Jenkinjones, West Virginia: Model Coal Camp Now in Ruins

[@kevinb9327]

Thanks! You both work hard to video the region for us!

[@realappalachia]

Bless you, we really appreciate it!

[@peterharris9005]

One of my favorite motorcycle rides when traveling through West Virginia is to go through Jenkin Jones. Pretty cool.

[@fernerodriguez3190]

Wow my great grandparents lived there. My grandparents lived there and my mama lived there so I have quite a bit of history that I really don’t know anything about. It’s sad. My mom passed on three years ago and she talked about Jenkin Jones a lot. Her and her sister always wanted to go back and visit and never got the chance ❤😢

[@YOURWORSTNiGHTMAREXD01]

You are right near my house! I live I anawalt!!!

[@realappalachia]

How cool, wish we’d have made it down to Anawalt

[@debbiecox152]

My grandpa worked for Pocahontas coal company until he was recruited by US Steel in 1946. my mom was born in Jenkinjones, the third of ten kids, in 1939. They moved to Bluefield for a few years then moved to Butler, Ohio and grandpa went to work in the steel mill in Mansfield, Ohio. I went to a family reunion back in Virginia and West Virginia in 2017, some of the most beautiful area I have ever seen!

[@Dwyeb73]

Another great video. Thank you both for your efforts. All this around me within two hours and I never knew. We are just about to lose it just like most our barns.

[@johnboy4067]

Just come across your channel , I have always wanted to visit the back roads of America especially visit that part your in , much love from london 🇬🇧

[@kimberlyhatcher7235]

I can’t believe that I was born and raised in West Virginia and never heard of all of these towns. Especially coal mining towns. These towns are amazing and I feel like I am back again watching your videos!! Thank you so much for sharing these with us

[@lovelife7249]

Same here Kimberly.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoy them, Kimberly

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@davidjanson7982]

@@lovelife7249 LoL

[@CannedClorox]

So weird seeing my grandmas house on KZbin lol, the area looks a little rough but I love visiting. watched some July 4th fireworks by that church just a couple days ago

[@benandcis]

I’ve had one of those whoppins

[@briffee331]

My grandpa was a barber 💈 in the company store in the 1940’s, I believe. Thanks for the tour. We are hoping to make a trip to Jenkinjones in the near future.

[@realappalachia]

Fantastic, we wish you safe travels

[@jamespenland479]

After you made the turn from the post office you went through Newtown. That was the "black " section of Jenkinjones. If you kept on going through Conclintown you would have ended up in the town of Anawalt,WV. It was bigger and had several stores and gas stations. And it had it's own police officer. This video sure does bring back good memories of growing up. Thanks

[@vondumozze738]

I had a coworker named Barbara Nofsinger that ran a little country store in Anawalt, I believe.

[@connie3800]

I lived in #8 Hollow as a young girl in early 1950's, which was the section of homes above where the video started. My grandfather George Willie Blizzard was a fire boss in the mine at the top of the holler near Walt Harman's home. My dad, Floyd Blizzard worked in the mines for a few years until he and his brother George helped recover bodies of miners from the Bishop and Amonate mine explosions. Dad then left mining and got his certification as an electrician. I feel it was from seeing the aftermath and loss of lives in those explosions that inspired him to leave. Back in those good ol' days, the area had many company houses that were kept up nicely. Painted white and trimmed in dark green paint, mowed lawns, and there was a company store "up 6 Holler" and the busy little town of Anawalt nearby made it a very desirable place to live. Anawalt boasted of a bank, movie theatre, drug store, clothing and hardware stores and a larger grocery. When I was young a Mr. Rector owned the grocery. There were a couple of "filling" stations and the Central Cafe where Bonnie Hatfield had a cook named Julia Sage who made the best fish sandwiches I have ever eaten! They were one of a kind, fried fish filet on a hotdog bun, topped with mustard, onions and homemade chili! Back then the streams were clear, life was serene, people worked hard, and we children played hard. It was a wonderful place to grow up. One thing I have taken with me is West Virginia pride. The kind of pride in doing a good job, going the extra mile, being kind and helpful to your neighbor, and a backbone of steel. We were West Virginia strong! There were a few exceptions to the rule, as in any community/state. Some were lazy, didn't keep things clean and cared for, some were uneducated in "book learning" but then there were also those who were highly intelligent, took care of themselves and their homes, worked hard, gave to others and made their world a better place with good values and fine character. It's sad that people who were had no real clue of the character traits of REAL Appalachian folks, often spoke only negativity. Today, if one really looks, they will see a strong people who have gone through extremely difficult circumstances who came out even stronger, even more determined to not give up, to fight on and to turn things around. I'm proud to be a "Holler Girl", a "Mountain Momma", a "Coal Miner's daughter, granddaughter, sister. I am West Virginia strong.

