War, West Virginia | What The Hell Happened?

War, WV....WOW!! This is one of the most poverty stricken cities in the country! Located in McDowell County, West Virginia, this city has an estimated population of 662 and has a poverty rate of 49.5%! Driving through some of these Appalachian areas look like a war zone. On the flip side, the people for the most part were extremely friendly and crime is extremely low in this area. War was a former coal and timber camp, it was nicknamed "Miner's City". After the "war" on coal and collapse of the economy, this place has been left devastated. The average income is less than $16,500 dollars per year. Let's take a drive and check some of it out!

[@shirleydenton4747]

As a person who worked there some in 1998-2010, I wish you could have shown the contrast by interviewing some of the best people one could ever meet. From the man who came speedily to my rescue when I had a flat tire to the sweet little lady who dug back in her closet to retrieve a train for a young boy in my family who loved trains. Good people abound all over this county, and were praised by famous chef, Anthony Bourdain of Parts Unknown. That was buildings mostly, and had been home to many from a county sometimes fondly called “the patch.” At many homes I visited they brought me cold bottles of water or a big slice of melon, and I did not even have to ask. I hardly remember the buildings in disrepair, but the spirit of these people will always be with me. I lived in the county as a child, and loved going back to again enjoy the kindness of good good people!

[@mr.skipper4544]

Rich people could only dream to be around such loyal friends and neighbors, that my friend is what I call the good old days 👍🇺🇲⚖🗽

[@bossmanlastking5740]

@@mr.skipper4544 ❤

[@chrismellios1287]

@@mr.skipper4544 that's my definition of rich

[@OuelletteBrandon]

Sometimes the people with the least, have the most to give. Kindness goes a lot further. Thank you for sharing your experience, I loved to read it!

[@Christina-sf4py]

Shirley...seems to me the more ppl have the more jealous of others and protective of what they already have are. Loved that look into american working class life. Tks. From Sydney.

[@nayaabshah1155]

I enjoyed the no talking or music. Makes me feel I’m there hearing the car turn and the wind in my ear. ❤ makes these places so much closer and more real

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching, thats what i aim for!

[@kylechapman6956]

My Papaw George was a coal miner in WV and lived with my Mamaw Fannie in Harts Creek, WV. If I am half the man my Papaw was when I die then I will have done something with my life. He is my hero.

[@ECSizemore]

Glad to see people proud of their WV background. I was born there and am moving back now to look after my grandmother. Im 47 and it’s been hard living in cities and suburbs of more affluent areas. I enjoy some of the amenities but it’s never felt quite right. I hope this move works out for me.

[@sapiophile545]

Hey. Can you let me know what your feelings are, after getting back there? Best of luck!!

[@wisdomseeker3362]

I truly hope things go well for you . Let us know how things are in your life with you and your precious grandmother once you get settled in. Thanks❗❤❤❤❤❤

[@wisdomseeker3362]

@@sapiophile545 I asked her the same thing. It would be interesting to know right ❓🎈

[@AhJodie]

That will be so good for both of you!

[@RosieGirl777]

Well welcome home my friend . Glad to see you come back . God Bless and keep you and your family.

[@Hubert-ug3cl]

I live in War and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I’ve been here my entire life 43 years. We are a town of about 1100, we have low crime rates, and you can’t beat the people that lives here. We are A community and a family. It’ll always be my home. Thanks for reading. BCHS 1999

[@Timberon]

The scenery is beautiful. You truly live in a beautiful place.

[@kelleyrogers6044]

Looks like a great place for a retired lady like me.

[@real_hello_kitty]

Glad to hear that.

[@codeninja1]

From newfoundland where theres many small towns and outports. My town is an old american base. Almost half the town is American barracks turned into apartment buildings. I love the feel to this place, seeing everything closed is depressing but I love these old small towns nestled away.

[@betweenthepoles]

Thanks for reminding us that it’s the people that make the place. 🙂

[@jeremyhines4328]

My grandpa was the hardest working, most gentle man I ever knew. He was born and raised in War. He grew up a coal miner before moving to Indiana and starting his family after the war he fought in. Strongest man I've ever met. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of where he came from.

[@tallan9698]

My grandpa was a miner also who died of black lung from the mines. He was from Wheeling.

[@darronshirley7886]

My grandfather was also from this area and ended up in California he to was the hardest worker I've ever known he was 84 when he passed away the day before he had me help him poor cement sidewalks at his church him and I did 96 feet long 6 feet wide poured and finished even a nice broom texture the next day before he died he told me he was going to be taking grandma shopping and if I needed his help leave a message at his house he would check his machine from shopping no cell phones yet I finished about 3 pm went home as I walked through the door my phone was ringing it was grandma she said heart attack and the hospital I ran for the door about an hour and a half later he was doing good but then started to shift around he said I'm trying something and then he was gone we say it was his sole trying to get out and go to heaven I miss him every day he was my hero and I love him still

[@cherylvoyles5951]

My grandpa worked in the coal mines of Cooperhill TN and died of black lung. Many of my uncles worked in the same mine till they shut it down.

[@juanu6643]

Rip to your Grandpa

[@lisaadams6753]

Well you are my new hero you are the best person ever just documenting not saying anything just documenting the detritus

[@tiegrsidesignsandstudio4794]

Seeing old houses falling apart and dilapidated towns always makes me so sad. I imagine standing in each one and "feeling" the lives of the families that lived in them. I also think it's awful to consider how many people are homeless while buildings that were once livable go to waste after being abandoned.

[@marymcdonagh-ql4sx]

I'm Irish and looking at this , it actually seems like a quiet, peaceful place to live, and the scenery in the background looks beautiful, and . after reading some of the comments?.., the people seem real nice, and seem to love living there! Love and peace to you all in war!... from Ireland! ☘️🧙🌄😄

[@Just-Nikki]

I’ve lived in 26 states in my 48 years but West Virginia will ALWAYS be home. I’m halfway across the country but my heart is in those mountains. There’s nothing in this world like watching lightning bugs with a backdrop of dark mountains on a West Virginia summer night.

