Red Jacket, West Virginia: The Uniquely Named Coal Town in Mingo County

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[@kathyditty5531]

I grew up in Red Jacket. The school you talk about was the Red Jacket Junior High School. My Mother taught school there for over 20 years. There was a grade school next to it but it burned several years ago. The church you show is the Red Jacket Community Church. My dad was pastor there for 55 years.

[@ajwallace]

Do you recall a building, something like a dorm where out of town miners lived? I'm not sure how old you are but this would have been the early to mid-sixties.

[@realappalachia]

great info, thanks so much, Kathy

[@kathyditty5531]

yes, I remember it well. In Red Jacket we referred to it as "the boarding house". It was run by a lady (and I do mean Lady.... very proper) named Rose McDade. The boarding house was for miners to stay in during the week when they were working at the Red Jacket or Matewan mines temporarily. I think single men that worked in Red Jacket could live there if they didn't have a family. The doctor's office was in a part of the boarding house. The doctor privately owned his practice but the coal company paid him a certain amount each pay period per miner and a little extra if the miner had a wife and children. Our little community was self contained with stores, school (1st through 9th grades), doctor, church, and even a playground with swings, sliding boards, a couple of merry go rounds, and a tetter totter (see saw). A great place to grow up in the 50's and 60's!

[@ajwallace]

@@kathyditty5531 Thank you for replying. Is the building still there? I was there when I was very young. My dad stayed there during the week and would come home on weekends.

[@kathyditty5531]

No, unfortunately it burned a few years ago. After the mines closed down the coal company sold the building to the doctor. He had it remodeled so the boarding house rooms were turned into apartments. The doctor who was there from 1954 passed away in 1984 so his family sold it to another doctor. He kept the practice for more than 20 years until the building burned. I think someone said from a gas leak. The big company store was sold and torn down. A house sits there now. The playground is overgrown and dilapidated. The post office sits on part of that property. You saw the school in the video. The grade school burned and the junior high is a sad site. My dad preached at the church for 55 years until he was 92. Red Jacket isn't what it was when the coal company owned the town.

[@lauracaroots269]

I just came across this video researching Red Jacket, WV. My Dad was born (1934) and raised in Red Jacket, WV., but the family later relocated to Dayton, OH. Our grandfather J. Caroots was a Coal Miner and came to the US from Hungary. My sisters and I enjoy researching our family history and loved watching this video thinking of our Dad maybe attending the old grade school and traveling these same roads in this video. Thank you.

[@christophermcallister8312]

You were traveling up Mate Creek which is associated with the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. If you went a little further you would arrived at the Ellison Hatfield Cemetery where Devil Anse Hatfield's brother Ellison, is buried. He died of wounds inflicted by the three McCoy boys who were later executed by the Hatfield's across the Tug Fork River from present day Matewan in August of 1882.

[@lisamarsh8685]

My mother is 89 and was born and raised in Red Jacket. She has seen down home in over 25 years. She's really looking forward to watching your video this weekend. Thanks so much!

[@realappalachia]

That is awesome!

[@garrellstevens778]

Born in Red Jacket Sept 13 1946...The second school building was the gym. Had many things going on there in the 40''s and 50's .. Hank Williams was one of the many who put on shows there..

[@realappalachia]

had no idea about Hank Williams, that is great

[@bettyhill582]

I was 6 months old when my parents moved to Red Jacket in 1939. We lived there until I was a senior in high school. We lived in the third house from the school and I walked home for lunch each day. Great place to grow up. My dad was superintendent of the Sunday School at the Red Jacket Community Church. Great memories. Thanks.

[@realappalachia]

Glad it brought back good memories for you

[@anthonyhill503]

Scary..you have the same name as my late mother..I live near Red Jacket for 2 years.

[@chrisphillips4859]

When I sleep and I start dreaming I see them mountains.

[@codythedog61]

HI MATE, IT IS THE LITTLE COUNTRY TOWNS YOU SHOW THAT WE LOVE WATCHING HERE IN AUSTRALIA, LOVE YOUR WORK BUDDY. WONDER HAVE YOU EVER BEEN REALLY SPOOKED IN A GHOST TOWN ON A SCALE OF 10.

