Uncovering an abandoned Tobacco Ghost Town from the early 1900's

[@sunlightangel87]

That dog was way too friendly and comfortable around humans to be abandoned and didn't want/need much water. Definitely an outdoor pet someone is caring for. also went back the way he came so probably has a home. But you and your team are very sweet to animals, so thank you for offering water. What a beautiful old town this must have been in its heyday.

[@kevinfitz8516]

a quick cursory look at google earth will tell you there are farm houses near by this old ghost town

[@gabrielajimenez6508]

I never been there in the 1st place. And 2nd, I wanna go there one day.@@kevinfitz8516

[@MistyPhantom]

The dog isn't skinny, she's actually at a decent weight. Can't see any protruding bones. And given her friendly demeanor I would assume she's someone's pet who just has free roam. Not uncommon in the south, my dad lives in the deep country of North Carolina and it's very common for dogs to live completely outside, they run around and approach people, but they know where their homes are and don't wander too far. With that being said I really HOPE she's not abandoned. Given the fact that people are feeding the cats she probably does have contact with other humans in some way, shape or form.

[@Kayr76]

I grew up in the country around Knoxville, TN. We let our dogs run free with no collars, but they came home and mom served them our left over delicacies.

[@JPGStrokeys]

Ok

[@wildestcowboy2668]

That's a lie

[@juliaeberle8576]

Agree. The dog looks happy and healthy, not abandoned.

[@nanachick05]

Dog is a good weight, he’s not starving he looks good. No fat at all, which is good for a pit.

[@gmdhargreaves]

Wow great vidya, I live in an building in Ackworth that dates from 1810, the gutters over flowed recently and the guy that cleaned them found coins from 1850 to 1875, it amazes me how YOUNG THE USA IS!

[@AbandonedNorthJersey]

This place died out around 1985 according to a former resident . I was so fascinated by it I scoured the web for more info . I remember seeing places like this when I first started driving in the early 1980s in upstate new york and even New Jersey where I grew up that still had residents and are no longer there or the same . Really cool video

[@movieedge7370]

Definitely all those brick buildings are made to last that’s good craftsmanship right there

[@aurinkobay7118]

yeah better than made in china crap of today

[@Fektthis]

those bricks are dead. those buildings are unusable and have been for a while. their are brick structures in Italy that are nearly 2000 years old and in Egypt that are twice that. that made it a century at best of being usable

[@maevemaiden]

Omg the dog is so friendly. I want to bring him home . This was beautifully captured. I can just hear that old radio playing while people mill about while buying a newspaper and sit outside the barber shop and stop at the gas station with the little bell that used to go ding ding when a car pulled up♥

[@johnjohnon8767]

Reminds me of the scene in .the beginning of the postman

[@kingdommoney4739]

Repent don't say God name in vain

[@positively_broad_st3780]

So many commenters here are totally clueless about rural living. It's very common for country folks to let their pets roam free. The dog looks fine and happy and likely lives nearby. He can certainly find its way back home easily. It's bizarre how many of you are advocating straight-up kidnapping the dog and dropping it off at a shelter. Don't meddle in things you don't understand...

[@MinaOmega]

Growing up, my dogs never had a leash, but my ass better start back by the time the 6 o'clock siren started. XD

[@katbot2190]

It's good to see young folk like yourself who appreciates the past. I wish a lot of the way things were, was still here. I seemed simpler then, not like now where we are told to hate each other. Pretty dog

[@MinaOmega]

Pretty sure people were told to hate each other even more so back then. Segregation was a thing. Some people would like to see it brought back.

[@darrenchilds5034]

Town was literally built on racism

[@gabrielajimenez6508]

the town shall be preverved . And the dog shall be petted and cared for.

[@BikesNThings]

I grew up just down the road from this place in Chase City. Plenty of intersections out in the country just like this around that-way. That whole region of south side Virginia was once the wealthiest part of the state, and the whole south really up until the turn of the 20th century (1900s), so there's a lot of this kind of stuff around.. The original Randolph Macon college is down the road out in the woods if you know where to look, but it's gonna go soon if it hasn't already. Sadly that boom for this region ended long before my lifetime. It's been seeing significant development in the past few years though. Great motorcycle riding out there too, miss it! Great video, I hope it blows up!

[@vdubskiee5356]

dope, thanks for sharing! 98 r1 pilot my self lol

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Why will it go soon?