[@Nimrodbodeinejr]

I know man I came back too I live and from Logan county 😊

[@jimm1387]

I'm from the northeast and can sense a powerful draw to WV from this video alone. All those hills and nature, I'd feel right at home. I get a lot of outsiders coming to my town talking down about it, but I never try and correct them, I don't want them moving here 😂 "enjoy your strip mall towns and not knowing your neighbors in New Jersey"

[@jennysroad]

I am originally from New York City but I have traveled to and lived in at least 25 states in the union and I have to say that West Virginia was one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. If they didn’t tax disability, I would consider moving there that’s how beautiful it is. I’m in Tennessee right now and I know this is the bottom of the same Mountain Ridge but I assure you it is not the same feeling at all. Nothing feels like West Virginia except West Virginia.

[@anthonypost8214]

Very lush and green down ther

[@jimm1387]

@@jennysroad There's only a few landlocked states on my list that I could see myself living in and Tennessee is one of them. You live in a beautiful state.

[@susanstromp8276]

My husband and I taught at War Elementary back in the 80’s. The people and children of War were the sweetest and most generous people ever! I have precious memories of our days there.

[@mtadams2009]

Why did you leave? Was the town failing in the 80's?

[@anthonycelano165]

What happened ?

[@kenshin891]

@anthonycelano165 I'd guess mines in the area shut down

[@jamesm6817]

@@anthonycelano165 I'm from West Virginia , not war though specifically. I'm not particularly familiar with War but I'm guessing it's the same story as other remote Appalachian towns with similar fate. Likely loss of jobs from the area and flight to areas with jobs for the younger and working folks and remaining elderly have since passed

[@Don-ds2sn]

I met a guy born and raised in War West Virginia while living in my hometown of Salisbury Md. He was a few years older than I was but we both played guitar as a hobby. He took a high school friend and I to visit his family one summer. His family treated us like they had known us all our lives. That trip took place just over 50 years ago. I’ll never forget it. I moved to Virginia not long after that trip. My friend Earnie Bollen from War was the most loyal friend I ever had.

[@Amanda3280h]

Beautiful story. I’ve lived in NYC for 6 years now, even though I love it, I haven’t made one true friend.

[@profe3330]

The way nature takes everything back . . . it's weirdly beautiful, even under the sadness.

[@Traveler19491]

I was born in Welch, WV, not far from War. I was never privileged to have lived in WV as my father was in the Air Force, but we visited usually twice a year; summer and Christmas. This was back in the 50s and 60s. Later, when the mines closed, things deteriorated quickly and so many were, and still are, left in poverty. But the people I remember from my many, many visits to WV were some of the finest people in the world. Generous to a fault. Always quick to lend a hand. My grandparents were reasonably well off due to my grandfather owning a hardware store in Welch and poor people would occasionally knock on my grandparents' door begging for food or money. My grandmother never turned them away. My grandfather was always very patient with his customers whose bills were late. He understood the hard times so many had fallen on. I learned a lot about how to treat your fellow humans from my grandparents.

[@metalzonereactions]

Wonderful comment, I wish more people were as kind as your grandfather

[@civlyzed]

I appreciate your comments, Mike. I grew up not too far away from Welch and my father, who was born in 1917 was a coal miner in Virginia and West Virginia. I just passed through the area a few days ago after visiting family. Like many others, I moved away after high school but I love going back to visit and it will always have a special place in my heart.

[@chopndropshop]

Not to mention Steve Harvey was born in Welch ,WV

[@marknewton6984]

I visited laeger, West Virginia as a kid from Florida and always had a good time. Been to War and Welch too!

[@afout07]

Seeing things like this makes me sad. Every abandoned home and closed business was someone's hopes or dreams at one point in time. It is sad to see so much lost to those people. I grew up on the Ohio/ West Virginia border and the people in Appalachia are some of the most kind and genuine people on this planet.

[@gregspot]

I was wondering how much of it was just due to people dying. Some of those scenes looked like activity just suddenly stopped.

[@xxxYYZxxx]

Have you seen footage of the war zones we call Chicago & Los Angeles? War, WV is a virtual paradise by comparison.

[@doug3819]

@@xxxYYZxxx I was a truck driver in the 1980s drove in Detroit, Philadelphia, east Cleveland, Chicago and Baltimore boy you got that right. I will take rural west virginia any day of the week !

[@Arpege92]

@@xxxYYZxxx Well said.

[@1wsky]

Virginia is ready for the revitalization! Nature can swallow it up or you can turn it into a home.

[@toddbarrett3605]

I spent 8 months in Weirton,Wv renovating a hotel. Was the most at peace I've ever felt. Was also sad to see people just struggling everyday through life. I made hourly pay per diem and my room of course paid. I would try and show as many people as I could some love. Such a beautiful almost forgotten state

[@Andrew-nt4td]

I grew up in Cumberland

[@Andrew-nt4td]

I grew up in Maine

[@bmceltics]

I've been to various parts of West Virginia several times over the years through mission trips with the Appalachia Service Project. While the poverty and disrepair of homes in some areas was always striking, what stuck with me the most was the amazingly warm and kind spirit of the people, and the absolutely jaw-droppingly stunning nature and beauty of the country in that region of the US.

[@D.J.R63]

I was born and raised in WV, we left in 1985. It breaks my heart that we had to leave. Things never got any better.

[@terrikrucina2023]

One of my friend's grandparents lived in Winchester. It was beautiful country and they heated their 100 year old house with a coal burning stove in the kitchen.

[@tammybrown4901]

I'm very sorry what happen

[@julietrask7497]

West Virginia is so beautiful, what a shame this has happened to so many hardworking honest people.

[@lylealexson8680]

It's a shame but we need to adjust and adapt. Coal mining isn't sustainable and isn't our future. That same thing happened with thousands of things that are no longer viable. For those old enough to remember, look at typewriter or phone booth manufacturing. Look at the check business. A business I worked in many years ago. Not many people writing checks these days. I moved on.

[@julietrask7497]

@@donnaburrows4312 I know, watched many documentaries on the mining companies makes my blood boil.

[@zatoichi3134]

@@lylealexson8680 yes, banks here in New Zealand will no longer accept cheques, the way of the world now i guess, stay safe, peace.

