SELMA, Alabama: SAD, Decaying City Is Dying Despite Its Incredible History

[@shunteljohnson4586]

This is my home . Born and raised. I still live here. Thank you for visiting. ❤❤

[@bonniehall578]

What's your age? How are you doing?

[@TutTut-du2dd]

I visited your hometown in 2018 when Montgomery had the opening of the Justice museum. My best friends grandmother and mother grew up there now both deceased. Its a very important place in history. I am blessed to have been able to visit.

[@coachsmith4947]

This video broke my heart. Born and raised in Selma. My mother owns her house there. After going to college, myself and 3 siblings all never came back to Selma. The city has been in decline for years. But like the other comments said the tornado that hit the city earlier this year was devastating. I dont want to go into the laundry list of issues with the city. But I will say like myself, most people from here leave and never come back.

[@paelzermaedche-px4qd]

There you have it.

[@angelawilson3144]

Im from Selma too. Left back in the late 80's. Have 4 other siblings that left too. Now all 6 of us have left, never to return. Lots of good memories and also some bad

[@telbon8869]

The textile industry helped all these towns thrive in their heyday, but unfortunately many towns like this across the south died when those textile jobs were outsourced to China, India, etc. And up north, like Joe&Nic's video tour of Gary, Indiana was equally depressing as many similar cities also collapsed when the steel mills closed and all those jobs were sent overseas. Our government and our corporations turned their backs on the American workers and citizens who built this country with their sweat and hard work. Our so-called "leaders" in government and industry are all resposible for this sickening decline of our once great country. They are truly traitors!!

[@valac12345]

My realtor tried to get me to buy a house here just yesterday, she hyped this place up, so I decided to go look at it because I was just having a bad feeling about it and couldn’t figure out way. I went yesterday at 5 pm and as I crossed that bridge an instant sadness came over me and when I noticed the house I was going to see was 3min away from the bridge, I called my agent and told her I was depressed and that there was no way I was going to move there. Before I went there the owners dropped the price 40 grand without no hesitation and that was why I was feeling uneasy and had to go see why and I don’t blame them for wanting to get away but I just couldn’t accept their burden, as sad as it is for me, I can only imagine how they felt when I decided not to take their offer. Came home and started researching it and came across this KZbin video. It looks just like this in 2024 so sad. I didn’t know it was a historical place till I came on here but as I was driving down I saw fields that were growing cotton. I’m from the city of the Atlanta area and I’ve never seen a place this bad so I’m still sad and depressed. Knowing Martin Luther Kings place of home looks this bad made me thinking if ppl with money could buy these abandon places super cheap and they all come in and rebuild having outsiders movie in at a good price the population can rise but of course it’s just my brain going around circles from the unexpected experience I just had going to a place I never heard of, excited to buy a nice home, to arrive at an abandon town, was just so scary. I feel so bad for the ppl that live there. Having to leave their house everyday and see this town that really has an apocalyptic feel to it is just so depressing. To build this town up they have to fix the majority of this town to make it look appealing so that many can bounce in close to the same time and start repopulating. This is just coming from my restless mind and sad heart. If I was Rich I’d start rebuilding with the hopes of other Rich ppl joining in to help. It’s easy to get businesses going once there’s ppl there. Like pine mountain ga, it’s small but the ppl that live there have so many small business supporting each other and bringing in tourists. Let me shut off my brain 👋

[@lorettaatchison6126]

A lot of the buildings that you are showing were torn up by the tornado in Jan. of this year. I am from Selma and it is lacking in places to shop and people go elsewhere to shop. It's taking forever for insurance to pay up for the houses to be fixed. A good bit of Old Town was hurt bad.

[@dolivia7100]

The city has been an impoverished eye-sore with heavy, dark energy long before the tornado in January 2023....LOOOONG before. It's hard to tell which were hit and which were in that state before! A change gonna come . . .

[@valeriehill6747]

Thank you

[@cilldublin07]

looks like a dead dump of a place. modern decay and death

[@dragoncrackers7660]

I thought a lot of that looked like tornado damage. Thats very bad for a poor town because its hard to rebuild; most people probably didn't even have insurance. I'm from an old Southern town so I get it. My parents paid $5,000 dollars for their house in 1990 and it was a big house but it was run down. They never had insurance. They later gave that house away because there were no buyers; it was then abandoned and finally the city tore it down. Thats how it is down here and people sometimes don't get that.