[@greymarket6834]

I live in central virginia and you are correst very good motorcycle riding

[@emmajohnson6955]

My grandfather grew up chase city,the greatest man I ever knew .

[@BikesNThings]

Fun fact guys, when I was growing up Union Level was called “Onion Flats” by everyone I knew..Dont ask me where it came from or what it means because I don’t know, but that’s what everyone has always called it 😂

[@moonwalker091000]

What a great find. And I really like that you did some research on the history of this little town. This must have been a lot of fun to explore. I think the dog was just being friendly. He didn't look stressed or dirty like a homeless dog would. I think he just came over to say hi. Great video once again, thanks Devon.

[@alliehearst4862]

Amazing video.The dog made it 3x more awesome . Music at the end was incredible . Really made you feel something, you do your job well .👍🏻👏🏻

[@user-randi1987]

Great explore. Too bad no one thought about preserving this area back when it would have been possible to save the buildings. Thanks for giving the pup some water. Thanks, Devin

[@PeterGriffin11]

Just like some of the other comments I hope that Dog is okay and that it wasn't just abandoned.

[@genniejefferson6588]

I love to see old places with backsplash of people who used to live there.

[@tammybrown4901]

Me too

[@lillypad9960]

First time to this channel. You do a nice job and no profanity or crude comments. I am now a member. Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@kimthrower2169]

That old year book is really cool!! Can't believe someone left that behind. This is creepy place but very cool at the same time!! I just wished more buildings had access to inside them, I love looking at what is left behind. But most of them did look like you couldn't have gotten far with out getting hurt! I agree with you in that when you got around to the back of the stores, it was really creepy feeling... makes you wonder what they stories are with this town that no one knows about!! Thank you for giving the dog some water, what a sweet puppy!! (I call all dogs puppies! LOL) Thank you for taking us on your explore. Stay safe!!

[@livmiller1991]

I think this is my favorite of all your videos. Utterly magnificent. Jarringly surreal. Every time you walk into a new building it’s age is so unfathomable that half the video I felt like I was having a fever dream. Haunting , stunning , mind blowing. You should be very proud

[@danieljarman1313]

Whenever I'm going around that area, I use an old map that lists dead towns that connect to railroad lines. There's a lot of abandoned stuff near there. There's an old saw mill and another town not far away on the North Carolina border.

[@sheriherrick4420]

So sad to see all that stuff in the buildings just wasting away. Makes me wonder why things like that yearbook and typewriter were just left behind! I LOVE old buildings and the secrets they hold. Thank you for letting us know about The Majestic! Can't wait to watch it!

[@AbandonedAtlasFoundation]

Hi Sheri, thank you for your interest in the Majestic! Let me know what you thought when you get a chance to watch it!

[@StrawberryRaine]

Aw, what a good dog. Hope he went back home, most likely has an owner out there somewhere considering how friendly he was.

[@zipshed]

If I were a rich man and had nothing to piss my money away on, I would buy the whole damned town and restore it to its once beautiful state. It would be awsome with the old world buildings!

[@freddrog4689]

Add an electric fence around after it's restored to prevent people from showing up and ruining it

[@lissanne9769]

Most ghost towns that have survived structurally, have done so due to building codes put in place by that towns city council or other organizations. Most of the ghost towns in the west were build completely out of wood. Few are left now. The JC Penny's catalog pages looked like 1970's fashion. Thank you for this intriguing tour.

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

These old wooden buildings held up well because the lumber and paint was better quality then than today.

[@stj971]

Things were also built better, built to last back then. Not planned obsolescence like today.

[@ghosttownsandmore]

Some pretty cool buildings! Love the history and the old stuff. It is sad to see it all just decaying away.

[@migzz7976]

I love that dog so much, hope there are other dogs around he can play with!

[@gregorystalcup557]

I understand your young and you to you it may appear to have been abandoned in the early 1900s, I see a lot of a blast from my past with all the typewriters, beds and other furniture that was the modern technology. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and after watching this, my estimate of complete abandonment seems to have occurred in the early 80s, was the last to leave this town. They did keep some of the old relics of its youth bit, they did also, grow with the times. I know that the 60s and 70s may seem like a 100 years to you because of your youth but really, that town has only been abandoned for about 50 years now. Great history though.