[@felixron1432]

The times they are a changing. Dylan is richt. Dont mis it like they did.

[@MikeBarbarossa]

When you see everything so run down but the best looking buildings by far are the churches 7:52 It makes you wonder about charity of the church, and why some of those resources didn't make it to people who really needed it

[@saviinicole2200]

It’s so vibrantly green and beautiful. The natural landscape truly makes up for all the abandoned homes. I even saw unmaintained pink wild flowers growing near one of the abandoned houses. Say what you want but the landscape is truly stunning.

[@acaposotta]

This is very similar to the Italian province I do come from. Same conditions, landscape and people. I like it. Unfortunately some areas are left behind but if you did grow up there you can appreciate living there. Missing my province. Cheers to WV and USA 🇺🇸 people

[@dwartfarquart9590]

I hate the thought of all the broken dreams. We ride our dirtbikes in WV when we can. I am always overwhelmed with the tremendous hospitality and class of the people we meet, there. Through all the struggles they remain strong, proud and warm. Beautiful country and beautiful people.

[@wandarask8444]

Beautiful comment Cheers from Australia

[@fruitsyfarms5115]

Absolutely beautiful place to ride and yep some amazing people

[@templarbriar]

I live here in War, and I can give you the answer to what happened. With effects of economy, relocated industry, and disasterous with aflictions, we're not as great as we were nearly 2 years ago. We're starting to recover, but as you can see in this video, it's taking a good minute.

[@susanjacquier5358]

Hiya Templar...an Aussie gran here....I think the area is just so green and beautiful...I can imagine what it must have looked like in its prime. I noticed some properties are still quite handsome. If I may ask, what is the creeper that seems to grow over much of everything? It has an amazon look about it..quite wild.

[@slofootcrofoot]

@@susanjacquier5358 It's called Kudzu.

[@alex-E7WHU]

Good luck from me over in the UK. I hope everything goes well for you.

[@265hemi7]

@@susanjacquier5358 g'day ! Melbourne , Victoria ,here ..

[@Angela-zf8sn]

@@susanjacquier5358 looks like kudzu to me but not sure. Kudzu is highly invasive and no one wants it on their property as it takes over quickly and very hard to get rid of. Think this type vine originates from China not native to the USA.

[@daginn896]

Norwegian here. I love this, I love the moody vibe. If i were to move from my home country, I would have picked this spot :) Honest to God, I really love the vibe of the Appalachia.

[@marknewton6984]

My mother was from Appalachia. I live in Florida (thank God) but have fond memories of visiting West Virginia as a child. Good people., lovely scenery.

[@torsteinholen14]

Tenker akkurat det samme! When I hear about the people in the Appalachian area it`s always the same thing, genuine, good people. And it looks beautiful!

[@filsed]

As a Czech living in Sweden, I agree. Would love to move there.

[@SanDragano]

As a Norwegian-speaker living in Appalachia, kom gjerne på besøk til oss :)

[@shaunalea823]

I’m in western North Carolina which is also Appalachia. The mountains here are breathtaking and life giving. The Irish, Scottish, and Germans felt that same draw.

[@johnlosert922]

It was in the summer of 1999, I believe, and I was playing bass with Buck Hall, and his band, “Buckshot.” We managed to get the silver eagle bus down those windy roads into the town of War. We set up on a wooden stage up by the train tracks. Little did I realize just how much the people of War looked forward to seeing live entertainment in their town. The fact is, they only had a concert there once a year, and to them it was a BIG event! By the time the band finished playing, the crowd was chasing us back to the bus. They had us sign autographs on anything that was available. (I even signed a couple of arms.) Now we were the biggest band of nobodies to ever play live music as a band. No one was famous. We were just hacks traveling around together doing gigs. But somehow we meant something to the people of War. They were saying, in effect, “thanks for dignifying us by playing for us.” Now it’s my turn to thank the fine people of War. You made us feel like rockstars for a day. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Yours Truly, J. Lazer - bass guitar BUCKSHOT

[@jenniferriggs1900]

My Nana came from a similar place: Ward (not War), West Virginia, a mining company town just southeast of Charleston in Kanawha County. The town doesn't exist anymore, it disappeared after the company closed. Her father started working in the mines as a child, in the late 1800s. Some of our family were involved in the "mine wars." They were all from Kanawha County - Ward, Cedar Grove, Mammoth, Cabin Creek, Paint Creek... Nana married and moved across the country to Oregon in 1953. She made her last visit back home in the mid-1970s and things had changed so much. She passed away in 2014, never having lost her Appalachian way of speaking, always proud of where she came from.

[@MalibuCouture77X]

But people still live there right ?

[@theislanddissident]

I love that. ❤️

[@ritasmith1127]

Thank you for sharing your story . I really appreciated it 💜God Bless You❤️🙏💞

[@catsymurphyandrews1769]

Thank you for that correction!!! I was thinking first, ‘Where the heck is this in WV?”, and “What war, Civil War?”. 𝙰 𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚡💕☺️

[@LD-tk7qf]

That’s where some of my family came from. Both grandfathers were coal miners

[@cashed-out2192]

You don't have to go to big cities, like Detroit, to see decay.

[@esteban1487]

In Detroit you decay AND crime and lots of it.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

The decay is everywhere, the advent of globalization has offshored countless economic opportunities.

[@loriw5457]

What puzzles me, as an outsider whose never been to the east coast, though the loss of the main industry (mining) has devastated this town.......I see outstanding potential for agriculture in this area. Look at all that greenery and moisture ! I am probably being ignorant - but looking at this video, I just have the urge to clear away the brush and start planting.

[@pleiades.puppets]

I think the main problem in southern WV is the clay content in the soil. It may be okay for a backyard garden, but not on a large scale.

[@aheinz308]

The main issue with that is the lack of space. West Virginia is the state with the least amount of flat land in the USA. It's very mountainous so there isn't a lot of space for large open fields. That combined with high clay content makes it less than ideal for agriculture. That's the case with a lot of this region of Appalachia. What you're saying about the greenery and moisture does hold home though. If you want really consistently fertile soil combined with good moisture check out the Appalachian Piedmont region(hills sloping up to the mountains). The whole region is great for agriculture and is dominated by farmland. The piedmout of southcentral Pennsylvania and western Maryland in particular have some of the best soil for farming in the whole country.