[@realappalachia]

I actually saw a ghost for the first time in my life in West Virginia earlier this year. I wasn't a believer until then.

[@debwillis2415]

Shared this with my Momma who was born in the late 40's and grew up in the mining camp in Red Jacket. A lot sure has changed. Spent many summers there myself.

[@marshajendrewski3744]

I grew up in Red Jacket from 1951-1960. My dad, Alex Barath, left the mines in 1960 with our grandparents, Bill and Jennie McClure, to find work in Connecticut. I remember seeing the Harlem Globetrotters play in the Jr High School gym, going to church at the Red Jacket Community Church when Rev. Mollett was the preacher, and eating at a new restaurant next to the Jr High that had the BEST frozen custard ice cream I've ever tasted.

[@realappalachia]

Thanks for sharing those great memories.

[@deirdrepasko9056]

Quaint little town. I just love when you drive down the narrow country roads in the neighborhoods. I had never heard of Red Jacket before today. Interesting history, and Tina needs to either return your jacket, (you just never know), or pay for it. Jeez.

[@herdfan697278]

My father actually worked that coal mine. He died in 1964.

[@wrightflyer7855]

It's the same dog stalking you....Deputy Dawg. Kidding of course, I'm really enjoying your videos and insight into the lives of those who receive little recognition for their contribution to our country. Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).

[@realappalachia]

thank you so much for the kind words, Wright

[@eddiebowens1919]

I went to school at Redjacket, and I've lived above Newtown at Sraigth Fork all my life.

[@virginiamartin7312]

Love Red Jacket. Peaceful. Thanks and GOD BLESS YOU always. 🐓 🐕 Love the rock wall at the end.

[@johnwalsh1541]

Mingo County is an awesome place to visit,I visit twice a year to enjoy your wonderful Hatfield and McCoy trail system, great history of coal mining, beautiful scenery,we stay at the old Mountaineer hotel, beautiful old place in Williamson,great places to visit,,,,,,,from NYC bye the way,it all just is overwhelming

[@realappalachia]

i would love to get a chance to stay at the mountaineer hotel, sounds so fun

[@johnwalsh1541]

@@realappalachia the history there is amazing, the pictures on the walls date back to civil war times and every room is designated to a famous politician or other known actor or dignitaries who graced the halls of this awesome old hotel, being from QUEENS NYC, it just blows my mind to be brought back in time to a life I was only told about but have never lived,I highly suggest just a weekend in this old palace,I have worked and stayed in almost every hotel in NYC and this place is above 59st and Central Park West and the great hotels of New York, just can't say enough about the whole WV experience

[@brendalane4228]

Love these visits with you Shane!! Great work for sure. I have learned so much about our surrounding towns and counties from your videos.

[@elizabethcoleman5729]

Thank you, I went to that school back in the 1953 to 1958 Carol my mother cooked at the School , I would like to see Pictures of the old School House and the Company Store and Post Office behind the Company Store. thank you

[@MichelleJohnson-tg5lx]

Lol The Way that Red Jacket fit was priceless. hope she returns it.

[@logicmilkbone]

Another great video !! I hope you had a great weekend.

[@debbieepperly3821]

Really enjoyed this drive and glad you got to see a hound dog! I didn't even know such a place existed, but then you've shown a lot of those. This was a beautiful area & beautiful day for a drive. Loved seeing the homes & yards...I would always check those out when my hubby & I would go out on our adventures. So sad to see the railroad being dug up. Didn't look like it was blocking anything or causing property issues. They should've just left it alone for history's sake. Thanks, Shane, for a beautiful drive on another rough night for me. Keeps my mind occupied. Be blessed always! And stay safe. (BTW, I didn't hear any singing during or at the end of this drive! 🙁)

[@jackdamron382]

You mention that Red Jacket built the Keen Mountain coal camp in the late 30s. My granddad, John A. Damron, was superintendent there until Island Creek bought Red Jacket in the 1950's. It was a great camp to grow up in until we moved to Detroit in 1956.

[@glasgavlen]

My mom grew up in Keen Mountain too. Small world!

[@kevinadkins2299]

I recently came accross your youtube page, I really enjoy watching these small towns you go to. My dad was from Branchland WV

[@MsRybak1]

From Toledo Ohio…….I enjoy your tours of West Virginia. It is indeed a beautiful state. Thank you!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you like them!