[@MikeStevens-ip8jf]

I​@@connie3800

[@lora5779]

I Love cruising with You two! 😊

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for riding along with us, Lora

[@MissTulalove]

My whole family on my mom and dad's sides grew up in Jenkinjones through the 1920s up until the mid 1980s I believe. My dad actually managed that company store you were in some 70 years ago. I used to visit there every summer with my mom. We attended that padlocked church every Sunday during the summer, and we had family and family friends in all the "hollers" around Jenkinjones, and in Anawalt and Welch as well. Back in those days Jenkinjones was actually a Black community, which slowly changed over time.

[@lolitaowens5970]

Hi Tulalove , my father's family was from Jenkinjones. It is such a small town . I wonder if your family new mine. I have never been but I have heard stories from different family members who have.

[@bettybarnett6994]

Great video! Would love to see this in person. Thank you for the tour..

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, Betty

[@tasossaros8375]

Thanks!

[@jeannetaylor2217]

How TERRIBLY SAD 😞

[@monafinney7527]

My grandparents are from Jenkins jones

[@cynthiageorge447]

Loved this !

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@jamespenland479]

Thanks for the video. I grew up in Jenkinjones, WV. Had to move away to find work in 1985 after high school graduation. I graduated from Mount View H.S in Welch, WV.

[@hunterhamiltom8006]

Ok you will know...lol. What are the small buildings in front of many of the houses. Right up on the street. They are built of different things but are all built alike...it has been driving me nuts..I grew up in NY so I have no idea..

[@jamespenland479]

@Hunter Hamiltom They were called coal houses. A small dump truck would off load coal in the coal houses and the homeowners would then carry the coal in the house in a coal bucket.

[@hunterhamiltom8006]

@@jamespenland479 Thank you!!! You rock...

[@jennniferbailey131]

@jamespenland479 You attended Anawalt Elementary?

[@davidjanson7982]

Are you kidding !?

[@J.RO.]

Oh still enjoying the ride, thanks 👍

[@slidhome]

Very interesting. I have never been to West Virginia It is isolated but very beautiful

[@ronbass8136]

Thanks for another great video. Y'all take us to amazing places that we would otherwise never get to see.

[@tomkeesee8347]

Was born and raised there❤

[@tomkeesee8347]

Not far behind the old buildings is the old jenkinjones coal mine location not there now,most of it has been reclaimed

[@YOURWORSTNiGHTMAREXD01]

Yall should have went to anawalt lake!!

[@realappalachia]

We didn’t realize we were so close to it 😔

[@bjburton5931]

oh, and it was called Kings Closet,, its a old church that give out clothes and things.

[@karenreichenbaugh856]

I like it when you guys travel especially the Hollors?

[@chubbawubba6959]

Another fine production! If anybody ever questions you two for authenticity, Let them watch you back up! THIS is what makes your channel fun and that fun adventiures.Thanks

[@chubbawubba6959]

That Church is super cool.

[@todddavis4274]

Love the cricket.

[@johnperdue2327]

Another wonderful video...thanks guys for always turning the awsome up to 12

[@StonesAndSand]

I came for the history and culture, I stayed (and subscribed) because of your genuine care concern for this wonderful part of American history and its hardworking people.

[@realappalachia]

That’s so awesome, welcome to the family

[@bjburton5931]

actually you were already in JJ, it begins before you get to the first house. a lot of times if you just put in a city and state into a GPS it will take you close to Post Office. The Church does not have regular service, but it kept up and used for special occasions, like my best friends mother just had a wake there. That road that dead ended comes out in Bossevain Virginia

[@J.RO.]

I can't tell but are those glass insulators at the top of those trees,ha ha 📞poles...🤔🤔🤔

[@terryrose6208]

I started my coal mining career with Pocahontas Coal Company. Then it changed it's name to Consolidation Coal Company, then shortened it to Consol Energy or just Consol. Worked at their Maitland facility until they shut down and then worked at their Amanate shaft mine. 21 1/2 years with the company.