[@bobbiekennedy5197]

@@pleiades.puppets not to mention we have so much rock and slate that nothing but kudzu will grow in so many places lol

[@jackiefloyd8003]

I was born and lived in a small town like this in Alabama, until I was six, and I have nothing but memories of great neighbors who looked out for us kids by making sure we didn’t get into any trouble and fed us snacks if we weren’t quite ready to go home. We had to be on the porch of our house by dusk though. I still have cousins there. It is my happy place in my mind❤ I miss it.

[@newdefsys]

The same situation in my little town, in Mississippi. All the kids grew up and moved away for jobs, the old folks pass away and their homes were abandoned. The home I grew up in is completely gone, not even a trace remains. What was once a beautiful little community is all but completely forgotten.

[@marquezsmith8889]

I agree, unfortunately alot of small towns in Mississippi has gone through this.. mine as well, I'm also guilty of leaving for a better opportunity after I graduated high school...

[@LeTrashPanda]

My mom's family were OK farmers, her old town disappeared long ago & there are many more like it in the TX panhandle. The Interstate did it's share of harm as well.

[@comequickly2179]

Old America is gone.

[@exposefamily]

My childhood home is gone too due to Hurricane Katrina, but the banana trees my father planted nearly 40 years ago are still there!😃

[@staycool163]

@@LeTrashPanda where in OK?

[@kellyd.adkins971]

I currently live in West Virginia. War to my understanding was once a good town when the coal mining industry was still booming. Since many of the coal mines have closed down, many people have left leaving War an almost complete ghost town. Sadly there are many other towns like this in West Virginia.

[@RandallSteen]

Hello.

[@MalibuCouture77X]

Rent must be Cheaper than NY

[@Kathleen253]

And soon there will be many like it all over the country in what we call the USA.

[@johngreg12]

Good! WV deserved it!

[@whiteyfisk9769]

@@MalibuCouture77X with people from NY and Californians flocking in to destroy yet another host, it wont be cheap long

[@wendibernhardt9190]

I've been on several mission trips to west Virginia and I have never in my life seen such pleasant and friendly people. I know we were there doing different things for different households but they were so appreciative. I have many fond memories and true blessings from my visits there. If we go back I will definitely be looking forward to it.

[@jeffelledge34]

My dad and family were raised in pemont west Virginia. It was a coal camp and all houses and store belonged to the coal company. Grandpa raised 13 kids there. To this day I visit our family there. Was married in Princeton west Virginia and moved my bride 38 years ago to michigan. Jobs are the key..

[@710totem]

I was born and raised in WV. My Daddy was a coal miner, deep mines. We lived back in a holler down a dirt road to our house. That ole dirt road kept going for a few more miles. We had good neighbors who helped each other in harder times. There were working strip coal mines, maybe 4 or 5, above and surrounded our Greenvalley when I was a little kid. They hauled the coal out in coal trucks. The dust was terrible in summer and the mud was worse in winter. The road was guttered out by the heavy trucks. I remember Daddy straddling those gutters to drive out of the holler. I really only have happy memories. This was in the 1950's. Times were hard then, too, believe me. We didn't have anything but a little piece of land and some animals and that kept us fed. We always had something to eat because we lived off that land. Mom and Daddy worked hard and didn't complain. My life was almost, to a tee, as the late Loretta Lynn described in her hit song "Coal Miner's Daughter". Very happy memories. We didn't know we were poor. I left in 1988 and still have 2 brothers who live there.

[@SK-le1gm]

🤗

[@jabjones2165]

Back in a holler, love that. Hard times but survived it all.

[@peterpiper831]

Sounds like wonderful childhood memories. It looks so lush and green. I always pictured West Virginia as being the beginning of "Cowboy Country" where the landscape is more barren. But it's so beautiful. I'm not from the U.S. so I'd like to know, is "holler" just a local way of saying hollow ?

[@kitsunegiblaze8022]

​@@peterpiper831 --- Yes, holler = hollow. Like Sleepy Hollow. Also we say "Crick" instead of "creek" and "wursh" or "warsh" instead of "wash." My mom would say "wurshing powder" instead of "washing powder." lol...

[@mollywhoppedsouls_pvp]

"My daddy was a miner and I'm a miners son And I'll stick with the the union till every battle won Which side are you on"

[@gregbishop6488]

This is pretty much the norm in the coal fields of WV. I was born and raised in the next county over in Mercer and it is literally night and day to this. I work in grocery retail and went from War WV to Tazewell Va, talk about a crazy drive. A couple of interesting tidbits for those outside looking in. War is the southern most town in the state. And the Hatfield and McCoy story took place not far west of here. You also have the town of Bramwell near here which at one time had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the country.

[@jimjohnson9183]

Bramwell is worth a visit. Many of the mansions in that town are occupied and very well maintained. The mascot for Bramwell High School was the Millionaires.

[@JamesSmith-qx2mz]

My grandfather was the marshal of Bramwell years ago, his name was Mackinley Stacey. My mother and her sisters all grew up there. We had a family reunion a few years back and put his picture up at the old police station museum. I and my brother were born there but my dad got a job in Ohio so we moved away. Terrible to see the area like this, Bluefield is dying also.

[@cappiece3786]

The millionaires are the ones that owned the mines

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

I’m originally from Logan County and remember the beautiful homes in Bramwell in the 1960’s. They used to have tours of the homes. We always went South from Bluefield to the beach.

[@kamantha75]

My grandfather was born and raised in War and was a coal miner. He ended up being drafted in WW2 and never returning to WVa. He ended up in Washington DC where I was eventually born. I've never been to War as an adult but I remember as a child the people were nice.