[@tammydecatur2696]

Thank you for going there. Awesome job as always.

[@realappalachia]

thank you so much, Tammy

[@greg2976]

I stumbled upon your videos a few days ago. I really enjoy driving around old back country towns. I appreciate your knowledge of the areas that you drive thru. Keep up the good work. I grew up in Pittsburgh but now live in Kentucky. I love West Virginia!!!!

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much I really appreciate it and glad you enjoy them

[@ToastyBoiYoutube]

17:05 that house right beside the church is mine great to know someone gave Red Jacket some Recognition 😊

[@realappalachia]

that is awesome, love to hear from folks from these towns

[@TheTeaNT]

Cox

[@anthonyh8323]

My mother was born and raised in Red Jacket.. right near to Little Italy Camp. We still have family in the camp. You almost drove pass where her childhood home was about a half minute up the road. Great video!

[@alwaysbepreparedwithjeff3245]

Thanks Again For Streaming

[@jerryferko8309]

shane ......great reply ........thanks .....its pretty cool tracing the routes on the map .......u get off the interstates in west va. , u are in some really cool scenic country ......

[@forrelmispaace6254]

Very interesting to learn this coal camp was name after Seneca Chief Red Jacket. I once stayed in his name sake motel in Chemung County NY (also part of Appalachia). Opened in 1956 closed in the mid aughts. Another independent with style and uniqueness gone. *sniff*

[@annewagner4441]

Good to see forsythia, flowering trees, and wild dogwoods beginning to bloom in the mountains. Major cliffs when leaving that place! I am always still amazed that so many folks besides me want to see these places in the coalfields of Appalachia. There's a market for it! And BTW, Collin Black, I apologize for keeping your black jacket after summer camp, I should have found a way to return it, but truthfully, I was a shallow twit.

[@realappalachia]

poor poor Collin lol

[@MichaelJohnson-wo1eh]

I had visited Red Jacket many years ago. There was a store chain named Maloney's throughout the Kentucky, Virginia, W. Virginia & Tennessee area. One of which was located in Red Jacket. I was a traveling photographer and probably photographed most of people in the area back in the late 70's, early 80's. Jim Maloney I'm told pitched for Cincinnati back in the day. I think it was his son who had the Maloney's Stores.

[@daveperryman291]

Thank you for letting me ride along

[@missrita1826]

Never been to Red Jacket, but maybe one day I will.

[@lindamaemullins5151]

Man it’s been so long since I been to Mingo county ❤️

[@sierrachoco5271]

Yes- the Seneca Tribe and rez is about 30 miles south of Buffalo, NY. Very nice people!

[@forrelmispaace6254]

The Senecas backed the British during the American War for Independence. Said Chief who ended up having this coal camped name after him got his moniker when a British Army Officer gave him the Red Jacket. Many many Seneca civilians were slaughted by the American Army but fortunately some survived.

[@lazarusmesserian8186]

Shane thank you so much for the video. If I may answer Jane's question about King Coal Highway: Shane is going up Taylor Mountain through a new cut in the mountain and the new consolidated high school would be to his right when he gets to the top. The school was built on land that was strip mined. My wife will enjoy this video because her dad was a bookkeeper for Red Jacket Coal and Coke Company for 19 years until they sold out to Island Creek Coal Company in the 50's. Her mother taught school at Matewan Grade School for 41 years. Being from Williamson, I use to play football games against Red Jacket Junior High across the highway and railroad tracks from the old school. Shane I know how you feel about the red jacket but you have to just forget it. Let it go.

[@realappalachia]

thanks so much for bailing me out with that wonderful info, Lazarus

[@realappalachia]

and youre right, my old red jacket is long gone so i need to let it go lol

[@deirdrepasko9056]

Sorry but I disagree. Shane has every right to expect retribution from Tina. Theft is theft no matter how old the crime is.

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

You are just hittin' all these areas I know! Even some in KY!

[@jeanneshannon5607]

Thank you much. I knew nothing about Red Jacket. Tina, did you really not return his red jacket?

