Kimball, West Virginia: Coal, Black History, Greek Food, and Kronk Boxing

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

Thank y’all! I remember Kimball in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

[@beverlyproudfoot583]

THANKS 👏 😊

[@krazykathysiron5806]

Thanks! The Siron's are all from McDowell. I'm ready to come back to stay. We settled in Augusta County, Va.

[@realappalachia]

There's no place like home

[@dodgeramsport01]

Your better off in Va. why come back to the poorest county in the state and the nation?

[@krazykathysiron5806]

@dodgeramsport01 to get away from people. I'm retired now.

[@dodgeramsport01]

@krazykathysiron5806 it may be a good county to retire to but it's a shit hole for any jobs

[@SleepyMontana]

This is so amazing to see . My mom was from there. Couldn't find many pics or videos. Great history to this little town. Great info and video 👍🏼. Thanks a million!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you for watching

[@tomnohmy1273]

It's 4am. Monday. U didn't come up on my feed earlier. Went and looked u up. Glad I did. U two get me smiling, starting off my Monday great with my cup of coffee. Look forward to the next upload.

[@realappalachia]

Oh no, hate to hear you didn’t get notified but really glad that you found us.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Thumbnail history. Nobody does it better. Thanks for the memories.

[@realappalachia]

We appreciate the compliment!

[@cranerigging3604]

Thank you both for the tour ! Be interesting if any smaller stores might pop back up after wallmart left ?

[@realappalachia]

they haven't so far but i hope it happens

[@chubbawubba9801]

Just like it never changed.... LOL

[@robinhaupt9119]

What a beautiful, interesting place. Thank you Shane and Melody.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, our pleasure!

[@judypierce7028]

It is great to see you both again! Kimball is just a place in the road. WOW! McDowell County has quite a history not only with coal, but early settlers. Thank you both for such a great historic video. You two are so sweet.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, Judy, we always look forward to your comments

[@johnreed8336]

Thank you to both of you . Enjoyed your trip to Kimball WV .

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, John

[@nurse38501]

You all should go to Thurmond and blennerhassett island in West Virginia.

[@fredsimmons2793]

Thanks Melody and Shane!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Fred

[@gfurrow]

Great video. I need to visit one day soon. My grandfather worked at the Kimball N&W railroad from 1922-1928. I have a couple docs of his related to the RR. One being his RR pass id...

[@dancrofford927]

All this old stuff is just so cool, wooooooo

[@sandy89107]

Nice quiet little town looks like.

[@dodgeramsport01]

No! its the poorest county in the nation and in the state and its a shit hole with the highest drug use!

[@lenardlackey5549]

May,2024. I enjoyed the video. I lived in Kimball until I was 9 years old., 1946 to 1955. Great place to grow up.My dad’s business was Lackey Motor Co in Kimball. We lived across from the Methodist church on Kimball hill. My grandparents lived in Norwood. My brother and I plan to visit Kimball this summer and have lunch at YA’SOU.

[@TyroneTurner-r5h]

Lived in Norwood with my Grandparents Pop Shelton went to church in the Veterans building.

[@stevehannah5712]

Enjoyed the video 👍, neat community, beautiful area, thanks for all you do 👍❤️💗✅❤️❤️❤️

[@debluetailfly]

When I see somthing about McDowell County, I think of Carl Rutherford's music and Man O War (a song for Carl Rutherford) by Chris Sutton. They sing from their hearts.

[@peterjhillier7659]

Hi you Guys, another great Video, love the Countryside and a special Treat the NW 530333 Class C30A Cupola Caboose built at the Virginian Shops Princeton. Nice to see the Norfolk Southern Coal Train too, though wouldn’t be nice to see a N&W Y6 pulling it. Keep safe.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Peter

[@ronbass8136]

Another good one, thanks

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Ron

[@jjdillon2007]

Great job on the video, Shane! 👍👍👍

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, JJ

[@ginamartinez5475]

Thank you for video. My grandparents/ family is from Kimball. I have very few pictures of the town but many great memories visiting my grandma when I was growing up. I am looking for any pictures or info anyone has about Union Cafe or Central Cafe my family ran those businesses back in the day thank you!