[@DD-vc8yh]

Interesting, my suggestion is the kids thst moved out and is successful can help build up their parents homes... I'd like to move to rursl area with cheaper rent and agricultural land to grow my own stuff, isn't Selma historical for civil rights ?

[@andytaylor5476]

A year ago in January, an EF2 tornado destroyed one third of the city. It's path was through the downtown area of Selma. The city is still dealing with the damage cleanup as well as rebuilding.

[@teresa7365]

ON A SIDE NOTE: On Jan. 12, 2023 Selma, Alabama took a direct hit from a high end EF2 tornado, some reports said EF3 with wind speeds between 130-150 MPH winds doing massive damage to the town.

[@MikkaKaye]

I live in Montgomery and that tornado was catastrophic! Selma is having a hard time coming out of it and I hate it

[@imhooks1]

Yep was coming to say at 5:40 that building was hit by the tornado.

[@marving1416]

That house that was close to the street look like it was put there by a tornado!

[@Bear_58]

That's very sad. I've lived through several hurricanes and subtropical storms and depressions as well as indirect tornadoes. Horrifying is the only word that I can relate to those situations. My house was completely destroyed and I was left homeless. As of January 1st I will be homeless again...

[@sheilaeason1190]

Selma look like a ghost town 😳

[@49er61]

Joe you deserve everything you might make from your travels. You research the history so well and present it exceptionally well holds interest from start to finish. Thank you for sharing and allowing us all to travel along with you.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@vrj40]

If there are no industries to find work, then it doesn't matter whether you're in Selma, Detroit, Toledo, etc. You will unfortunately see dying cities and towns.

[@Obsidian451966]

Alabama (Birmingham) resident here. My father is originally from Selma. A lot of tornado damage, talk to some of the people to get perspective.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I was there a year earlier, before the tornado. It looked the same.

[@yaminatoday1151]

The buildings are really beautiful and alot of the streets are so clean. It's just empty. But, man, you can see the potential!

[@58jennypenny]

so sad to see what once were happy family home like this. I live in England and it's very educational watching your videos, I've learned a lot about places I've never heard of, thank you for that.

[@lorrie5881]

So many places..I'm thinking some of the people they are shipping here..they could revitalize some of them.....like give them a few empty towns..😏

[@Lalunabreeze]

Jenny, I live in the US. SERIOUSLY, I’ve never seen anything like these places. It appears to be lots of them. Makes me mad the government can’t jump in to help these poor rundown cities. Nope, instead they send sheet loads of money to countries that hate the US. GO figure.

[@Lalunabreeze]

@@lorrie5881that’s true lorrie. They will have free housing , food and programs for training and jobs. Like tax credits to employers to hire them. So, your right set up these empty run down cities where there’s room for them to grow and make a good living.

[@laurie7689]

@@lorrie5881 No jobs. No transportation. No services. The asylum seekers have to be able to get to the Fed. court house for their cases. To revitalize the buildings, they'd have to bring them up to code. Everything always comes down to money. Also, just because an old house is falling in, doesn't mean that the property doesn't have an owner. I knew one person here in Alabama who inherited his great grandparents old house and land. The house wasn't worth restoring and was purposely allowed to fall in to make removal easier after several years. The family just wanted to keep the land, not the house.

[@ectofix8447]

Thank you so much for the tour. I was born in Selma at Craig Air Force Base in 1960, but we moved away shortly after while I was still an infant. My Dad was stationed there at the time while attending flight instructor school. After moving to Virginia for a few years, we settled in Texas in 1964 - where I was raised. During my teen years living in Texas, Dad told me a story about when we were in Selma. He said he’d invited all of his flight crew over to the house for a cookout. One of them, who was black, flatly turned down my dad’s offer. When my dad asked WHY, the man told him, _“For your own safety and for mine. Folks in these parts won’t allow a white man to invite a black into their home and let them get away with it.”_ That man and my dad kept in touch for many years afterwards as friends. From that story, I’ve always made sure that when I tell people where I was born, I quickly clarify that I never remembered the place and that I find it shameful that bigotry was so rampant then.

