The Empty Towns & Villages of Louisiana - Cross Country Road Trip Day Four / 9 States in 9 Days

[@TheDailyWoo]

Instagram - AdamTheWooATW The continuing journey cross country , state by state . Who’s watched all the episodes of this series so far ?

[@kaffeice7]

sure did , these are my favs, wish they were longer lol

[@ericneumann8509]

I'm counting, so me.

[@kentuckymotorsports9815]

Need to go on the swamp bridge down there.

[@crazychannel1478]

I did love them

[@joannharden8867]

I am! And I love it ❤️ other worldly 😎

[@reverendgrizzly]

I get a little sad watching this series. The blight and decay of small-town America is apparent. That way of life is dying and so are these towns.

[@tallentstravels5727]

grizzly adams Not dying. Dead. If we all keep internet shopping, our bigger cities will soon enough begin to look like this.

[@tugboat25]

@@tallentstravels5727 Interstate highway systems started the death clocks on these towns way before the internet came around.

[@tallentstravels5727]

S C That is absolutely true. But you missed what I said. I’m not talking about the small towns-they’re gone because of the interstate. In my comment above, if you’ll read carefully, I’m talking about our BIGGER cities-the one’s the interstate does NOT bypass. Internet shopping is now killing THEM.

[@christianelzey9703]

Walmart!

[@bigvito69]

no jobs there

[@briquetaverne]

In 2018 a poll came out that said that per capita, Louisiana was the poorest state of the Union and New York state was the richest. Conversely, Louisianans were the happiest of American citizens, while New Yorkers were by far the most unhappy with New Jerseyans a distant second. ...it tells you something perhaps?

[@johnnyreb6823]

New York, where’s that? Lol

[@CaptainMir]

If they are that then why are they this extinct?

[@merrillhess5626]

​@@CaptainMir This video only shows one economically depressed part of the state. It is not representative of the whole state. That stretch of road suffered a hard decline because of the shifting markets and modernization of the cotton, grain, and cattle industries. Overall, the people in this state are generally happy, especially in the southern half. I think part of it is a carryover of living simple lives closely connected to the land. That spirit still lives on, even in the cities.

[@donmiller1304]

The drive through daiquiri stands are a big help.I lived in Ville Platte, loved the town but lots of poor folks,and little work.When the oil field craps out,so does the economy of Louisiana. We would rather buy oil from terrorists I guess.

[@munawarkhan4441]

Money and wealth always give birth to dreams and dreams can't be fulfilled always because it's the law of nature and as a result it bring unhappiness in Human lives.thats my personal view.

[@flaminglaughter]

These towns are still fairly clean and wouldn’t be bad if you wanted a quiet life. I’ll bet a small house wouldn’t cost very much!

[@lewiswereb8994]

You are thinking what I am thinking! Wonderful thought! All you'd need would be a good dependable car or pickup to get to a bigger town to shop or see a doctor, etc.

[@mikejohn0088]

You would be living in the middle of "deliverence"

[@merrillhess5626]

@@mikejohn0088 The people in that part of the state are nothing like Deliverance. Notice the guy who rides by on his bike and greets the narrator? "How you doing this morning?" That is a typical example of the kind of courtesy common among the inhabitants. It is the kind of area where other drivers wave to you as you pass. If you broke down on the roadside, someone would stop soon afterward to help.

[@trevorjameson3213]

@@merrillhess5626 People need to remember that Deliverance was just a hollywood movie. Not reality by any means.

[@LaCatLady]

Merrill Hess ...AND, they’d invite you to their home for a meal or coffee and dessert since you were probably hungry. Good people.

[@allcaps3584]

This is my idea of a vacation - visit the unexpected on the route, rather than going to popular tourists places.

[@georgecummings3227]

All Caps yes don’t be a salmon. Take the road less traveled by that will make all the difference.

[@pittroadsixzeroseven]

Me too.

[@shilohsimpson7028]

You know ya in Louisiana when somebody says Hello to you when you least expect it! Southern hospitality!

[@capfantasy]

I love these videos. There really is so much to see on the back roads. Do a lot more.

[@r.pres.4121]

When I used to drive, I would always take the old two laned state and US routes when travelling. I hated the interstates with their choppy concrete pavements and heavy smelly truck traffic.

[@GoingNutsinTX]

My wife is from Louisiana. It's funny that whenever we go to visit, I enjoy it more than she does.

[@pittroadsixzeroseven]

I love living in Louisiana, we are very kind and talkative.

[@WellseeTheend]

Same here. My Dad was born and raised in LA. I always felt like I was in another country. I loved everything about it. The coolest thing was taking a trip into Opelousas to get fresh meat and seafood. The beef was raised by my grandpa. He had his own beef butchered and stored in a local meat locker. It was also a fresh fish market. It wasn’t right on the coast but it was close enough to where the seafood was just as fresh. It had been caught earlier in the day. I loved the low country. The rice fields. The place where Dad was raised was so beautiful. Big trees covered in Moss. The place was all dirt roads. Still is to this day. There was a few small Catholic Churches in the area. Right across from my fathers home was a Catholic monastery. These were some of the nicest helpful men you ever met.

[@zodinthara7925]

@@WellseeTheend must be nice visitng your wife's folk. I am from India and its my lifelong dream to visit USA and explore the old forgotten town. I' d love more to visit them than the big citues. It is still full of american charm as we perceived. Big cities are same everywhere. You cant really feel the culuture of the inhabitants.