[@samuelestepp725]

One of the houses across from the school is the old Ritter house.The same Ritter that Ritter park is named after in Huntington WV

[@karensanders2221]

I went to Jr. High att Red jacket. It K-9 my Aunt and Uncle taught school there. The company store is gone. They've changed a lot of stuff up there. It used to have more older buildings.

[@jonnykaykorn3060]

Along with Germans and Czechs so many people who came to settle my home state of Texas came from here in the 19th and early 20th century, it is a beautiful place, though I would have expected to find more historical architecture given the age both Virginias have over Texas.

[@krazykathysiron5806]

Find me a cheap farmette in your travels Shane. I'm getting out of Virginia.

[@judylee4649]

Your vids bring back such a sense of nostalgia for me. I grew up in a coal town in Ohio and how I remember the sense of community there was there. 2 churches, a school, the old Miners Hall. 2 company house locations, the railroad. You could name all the families that lived there from the top of the hill down to Rt. 40 which at that time was a national road that ran all the way to Columbus and beyond . The town's still there but the 2 churches aren't in operation anymore and the school's gone except for an add on gymnasium built in the 1950's. We were 2 grades to a room through 8th grade. Mine was the last class to graduate the 8th grade there. I'll be 75 in August and truth be told, most of us couldn't wait to get out of there, but over the years, many of us actually returned as we got older. We finally realized the grass was actually greener on our side of the fence after all.

[@gidget8717]

😂😂😂😂😂 loved the intro

[@neneg4340]

my mom grew up in Delbarton. my dad in McDowell county. they moved west in the 1950's.

[@MillerMeteor74]

I know this is a year ago, but where's Melody? Anyway, I enjoyed seeing that church where you turned around, and then the two old school buildings. It was sad to see them covered in vines and in bad shape. But this was an enjoyable video. The Little Italy area reminded me of something. Up in Burlington County there's a historic village that started out as commercial farming town, 100 years ago or more. It's called Whitesbog. They did cranberry and blueberry farming (and still do). They had a couple of Italian worker camps. One was called Rome, but at the moment I can't remember the name of the other. Thanks, Barry

[@realappalachia]

That was videoed a month or two before Melody agreed to come on camera, she worked more behind the scenes

[@MillerMeteor74]

@@realappalachia Oh! Okay. Well now I know the beginnings of the current iteration of the show. Thanks. Love you guys!

[@realappalachia]

@@MillerMeteor74 thanks a ton, we appreciate you

[@briantheminer]

Great as usual 👍 Green Line Energy, an interesting hydrogen energy project, I just had to Google it 😂

[@ericarmel5584]

Just wondering if you could get up around spruce knob dolly sods area riverton,Harman;red creek not so much a coal towns but very historical

[@UncaDave]

Good job! From the looks of the condition of the homes I would say people here were doing ok. Glad to see it. Great video! Did you ever find the mine portal?

[@realappalachia]

No we never were able to find the portal, unfortunately

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Good video. The movie Matewan does a pretty good job of explaining how the Italians and others were shipped straight to the coal fields right off the boat or up from the Deep South

[@elizabethcoleman5729]

Mingo County WVA, Matewan WVA north west of the Town. Cinderella Coal Camp is North of Williamson WVA Sycamore Coal Camp School and Company Store.

[@1940limited]

Have you done a video on Matewan?

[@1940limited]

I guess the abandoned railroad on the right was a branch line to Red Jacket when coal was being mined and shipped out.

[@harrywest2780]

My father was born in Belle West Virginia my brother was born in Charleston West Virginia and I have been to West Virginia many times

[@Mikeeeusa]

Like all your videos. Why don't you film the actual mine sites, where the coal was dug?

[@realappalachia]

they are almost always sealed now and the tipples, etc. long gone as part of the reclamation process but there are a few i hope to get someday

[@Mikeeeusa]

Thanks

[@nickknickerbocker6415]

🎵 Artist: Jimmy Joe Lee Song: The Coal Miner Song

[@realappalachia]

hadn't heard that one before, great stuff

[@nickknickerbocker6415]

@@realappalachia 🦻 Music Stirrs my Emotions: Next time you go traveling You may or may-not Like this Song: 🎶Song ~ Wandering 2019 Remaster🎶

[@carolynmyers2222]

I like to know about Preston County. Albright and Terra Alta and King wood.

