]

My wife grew up there and says yes it is haunted, when she was a preteen they seen a homeless man sleeping in a doorway and discovered later that day that he was actually dead .

[@tees5605]

Pulaski county is home of the Pulaski County Cougars (high school)

[@beabsmag]

In NJ they have the Pulaski Skyway which leads into NYC, to the Holland Tunnel. I heard he was a famous general, in which war?

[@realappalachia]

Yes Count Casimir Pulaski was a war hero in the Revolutionary War

[@beabsmag]

@@realappalachia Oh. Thanks. I saw you guys on QuiteFrankly tonight, so I thought I'd check out your channel. Interesting.

[@realappalachia]

@@beabsmag thank you so much. Frank is a hoot, we love his show and were honored to be on it.

[@Caleblawson08]

They have started redoing the Jefferson school

[@debluetailfly]

I live in Pulaski County in Arkansaw. I always pronounce it Puh las key. New hear anyone say pew unless they are talking about church pews. Or they smell something that stinks bad.

[@realappalachia]

😂😂 that’s easy to remember

[@Surfguitarist59]

Wonderful video.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you

[@samcook1545]

The only coal mines in the county that I know of were in the community of parrot, along with a new river across from McCoy, which is a big mining community in Macgomery county.

[@realappalachia]

i've seen some info on Parrot but didn't realize it was there

[@louisamason5521]

She's pronouncing correctly!

[@beabsmag]

The Moth man looks like the "Jersey Devil". Maybe it's real.

[@jameshswor]

Hey! I was 200th Like! Any other Southern gals out there like Melody would sure like to hear from you...

[@petegregory517]

Me too [40 years ago].

[@williambraddock1686]

Al’s on First has closed. They have leased it to a Mexican food restaurant.

[@realappalachia]

Ouch I hate to hear that

[@grontek]

You are right. Pulaski not piulaski. Polish man who created American Cavalery. Thank You both.

[@forestreader]

this channel is so cute and wholesome

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!!

[@Wiilly51]

What day was that video made ? Thank You

[@realappalachia]

Saturday

[@Wiilly51]

@@realappalachia Thank You

[@chetthebee1322]

Historians think the town of Pulaski, NY way up by Lake Ontario took their name from the same guy. I've been to both towns.

[@realappalachia]

Very cool!!

[@PastorDanWhite]

Abbott and Costello. Who's on first?

[@Wiilly51]

What was the name of that Restaurant ?

[@realappalachia]

Al’s on First

[@Wiilly51]

@@realappalachia Thank You

[@miltmarhoffer729]

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO!!!!!

[@realappalachia]

Omg how did I screw that up, how dumb lol

[@notme123]

Can you answer this question: "Who's on First?"

[@miltmarhoffer729]

@@notme123 what's on cecond, I don't knows on third

[@petegregory517]

Heard that routine many times and went back recently to listen again. I don't recall ever crackin' a even smile.

[@billh28025]

ABBOTT AND COSTELLO DAYS. WHO'S ON FIRST?

[@karenreichenbaugh856]

Hey guys I broke my arm when I fell

[@realappalachia]

Oh no! Hope you’re ok!

[@Cathyat40]

Who's on first? = Abbott and Costello

[@realappalachia]

Oh yeah, I fumbled the bag on that one and still didn’t register when I edited it

[@johnwhite993]

Y’all know how Pulaski got it’s name? A farmer had an old mule named Laski, one day while plowing with the mule it had a “backfire” and it smelled terrible and the old farmer said poo Laski that smelled terrible. So then it became Pulaski. 😂😂😂. That was a story my grandfather who was born and raised in hansonville and moved to Bristol after ww2. Thanks y’all. Great videos and I still see stuff I never knew about growing up in Bristol.

[@realappalachia]

i could believe that story, it would be about the way folks named their towns back then lol

[@heatherfulmore3412]

Haha

[@icasmith2287]

It's pronounced Pool aski or Pull aski.

[@tees5605]

Pu (pew) las key - for those of us who were raised there 50+years ago. I never pronounced it pool aski.

[@dylanalley3876]

Theres a reason not too many people live in pulaski.

[@joyn2781]

You obviously have no taste in music, I’m judging you

[@GarrettHensley-j1s]

I have lived in Pulaski va all my life 55 years

[@GarrettHensley-j1s]

I have lived in Pulaski va all my life 55 years