[@RandySchartiger]

thanks for sharing this! I live in WV for over 60 years now, it will always be my home, even tho it has fallen to what it is today it is and will always be my home, the few people that remain here are unique and some of the best I ever met. I used to play music and travel a lot and have never met more down to home folks than those that remain here after all this state has struggled thru.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

I lived in a small town called Terra Alta WV from 1990 to 2013. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I met and know a lot of great people who live there. I can say I'm working to get me a small place back in one of them hollars. I miss it, it's where my heart is. Thanks for posting this, I can look past the buildings, knowing a lot of good, honest people live in WV. Money ain't everything.

[@diyr791]

the people make the place. WV is so beautiful.

[@faithjohnson8571]

🥰🥰🥰

[@judypierce7028]

Great footage. I am a native WVirginian born in a small town close to Charleston. When the coal mines closed in McDowell County, it devastated the area. It is the poorest county in the state.

[@Zzus321]

Bingo

[@juliecaudill2845]

I'm from Ashland.Ky and lived in Huntington too for awhile. Never heard of this town but is heartbreaking.

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

How do people or homeless people eat here?

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

Is it hard to get a job in West Virginia and pay rent cause here in California impossible

[@genxerfool9797]

It used to be Grant county. I remember looking for land out there 20 years ago and $250 per acre was normal.

[@Terry9624]

Grew up in the 50s, a working society we made every thing not so any more. Breaks my heart

[@CountryLady1752]

My Paw,Paw was from Virginia & was the funniest, sweetest, kindest man you would ever want to meet.🙏🏼🇺🇸♥️

[@CountryLady1752]

Was a potato farmer.. back break n work

[@whiskeyhelps8182]

I rode through there on a motorcycle trip a couple of months ago. I’ve described it to friends as being simultaneously the most beautiful, and most heartbreaking place I have ever seen. What was done to these people is criminal.

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

What was done to the people?

[@livingthedash6727]

Explain?

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

@@livingthedash6727 I want to know too..please explain my friend lol we want to know more it's sad n interesting

[@carlrosenbaum3754]

What happen to this town anyway??

[@J.James999]

@@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3 watch the movie wrong turn. Part 1

[@bruceringrose7539]

For more perspective, read the autobiography "October Sky" by Homer Hickam. Hickam, a NASA aerospace engineer, grew up in Coalwood just outside War, when the coal mines were operating fully (50s & 60s), and the Town is described in some detail. Excellent story!

[@susanholbrook4185]

Book and movie were wonderful.

[@bencole9565]

My wife family is from there. Her parents had ms. Riley as teacher and her mom was classmate with Homer. Her dad is older than Homer but remembers him. Big creek high doesn't exist. Coalwood does. Welch is still the county seat.

[@jessebaldwin2661]

October Sky was also made into a really good movie.

[@dolphinluver85dc]

Loved the movie

[@abrahamlincoln6619]

Can I move there and have no neighbors or anyone for that matter? That would be nice. So quiet and peaceful

[@gelatinskeleton8745]

Can you imagine the economic boost a place like this could get if someone filmed an apocalypse movie here?

[@Skatearmada4]

One thing I’ve gathered off watching videos based on West Virginia , that despite all the poverty , I’ve read non stop good things about how awesome the people of the community’s are . True love in those mountains .

[@faithjohnson8571]

I’ve never lived anywhere but WV. I am 66 years old and am thankful we were blessed to be able to prosper in this beautiful state. We have traveled all over the world and seen some beautiful places…Capri, Syria, Turkey, South America, Jordan, Alaska, Hawaii, etc. But nothing compares to what my state represents. There is no better people in the world. Caring and sharing neighbors who would do anything to help you. In WV, we don’t know a stranger. I am proud to claim all of WV my family. It makes me sad to see someone show only the depressed areas of our state. Trust me…I’ve been all over the world and all over this great nation. Poverty is everywhere. The proud Mountaineers I know understand there are more important things than money. Family, Friends and Faith reign in our state.

[@opalfishsparklequasar8663]

Beautifully & perfectly stated! AMEN! 💖🕊

[@bookbeing]

That's the kind of place I'd be happy to call home. I love the hills and the green lush landscape. I live on the west coast and it's a much different scene here. by different I don't mean better at all. Friends are moving out of here I often wonder maybe I should move East and retire and grow old there.

[@simplyputmusings2948]

Poverty 😢, lack, nor greed isn’t Biblical in any shape , form or fashion. Clearly, you know that because being a world traveler isn’t inexpensive.

[@Reality_TV]

@@bookbeing - The west coast has unparalleled lush areas because of the coastal spray! I've driven the 101 from top to bottom when I lived in the Pacific Northwest and the west coast is absolutely stunning!

[@billmccullough777]

@@Reality_TV I came back to Appalachia after some years in California and was astonished at the lush green of those Appalachian hills. It was a feast for my eyes.

[@lavettamoff7883]

My Mother's family are all from Preston County.In fact one of our ancestors founded the coal mining industry. They lived at High Gate Mansion which is a national landmark.This makes me so sad,and is a perfect example of what happens to beautiful areas when,you take away their livelihood.

[@coppercat75]

I’m from preston county - what was the name of the founder?

[@andrewscease8185]

Nothing was "taken away"; It's called Capitalism.

[@mrlevhil]

Taken away by whom? Demand?

[@JM-zg2jg]

Nothing was taken away. Your ancestor should have spread the wealth in the area better so that it was more developed and robust, rather than overly dependent on one inherently temporary industry. Instead of a mansion, they should have paid their workers enough for the area to actually be developed. It’s your ancestors fault that this happened to War.

[@laceybanter5937]

I wouldn't be bragging about that!

[@jerdonsbabbler3515]

This is not a curiosity. This is painful. Yes, times will always change and there are abandoned towns in every state. But it's painful to see it happen so quickly and seems so unfair to the people of War, WV who weren't given any way out of the coal economy. Thanks for posting.

[@theluxuryhomeconnection1183]

In the last 20 years of my living on this Earth, I've lived in War for nearly 3 decades now. Such a beautiful town. Real shame what's happening to it. God bless!

[@weldingbyrileyfoster4121]

I grow up in War W. Va. in the 60s and 70s. It was going down at that time. With the coal mines closing and people moving out, it's so sad. It was a great place, and good people.