[@doodybird5766]

My mom's best friend was an elderly black lady that use to come drink coffee with her and sit around shooting the breeze. It was until I was graduating and I 8nvited her that SHE let her racism show by telling me it would be inappropriate for her to be seen at my graduation with my family, after all those years of company, laughter and friendship then that comes out. It was the last time I ever spoke to her.

[@kbanghart]

​@@doodybird5766your mom said this, or the black lady?

[@Yenchantress1isaStarr]

@ectofix8447 It is amazing how each of us have unique stories.I was born & raised in Alabama. So, were my parents & grandparents. I was born in 1963. I did not ever experience racism; until I was an adult & moved to Louisiana. My grandfather was born in Dallas, Al in 1914. Dallas is 31 minutes from Selma. He later moved further to south Alabama & lived in a middle-class neighborhood with my grandmother & their children. He was a strong man, with a thriving business. The neighborhood he lived in was mostly non-colored residents, & Jews. The children of these families would often visit & sleepover w/my mom & her 4 siblings. Until the parents; of a couple of the children, over charged my grandfather for goods. They were Jews. The father was charging non-blacks less for the same goods, that were hiked-up for my grandfather. My grandpa found out. He addressed the father publicly w/expletives & forbid his children to ever cross his threshold again.They did not ever come back. He continued to thrive in his business, and no harm ever came to him for his bold stand.

[@venusbaptiste8210]

​@@doodybird5766you mean AFTER all the nightrides and lynchings Black people had to endure during that era, you'd expect her to STILL come to your houses??...

[@NathanielNelson-v7b]

@@Yenchantress1isaStarrI’m from Alabama to.

[@TinkerTailor4303]

I believe the "statement" on that building is biblical. Fascinating place, past and present, and one of your best videos. Way to power through the rain! Weather matched your seemingly blue mood.

[@devonlengacher3403]

Yes a direct quote from the Bible.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

Power through the rain? It was barely sprinkling!

[@TinkerTailor4303]

@@sandrajohnson2489 it was still gloomy and not the best weather to be out and about ... unless, of course, you're a duck!

[@donaldpruett852]

A police officer called in on his car radio and said; "I have a strange situation here. An elderly woman just shot her husband for walking on her freshly mopped floor." His supervisor asked; "Have you arrested her?" "No", replied the officer. Supervisor asked; "Well, why not?" The officer said; "Because the floor is still wet."

[@EastPointPlaya]

😂

[@meekandmild6836]

I heard that joke before lol

[@mekkler]

Good in-depth look at a very historic town. I remember all that happening. Chaotic times.

[@FunGetAways]

Yes, this hurts my ❤ to see this town with so much history in such a poor state 😢 Thanks for sharing with us and love the history you put about the town in video!

[@davidgreenhow7811]

Thanks for the video. The hope and courage of those who marched for justice in 1965 deserve to be remembered. It's sad to think that as Selma dies, its important place in American history may be forgotten.

[@grantmillington9104]

I'm subscribed to over 200 channels and this is the only one I watch every video. That says a lot.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you! 👍😀

[@Millwrightlife]

The building at 7:04 is the old Good Samaritan Hospital. It wasn’t an apartment complex.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

The houses tell me that Selma was once a lovely little gem of the south.

[@JohnSmith-ti2kp]

It is impossible for those not living in this region to understand the underlying mentality that prevents towns like Selma from prospering. Basically, the majority there are waiting for someone to do something, that almost always means, "the govment". This way of thinking has been ingrained so deeply for so long, 50+ years, that changing it is improbable and closer to impossible.

[@nelliesfarm8473]

I think our entire nation is in that same mentality now

[@markd8469]

Thanks for doing these videos. I enjoy watching them and learning things along the way

[@NativeNYer]

That was really sad but whoever wrote on that wall knows where their help comes from. Very enlightening ty 4 the vid. U and Nicole stay safe out there!