[@jacobb590]

I am from Louisiana. It's funny that whenever we go to visit, my wife enjoys it more than I do.

[@GoingNutsinTX]

@@jacobb590 Now that is funny!! 😆🤣

[@LeAnimal65]

I can just imagine how these little towns looked, say, back in the 1950's, all freshly painted with bustling activity all around. Vital! No longer....

[@pheeshankar4731]

YUP .....WALMART & malls, Chinese cheap labour \ goods...sure pushed a lot of mom & pop business out.... !!✌🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦✌!!

[@ellenrichardson8701]

@@pheeshankar4731 for sure they did!

[@pheeshankar4731]

@@ellenrichardson8701 Absolutely beautiful small towns across north America.. hustling & bustling back in the day...!!👍🇺🇸🇨🇦👍!!

[@chrisjones245]

so its the chinese? i was thinking it was something to do with the Blacks, but im in australia and i dont know much about american history. fascinating

[@pheeshankar4731]

@@chrisjones245 no...maybe I word it wrong...just the cheap labour , materials , everything inside Walmart ,dollar stores , e.t.c. made in China....or imported. Factory's , warehouse's , shutting down... Canada & u.s .. Hard to compete....cheap imported merchandise... as you can see small deserted towns.. Mom & pop stores closed down they use to employ alot of people...folks had work...now Malls closing down evrywhere...everything you need is in a single giant superstores like Walmart...& some issued food stamps are guess what...redeemable @ Walmart....

[@Puns7733]

This i exactly what i want. Quiet ,slowly strolling around places. Observing even the smallest things, Almost therapeutic. I do this in every place i visit around in India.

[@iworkout6912]

As a small boy in the 60's my little town had everything. Supermarkets, shoe stores, hardware, movie theater, you name it. Now all that is left is convenience store/ gas stations, PO, Dollar General, and various doctor/lawyer offices. Everyone drives outside the village and shops at the usual big box stores. Sad.

[@conraddevera]

iworkout it is sad. I guess its ok to trim down (it happens), but hopefully not to a point where it’s barely there

[@brianernst4253]

Thank walmart

[@jimharney1047]

Now Amazon is hurting the big box stores.

[@allthingsfairy]

Some of these towns remind me of the town in Stand By Me. They harken back to simpler times. It makes you wonder about all the different kinds of folks who lived out their quiet lives here! Thanks for sharing, I can’t get enough of these quaint older towns!

[@reginafontenot600]

I live in just a small toen.

[@Bardweiser]

The emptiness of the cities in this video is primarily due to the decline of cotton farming in the 80's and 90's (you may have noticed the remnants of old cotton gins in Clayton and Sicily Island, for example). As the price dropped due to foreign imports and synthetic polymers, many farms went bankrupt (eventually being bought by larger farmers). Those that have survived did so by changing what they farm (most often corn, thanks to the ethanol mandate) and by automating much of their work (which is also a natural outgrowth of a society becoming more advanced). What's left are a smattering of farm owners of varying wealth and clumps of impoverished living off social programs (because there's not enough new money being brought in by such a small handful of producers and little, if any, opportunities to learn skills) surrounding what used to be vibrant and growing municipalities. As farming dried up, farmers left (sold their farms, went bankrupt, got out of farming, etc). Without the foundational money coming into these areas from well-producing farms, those whose living came from ancillary businesses (dry cleaning, drug stores, etc) were forced to move as well. The one-two punches of these two aspects coming so close together ended up stranding many of the low and no-skilled workers who would traditionally have worked these farms in order to earn a living. They quickly found themselves in a situation where they either stayed and survived off the certainty of social programs or they moved to some place where there might only be the possibility of a job (and if there wasn't, they were truly hosed). As time has gone by many eventually did move (which is why places Wisner and Fort Necessity are so desolate) but others have stayed. Those staying often become trapped in generational dependence on the social system (see: Ferriday). These areas could be ripe for people whose definition of "getting away from it all" is defined by plenty of low-traffic highway infrastructure and zero commerce within over a dozen miles and they can be found all over the South to varying degrees. Safe travels!

[@cajun_and_zydeco_music]

Very astute observations.

[@dam4274]

Thanks Bill. I’m from Houma and although Houma and Terrebonne parish are doing well, there are the occasional house and commercial building that are closed and/or abandoned. It’s sad to see basically an entire town shuttered like these are.

[@WootTootZoot]

Twenty five years ago there were tiny villages in China that were nothing more than tin shacks and mud floors. Now, because of the cheap labor, and cheap products that China produces, those villages are giant cities with millions of people living in them.

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

I have to agree. A lot of people in the south join the military to get out of there. It's sad because the land is so beautiful, but there's no economic spark to get anything going. Especially now that we're a service based economy which requires skill and high education instead of land or resources.

[@lewisdoherty7621]

I'm glad you brought some sense into blaming Walmart and imports and everything else. Agriculture has over the years become far more mechanized and efficient. The reason the businesses are gone is because the population it serviced is gone. Farms have consolidated. Now only two-percent of our population is involved in agriculture. The parallel roads are found through many small towns. They allow cars to park and then leave businesses without backing onto the main high speed highway. Years ago when these businesses were busy, they functioned similar to the parallel access roads off an interstate highway.

[@ronbutler9961]

YES BACK TO THE PAST THIS IS THE OLD WOO WE LOVE TKS ADAM

[@craigbrowning9448]

"Shunk-Ka-Kunk-A-Kunk-Kumk!