[@kandieschmidt8102]

The people of West Virginia can't be beat, they are hard working, kind and generous. I am so proud to be from WV. My Dad was a coal miner underground for much of my childhood and he worked in 36'' of coal, he layed down going in and worked that way until he came out, the miners are still some of the hardest working people here in WV. There are still many coal mines that are open. I am so proud to be a coal miner's daughter.

[@sookie4195]

I can’t imagine having to work underground and laying down no less. God bless your Daddy.

[@sharoncarder3939]

I am also a coal miner's daughter from WV. Thank you for your story.

[@anitabelcher79]

Me too

[@davidcassada1774]

That’s some low coal!

[@WestVirginia1959]

@@sharoncarder3939 Which county are you in? My dad worked for the railroad, I live in Kanawha county.

[@MsDemonism]

That place looks so lush and beautoful. I wish there were more indigenous peoples with land knowledge flourishing. Because that place looks like it is rich in what the plants can provide in regards to foraging.

[@Roblox-dk4sy]

The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection. George Orwell ✌️

[@k.l.hancock8683]

We just moved to West Virginia. This is a beautiful state…but the poverty here is staggering.

[@samuelweir5985]

Did you move there for work or retirement?

[@MrSwj2009]

That vine-like plant you see taking over the town is Kudzu. It's an invasive plant that came from Japan and grows super fast over trees, telephone poles, abandoned homes. It is literally blanketing the Southern States.

[@realgwolf]

Also known as “the vine that ate the south”

[@wiseup8729]

It's beautiful though

[@burninhellasap]

I do family dollar deliveries and I passed through here from bluefield to bradshaw. Challenging roads for a tractor trailer, but I love landscape and the people in these areas are friendly. Bluefield, bradshaw, northfork, welch, Richlands, etc.

[@taracco.1948]

The roads and the overgrowth are mesmerizing to me. I love this video

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@ireneposti6813]

My husband grew up in Weirton W Virginia, his father and practically the whole town worked for Weirton Steel, very hard working people who raised beautiful families. Now the plant looks like a ghost town, so sad 😢.

[@rebeccasmith8715]

I'm from Wellsburg, WV. It is heartbreaking what has happened to all of the mills around here.

[@binxthekitty54]

I'm a flatbed truck driver steel hauler. Freight is cheap and I continuously pickup from Baltimore, New Jersey and Pennsylvania ports to bring inland. All steel made in China. I deliver to once operated mills that actually produced steel as a lay over yards only. We've been sold out and stripped of dignity, trust and money. They get on TV and spew hate to get us all to fight with one another. It's terrible what this country has turned into and it's the people who vote these scumbags into office.

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

What could be done to fix up west Virginia?

[@jimstafford3419]

@@rebeccasmith8715 it is sad, but it is a beautiful place. I just moved to Wellsburg 2 months ago, nice people, friendly and peaceful. I love it!

[@dalepxp8963]

@@jimstafford3419 As long as you can work at home or you are retired. You bet. Think about how you vote.

[@timothybaker4851]

It's heartbreaking to see what big business & the greed of the heart has done to so many community's that truly were the backbone of America.

[@patrickzink2191]

The sad part is they didn't adjust to the times and that's what happens we are no longer In the 50s people. Small towns are very nice and the people are great. I live In a big city but when I get the time I love going to a few small towns and helping grow their economy

[@malissawooten3423]

Born in man wv, I’m still here in the southern parts, I appreciate the nice comments about wv & the people here, Beautiful & peaceful here living a simple life …

[@wanderingsoul2931]

West Virginia was one of the most beautiful states I have ever visited in my life it’s so underrated!!!!

[@GilbertNichols]

My mother and brothers and I brought Ryder truck loads of furniture and food and clothing and bedding and Bibles to a thrift center ministry in War back in the mid to late 1970s and helped many stranded families in nearby Warriormine, WV. It’s really sad to see what happened to that part of the country.

[@b1k2q34]

The stuff is great . But why bibles?

[@firmfire2385]

@@b1k2q34 I'm a non believer, but honestly in situations like this sometimes religion is a beautiful fall back to lean onto, not for full support, but definitely better than nothing

[@ReapingTheHarvest]

@@b1k2q34 Thrift center *ministry*.

[@eunicestone838]

You really SADLY did not help by doing that. That just gave them more stuff to trade to get drugs.

[@birddog7492]

I live in WV. My people are from this area. McDowell, and Logan WV Buckhanan Va. Sad to see these old home sites in such disrepair. Nothing last forever, the mountains are reclaiming these forgotten places. One day the land will reclaim your homes as well.

[@hollygab8188]

My family is from Logan , laurel creek and Dingus. I've been to War maybe 50 years ago. Blair and Alexander families.

[@kathygraham6251]

food for thought

[@condew6103]

I figure there is still hope for a home as long as the roof is intact and not too many windows are broken. But homelessness is more than just lack of shelter.

[@Drknnja]

Remember traveling through Logan, Taplin, Earling and Man to visit family growing up.

[@hollygab8188]

I know. There is no way to earn a living down there. Everyone gets a check. My family were all hard working. Everyone was. We had to be to survive. It's not like that anymore. Lenore Laurel creek , Dingus, Logan ,Williamson , Hart's Creek , my stomping grounds. I can still remember the smell of the mountains. The feel of them between my toes as I stood barefoot next to the creek. Wonderful.

[@Colbsterscamaro]

I visited War, WV on dirt bike while riding the Haitfield and Mccoy trails on a day trip. These coal towns in southern WV were once bustling towns. Sad it has changed so much but dispite all the negitive those who remain are still the nicest people you've ever met. I stopped for lunch with my fellow riders at "The Owl" (shown at 6:39) drive up restraunt, which was excellent ! Named after the local high school. mascot. If you look up southern hospitality the dictionary the ladies that run this place would have their picture shown.... If you ever need reality check on your prospect of life here it is. Poverty doesn't just exist in big cities.

[@mimibee626]

We watched lightening bugs in Big Bend, Texas. Put them in jars for 30 minutes, then out! I'm sure it compares.