[@catlover614]

A very enlightening and interesting video. Lots of beautiful old homes, but always so sad to see them deteriorating like that. Some of the old buildings downtown would have been lovely in the past, too. It was nice to see the churches, I wonder if they are all still open. Thanks for showing us around, Joe, very much appreciated as always.😊💚

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, CL. 👍😀❤️

[@jenskimble]

Hi, Joe, we really enjoy your videos and check often for anything new. We visited Selma three years ago and shared the same disappointment you felt. Such an important city in the fight for civil rights, and it just sits deteriorating. Just a quick comment though on a lot of what you saw, where the roofs were blown off and disarray here and there… there was a really bad tornado two years ago that caused a lot of that damage. However, we saw the same vacantness in the downtown area that you saw this past week. I wish someone had the funds to at least start on one block fixing it up.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree.

[@LarryHeagren]

Definitely a dying town. If it was my hometown I would move too. Once decay and rot start it is hard to stop. The homes have some quality construction and features but because of location and the local economy there isn't any value to them. It is a bit sad and a bummer. They will also loose their bridge if they don't get it maintained. It looked a sorry state. Thanks for taking the time to record the town. It needs to be remembered and your documentation was very good.

[@joycelebaron2582]

I always feel bad when Joe drives through one of these towns with all the abandoned homes. Mostly I feel bad for the neighbors who somehow managed to keep their homes in good repair because I'm sure there's vermin crawling around the abandoned homes and encroaching on their houses as well.

[@galacticWeather101]

Used to live there gotten worst every year dead bodies in the streets,hour drive to the closest employment, and a uncaring government

[@flick1ca]

Thats crazy to see literally stunning mini mansion just surrounded by decaying homes. Normally you see nice areas and town and then crummy areas but they seem blend in here. I would like to talk to the people who live at that house and see what they think and they’re life in like

[@sandrajohnson2489]

New Orleans looks the same way. You will see fabulous mansions and right next door is a shack. Mansion, shack. Mansion, shack.

[@michaelwoodford3990]

Real eye opener that a city can get into such a state with such a beautiful river frontage and some lovely houses in the surrounding environs, very sad.

[@Mr.Lidman]

Hey guys, I stumbled upon your channel yesterday and found it very interesting. I’ve now watched dozens of them. You got close to my area in on of your vids when you was in west Kentucky. Keep um coming and I’ll keep watching them!

[@janefinley-english1051]

What a surprise to see Selma in this sad shape. Very sad. Hope they will have a renovation & business will be able to function. Thanks for traveling there.

[@deweygill1973]

I paid a visit to Selma in March, saw the Pettis bridge. And I was taken back by the poverty and run down buildings, although there are still some neat historic ones as well. I took photos of some of the same homes and buildings you are showing here, on a similar rainy depressing day.

[@everettnichols9062]

The railroads built a lot of 'shotgun' houses to house employees! You will find many of them near railroad yards and other railroad facilities!

[@karenholland215]

Selma had a really bad tornado in January 2023. That may be why some of the houses are in such rough shape.

[@patriciawilhite7038]

Hey Joe! You might Google the EF3 Tornado that hit Selma in January of this year. Selma took a direct hit with winds of 136mph. Much of the homes you showed were in the path. Nine people were killed. I know this bc my grandpa lives there. He is in his 90’s and his home was totally destroyed. FEMA has offered little to no help to these folks so restoration is slow to non-existent.

[@elbertmoreno2159]

You should be happy that atleast we still have money to send to Ukraine...

[@patriciawilhite7038]

@@elbertmoreno2159 And why should I be happy about that? 🤷‍♀️

[@elbertmoreno2159]

Not sure, I think Lindsey Graham said it was good for USA...

[@karlm8682]

That's Build Back Better for you! Let's GO Brandon!

[@patriciawilhite7038]

@@karlm8682 Facts!

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Appreciate you covering the history of Selma. This city has many beautiful churches. The architecture of some of the homes is gorgeous. I do like the shotgun houses. I too wonder if the colors represented anything. I wish I could go back to 1970 and see Selma before the city began to decline. Thank you. Looking forward to Mississippi.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

I lived in Selma and went to school there. It was a thriving place back in the day. Sad to see it the way it is now.

[@polly8844]

I recently moved south, and I love the insight you provided in your videos.