[@jesusisdahomie5348]

I would like to thank you for this. While I live in California, I still appreciate that area of Northeast Louisiana, because that is where I an from. Ferriday and those town where busy areas back in the day. I am from Monroe, La. I can remember Friday night High School football games at Ferriday! They were in our district. Most people would laugh and poke fun, at least growing up we didn't lock our front doors at night! Great people also!

[@moondawg3693]

Nobody is laughing pal, most who got to experience small town life in America, are crying right now. We had paradise and we gave it away.

[@richardclark870]

D

[@bramblebrook]

How long ago was that? Since it was busy? Thanks

[@pittroadsixzeroseven]

What happened to the town of Ferriday?

[@floydvaughn836]

@@pittroadsixzeroseven what happened every where. Drugs and WalMart.

[@robertlowe1249]

love seeing these old small towns. memories as a child in the 60's

[@refillingthecup6750]

These little, old towns are much more interesting than a big city!

[@cgpcgp3239]

Lol! Watch The Last Picture Show.

[@toreybreaux5501]

Sad thing is that the towns he showed in this video are all prison towns. Who in their right mind would actually want to live near a prison? I'm from Louisiana and I sure in the heck don't want to live near a prison.

[@Nobody-yp9ri]

Yeah love that every small town vibes like i watch on movie. Wish someday i fly and travel across the USA :) It's my dream to live and breathe in air of American small towns since i was a child. I'm from Indonesia

[@billturner8377]

I BEEN TO LOUISIANA. IM SORRY BUT THE STATE IS A BAD JOKE. CORRUPTION CRIME PEOPLE LIVING IN 100 YR OLD HOUSES. SCAMMERS THIEVES PICKPOCKETS TRAPS SO THEY CAN ROB YOU\ NO THANKS

[@TickleMeElmo55]

@@cgpcgp3239 That's a movie, not reality.

[@RhettyforHistory]

The Sicily Island watertower looked like a hidden Mickey! I'm loving this back road series!

[@southernharleyrider1971]

After spending 23years in the Navy, 1st thing I did was to move back to my small town. Kids loved it and it's both me and my wife's hometown. We love it!

[@503945158]

Where is it?

[@southernharleyrider1971]

@@503945158 a small town

[@56cadd]

@@503945158 ,why..are you a mo.?

[@saunsiaraybroussard9967]

I love Louisiana very much! The small towns are still thriving! Just because some of the buildings aren't there anymore/closed down and doesn't mean nobody lives there anymore! I have family still living throughout Louisiana even now! Beautiful cats! I love the Bridges!

[@danielschwartz1228]

I live in Morehouse Parish and my mom was born in Tensas Parish. Anyone from Louisiana knows there's a world of difference between north and south.

[@jdubyaadams170]

Daniel Schwartz indeed! I'm from S'port/ Rodessa but have lived in Metarie and Baton Rouge and there is a difference between North and South!

[@johnnyreb6823]

It’s like night and day..

[@LaGrandeBayou]

Correct and specifically the dividing line is generally around Baton Rouge as an LSU professor once pointed out. The reason being because from Baton Rouge northward you begin getting into Baptist Methodist and more Protestant populations. From BR going Southits entirely Catholic parishes.

[@TheCreativetrailers]

It's like different countries. I'm from up North and could never live here. It seems.....well, let's just say it's a nice place to visit but very run down and the people still call us yankees. Like driving into another century...interesting.videos though

[@abdulwahidburhani9245]

North and South Louisiana or US?

[@niallkennedy_]

Definitely going to travel the back roads more often, I'm really fascinated with the history of small towns and the people that lived in them.

[@keitholiver2831]

Village of Gilbert sign mentioned it was the home of Claire Chennault. He started & commanded the famous WW2 fighter squadron The Flying Tigers.

[@Fortnitekid1427-o5k]

KELLI2L2 man, holding that thumbs up to a high standard

[@saintsfanbudman]

He could have also pointed out that Ferriday La was the birthplace of "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis, and his cousin Jerry Swaggart. Their other cousin Mickey Gilley grew up across the river in Natchez.

[@nancyslovensky25]

Small towns gave us many hero’s like Audie Murphy, Dwight Eisenhower both from small towns in Texas Omar Bradley from a small town in MO. And John Glenn from small town in Ohio from a really small town in West Virginia came Chuck Yeager who broke the sound barrier

[@garymills6702]

I noticed that too! He was fighting the Japanese in China before Pearl Harbour I beieve.

[@merrillhess5626]

@@garymills6702 Yes, the Flying Tigers were an all volunteer force. They were not officially part of the U.S. military, more of an auxiliary. They were defending China against the Japanese invasion prior to our entry into the War.

[@geraldcamarillo2939]

These nostalga videos are my favorite. Ty adam.

[@phillipseifert694]

I was born in Louisiana and have always loved visiting these rusty little towns Thanks for doing this ... it was lovely

[@jimfinan9132]

Precious lives were here, and must be remembered.

[@johnnyb7226]

i was born and raised in ferriday, la. i used to have a paper route that traveled all those towns.

[@digalittle]

I remember when Brocato's restaurant was THE place to eat.

[@missprimrose4132]

he's goofy isn't he?

[@Scorpio_Moonshine]

@JohnnyB, did you know any families from St. Joseph?

[@LB-pg3no]

Really JohnnyB, oh really!

[@jonglewongle3438]

A paper route in that place. Toong. Clump. " Thanks, kid. ". Let me guess. That job is long since buggered.