[@joiamed8544]

I think poverty is just as prevalent in big cities but it's just easier to shove into some corner

[@midcenturymodern9330]

"City of War." That is an absolute first for me. Still, it's very sad to see all those shattered homes and businesses. The nature is beautiful, but the abandoned structures are depressing. In my state everything turns brown in April and stays that way until November, but I digress.

[@terryrose6208]

This little town is in a county (McDowell) that was once given the name of Little New York. Had over 100,000 residents. And was the coal mining capital of West Virginia. I'm talking about the whole county. Most of the money went to northern cities of the state and also out of state. Also had a world famous brothel in a little town called Keystone. I'm old enough to remember some of it.

[@lorascelsi8102]

Traveled all across America this year, even to Los Angeles all you see are so many homeless people, many who work, and so many abandon properties. Why don't developers flip one building at a time so people have a place to live? Perhaps they just want to build oversized houses for in gated communities and neglect the working class. Absolutely correct about North Eastern states living a more affluent way of life. It's seems our Washington DC politicians care more about residents in the North East because money. Sadly the rest of America suffers. Wouldn't it have been much more economically fair to move our Nations capital to the middle of the United States so all Americans share in prosperity, not just residents of the affluent northeast. West Virginia is Beautiful for sure.

[@stj971]

@@lorascelsi8102 Living in NE very expensive

[@dashaalisabianca777cachtic3]

So why no more coal? Why is America doing this to America? What can be done help explain Alitalia about what happened and what can be done..who is to blame for this..I'm couroiuse cause I would. Love to live here oneday

[@ElonHusky]

Rename it to McDonald people will definitely return

[@allenfamily4079]

Welch in McDowell was called little New York A politician on the news said this year That McDowell generated more revenue than any other county in WV in 100 years

[@relaxingroaddrives591]

Your channel is criminally underrated man, such awesome footage. Great stuff!!

[@hoodsnhollers]

Much appreciated!

[@sijic4955]

There’s a certain beauty to the eerie-stillness in the more overgrown areas. Very green!

[@RickGTI2019]

Having spent some time in rural North Carolina, when I was a kid, I have an appreciation for the culture. What I could never understand is why they keep broken appliances, and out of commission vehicles on the property. Obviously, getting rid of the junk would greatly improve the look of the areas ! 🌴

[@wordimobi5765]

Can't understand that either, I guess they don't care how it looks.

[@dchaney761]

I'm from WV, I can answer for some folks. #1, we never had gabage collection until a few years ago and no place to take those worn out appliances. People kept those old cars for parts, we never had money to buy a new car and would pretty much build one from scratch.

[@HarborSite-7]

I've driven through War many times. My uncle lives just over Davy Mountain in Briar Creek. It's a shame what has happened to the people here, with the high rate of unemployment and the opiate crisis. It's such beautiful country and most of the people are good folks. I loved the time I spent there.

[@rickmullins147]

My mom used to live on briar creek

[@HarborSite-7]

@@rickmullins147 My uncle is a Munroe and I know the Browning and West families from that area pretty well.

[@Reach41]

A very close friend of mine just unexpectedly died. Barely in his early 60’s, worked mostly for NASA, both him and his wife in good health. One minute here, then just gone. This video has the same feel as his absence.

[@ouijadon1]

Nasa did that😒

[@lisadunithan1414]

WV is a state with many small towns that have fallen on hard times. Depending on the part of the state you come from easily explains the sad decay and areas that are badly in need of repair. I was surprised at the population of 1100. The town I grew up in as of 2022 has a population of 120. Back in its hayday, 1920’s, there were several mines, an active community store and railway with over 1000 people. But businesses die and so do towns.

[@miniphanies7512]

It’s amazing how quickly nature reclaims her land.

[@hiker64]

My Appalachian Trail hike in 2006 introduced me to some of the most friendly and hospitable folks I've ever met.

[@johnw4590]

The scenery there looks awesome. I love the mountains

[@dennylawhun8214]

I live in near Gilbert WV , it’s the same every where now around here in the southern parts . No jobs , people have turned to drugs and alcohol and don’t really care anymore. It’s truly sad 😞

[@wendybarnett7670]

You are right on everything Noone cares what happens to their town this is everywhere in Pennsylvania to it looks like this

[@kh66123]

No jobs? Every coal company in southern WV is hiring, if your not working it’s because you don’t want to work.

[@miriamappelbaum6433]

It's as if time just froze...

[@johnsimms818]

I had a friend that War WVa. Was a mission field for her.she teamed up with a local Pastor there to help mostly the children when she asked him what they needed he said anything because they needed everything. Sadly both have passed and so has compassion for this type of help.

[@andrewscease8185]

No, compassion for helping people hasn't passed. There is a very active group, Big Creek People in Action, working in War and Macdowell Co. The high school kids from our Unitarian-Universalist church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have taken several trips to War in the last ten years to repair people's homes and build handicap ramps for disabled residents with Big Creek People in Action. People from all over America do care!

[@pkm7518]

@@andrewscease8185 There are more of those who don't care though than do. There is too much greed & hate more so now than ever. Thank God for your church in New Hampshire.

[@hulkoffroad]

I'm from Michigan, and WV is the most beautiful place I've ever been to, and my most favorite place. To answer your question tho... the coal mines closing is what happened. I would live there in a heartbeat!

[@karmaleenash2841]

I spent a few summers in War in the early 70s visiting cousins. We ran wild and free. Loved the place and the people. Sorry to see so many empty homes. Thanks for the memories! 🤍🤍🤍

[@ashleybrooke2087]

All those empty buildings aren't eerie or creepy to me so much as saddening. The thought of all the people that once lived & worked there & now this is all that remains, slowly decaying away.

[@331Grabber]

It's like this all over America. 40 years of de-industrialization and neglect.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Yes and towns that supported the auto industry with their factories have also become like this only not quite as bad. The corporations and our own government have sold our country down the river to China long time ago. If the climate change alarmists have their way, oil towns will meet the same fate within 10 years.

[@thegbear9968]

When I watch videos like this I always think about what the walls of those properties have seen & heard. The laughter & tears. Hope & disappointment. Happiness & grief. Love & pain. All of that human emotion & energy just rotting away being absorbed by nature.