[@realappalachia]

I heard that Amonate mine has been reopened, which was a pleasant surprise to me

[@carolynbobyk3514]

Thanks for preserving history with your videos!

[@davidrothschild8913]

Really enjoyed this one. Thank you

[@sandy89107]

The store was my favorite especially the old photos of it 🤩

[@evacooper2127]

Drive to Monongah one day. Worst mining disaster in US

[@realappalachia]

We hope to make it there someday

[@johnlallemand8554]

MY PICTURE TELLS THE OLD TALES

[@amandayoung-dean5527]

Thank you for showing me see where my family is from as they moved to Detroit in the 50's. My great grandfather was a town famous moonshiner who died running from the law off tank hill in 1940. There is a bluegrass song on KZbin Ballad of Hobie Young.. My heart ❤️ is in Jenkinjones.

[@realappalachia]

Oh man, I looked up that song and it was awesome!

[@1940limited]

This part of the country has always intrigued me even though I've never been there. I did have an online friend in Hazard, KY once, but she passed away last year.

[@brianmurphy7809]

Good video and you can tell your woman is a country girl 100% I love her accent....lol I always heard country girl always take good care of there man and are good cooks to get to there man's heart......lol

[@robertbolt5552]

Great video I from McDowell county my grandparents used to tell me stories of how business and booming it was. I am 54 now it's changed so much since I was a kid. Sadly there is a lot of ghost towns now.

[@tammyreyna4074]

Hi from Michigan! Both sets of my great grandparents used to live there.

[@kristin9903]

I live in Jenkinjones wv now, you actually passed my house in this video. The building on the hill is the kings closet church. It’s still open and remodeled but no church services. Just community things held there

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much for the information, that is helpful bc we weren’t sure about it. Beautiful church

[@paulferguson2574]

Hello, new sub from Alabama! Love what I see so far.

[@realappalachia]

Thank ya so much, Paul, welcome to the family

[@ronaldsnell1503]

Great job 😊

[@bobbyboon2176]

My father worked jenken Jones no 8 left main I was tolde I have three sisters that lived thear in Jenkins Jones my father's name was James Bobby McGuire if by chance this could link me and my sisters I met them only one time fishing as a Childe how I wish I could finde them

[@J.RO.]

I may be wrong but I think there was a song written about Jenkin Jones back in the good old fifties sixties day's....

[@heru-deshet359]

I have a special place in my heart for old historic structures and it pains me to see beautiful architecture being left to rot this way. I wish there were a way to restore the town and turn it into a tourist destination.

[@realappalachia]

We feel the same way

[@talldude5841]

You both just keep getting better, and better. Love your light hearted banter between you two. I always read the comments before I post, and there are some really good ones here. Not much I can add. I guess I will say how important it is that you explore these small towns and show and educate us about them. Because soon nature will take it back and they will be gone forever.

[@richardparsons7343]

I grew up in this town

[@1940limited]

According to WikiPedia, "Jenkinjones is the location of the Pocahontas Fuel Company Store and Office Buildings which were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992." If so, I hope someone gets in there an fixes them up soon.

[@ClaraBBrown]

My uncle use to talk about jenkinjones many years ago doing the booming coal mining error.

[@richardparsons7343]

I grew up in the first light green house on the left during your driving video

[@savagenomore]

11:27 says it all, the small things

[@robinhaupt9119]

I really enjoy seeing these places, thank you Shane and Melody!

[@grant5941]

These areas are always so breathtaking to me. I can't wait to get a chance to visit a few of these areas on my own. Amazing!

[@ssranch6017]

Thank you for showing us this. I used to live in swandale West Virginia it was a logging town. At the time. For Georgia Pacific. We moved there in 1963. My dad was the manager. It was like stepping back in time. It was the best childhood anyone could have. bless you both be safe.

[@realappalachia]

Bless you too and thanks for the comment

[@garybryant6148]

Another excellent video thank you. I'm looking forward to your next video.

[@michaelcantrell3678]

Just imagine watching the movie Poltergeist on top of a mountain in house with graves in the back yard. Then having to walk a quarter of a mile out the road in the dark to your grandmas house with a flash light at ten years old!

[@CindyWhopantsCarter3421]

I’m usually just a quiet watcher but man I just love these old abandoned buildings of the coal mining era, love to tag along with you on your adventures

[@Laurie03]

It’s so neat to see towns like this and I don’t have to leave my apartment, thank-you!