[@SmoakinThrills]

This is what I look forward to every morning this week so far.

[@madonnawayne4130]

There has always been a "Push and Pull" on the young to leave the farm. Opportunity does not grow in the cotton fields, except for the owner. Individuality is not cherished in the hard labor necessary to seed, weed, and harvest the next crop. My mother lived on a farm outside Philadelphia; the big city was the Mecca drawing her from a life of dawn to dusk work. In 1918 her mother's body was thrown in the back of a horse drawn cart and buried in a common grave of Flu victims. That week her step father sent her to the the fine house of the county district attorney. Her wages were the property of her step father. Time passes. The city beckoned. She left with nothing and no one The empty streets and bedraggled stores are not romantic. Individuaity is not conducive to the farming community. The demise of these towns is due to many causes, from individual striving for a better position in society, as well as, outside forces, like the railroads, the world wars, military service, interstate highway system, the automobile, unsustainable small farms, and the more recent, big box stores, etc. Thus, the "Push and Pull" mechanisms are in motion.

[@mucsalto8377]

thanks for an "non-romantic" comment and your explanation. Very refreshing after all these " oh. so sorry" comments.

[@tamtmf]

I live in Central Louisiana, near No Man's Land in Vernon Parish. There's tons of tiny towns and even a couple of villages in my area. If you're ever in my neighborhood, check out the Village of Fisher. It's a very tiny village in Sabine Parish. I think the population is around 200 or so. And if you ever want to see the history of logging in Louisiana you should check out Leesville and or DeRidder La. They are two cities that started from the logging industry, and two historical spots in the area are the old KCS train stations turned into museums. They showcase a lot of history, especially Native American memorabillia from the Natives that lived in the area.

[@joeyfloridaguy573]

I’m loving this series!! I hope one day you do a lengthy journey. These are the videos that made me a fan of yours. Have a safe journey sir.

[@margaretjones2055]

Love you he old buildings plenty near me with dates on them the architecture was also different then

[@nashscan]

So sad to see these small towns with the old businesses boarded up. Life has changed for better or for worse. I am part of it, ordering this and that thru Amazon Prime.

[@tallentstravels5727]

Preston Holland Mark it: Our bigger cities will SOON begin to look just like this.

[@crazychannel1478]

yeah it sure is love from NC

[@lisa9867]

Where I live there are very few stores. You have to travel by car at least 30 minutes. Sometimes I order and pickup like at Walmart but sometimes I just order from Amazon and get it shipped to my house. I still like to buy clothes and shoes in the store but then I have to travel at least 30 minutes to get to any decent clothing stores. Also, a lot of stores will ship to you for free if they don't have your size or color in stock. JJill used to do that but now they charge for shipping even if you order in the store. Also, the salespeople weren't exactly pleasant to deal with.

[@shibbershabber]

The decline was complete before Amazon was a thing. Back in the 90s, my dad was a sales manager for an equipment co and during the summers I would travel with him all over the south while he called on mills Many of these small towns were running on empty back then. I remember one trip thru this area going from Natchez to Shreveport and thinking about these small towns wondering how anyone was able to live there and what they all did (I was ignorant of the welfare system back then)... it blew my mind looking out the window at these places that obviously held some significance in the past but were boarded up now Since then I have seen many more towns like that from Ferriday, LA to Chilloquin, OR... many towns get stuck in the past for whatever reason. Many factors I suppose depending on what made your town exist whether farming, oil, manufacturing, logging, etc Environmentalists shutting down lumber and paper mills, outsourcing killing manufacturing towns.... as a nation we have sold our souls. It’s sad. People think technology is/was the answer... like Biden telling coal miners to learn coding, wtf. How long until coding work is outsourced into oblivion like thee manufacturing jobs of the past that will never come back? Like toasters and TVs.... We have prioritized what is cheap and easy over what is right and sustainable. I’d rather pay $20 for a toaster made here than $10 for one from China. I’d rather see 1000 owner/operators that a single trucking company with 1000 trucks What is the cost of generations living on welfare vs low/no interest small business loans or tax breaks/forgiveness for startups and small companies, etc Our own policies are killing us and impoverishing us... no one is immune. Many areas of big cities look like Ferriday.. you don’t have to be backwoods rural to experience this. Future governments will allow the selling out of current industries as well... no one is truly safe from the fate

[@FatherBrain]

Ahhh, a paper map... You're the last of a dying breed my friend.

[@darrylpowell8247]

Still got my RAND MCNALLY large scale and laminated.👌🏾

[@wownewstome6123]

I'm keeping my paper maps. It takes just one day without access to the web to cause a lot of people to wind up lost.

[@LunaCryptic]

In Ferriday, that street was named for Mickey Gilley who owned a famous night club in Houston, TX. He also had two cousins, one Jimmy Swaggert, a preacher of a large church in Baton Rouge, and of course, famous rock and roller Jerry Lee Lewis. All three are from Ferriday.

[@lyonsmt11]

My wife and I are from this area of North Louisiana. I grew up in Mangham and my wife in Winnsboro. She was born in Gilbert. These were bustling little towns when cotton was king but there were no plans for the future. I have a few good memories and not-so-good ones too.

[@ermanmartin5032]

Who is you're wife I am from gilbert Iay know her. My name is dewayne martin

[@lyonsmt11]

@@ermanmartin5032 My wife is Sandra "Gayle Tolliver" Lyons. Her dad (DV) was principal at the old Martin High School in Sicily Island.