[@georgekelly9797]

Selma, such a sad ending to such a historic city. Thank you for the tour, it gives us an insight of what’s happening to some of our city’s.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

This is so sad for me. My parents both grew up in the Birmingham area...Hueytown and Bessemer. They moved to Galena Park, TX in the mid 50s. When I was a child, we always visited once a year, and I have wonderful memories of Alabama. That was back in the 60s and early 70s. It really pains me to see what the state has become.

[@johnpollard4158]

The state is doing great. 2% unemployment is half of what Texas is. Selma is an outlier.

[@independentthinker8930]

One town does not make the state! I'm just up the road a couple of hours and exact opposite

[@205rlg6]

Even Birmingham's worst looking neighborhoods aren't in as bad shape like Selma, Prichard, Anniston & Bessemer. Don't think Alabama as a whole looks like this.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

I was born in Birmingham but my parents didn't live there for very long. Lived in Selma too back in the 60's-70's. Yeah the state is sad looking.

[@CorettaJG]

The state of Alabama needs a lot of change in state government. The state has been run into the ground for decades by those in state government. It is at the bottom of every list.

[@HaveKayaksWillTravel]

Selma, It's an amazing place. It doesn't look like they sell much house paint around there. The downtown doesn't look too bad. I bet those old shotgun houses do have some serious history. We are going to start putting our videos in a category, good, bad, or ugly. Selma fits in all three.

[@galacticWeather101]

Was nice, but after years of abandonment, poor ownership , and a tornado the city looks horrible

[@margaretduncan1848]

What is a shotgun house?

[@trinidad179]

​@margaretduncan1848 A Shotgun House is a home that has at least one double barrel shotgun in every room, including the shitter.

[@laurie7689]

@@margaretduncan1848 A shotgun house is a long, narrow house (rectangular usually) whose backdoor can be seen from the front door. Basically, you could shoot a gun from the front of the house to the rear of the house without hitting any walls. Think of a shotgun home as being one long corridor/hallway with all the rooms off to the sides of the hallway. They were typically the homes of poorer people and found in many rural areas.

[@briliant8]

Thank you @laurie7689 for your intelligent and correct answer to what a shotgun house is. People really need to know the correct definition not someone giving out false, trying to be funny answers. Again thank you.

[@cecoya]

Thanks for sharing, I don't really have any words to describe what I saw. Safe travels and have a great day

[@jonathanbaggs4275]

I used to go to selma all the time 30 and 40 years ago. Went to wonderful parties at sturdivant hall. The cemetery is so full of historic figures buried there. Always dreamed of living in one of the beautiful homes there - now you can buy them for practically nothing relatively speaking. The st james hotel is where legend has it jesse james stayed for a while laying low.

[@notapplicable4185]

I took a hiatus from watching your videos for awhile as life got little busy, but just watched your Selma video and what a historical place! You gave us alot of good info and remind me of how much I enjoy your travels. As a retired guy, your videos bring up both sadness and pleasure. Sad that our country has gone to hell when it used to be the greatest country to travel in. Small towns were the lifeblood of our country in my opinion. They were the absolute best places to grow up. Thanks once again for what you share with us and I will be watching your videos one again. I know of no one that does the job as well as you.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you! 👍😀

[@Surfguitarist59]

Wow..!!! I love seeing these historical towns you guys visit. It's a shame the historical buildings are not preserved..

[@gatorgogo2742]

Sad that such a historically rich town has come to this dereliction People can't live and thrive where there are no opportunities for jobs. Towns like Selma are no longer unfamiliar sites, and it will continue. Thanks, Joe. You got there so early that Dollar General wasn't open!

[@Steve-ow4jt]

It is truly heart wrenching to see what was once a beautiful, thriving town, with such a rich history, slowly fading away. Some of the downtown buildings look like they could have such awesome potential if only the financial circumstances for the city weren't so bleak. It's just a shame more can't be done to help these historic towns come back to life again. Great video. Will be watching for the next. Until then stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Well said, Steve.