[@DarkExploration]

The place was abandoned in the early 1900s. That's when the majority of the people left. Even in the old pictures of the town in thr 1970s you can see buildings boarded up. I did mention that the remaining buildings did stick around til the 1970s so your observation makes sense

[@RC-yj6qw]

The question though is why did it have to die.

[@ThisisDanBell]

What a fascinating place. Thanks for the video!

[@maevemaiden]

Awesome to see you Dan in the comments, I did a double take😀

[@evi1aa]

Hey Dan! Lol

[@ritasmith9553]

Hey Dan! Enjoy your "bravery' from time to time! haha!

[@MJARTBYDAY]

Aw Devin you are such a sweet guy giving the dog some of your water. I loved watching this explore as you captured some American history and documented it really well considering the places were rotting away. It's quite sad that they haven't kept up from the uptake. Can't wait for your new explores huni thank you xx

[@hippophobia4631]

Wow what an awesome find with that yearbook! 1938 ! and in pretty decent condition, considering the age and location

[@stephenwong4934]

Very interesting, nice you had some old historic photos, all these buildings have a story, thank you! Looks like somones feeding the dog!

[@andyokus5735]

This is the second video I've seen on this town. There's actually a little farm behind the old buildings where I believe the owners of the town live. I enjoyed your video much more. T'was more heartfelt.

[@TheTriplelman]

GREAT JOB- you took your time, gave the history, and had the old black and white photos while giving the History of the block. - very insightful and enlightening!

[@donnydizzle2781]

Love the old pics to show what it once was..

[@Liz-cmc313]

my home state has so much history. thanks for this little bit of history.

[@shadowblissfang2397]

Those poor babies! I truly hope that both that sweet dog and cat find good loving homes who won't abandon, and miss treat them anymore. To actually live out their lives in love and safety.

[@dreamerjs]

Yus! Just what I needed right now! Relaxing explore video! Have a great rest of the weekend y'all! 🌸✌️💜

[@nathankim7664]

This town gives me serious Red Dead Redemption 2 vibes. Almost imagined Arthur's ghost shouting, "Hi there Mister!"

[@lizlocher3612]

I did enjoy this exploration extremely!!! The dog looked pretty well weighted to me too, no ribs showing and not very dirty or thirsty. It was extremely sad and very lonely, as are many faded old era towns. Too bad it wasn't saved before it reached this level of decay. It could have been a nice little area for people with no where else to go. Great video. Thank you for posting.!!!!

[@sunnyscott4876]

So depressing but so many little southern towns are looking much like that. There's the new side of town with the Walmart and the IGA and Popeye's Chicken then the old downtown where no one goes any more.The businesses have closed and the buildings are deteriorating. It's all over the south.

[@IamtheLunchlady]

Great video, so haunting, I really felt the vibe of how it used to be. Beautiful old buildings. That old typewriter was amazing!

[@lisajohnson521]

It is SO fascinating to see places like this that once were booming with people and businesses. Now, it's just empty rubble.

[@texan45]

Cool explore adorable cat it’s to bad these old buildings were not turned into a small museum for people to learn the history

[@olliegoria]

That yearbook is the most haunting. Most of the men in that yearbook were probably shipped out overseas in WW2, and I'm sure many of them never came home.

[@timmystevenssr.timbuck1966]

I do appreciate that you are interested in history of towns and people. I myself am big into history and digging old bottles and arrowheads

[@PrettyTattered]

Great find. An abandoned town opened to the public. It looked like one of the buildings had an old tin ceiling too.

[@josephrobertvanderhoff8281]

This was great video , I'm from Amsterdam . I've never been to America , but hanging out with ? I feel as I have , thank you . Greetings from Amsterdam .

[@yhy4514]

Appreciate your work. Truly fascinating log of humanity.

[@rickperry3165]

I wish you could have gone inside the old bank. That would have been extremely interesting

[@DarkExploration]

I wish so also, just no entrance inside.

[@RaginYajun020]

I wish you could take him, get him checked, and adopt him. He looked like such a good boy!

[@djor316]

this place is about 150 miles from where I live. Interesting area. Maybe worth a trip next summer.

[@christyhiatt4383]

In the Upper Peninsula in Michigan there's a big ghost town called Fayette. It's huge was abandoned in the late 1800s early 1900s. An old smelting town that's been preserved and they are still finding more thing.

[@SuperDalite]

I’ve heard about the place. Not too good to go up that way now as I see snow is already falling up there.