[@PedalSteel-by2hx]

Thanks for sharing.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PedalSteel-by2hx]

@@realappalachia I live in southern wv and I drive a log truck. I drive through small coal towns daily and enjoy the scenery but often wonder what they were like in their “hay day”. Kimbal is one of those towns. Thanks for shedding light on some of these all but forgotten towns. If you haven’t already I’d love for you to do a video on buffalo creek in Logan county. Lots of history there. That’s where I’m currently hauling from now. Thanks and God bless.

[@betaiotaiotabetainc6249]

hello nice sharing

[@danielarmstrong9219]

Nice video! Enjoyed seeing the train! I bet it’s nice when you come across a hidden gem (video) every now and again.

[@realappalachia]

Oh man, it is a rare thrill to stumble across it. Rarely ever happens.

[@bjmartin1215]

Wow, that's my home town ❤ Next time maybe you can ride through the Norwood addition of Kimball, and go up on Kimball Hill where the High School/Junior High used to sit at the top of the hill.

[@DeeDee-dl7sl]

West Virginia is so BEAUTIFUL and it makes me sad to see so many communities have nothing to benefit them. No jobs, no hospitals, no major stores, very sad.

[@realappalachia]

It is very sad, a real shame

[@dodgeramsport01]

well thats what happens when you rely on one industry and one industry only!

[@lazarusmesserian8186]

Another great job. Use to hitch hike on old US 52 through Kimball as well as ride the N&W back in the 50's when they still had passenger service. Thanks for all the info, especially the WW1 War Memorial. Like the two of you have said many times, there's a lot of history in those old coal mining communities.

[@realappalachia]

Yes, that history is so deep in so many of these almost forgotten coal towns

[@navydogsadventures3500]

Really enjoyed the info. Lots of small little towns there in WV. Loved the old pictures, fun to compare them to now.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much, those old pictures really tell a story to me - sad to see the glory days leave

[@navydogsadventures3500]

@@realappalachia Yes they do for me too, I love seeing old Billy the Kid error pics. I love history like that. Also sad for me to see the old days going to the wayside!

[@shannoncoleman4095]

Buster Douglas trainer John Johnson is from Red Jacket , West Virginia in Mingo County . I once met him and Buster Douglas at Buskirk , Kentucky .

[@AnnC....]

Love the Train

[@realappalachia]

Yes I got lucky that day

[@Pam-ew9xp]

I also loved the train! I grew up in Southern WV next to the railroad. I remember being awakened many a night from the train next to our house. We were very used to it. Very loud with a whistle at the tunnel and the squeaky brakes as it rounded the bend. Gosh how I miss that!

[@darrellsmith5395]

These communities established by coal should of prospered a lot more instead of people in power stealing all they could. These old coal communities have some of the best people anyone could ever want to meet. West Virginia people have pride that many in this world don't. Thank you both for keeping these memories alive.

[@Tenebarum]

Coal was the foundation the modern world was built on. Miners and their families deserved more for the untold wealth they generated.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Darrell

[@carolynsmall14]

Mom & Grandparents lived on Carswell Hollar, grandfather worked the coal mines, Claybrooks was the family name

[@bruinsfan8278]

That was a lonely looking Walmart, Im guessing that was filmed in late September by the foliage in view, Thinking to soon for That !!! Thanks Though , Enjoyed the Video !

[@realappalachia]

That sounds about right if I remember correctly

[@sgc1959]

I love the videos you make !!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much

[@zxtenn]

I rode some of the Creeper trail 2 weekends ago starting from Abington, only 23 total as i havent been riding consistently or for distance so the last 5 years my butt was killing me but next time i should be able to do it if i ride more consistently and longer distance. I was in Beckley last weekend looking at a few homes, one is in New Richmond Bottom road in Wyoming, about 30 mins in the woods from Beckley so not sure it i want to live that far down but the house is decent and taxes are only $365.00 a year. Speaking of hotels there is an abandoned hotel on a corner there, i think called the Wyoming hotel?? Could easily get stranded down there in the winter but seems VERY peaceful this time of year.

[@realappalachia]

We showed took a tour inside the Wyoming Hotel in our Mullens, West Virginia video. The place is amazing.

[@benlaw4647]

Enjoyed this! I always love McDowell county west Virginia....I know this is near Welch and I always think of steve harvey, who was born in Welch and his father was a coal miner, till they moved to Cleveland....thanks guys....God bless y'all always 🙏❤

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much, Ben, we love visiting West Virginia

[@Tenebarum]

My Grandfather was from Greece and my ya ya was from Turkey. Settled in Breathitt co Ky. Appalachia is very diverse. West Virginia is known for excellent Italian food. And sir, no insult but you remind me a bit of younger Jessco White. The eyes mostly.