[@RupanagudiRaviShankar]

sir slowly i have become "addicted" to your tour videos.😊 Thanks for your efforts in giving a virtual tour of many places. regards

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Your most welcome 😊

[@dianehodges6889]

Love Your Videos and All The Details you give us About each town ❤️

[@catherineleigh9000]

Hi Joe! I know that I already commented but wanted to add. When you go to Laurel- please take the time to look up Ben and Erin Napier. He owns the Scotsman as well as they both have a mercantile store. I know they would love any publicity since they have singlehandedly saved that town. I love them so much I’d like to move there. They have our exact same accent. Be sure and watch one of the Hometown episodes. I’ve seen them all. It’s funny that since I spend so much time watching y’all I feel as if I know you. 😍 God bless you both. Oh btw the town of Wetumpka Al is one that was on Hometown Makeover and I’d love to see how it faring after the tv program

[@Marvel_Polaris]

So glad YOU did this one @Joe & Nic's Road Trip 🚗👍

[@cosmyccowboy]

We have lived off the efforts of our ancestors about as long as we can

[@PeterClarke-p2r]

Your supplementary on screen comments are appreciated. Nice work, Joe

[@TheeAviari]

OUR American History! Despite The Past And The Current Issues I Love My Country And The People Within. Thank You Joe For This. 💙

[@Bear_58]

You can see what was a very beautiful city back in the day. It's too bad that all the multi billionaires in this country don't invest in rebuilding such a historical city. It has so much potential. Very sad to see it's slow death... Thanks Joe.

[@glennjenkinson1103]

Someone invented a word,racism,how is it the people we are told to love ruin everything given to them,

[@jerrysanders9101]

No doubt- instead they and the globalist leftists invest in China Ukraine and other places they can get rich or get away with murder.

[@paelzermaedche-px4qd]

Why should any billionaires pump any money in a place where nobody is motivated to do something about it. Even if money is spend it usually ends up being run down again. So, if that's what you want, so be it, or no point to invest.

[@kbanghart]

​@@glennjenkinson1103please explain, how do you connect people we love to ruining everything?

[@shawngrothe2686]

Then they get accused of gentrification.

[@neonnoir9692]

Do Graham/Burlington NC. An old railroad/textile town kept alive. Still has the original train station from the 1800s. Historic Burlington and downtown Graham are beautiful.

[@usbankusa]

Thanks for sharing. It is kind of sad to see what happened in SELMA.

[@stevehoole9847]

These videos make my evenings. Keep them coming.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Will do! 😀

[@lindaburns4890]

Thank you for all the nice videos you are bringing to us, they are educational, and We learn the history of those places, plus travel with you and Nicole,since I found you I follow you,Take care waiting for the next video.😂

[@jasong3652]

I spent a few weeks in Selma for work back in 2021 and it was the saddest place I’ve ever been in my life!

[@nathant17]

Great video. I knew about the civil rights history but had no idea about the Civil War history of Selma. Sad to see the old historic buildings not being preserved.

[@patm5594]

It is sad to see such a historic place in such decay

[@kevinhoock9742]

Great history and facts you give us every week ....

[@sandrajohnson2489]

I went to school in Selma back in the late 60's and early 70's. Back then, Selma was a pretty cool town at least me and my friends thought it was. We were young and liked to hang out. I met my very first boyfriend in the projects. He was/is three years older than me and had dropped out of school. I fell in teenage love with him instantly. About three years ago we reconnected on Facebook but after talking to him for a while I realized that he had changed so very much. I stopped talking to him. My friends and I would go to the drive-in theater and have fun. The place had bleachers in front of the screen and swings for kids. Because we knew so many people we would walk around and talk to everyone who were in their cars. Most were there on dates to make out. Lol. I did it a few times myself. Once in a while we would go to the old cemetery that was very rundown, over grown and even some of the tombs had been broken. The boys would scare us girls and all of us would sit around drinking Mad Dog 20-20 or cherry vodka. Gawd I got so sick drinking that stuff. We also enjoyed going to Carter's Drug store and hanging out at the restaurant part. There was also a teen hangout called the 'Shing-a-ling' and a local band would play there. It was next door to a fast food place called Chic 'n Treat. On the weekends, anyone who had a car would drive around and around the place to see who was there. Lots of teens hung out there. Craig Air Force base was in Selma too and some of us young girls liked the older guys in uniform. As a matter of fact, my son's dad and my first husband was stationed at Craig. At the time, I was living with my two half sisters and their dad in Flamingo trailer park. After a few years they moved to Banks trailer park. I was raised in south Florida and would travel back and forth between Florida and Selma because I didn't get along with my father. Years ago I found an old classmate of mine on Facebook and he told me how bad Selma is now. He said it's mostly a ghetto. He lives closer to Montgomery I think.