[@peek-a-boo7877]

It reminds me of the town in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

[@BrownNProud781]

that song at the end made the ending even better for some reason❤

[@jeantetreault132]

That was nicely documented. Thank you. Johnny Montréal Canada!

[@mikebarriball]

WOW, I LOVE THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS FILM, SEEING ALL THOSE OLD BUILDINGS. I TRY TO VISUALIZE HOW IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED BACK THEN, I GET A GOOD FEELING DEEP INSIDE! I LOVE STUFF LIKE THIS.''

[@PastorDanWhite]

Excellent documentary. Thanks. Retired Georgia History teacher here.

[@danburch9989]

7:22 Maybe someone in that year book is watching your video now. They'd be pushing 100 but stranger things have happened.

[@megatron6771]

Very beautiful how mother nature is taking over

[@momtrips6783]

Who owns this town now? This place looks like a great setting for an artists' collective if a group were to purchase it and settle there.

[@renehaagsma6107]

Prachtige gebouwen, mooi in beeld gebracht. Ga zo door. Groetjes uit Nederland. 👍🏼👌🏼👍🏼

[@jandejong1286]

Pity they did not check the bank and railway depot

[@tzzz7]

The dog likely lives near by. She is looks healthy and happy.

[@deniseboldea1624]

I'm forever flummoxed on how entire towns can be abandoned in this day and age. Particularly when there are other communities nearby. I suspect that the community is near occupied area's since someone is going there to feed the feral cats. I'm concerned about that dog, he looked lost.

[@jackedattack8781]

When health disclosures and the law caught up with tobacco, the industry took a beating, so I can see casualties from that. But you're right, with outrageous home prices, it's odd to see abandoned towns. Fixing them up must be even more expensive than other overpriced options I guess.

[@danieljarman1313]

There's a house across the street where people live. I've been there a few times. It used to be maintained much better but people have vandalized it

[@UmmYeahOk]

So many homeless people, and we’re wasting taxpayer money bussing immigrants to wherever. Why not have both groups resettle in ghost towns? I mean the issue is mostly where to put them, and in the old days, immigrants were quickly made legalized citizens and persuaded to settle out west with very little. As a community they found ways to build, grow/raise food, and acquire water. They established their own towns, schools, and such. I mean, this town is too far gone, for safety reasons, I wouldn’t recommend it, but there are communities abandoned in the later part of the 20th century that still can be saved and be used.

[@jmd1743]

The gold in the hills ran out. The smart ones moved out when the mine began to break records of how deep mining is being done. This ghost town was basically a company town. Once the company goes bust then the town does as well.

[@jmd1743]

@@UmmYeahOk Homeless people can't afford to drive 1-2 hours each day to the nearest economic centers.

[@fredmaxwell9619]

I thought that Class Book from 1938 should be rescued from decay and destruction. Once saved, research everybody in it and see what became of them, obviously they are all deceased by now would make a great little history show/display.

[@thomasbeaver3828]

I think that was an early kenmore bolt down automatic washer 1950-51. If I was closer I would see about trying to rescue it. It appears to be in great condition. They are getting to be quite rare. Most people had a wringer style back then.

[@Yastai_anna_rakahana38]

because it's like this town hit insiden from Creepy Silent hill

[@CMcKinnon1013]

The stairs are so beautiful..

[@Kayr76]

I sure would love that lumber stacked up.

[@robertthompson728]

Thank you for these. Safe Journeys!

[@ybunnygurl]

This where my kitten is from. She got brought up to my local animal shelter, by a cat rescue.

[@dustbowlhammer7119]

Some of the stuff in those old buildings are amazing finds, and the poor old dog is probably the mayor xD.

[@annedonker4795]

amazing video thanks for this. so beautiful there. that dog stole the show what a cutie!

[@mughug9616]

So sad that none of the locals did not seem to do anything to even preserve the small items. :(

[@1967BlackRose]

Thanks Devin. Appreciate the tour. Amazes me what current Contactors could learn from 'the old days' in structures. Stay safe

[@claregale9011]

If you love old buildings come and explore the u.k you will see churches , villages over 800yrs old some are 1,000yrs old and still standing . 😊 but great video fascinating place .

[@Sheri7029]

The dog was hungry and needed to be rescued. Shame that more was not done and he was left wandering to starve.