[@moparedtn]

*Shane!* First off, very happy to see your new getup with the mounted camera and mic. Very professional, sir - well, at least you don't have to drive one-handed anymore. Might keep you off the radar of our friends at the VSP... :-) I'm also glad you've honed your skills at picking which side roads to explore and which ones best left alone - keeps the odds low of becoming a statistic. You're from these parts, so I know you know what I mean... that whole hearing of banjo music might be a metaphor, but it can be quite an accurate one. :-) Do I assume correctly you're no longer associated with the Appalachian Project? As always, you keep makin' them, we'll be here to watch 'em! -Ed on the Ridge

[@realappalachia]

the revenue rangers were another reason why I upgraded to be honest lol. Yeah, I can usually smell a troublesome holler (also the name of a bluegrass band) these days. I am associated with The Appalachian Project still but it was always more of an umbrella thing for me and the guy who helped me start it, Jason Barton. We almost never get to do anything jointly anymore so it makes sense to kinda do our own thing. We are still great friends and promote TAP in our own way.

[@jerryferko8309]

shane ........can u list route numbers from where u begin your trips ............ thanks ..... trips are so cool

[@realappalachia]

if I could ever remember to do that lol

[@kennethhaynes7772]

Hauled a lot of fuel through that country especially across the old road from red jacket to Matawan WV

[@WAJD1]

That's my mother's hometown she was born in 1931 Ramona Edwards and doc Edwards was her first cousin.. I'm sure all of you know my cousins that live there now Bobby Edwards Donnie Edwards all them they're still there

[@mountainfolk2000]

Thanks Shane, Another great video. Back in my neck of the woods again I see. Now Shane tell me, Is the ramp for the King Coal Highway just after the end of this video or did you pass it before the video ended. The road was not usable when I left WV. The new School wasn't built either.

[@realappalachia]

Jane, thanks, I don't think I had quite made it to the ramp for the King Coal Highway at that point yet

[@BFTEgodswarrio5939]

12:30 I swear that house is on zillow

[@bricktx1]

Thanks for video. And Tina pay up lol

[@realappalachia]

you tell her lol

[@Desert-Tan-Whiskey]

👍👍👍

[@andiparsley3389]

Most miners from my dad's era... He was in the mines in the 1990's, wanted to reap the benefits of the UMWA. But, they voted against them. The way I see it, if you want the UMWA to fight for you, you support them!!!!

[@craigoutdoors30]

Do the Dingess Tunnel. Stop at Cheechs on the way.

[@johnbradburn5109]

Do you take food with you when you travel in these places or look for places to eat along the way?

[@realappalachia]

Depends on where we go but a super small town like this kind we normally pack a lunch with us

[@ArchstantonsMTgrave]

I don’t know how KZbin monetization works but I DID watch the commercials for Bumble Bee tuna the state of Colorado the motion picture “Nobody” and Benjamin Moore paints so you’d reap any 💰due to you. 👍🏼

[@realappalachia]

you definitely suffered through on those, thank ya kindly sir

[@kimdads9261]

Have you ever driven in an area where you just didn’t fill comfortable?there has to be eyes on you when you go down some of these old roads they have to be watching you.strange car in the neighborhood.

[@realappalachia]

allllllllllll the time actually lol

[@timofeegraaay8165]

I grew up in the coal fields but moved away over 45 years ago but I am very cautious if I ever go back. Once, I won’t say where in WV, someone told me to get the H out of here and it looked to me like he had a handgun under his oversized filthy sweatshirt. I left quickly and I remember thinking of all the times I have been in the inner city of DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco and yes even Baltimore and not been as scared. Yet those folks would swear to heaven above that cities are just so horrible. Sadly, I have seen drug addiction and alcoholism in Appalachia perhaps in a greater percentage of the population than in the cities. I would say San Francisco has gotten much worse the last six years or so with homelessness and people on the streets with extreme mental illnesses. As a kid in the coal fields I had a large family as my security blanket and crime was a rare thing, fighting and brawling were not, but I don’t recall crime that much.

[@thedragonchaser]

Give the man his jacket!