[@carolwilson7567]

Going through Selma. We lived north of there. Stayed in the St James hotel. Beautiful. Remember also they had a tornado that devastated Selma this spring. It is so sad to see Selma like this. There are such wonderful old homes down some of the streets.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

Oh and the movie starring Alan Arkin The Heart is a Lonely Hunter was filmed in Selma. Good movie.

[@MichaelSmith-hs5iu]

I was stationed at Craig AFB (1962-1966) which is actually just up the road from Selma. I can remember as a young airman all the problems with the civil rights during those years. As military we were not allowed off the base to witness those famous marches, but watched them unfold on the television. Of course the base is closed down now as an AFB. A lot of the buildings are still there. I did manage to go back to the base 53 years later to see the deterioration of the base and the city,

[@tedwilloughby555]

Mike, did two years at the SAGE radar center in Montgomery. Was there 1964 1965.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

I married an airman from Craig. His name was Terry Holka. Did you ever know a guy who was stationed there by the name of Bill Mather? He was unique to say the least. He was a hippie, wore the top of his hair long (blonde) and combed it in a way that it hid under his cap. He wore round glasses and rode a motorcycle. He was my boyfriend for a while and he never should have been because he was a lot older than me.

[@KatKO510]

I used to go to the Catholic Church on the base. It was very nice there at the time.

[@feep303]

“All the problems with the Civil Rights” wording is fundamental.

[@smellincoffee]

There are parts of the base housing that police officers are reluctant to visit.

[@cherienafo7676]

OZ/ Thanks Joey, I absolutely love the residential side of your journeys, feels like I,m in the passenger seat-totally. I dont think you can hear me, but I,m now and again- saying- "slow down !- I want a better look !!" LOL thanks for your interesting and enjoyable work, great stuff. It is indeed sad to see those gorgeous big homes, sitting empty and uncared for. Cheers from Australia.

[@rogerwhiting5060]

Some of the bad places you seen while here were damaged by a tornado back in January of 2023 me and my girlfriend used to go here for her job and you can definitely see the potential and history of the place I love the art work around the town the most

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

really very enjoyable video i watched all your videos thanks for sharing joe and Nic 👍

[@monkeymanstones1]

My son was moved by his mother (with no warning given to me nor note saying so) from my home in Dover, MA to Selma. After 5 years she finally called to say so, but my heart was so broken I had built a steel wall around it. I went to Toys R Us to buy him a brand new Mongoose BMX bike (he was only 3 but he was crazy about bikes and I knew he would grow into it fitting him) and when I arrived home a few hours later she and he were gone. Absolute confusion and shock was my reaction. I went to his high school graduation in Selma and the city seemed poor, but not excessively so. He is in the USA Air Force now in Louisiana. Now I get to see the place he grew up in full daylight, so thanks.

[@1AloneX2]

the old "apartment complex" is the old Good Samaritan Center Hospital, the bridge is the site of 1965's Bloody Sunday conflict

[@warrenscarlett9302]

Keep up the good work mate watching from Australia

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks 👍

[@andrewward5891]

Just read a recent story that 3 rural Alabama hospitals are going to close their birthing departments because of losing money from population loss, poverty of residents, and high rates of non insured. So pregnant women in these areas will have long drives for prenatal care and to give birth. And Alabama banned abortion. So women have to give birth if they can find a place to do it.

[@Yawndave]

One of my favorite things to do on road trips is to walk the main drags and take pictures unique storefronts and architecture. I don't think Selma will ever be on my list, so I'm glad to see it through your lens. By the way, what is your trip planning M.O.? Do you plan on going to these places before you head out or just sort of go "wherever the wind takes you"?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

A combination of both. 👍😀

[@robertsmith5489]

Tornado damage in January 12 2023 Selma Alabama. Destroying 40 homes and killed 7 people 😢

[@godzilla6740]

Enjoyed yr tour of Selma.

[@MadmanXXVII]

I stopped here this past weekend to see the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I really wanted to stay, visit the town, and take in the history. Sadly, the vibe felt very unwelcoming, and I didn't stay. It honestly broke my heart.