[@realappalachia]

Ouch, I’ll try not to be insulted lol. I like Jesco but I drink a lot less than him lol

[@Tenebarum]

@@realappalachia lol! Actually your syntax is similar to his. He has a beautiful way of speaking and is a great storyteller.

[@debbieepperly3821]

Well, y'all it's 4am on Monday morning & I'm finally getting caught up on the videos. Still got some testing & specialists to see, but I've really missed getting to see y'all. I love the old photos from years ago & then seeing parts that are still there. Y'all are awesome & I love the videos! Always give a 👍even if I'm not commenting! Please stay safe! God bless always! 🚂🙏🤗🐈

[@realappalachia]

So glad to hear from you, Debbie, we’ve missed you and were hoping and praying that you’re ok. Hope things get better in your world, we’ll be praying for you

[@thomastommy1192]

What??? A video without Giggles? That's unfair, lol. (Think I'll call her "Oh Giggling One," lol.) (Just kidding.) A real good video thanks for sharing. So many sad things have happened to the people in the south. They truly lead a hard life. My heart has always gone out to them. You mentioned you were born at the Clinch Valley Clinic in Tazwell. So was I born there. I guess we have something in common. It's sad that the Government doesn't help rebuild these towns in the South. Instead of sending millions to other countries. Maybe someday they will. Every Politchen has a pet project. You would think some of them would fight to rebuild the South. Anyways, Sorry If I wasted your time. A truly awesome video thumbs up. Stay well & safe guys.

[@realappalachia]

Definitely never wasting our time. It just ain’t the same without Giggles in the car lol. Yes, maybe one of these days someone will wake up and take notice of the need in these areas

[@brendalane4228]

Interesting!!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you

[@celestelacey812]

Hi Shane and Melody, Could I ask if you two are related and how? You two make an awesome team. Thanks for sharing the history of these small towns of the Appalachia Mountains. I live in the foothills in Alabama. The mountains have always been my favorite place to be. Much love to you both.

[@bradlane3662]

Guys, I thought I would mention something that's a real economy killer that's a big issue in southern WV. This empty Walmart building was purchased for only $80,000 by Rural King soon after it closed. We were really happy until we learned they bought it to keep it empty. Therefore, no competitive businesses could come in. The county tried to purchase it in the hopes of getting something in it, but RK won't sell. There are two wealthy families who own most of the retail business in Welch and they snatch up empty buildings as soon as they're available and leave them empty. Even Food City in Bluefield VA has been paying a huge lease on the old Cumberland Road Kroger building for years for the same reason. These monopolies are destroying this area and it breaks my heart to watch this unnecessary greed take place here.

[@realappalachia]

Wow, I’d never thought of that before, what a rotten deal for the local communities. There should be some antitrust laws established for such actions

[@kesmarn]

Brad, thank you so much for getting this story out. Not only are the actions of these greedy people destroying communities, but it's mostly happening in secret!

[@jeremycole3008]

Pretty bad when Wal-Mart gives up, dang. Love train video

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Jeremy

[@danielfarmer9533]

Lived in the first house on king Carswell Road in the 1970s.

[@EttaBailey-Jesus]

Have you guys visited Bramwell yet?

[@realappalachia]

Yes we posted a video of our trip there back in December of last year

[@jamesjacobs8785]

You need to check Yasu Deli sometime, she has some great food!

[@realappalachia]

I’ve eaten there and you’re right on the money - great food

[@dispLock]

West Virginia is gorgeous! Kimball is a neat place. West Virginia never gets credit for anything.

[@jessemcclanahan9712]

Love the video great job but it is better with the both of y’all together y’all work good together!!! No offense Shane!!!

[@realappalachia]

I agree 1000%, believe me. I don’t like watching my own videos before Melody came onscreen

[@carriecook2871]

Thank youll for getting all these towns that have alot of mining history that means alot being a coal miner's daughter

[@realappalachia]

That's great, so glad you enjoy them

[@carriecook2871]

@@realappalachia gave me something to watch while I am down sick

[@davidbell9130]

walmart money hungry if the store has a few poor quarters walmart says bye bye

[@glenbo2464]

2nd ? lol

[@joeys1mmons]

First

[@realappalachia]

you're the man homie

[@davidjanson7982]

Democratic stronghold killed it .