[@norcalvandweller8401]

Good Morning Adam I have to tell you I love your backroads tours so much I have been finding myself looking forward to them and going straight to YT to log in and watch before starting my days They are over too quickly though IMO Seeing small town America is just wonderful, thank you for your tours

[@ToyAddict]

Ferriday was the home of the three cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis. Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley.

[@jalextiff]

Toy-Addict the wife of one of the Warner Brothers was from there as well.

[@rhelob]

Yes, I saw a street sign that had Mickey Gilley's name on it. Had to look closely because it was partially blocked by the cross street sign.

[@johnnyreb6823]

And don’t forget Howard K. Smith..

[@LeaderofThePack303]

If it has that many notable people then why is this poor town being treated as a third class city. I mean they are giving every business to freaking New Orleans and Baton Rouge, this is just a slap in the face towards Ferriday in my opinion.

[@johnnyreb6823]

It’s an old part of an old farm town..Can you not hear the traffic on the four-lane highway right behind him?!

[@stumpdavisofficial8629]

There’s lots of cool stuff here in Louisiana

[@josephperkins4080]

Yes there is bro there is

[@jacksonogwindi1653]

I miss it, never thought I would say those words

[@josephperkins4080]

@@jacksonogwindi1653 i kinda wamt to move back home to Louisiana..bht to one of those empty towns just pick a house and move in 😁

[@olivespeppers4234]

the ghost towns look 100% better than Los Angeles. my view

[@jessem7556]

2 bedroom 2 bath 970 sq ft in Compton, Ca $450K. Straight Out Of Compton.

[@cedricliggins7528]

These videos are so inspiring. I'm gonna buy me an abandoned town! Tired of city life and it's concrete jungles.

[@c.w.johnsonjr6374]

Just like Field of Dreams

[@miketroj3728]

These videos really need to be preserved on the Internet Archive.

[@linscott74]

Ah yes, Highway 15. I traveled that road many times going from Monroe to Baton Rouge when I was at LSU. Mangham and Sicily Island were and are notorious speed traps. My mom was born and raised in Sicily Island.

[@wallbanger1968]

Mangham has even snagged child star Corey Feldman and his band

[@gloriadouglas5968]

Island 🏝️

[@seanbeard7558]

I've been watching you for years. Discovered through the horror movie locations. These past few videos of deserted areas is by far my favorite thing you've done. Keep it up, Woo!

[@rmikeljr]

You should have met a gentleman named Harold Stephens while in Wisner. He has a scale model of the entire town of it's heyday.. When it had 3 car dealerships, several clothing stores, movie theater, etc.. Even over my 46 years of love I've seen our little town go from a thriving, bustling community to what it is today. But the one constant is and always will be the close knit people who still call it home.

[@wallbanger1968]

Perhaps somebody from Wisner should make a video talking about what businesses used to be in each location.

[@matthewchoder655]

The thing is, being from Georgia. There is real magic in these small towns that can only be truly felt if you grew up in one. Nostalgia and the quiet can be nice. Very nice.

[@johnmarctaylor3673]

The Sicily Island water tower reminded me of the old Tower at Disney MGM Studios!

[@jalextiff]

John Marc Taylor ironic you have Buc-ee beaver for your image. 5 miles down the road from Sicily Island is my home town of Harrisonburg is the birth place for the idea of Buc-Ees. Arch Aplin the 3rds family still lives in the area. The idea come from a old store his grandparents had in town in the early 1900’s. I live on the old Aplin home place my grandparents bought from his grandparents.

[@dombutler7685]

I bet it is nice and relaxing out on the open road, meandering through those small towns! There sure are a lot of old buildings I would love to own, maybe one day!

[@countables]

One interesting thing I've noticed is that all of the grass is not overgrown and seems to be maintained.

[@kevinmartin173]

It's a weird type of crabgrass that just doesn't grow very high it grows out flat and long so it looks like it's low to the ground but it's not maintained at all that's just what it looks like

[@leeduffeh4176]

lawnmower man true detective season 1.

[@countables]

@@kevinmartin173 Ah! The mystery is solved!

[@bombercommand7187]

Goats

[@EliSunday]

"How you doing this morning" from a stranger, you will never hear that in any big city.

[@thedelusionisreal]

Yes you do but the the other person will usually ignore your greeting.

[@SuperMommav]

The correct response is “fine n you?” LOL YW from GA

[@cgpcgp3239]

James Bond wrong. I hear it in my big city neighborhood from people just walking through. Yes people respond in kind.

[@WILLIAMCHANEL]

Everyone in New Orleans says it with great frequency to strangers.

[@Martin-88]

You won't hear it in a big city because it's impossible to greet all of the hundreds of thousands of people you pass on your way to work!

[@franceinegelven677]

This man is beautiful human being. Takes me back to our sweeter kinder times👍

[@relevant.c5411]

the dude who built or owns that very unique vehicle knows exactly what days we are living. Praise God!

[@drfalcon4102]

A National Food Store,, Havent seen one of them since I was a kid in Il,, 1964

[@conniecrawford5231]

Thanks for documenting these little towns before they disappear.

[@teddibayer]

Your musings about the people in these small towns is exactly what I imagine when I go through small towns, and watching your videos. I imagine an imaginary person living out their lives, making choices, with their hopes and dreams, and then disappearing, leaving everything behind.