[@realappalachia]

bless you lol

[@WAJD1]

Doc, Edwards was my mom's first cousin.

[@house_church]

Red Jacket was not as well known as his brother. His brother who was never accounted for and reportedly lost his way in the deep forrest. Occasionally you will still see this road sign: Watch out for Falling Rock.

[@edwarddodge4886]

My great grandfather was a miner there

[@edwarddodge4886]

I’m currently doing research on my family. My mother is really interested in finding out more about her grandfather

[@elizabethcoleman5729]

Do you have any film of Cinderella Coal Camp School built in 1934 the School and Sycamore Coal Co. at Cinderella Camp and the old Company Store from the 1948 to 1956

[@realappalachia]

I havent had the opportunity yet

[@craigoutdoors30]

Where is this? The central office is on Cinderella road..

[@samcook1545]

Funny how rumors grow. People used to swear the town got its name because chief red jacket was buried on the ridge above the town.

[@jeremycole3008]

I ask cause I honestly don't know, do you folks have any farm fields? I'm from illinois, where a lot of the land is flat with crops. We had a consol mind here too, and it's flat ground. I watch this video and wonder what you folks do for food production.

[@deniseunterman9652]

We do grow crops though not nearly to the extent that you're able to in Illinois. There isn't a lot of flat acreage, so farmers do what's called contour plowing that follows the contours of hillsides. Doing it this way helps control soil erosion and water run-off. But WV and most of the country rely on you wonderful mid-westerners to keep us fed. Thank you all. :))

[@gerryjones7485]

People are right they want to see residential areas and the downtown but most of all residential areas where they used to live or they have relatives there. they want to see the old house I guess you don't understand that being a man but there's a lot of men that want to see that too. Different Different Strokes for different folks that would have been the first thing I would have done let's go down the street to where people used to live I lived in Williamson and I would love to have seen my old house was but you never went down to the streets were people lived I was so disappointed

[@2771jojo]

Doc Edwards was manager of the Cleveland Indians!

[@chuckpuckett7288]

Somehow, you avoided driving by my uncle's house.

[@1940limited]

There was once enough people here to warrant those schools.Now the new apartments overlook an abandoned railroad and abandoned schools.

[@ajwallace]

The photograph of the miners. Do you know the year it was taken?

[@realappalachia]

I am not really certain, unfortunately

[@ajwallace]

@@realappalachia Thanks

[@brendajohnson1686]

Where is the junior high school?

[@scottbrown7415]

You should be happy that your coat was all she wanted.

[@chrisphillips4859]

Red jacket tobacco co. Also

[@phillipcraddock8248]

whear to these people go to work

[@ericarmel5584]

Sorry for not saying thank you

[@bettycole2334]

Sarah to Messenger fair to Messenger

[@joeysimmons8056]

Red and jacket is 3 words

[@realappalachia]

You're right, I need to delete my entire account now

[@tinah7950]

Hey my name is tina and i live here i dont no u

[@dtbone6]

every one has a girl like Tina in their past...not the same one of course..my brother marred a Tina... took him for a house and a car....you got off EASY....

[@realappalachia]

lol, sounds like I didnt have it too bad after all lol

[@babylittleguy]

Why in the world would u be asking for money for a jacket u gave to a girl so many years ago? I think I would be asking for the jacket instead, if u liked it so much. It might only be worth a dollar at a good will store now not $75.

[@andrewclark891]

Big business forever screwing the worker

[@phillipcraddock8248]

i want to move to west virginia to get as far away from sorry lazy people and be only around people i choose to be around

[@johnirby493]

I failed to see a business of any type.

[@JamesJohnson-gw1yi]

Wow man I think I've seen you down there I've got a place over there on Ball fork mountain I'm right at the bottom of the hill I love that new Mexican restaurant they got over there in mattwona WV i looks like now they have red jacket opened up to ride in now

[@JamesJohnson-gw1yi]

My cousin lives over there in Buskirk man his name is Norman I've got a lot of relation down there on lovers Lanes that is related to me and Roger Norman Ted Norman Betsy Norman that was my grandma she lived right there in the bottom in a house over the hill by the river they pushed it in the river it was full of snakes Tom Hatfield Bill Hatfield is my uncle