[@corsal31]

Really enjoy your channel folks, i like seeing different places that i'm never likely to see myself, and you make it very interesting too, well done to you both 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!

[@BrunieStudios]

So very sad, want to cry…this town should be a historical treasure of the USA.

[@stevenclark2894]

thanks, enjoying, still watching.

[@cindysdiystudio2599]

You actually started in Selmont which is on the other side of the bridge from Selma. My hometown and home. We had a tornado in January 2023 and it tore up Selma pretty bad. We were just getting over a cat1 hurricane when we were hit by the tornado too.

[@blade0954]

Thanks

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@philiporourke7896]

Great vid, dude and dudette. Lots of fun to watch, thanx.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@bobmiller5059]

Consider the nature of the people and the lack of self-respect . It's on every street the legacy speaks volumes.

[@galacticWeather101]

I do believe if the national government didn't move the craig airforce base that selma would still be a thriving town it was the main employment back in the day nowadays you have to drive all the way to Prattville to work.

[@viewome]

Thank you Joe for a great view of Selma. It sure is a tired town.

[@horsebee1]

I love what you are doing and in particular your consistent re[porting of the stats of each town and city you pass through. A couple of things are clear from those are that the average cost of a house is about three to four years of average household income, Here in New Zealand that number is closer to ten years income. The other thing that is clear is that the higher the poverty and crime numbers, the lower the numbers of married couples and the higher the numbers of single parent households.

[@brucesumter4327]

so sad to see city's going down i hope you and nico's she doing good ty for video

[@davidwheeler5741]

Craig Air Force Base was also a significant driver in Selma's economy. It was shut down in the 70's and its closure had an effect on the town.

[@sandrajohnson2489]

Yes it sure did. I lived there when the base was in full swing. Lots of cute airmen too.

[@clichepepycan7370]

At 8:12 that is an armory for military purposes but it has been repurposed for storage

[@edwardpincus]

And a big Yes on preserving the “shotgun houses.” They are a unique part of America’s cultural/social history.

[@元景-j2n]

most of the time watching videos like this one, I am hearing my heart beating at the background, feels just that heavy.

[@markjeffers1341]

Thank you Joe and Nic for actually showing the real USA. As I have commented before its very different from what is often portrayed, im in the UK and the depiction of many run down and unloved towns and cities are becoming a much more familiar sight here too. I feel your sadness and frustration at things dying off or simply just not looked after as they once where, it seems value and pride in homes or historic sites is the new normal, and probably is due to the fact everyones just trying to survive now rather than thrive, very sad times.

[@wlf9108]

I live near there and this is nothing new. The south has always been a wasteland in certain areas. The losing side keeps on losing.

[@donaldmilhoan6379]

I was in Selma in 2018. I crossed that Edmund Pettus bridge over the Alabama River.

[@EricBynog-zd4rd]

Good video I use to go Selma Alabama every Christmas to visit and I would go deer hunting I love the city of selma it has a mixed culture but people respect others and they have awesome deer hunting around there lots of wildlife and nice food place downtown Selma now my wife’s grandmother passed in 2012 they sold her old house

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks for sharing your journey, Joe. Greetings from Australia.

[@stephenoshaughnessy2279]

It's up to a cities people to upkeep a town and assure a good future. Selma is falling to the state of the Mississippi Delta.

[@stephenpaul1371]

Every south side of town was the first place when the building started the railroads new building new homes etc just stretch out east west and north of the city but it all started from the south where you still see many old buildings thats was once brand new now in ruins and abandon or boarded up behind the railroads track no restoration for these old buildings but as you go downtown you see the renovation of old buildings restored for business etc .but as you head towards the railroads track you begin too see the depravity of the soutside .and too me the railroads track once you cross them now you in the south side and you just only a a couple of hundred feet from downtown thats beautifully restored

[@luvuLord]

Downtown Selema WAS hit with a devastating tornado earlier this year. That probably caused some of the disrepair.

[@nickmerrick18]

great historical dialogue , the REAL south....thanks

[@stephenhyder4659]

Thank you for this tour.

[@choimdachoim9491]

As large as Selma seems to be as you drive around, I checked and it doesn't have a Home Depot or Lowe's, two great indicators of the condition of that city.