[@bobcolleton6690]

I always look forward to your explorations, your so respectful to the property & skill in video photography is incredible. Your would make a great architect. Thanks for your videos.

[@B_Rh_Neg]

Love the vid ! And love that you guys helped the pup out with some water !

[@ericcasagrande]

Great video. Sounds like a fair amount of drive-through traffic passing down the road.

[@davidbridge5652]

Its mad how in the US towns are just left. Those photos are weird, a snapshot lost in time.

[@douglasrink]

Would be a great movie set. Lots of small southern towns like this post the northern aggression.

[@texas060]

I really ❤️ love ❤️ exploring Old Places or should I say did now I do it vicariously through Videos like Yours. Funny thing my Mother grew up with an Abandoned Ghost Town on the back acres of her Old Family's Homested growing up. She always said, She an her Brother were forbidden to ever go there by her Dad. She said after awhile she got busy with School and life an just never thought to go back an explore to see how Old it was for sure, as the Old Homested had been passed down quite a few Generations. My Grandpa Passed an the Old Homested was sold to Wild Life Presvation Company. Now it Private Property so No telling. It was Pretty Old in the 30's it would be nice to find out. Mom an everyone else is gone. All that's left is the Children of Adults/ Cousins.

[@soniaibarra1926]

Wow great and interesting buildings!!👍🏻👍🏻 Cute Dog and Cat!!❤❤🐶🐱

[@karaDee2363]

If I was reading the gasoline pump correctly, I saw 44 cents a gallon, so if it wasn't tampered with, I would say that station closed in the early 70's..

[@HM2SGT]

I was hoping somebody remarked on what the price per gallon was. Thank you kindly

[@smorgasbroad1132]

....life after people...

[@tonyakeldsen1782]

I’ll bet there is a really cool dump site nearby holding lots of treasures. I LOVE DUMP DIGGING! Old bottle ,marbles, even dishes and jewelry

[@neilsheppard6673]

That yearbook should really be handed to Duke Uni, or at least handed in to the nearest museum or library. Great video, really enjoyed it. Many thanks!

[@thesilentgeneration]

Interesting video. Glad you included some before photos of the history. My ancestors were from S.W. Va in a small town named Atkins.

[@gailspaw5521]

Sup from Kentucky😊

[@Lisa1111]

My fav! Old stuff like me! Thank you from Seattle! 😀

[@scruffyguy5695]

I would have had to take that dog home it's so cute and friendly

[@_Thrackerzod]

That would be dognapping.

[@warjunkie8242]

Beautiful town mind blown. Cool dog, thank you very much .

[@BeachcomberNZ]

That cylindrical item at the 'yard sale' looks like an antique butter churn.

[@nickfish629]

Imagine all the silver coins along the road in front of those businesses….

[@olliegoria]

Doubt it, scavvers probably picked those clean decades ago

[@23names]

GREAT JOB, ITS A SHAME THOSE BUILDINGS ARE JUST ROTTING AWAY, ITS GREAT TO SEE PLACES LIKE THAT, ITS GOOD YOU GAVE A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE TOWN AND FOUND SOME IMAGES OF WHAT IT USED TO LOOK LIKE

[@himbourbanist]

Interesting that the buildings on Main Street aren't attached like you would expect from brick commercial strips from around that era.

[@daniel51404]

I was just waiting for Joel and Ellie to run by the houses.

[@ricj7517]

Awesome narration Devin and sweet doggy

[@jamieryall8341]

Lots of kudzu covering the ground in back. Motor oil cans are collectible, too. Antique dealers & pickers have already been through those buildings. There's a town, Searle, in Alabama that's interesting. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@ayearinthelifeofme8416]

Amazing place, and great to see it all still standing , I’m surprised it’s never been used for a movie set , it’s a pity someone can’t spend some money on the place and refurbish the buildings or at least make them weather proof or vandal safe

[@Fektthis]

Those buildings are not worth trying to renovate. They're derelict and safety hazards. There is nothing left to save. It's a shame when it happens but sometimes it's not worth saving and it's just time to tear them down. These are well past that point.

[@robertodebeers2551]

Good narration and old photos of people in this place. Good job.

[@swiv99]

that was cool, thanks for sharing....and caring for the dog a bit...kind of sad seeing him alone in that parting shot...he looked happy tho...Surprised alot of that stuff remains in those bldgs. and the free mason logo on that furniture was odd, wonder if there's a story behind that.