[@richardgalid1161]

About 40 years ago I went to USL( Now UL) in Lafayette. I took a Greyhound from New Orleans . I paid a visit recently. Driving this time. One of the most fascinating observation that I made was that time has stood still for some of the places in Louisiana .Some places were abandoned and yet others renewed . But some things stayed the same.I love LA.

[@helgabullabong]

My Columbo like skills tell me that Mr Woo's Christmas gifts this year were a long sleeved stripey top, new sunglasses and new sneakers. Am I right? Lol

[@francinescott5686]

LOL, Hitcock would be prrrrrroud!

[@TR-Mead]

Adam, thank you for giving an un-opinionated view of parts of our country people in metro areas never get to experience. After moving from a large city in Louisiana, I graduated high school in a town in Alabama that didn't even have a stop light. The relatives on my Dad's side of the family in Mississippi, their towns didn't even have paved roads growing up and still don't to this day. The interstate highway system caused the deaths of all these small towns.

[@desrondiamondnetwork3324]

I'm in Long Beach Calif. I find these videos fascinating. It's hard to believe these towns still exist. I would like to actually live in one of these towns. Thanks again for your amazing videos

[@ladonalivengood2530]

I live in a small town in Southwest Georgia and Love it. I am from California

[@Kingsta504]

Try Greensburg Louisiana

[@Kingsta504]

You tube it

[@Qsv7RQ3ovB]

I really love watching this kind of traveling clip to somewhere old town that used to be a nice community for old times people that friendly and care of each other This is something that's true documentary and are to be kept in the library of the town for new generation to learn what had happened in their home town long .long time ago.💕👌👍

[@loveaodai100]

Very interesting. While a bit depressing... the beautiful sunny weather on this day helped. One nice thing is that the places shown here were very clean as if everything had been swept before making the video. And thumbs up to the cheery guy riding that bicycle who gave you a warm greeting!

[@Bsam28a]

Like all the water towers. Seems like every town has one.

[@whaszis]

On long road trips to Cali in the forties, as kids, we always looked for the next water tower, indicating that the monotony of the highway would be broken for just awhile.

[@777jones]

Some say people need water. What are your thoughts?

[@ladytron9188]

Why do they have water towers in the USA.Im from the U.K. we don’t have any here.They seem to be an hallmark of the USA.

[@treebuck]

@@ladytron9188 The height of the tank provides pressure to bring potable water to the village residents.

[@ladytron9188]

treebuck thanks😀👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pikiwiki]

Gilbert Louisiana, home of Claire Chennault, founder of the Flying Tigers

[@charlietrain]

Adam, as you go through these small towns I have always had the same though as you. These stores were someone's dream, business, legacy etc. I always think " what would they think if you told them that in the future it would be this state" My grandfather ran a general store in a tiny community for 40 years from the 40's to the 80's when he sold it. It eventually closed after the building burned to the ground one cold morning. I have pictures and memories of it.

[@rollawy]

most of the time when a person dies so does there business..

[@randyb5579]

Thank you; this was fantastic. I grew-up in Louisiana, and have now lived in NYC for 20 years; and boy this took me back to the small town days of the 1970's to late 80's. I do miss those stretches of seemingly endless road while driving, where it was just me, open fields and the occasional passing train. Great post!

[@geoffreydevore9503]

Are you crazy, living in NYC! I know they have great paying jobs compared to small towns, and a lot more to do, which i understand. To bad smaller towns in America couldn't re invent themselves!!

[@kurstyk9767]

Do you regret leaving? I’m 21 and was born and raised in a very small town in LA. Leaving the state seems like it would be amazing maybe once I graduate college.

[@philiplettley]

You summed up my thoughts exactly. Sad but also fascinating at the same time. Loving the series. Keep up the good work

[@jamesb.492]

A slow drive thru of the whole village before showing more detail would be interesting. It's just so fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@1758pk]

There's nothing like taking back roads.

[@karlmiller2417]

I guess you were on a schedule. But, it would have been interesting to have brief interviews with elderly people who grew up in these towns (If you could find them)

[@larryrowe7433]

Thanks for showing all these old places I love it

[@inlimbo6019]

i'm Scottish and i love seeing old America like this,thanks for the videos,wishing you all the best from Scotland

[@cyberash3000]

1911. such a young town. my town was a settlement 12000 years ago, and was first recognised as a "village" in 1094 lol its now a town but its nearly 1000 years old as a recognised township/villageship, and many 1000s of years as a settlement, we still find bits from ancient times here

[@newtfigton8795]

Do you live in a European or Asian country?

[@cyberash3000]

@@newtfigton8795 I live in the uk. The only country that matters

[@timberwolfpowler8747]

I've talked to so many people that think America is crowded and unsustainable crop-wise. I tell them travel by car and bypass Interstates and see that just aint so. I love my road trips some very much into the past. You cannot know where you are until you know where you've been. Nice Vids-Well Done!

[@TheDailyWoo]

That’s a great quote

[@timberwolfpowler8747]

@@TheDailyWoo Thanks & bless you in your travels.

[@passholder_trav]

God, I love this series when you do it! Find myself “Jonesing” for the next video! It’s a legitimate excitement. Just like someone waiting on baited breath, for the next episode of whatever their favorite show is. Great work Adam! Love, love, love this series! 👍👌

[@coobay978]

I was born in Louisiana and lived here all my life. At 66 and all the vacations I've taken all over the country it's about time I visit my own back yard. Thanks for the video and the interest you sparked in me to check out my own state's past and forgotten.