[@realappalachia]

Glad to have you watch along with us

[@mikebass9943]

I missed my two favorite traveling history teachers. Thank y,all for showing us these places , even if kinda depressing but much needed learning , love y,all

[@kenhonaker549]

I'm Ken honaker and I work there I worked in the number 7 mines to the shut it down and then I moved to the new mines up on the hill

[@realappalachia]

Great to hear from someone who knows the mines

[@hirnlegorush]

Did people had to rent those buildings back then or did they buy ? over here in Saarland we have the most self owned houses per capita in all of Germany...all because the coal mines and the iron industry! you guys should do some more exploring in those old buildings...and perhaps show us those old shafts and entrys of the mines in the woods behind the hollas :)

[@janetalexander9893]

Hi, I'm Janet, I grew up in Jenkinjones in the 60's & 70's. We lived in Newtown and my grandfather was a coal miner. My Grandmother was a Minister at Clinton Chapel church. Your video did not show the Southwood school in Newtown. I use to walk to the company store. Jenkinjones was a beautiful place once with lots of wonderful memories. I seen James Brown and many other performers at the Union Hall, my stomping ground on the weekends. I plan to visit soon. Thank you for the video. I proud to be a Jenkinjonian😊

[@judypierce7028]

Oh my goodness! What an interesting video! This is one little town in WV that I didn't know existed! WOW! It must be in McDowell County which produced much of the State's coat at one time. The mines shut down and McDowell County became impoverished. Thank you for this most interesting historical piece. Melody, I love your accent.

[@SpookyAppalachia]

I’ve gotten a many of Appalachian whoopins in my day! Love these old coal mining towns. Also I feel like if Melody came on my channel and told them to live and subscribe they’d do it! Lol

[@jjdillon2007]

I heard crickets, and I thought one was in my house, until I stopped this video. 😆😆🤣🤣

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

I got plenty of then there WOPPENS!!!! There's one thing I was good at and that was being NAUGHTY!!! Even when I TRIED HARD to be good I was still naughty/a bad boy. It's the only thing I'm good at my mother said... To this day at 63 I try to do all good things and in my mind I see what I'm doing as good, BUT people say I'm just naughty... I'm just thankful that Jesus LOVES even naughty/bad boys who are trying to be good... You kids be blessed in Jesus name... BBE..

[@bradlane3662]

I delivered Coca Cola to a store beside the post office in Jenkinjones in the late 70s to the very early 80s. And believe it or not the very first house you guys came to at the intersection as you came out of the holler at the beginning, with all the Halloween decorations, which is across from the post office had a store in it too. The old company store up there was still barely open when I first started in 78 but soon closed.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for sharing those memories - it helps to piece it together because that town is a little trickier than some others we go to

[@GaryFord1969]

Shane, we are glad you have Melody around to keep you out of trouble, and try to correct your grammar...

[@realappalachia]

She does both pretty well lol

[@walterlangston4484]

got video in side old church in Raleigh west Virginia not to long ago that was nice

[@benandcis]

It was a shame it was in ruins

[@Harrygreen111]

You are a real gentleman Shane offering to get that shoe for Melody lol

[@briantheminer]

Well I never, Jenkin was born and raised in Glynneath where our last big underground mine is now, I’m there every couple of weeks! From his name I’d guessed he just had to be from South Wales

[@Zathrian451]

the O2 levels must be off the charts in West Virginia. everything is so green & plentiful!! great video as usual!!

[@patricialong5767]

This is great! And very interesting! And ghosts are mere demons, nothing else!

[@EuleneWages4644]

I sure got several Appalachian whoopins and sure wasnt a tshirt🤣loved the video.if those old buildings could talk.

[@michaelstrong3634]

Great video. Love seeing those ole mining towns. Thanks for sharing

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael, thanks for watching

[@1940limited]

One of the neatest places you ever explored. There's a lot more in Jenkinjones I'd like to see. I guess the school bus went by when you were checking out the church. I wonder what happened to the railroad that went by the general store? I think that gravel road you were on by the square building covered in vines might be the old right of way.

[@davidbell9130]

what a name

[@masterspin7796]

I don't understand why they just leave these old buildings to rot for the next 500 years...tear them down and reclaim the land back to nature...

[@kimberlyhatcher7235]

These were the good ole days when life was so much simpler.