[@edwardmounsey9208]

Reminds me of my hometown, a mining town of about 600 people. Only industry was the mine. All buildings were built with wood. Mine closed mostly gone now. Great memories. Thanks for posting, great series.

[@bonniekaye]

Loved this! Simpler times. Would love to slip back in time for a bit! 🌷

[@joannharden8867]

Me too but only like 5 minutes

[@bonniekaye]

@@joannharden8867 🌷👍☺

[@federal6616]

my dad introduced me to an Atlas. People forgot about those too.

[@DivergentDroid]

Yeah.. family of big guys holding up worlds.. nice folk but not very talkative.

[@donnicholas7552]

Loved the old Coke ad on the building, at the end!

[@RedNekTiger]

I grew up in Winnsboro in the 70s and 80s. Great small town to grow up in. I shopped in some of those buildings particularly Wisner and Gilbert, along with Winnsboro of course. Many a movie at the Princess Theater on Main Street. I have been gone for years, but whenever I go back, it just feels like home and that time has stood still. Thank you for being respectful of the area.

[@TEXASLOYAL]

I have a good friend that lived in Winnsboro, Steve Lowe, we went to high school together, Goldonna

[@cindywallace1954]

Omgosh.. My grandfather owned a store in Sicily Island in the 60’s and early seventies. I can see it on the strip. Brings back so many memories.

[@jennymisteqq695]

You should’ve grabbed that fella and asked what he was doing. You never know, he might’ve invited you to eat supper with his family and they stories we’d hear!

[@MrPeterquinn]

jenny misteqq yes he should have interviewed him. I think he purposely avoids interactions.

[@jimtownsend7899]

I couldn't help noticing at 10:24 that The Village of Gilbert was the Home of Claire Chennault. Most folks nowadays don't recall that name, but if I were to say "Flying Tigers", some would remember. Claire Lee Chennault, though born in Commerce, Texas, grew up in Louisiana before joining the Army. He went on to be the founder and leader of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), which consisted of pilots flying in a war we had not yet entered, that being the Japanese conquest of much of the Far East prior to World War II being declared. Aside from cargo planes, the AVG flew mainly the P-40 Warhawk fighter planes, with that now famous shark mouth design on the nose of the planes. Although the Japanese airplanes, particularly the Zero, were superior in capability, the Flying Tigers were able to wreak significant damage and losses on the Japanese. Seems somewhat poignant that General Chennault is acknowledged on a little sign in a little town; one dead and the other dying. At least through the efforts and adventures of Adam the Woo, some of us are able to notice and pay tribute.

[@ijuggle42]

I noticed it too and mentioned it in lesser detail farther up. Good eye!

[@ermanmartin5032]

I grew up in Gilbert. I know the exact location of the chenault home. My family farmed their land at one time. Gilbert was a thriving town at one time.still go back there some times. Miss those days.

[@crippledcrow2384]

Ferriday was hometown of Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley too. I know this video wasn't meant for a history lesson but dang.

[@Country_boy-sz3bn]

He was actually raised in waterproof Louisiana in tensas parish

[@LouMontana-wc7nr]

Sam Kinison (comedian) said it all in one word, "Samsonite!". "Get a Samsonite suitcase and move!" I grew up in one of those dying towns and I hated it.

[@abcsandoval]

Lou, out of curiosity, what was it like? I can't imagine waking up and nothing to do, see or anything. What do people do there?

[@LouMontana-wc7nr]

@@abcsandoval, The town shown in the video is much larger than the one I lived in. I lived with my grandparents on their small ranch in central Idaho. The population was 250 people and everyone knew your business. I had an old pickup and a collection of guns. I was into hunting, playing basketball, and reading about faraway places. Winters were pure hell because there were no computers back then or even a radio station where we lived. The television got two channels and the TV was black and white. I became excellent at throwing darts and shooting guns. Twentyone graduating seniours and it was the largest class in nearly thirty years. First grade through high school was taught in an old school that had been added onto three or four times but was it not much larger than the average church. There was a cute blond girl and her and I dated and all we did was park and make out. The day I graduated I packed my truck and left and traveled the Northwest and eventually moved to Salt Lake City. Twenty years later I moved back to Montana and went to work for a Canadian Mining company traveled till my heart's content. I lived all over the United States doing tunnels and mining. NYC to Seattle to Atlanta to California, Alaska, Canada, and Central America. Hundreds of places on mountains, through mountains, under large cities, under rivers, three-hour bus rides to get to work, to living in man camps for several months at a time. I retired in a town of ninety thousand, I have a small condo and land in the mountains. I am nice to my neighbors and keep to myself. This country has changed since I left my grandparent's ranch in 1978. People use to be friendly, helpful, and kind. Now everyone is greedy and into themselves. This country has regressed into a savage world where people are quick to lash out and seek revenge. I walk my dogs through the woods with passing thoughts of beautiful women I have known, the incredible places I have seen, and thank GOD I did it. Traveling is the single greatest education you can ever get. Life is to damn short to be stuck in a small town.

[@pittroadsixzeroseven]

I bet you miss it, I love towns like these in Louisiana. I am from Lafayette. I would love to vacation there to get away from the noise. Lafayette has grown so much and I don’t like it. I forget where I am with so much growth.

[@LouMontana-wc7nr]

@@pittroadsixzeroseven, if you are content then that is a beautiful thing.

[@joey686811]

Don't know if I have watched all of the states but it is inspiring that even in the evacuation or transformation that the Flag still flies proud everywhere. God Bless America .

[@L2L2L2-2]

It’s always nice to see other’s reactions to my state.

[@markshelton5321]

Makes me wonder if overcrowding, lack of affordable housing, and desire for higher quality of life will one day motivate Millinials to revitalize and gentrify these towns to former glory as they work online anywhere...

[@andrewzenn1719]

Gotta have good internet, and close to an Amazon hub.

[@onebackzach]

Unfortunately I don't think that will happen. There's not enough jobs in those towns, and well paying online jobs aren't easy to find. In my city, there's buildings like the ones in the video that have been converted into kitschy antique stores and stuff, but that's only because there's jobs nearby and people in the area can afford stuff like that. I hope that these towns can be revitalized, but I don't see it happening

[@sweetdst701]

Google or Amazon needs to open a distribution center in Wisner

[@andrejlorenci1478]

When True Values ruled, those cities were calmly thriving.

[@kimberlyshalaby1134]

It almost seems like people disappeared from these little towns.

[@wallbanger1968]

They almost have

[@turtleworld3208]

Only bc the welfare recipients took them over

[@turtleworld3208]

@Kristie C The old people died the welfare rats moved in their houses then voted other welfare rats in local offices took over the city council and police and ran the towns into the ground. State has to step in most cases and fix finances and root out the corruption. Smart good people took their children and moved out of town to rural areas. This has happened throughout the south. Don't believe me come and see for yourself its appalling. Public schools are run by the students and drugs. Teachers have all quit all the good teachers anyway. Your probably from the north somewhere but don't worry this problem is heading your way soon next few decade. America has fallen

[@Mister006]

@@turtleworld3208 stand on stolen land paid for again with stolen oil and complain about welfare rats...

[@turtleworld3208]

@@Mister006 You're a very weak minded person, Let me give you history lesson. Land cannot be stolen, it can either bought or conquered. For tens of thousands of years on every continent the strongest tribes in Africa took the most sought after land. In Europe the battles were fierce and land changed hands continuously. in my families native country of mexico we fought for our land. in the middle east they've been fighting since the beginning and still fighting over land today. Stop posting nonsense and get an education and a job before the modern world leaves you behind.

[@tex1944]

I have really enjoyed your visits on the different communities you traveled thru. Brings back memories thank you.

[@TrapperJohn72]

Absolutely love your videos. No trendiness no bull no silly loud music, just showing us as it is, extremely watchable. I'm from London & I travel to the states twice a year, mostly visit National Parks. Your videos have given me some great ideas for some Road trips. Thank you very much.

[@selrod55]

I was surprised to see that Zenith Color tv sign. That's an era long gone. TV repair shops and does Zenith even exist anymore?

[@tugboat25]

That was a nice looking sign (I'm not even into signs but I noticed it!).

[@TheDailyWoo]

That’s the stuff I look for . So good

[@gavanhillebold3131]

They moved to Mexico a long time ago and don’t know what happened after that

[@phillipdennis8911]

selrod55 it looking alike dead downtown as no body up there alike emptying and gone. I quest lot people were moved out by cause hurricanes . It looking alike Smokey’s gun on the west.

[@catsbyondrepair]

The repair is so bloody easy now just change the board.

[@adventuresintvland]

It is really sad to see so many older businesses now closed.

[@freebrickproductions]

Yea, 6:41 is a siren. Likely used by the fire department to call volunteers in the event of a fire. For those curious, it's a Federal Signal Model 7.

[@lisacarey856]

Well done you know without these videos we wouldn't know what's going on in these towns I love these kinds of videos brings us up to date on history it's really sad to see no one there and it's not thriving at all!!!🙄🙏😎🌴😱

[@nathanfirmin4960]

Awesome tour! Lived in LA 20 yrs. You really captured the essence of bypassed small town Louisiana.

[@lisapratt166]

Goes to show there’s no over crowding in small towns just the cities.

[@RonFromFla]

You're right, but it's sad to see how many of these awesome little towns just disappear.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Largely to thanks to outfits like Wall-Mart. Now the Wall-Marts are being Eclipsed by Amazon.

[@tallentstravels5727]

Craig Browning Walmart has nothing to do with it. Our insistence on the interstate highway system is what killed these towns. Have you ever seen the movie, “Cars?”

[@onefatstratcat]

@@craigbrowning9448 Soon we will all have to shop online at TrumpMart and live in little bubble houses that we never leave

[@HDVisionsMedia]

There's people that own 8,000+ acre ranches. You can buy 100+ acres with a house on it for under $200k in rural pennsylvania. Over population is a myth and is only seen in the cities for sure.

[@deathvalley1592]

Very interesting series. I would like to see more like this. GREETINGS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA!!!

[@Acrophobia1981]

Guy - "How you doing this morning?" Adam - "Hello" Guy - "OK"

[@TheDailyWoo]

Haha

[@gregbeard1744]

Adam got nervous

[@BoshiYoshi]

Happens to me too. Whenever someone pops out of nowhere unexpectedly and says something like that to me, it startles me and I just reflexively say hello or hey because because I wasn't expecting someone to talk to me all of a sudden. Also hard to make conversation with someone when they're riding or walking past you while asking.

[@justenjoy8459]

Man I love your videos....instead of touring big cities you go to abandoned small towns and villages of country side it gives us lotsa info and knowledge..thanks man.👍

[@igavehimadollar3354]

I’m an Aussie and i love these videos man I’d really love to see your beautiful country . Watchin these makes me realise the age difference and size of population between our countries thanks so much