[@benlaw4647]

Enjoyed this! Very beautiful area! Love the old Tressel and the old historic buildings. Nature reclaiming them. That backup was not as bad as cigarette holler 😉😉😂....The leaves getting that early autumn look. Love the adventures. ..thanks guys. Appreciate y'all. God bless

[@bruinsfan8278]

Shane, you crack me up! " You go first " haha !!! :-)

[@Silversmoke1000]

Another delightful trip thru that beauty country with such lovely people. Those buildings really tell a story. Keep up the good work.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, Amy ❤️

[@BKLYNGIRL222]

It's a pleasure taking these trips with you all and learning so much about the area. It would be nice if you ever write a book about these places.

[@lynevans8981]

I love 3 miles from where Jenkin Jones was from Glynneath. Wales. Uk. Coal mining is still going on in that area. Aberpergwm coal mine. Thanks for the video. The area is very similar to our valley.

[@reamonabowles9178]

I was wondering which way y'all came through I keep looking for Anawalt , I have a aunt they lives across from were they load coal on the coal cars in Jenkinjones it looked like her driveway were you turned around at the gaurdrail she has lived there over 50 yrs. my dad and his family are from McDowell county, right there in Anawalt

[@1940limited]

Even though it's a nasty business, I hate to see what's become of the coal industry. For what it's worth WV still mines more than 80 million tons of coal a year, mostly to be shipped overseas. That number is believed to increase to possibly 90 million for 2022.The industry is far from dead. There's lots of coal train action in Thurmond. I think you've been there.

[@kesmarn]

I'm wondering if there will be a demand for coal to supply Europe if this Ukrainian situation goes on into the fall and winter. Folks are going to have to stay warm and supply power plants somehow. It'll be interesting to see if there's something of a revival of the industry in Appalachia.

[@1940limited]

@@kesmarn I would like to see that happen. We have vast coal reserves in the USA that we ought to either use for ourselves or to help out others. Right now most of the coal mined in WV is going towards export, much of it to India.

[@kesmarn]

@@1940limited I hear you. I care about the environment, but I also care about the survival of humans over this upcoming winter!

[@jodijarvis1018]

Do you have a video of St. Paul, Va? My husband lived with his grandparents for a year there. We live in Ohio it’s been 30 years since we’ve been there. Have you heard of a Holler call Walkinve? I probably miss spelled that.

[@realappalachia]

Hope we can get there soon, we just did Castlewood but hope to get back over. I’m not familiar with that holler.

[@jodijarvis1018]

@@realappalachia we just watched the Castlewood one. Hubby got all excited when you turned towards St. Paul. Lol. His grandparents lived just past the bridge/ overpass on the left. A little light blue house with a porch. The last we looked on good le street view it’s still blue.

[@Coopdog-dp5eq]

At the end when you posted that picture of the Union Hall while showing it, that was good stuff! Thanks.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@richardparsons7343]

There were a lot more houses than you see now. Most of them caved in and rotted away.

[@hendilman]

Parents were from Ashland, Kentucky and I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia as Dad had joined the US Navy. I remember the drive to family reunions in Ashland every summer before Interstate 64 went all the way through, there was a stretch of Rte. 60 through Hawk's Nest State Park in West Virginia that might make a good video. I was a little tyke in the back of a station wagon as Mom made the drive on switchbacks going up and down mountainsides on a two lane highway, gigantic trucks loaded with freshly cut logs passing in the opposite direction missing us by a couple feet at most. At the top of a mountain was Hawk's Nest State Park, where Mom was always ready to pull over for a rest and me and my brothers would pile out to burn off some nervous energy.

[@pattiejune]

Such beautiful country, thanks for the history.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, Patricia

[@skipsalmon6728]

Love your adventures into Appalachia. Suggestion for future trips: Have a map that shows your location in relation to well known places like Bristol, Bluefield, Grundy, Johnson City etc. Skip Salmon

[@burlphillips948]

Are you all marry Is this your wife .love your all videos.love the way she talk .from Stephens city VA

[@freedomspromise8519]

My maternal grandfather, Virgil Waldon, grew up in McDowell County. The spelling of his last name is different than some of his siblings. His was Waldon, some siblings were Waldron. It turns out his father had two separate families. That’s why the siblings have two different, but similar, last names. I want to visit McDowell County some day. I have The Mountains in my blood.

[@1940limited]

I think a lot of people have the mountains in their blood.