[@robertveneziano4601]

It's sad watching this video, even though I'm from suburban Boston Ma. my wife is from Clarksburg W.V. I always loved visiting your beautiful state. I've seen some poor sections in the northern part of the state but I was amazed at how genuine and friendly everyone was when I visited!

[@snoozyjt]

Visited war couple years ago with my oldest while riding the trails... we only went down the main street. Ate at the local dinner.... wish I had time to see more... been coming down for last eight years in a row.... we love the community and locals...

[@irishdevil1490]

I live in Los Angeles and that scenery was very very beautiful, I don't know everything behind the little town, but it's a shame to lose something so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@blujazz10000]

Please come visit us in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. Kentucky. You would love it!😀

[@allowyou9225]

@@blujazz10000 I am from California and I just visited Kentucky it was great and beautiful

[@WestVirginia1959]

For communities like this, when the coal goes, so do the people. That is why there are empty, neglected houses. ❤️ from Cross Lanes, West Virginia

[@maryshaffer8474]

Everyone should have left.

[@johnbellamy6449]

our coal industry was closed down here in the u k .its really sad, your country deserves better.

[@WestVirginia1959]

@@maryshaffer8474 Well some people might have lived there for generations, own acreage and farm. Or they might dig Ginseng, Mae Apple, blood root, and other things that grow on the mountain to sell or barter. Rural people are very ingenious on how they can make a living. Sometimes it's generational what they have learned to make money. They may farm during the summer, can in early fall, cut firewood in the winter, dig roots and pick berries in the spring, Some are talented enough to sew quilts, make cakes and pies, or carve wood. Each season has its work and pay day.

[@boomer1279]

There’s plenty of coal being mined in WV. Go down corridor H, dozens of mountains being churned into gigantic piles of rubble by huge machines, then burned in smoke stacks (Mount Storm) to make electricity. Then they will pack up and leave and the streams, River and water wells are polluted and the land is worthless. And people think electricity is better than gasoline.

[@bunnyman6321]

@@johnbellamy6449 Why was it closed down?

[@chrisnichols4962]

I was amazed how you drove through the entire town and only met a handful of on coming cars.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

The house at 4:04 dosen't look too bad---seems in better shape than most. Love all of the greenery. Seems to be a nice peaceful place. (Jan Griffiths).

[@kmichellecuisines]

It’s unfortunate that this town is in such bad condition. It’s beautiful land. Wow. I think my life is bad and I see this. I thank the Lord for what he has given myself and family.

[@stj971]

It's a lot like that all over the state

[@ImTheJoker4u]

All these coal towns died decades ago when American industry moved overseas.

[@jennslifeinhuntingtonwv2678]

The coal mine towns were sad and pitiful too.

[@Appalachianasshole41]

Had nothing to do with that. Our coal goes to power plants primarily not to fire industrial plants. Hence the saying in wv coal keeps the lights on. We power a large portion of the east. The same thing that's killed the pipeline and industry in America in general is what killed coal. Over regulation and interference by con artists pushing climate change. Wv used to also be covered with tobacco farms until the government got involved and regulated it to the point only corporate farms could operate. I haven't seen a tobacco field in about 25 to 30 years now and grew up playing in them.

[@michaellockard2561]

I still live in a coal mine town across the river from matewan WV and wouldn't change anything

[@virginianorby644]

Where's the "Trickle Down" now.

[@jasonwalker79]

That's government overreach for you and so called economic progress

[@stickyfox]

I grew up in Blacksburg and had a friend in Narrows, just up the road on the state line. My mom was a home health aide in this area, and I'm enjoying just riding along and looking at the scenery again.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@debbieprivett1880]

I lived the first 10 years of my life in my parents hometown of Huntington(Guyandotte). It used to be safe & pretty but it has declined so much since the 70s. Drugs, dilapidated homes, trash strewn streets & packs of dogs. Very scary. Heartbreaking.

[@debibrown5568]

We just vacationed in West Virginia in September...., to Welch for side by side riding in the mountains ( scariest thing in my life, fear of heights) then to Fayetteville area. Everywhere we went it was like this, ( except Beckley) so devastating. The ones that are there we wondered where they worked. 🥺- watching from Lake Wales, Florida

[@flyakadventures8946]

Yes... Same here Debi and Driver55. Just west of Lake Wales off SR-60. Have family in WV. Poverty is getting worse and I really feel for those beloved hard working people, many of which lost their jobs. We need to not only pray for WV but also for the USA. 🇺🇲🙏

[@victoriabenton8378]

I grew up in Beckley this is so sad. We moved after to Florida. West Virginia gave me the best childhood ever!

[@mmrw]

I’ve been on several service trips to the area working with Big Creek People in Action, a local community group that helps needy people in War and the surrounding area. Please consider donating to them if you can, they do a lot of good work in the community

[@andrewscease8185]

High School kids from our church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire have taken several trips to work with Big Creek People in Action over the last several years. What a wonderful organization. They all return with tales of the goodness of the people of War and MacDowell Co. My M-I-L is from Mullens in Wyoming Co., WV. It was a booming town when she grew up there in the 1950s and early-60s and, like War, it is a shell of its' former self. I hope someday meaningful work will return to the area. These fine people should not be left to wither on the vine. Rural folks should find common cause with the forgotten urban poor and struggle together for a productive place in society. It can be done.

[@hedkace]

Love this so much! Growing up in big, loud cities my whole life, I dreamed of places like this countless times. Sad to see the decay, but happy to hear in the comments the kind spirit of the people there is still going strong!

[@mlynnofficial2164]

Born and raised in wv I love my mountains and beautiful scenery old history still remains all over.

[@brendaholderby6889]

Born and raised in West By God Virginia and proud of it. Been here for 72yrs

[@williamlilly4977]

I was born and raised in Southern WV and this so sad. We have actually spent more time in other states because of the inability to make a living there. After school grad and a Army 3 years we had to leave..lived in Ohio, had bought a house and my husband decided to go home. We had three children by that time, a nest egg and some money from selling our house HE had been told he would be able to get a job that things were booming. We had sunk endless time and money into building our new house a 4 bedroom, started before we moved. We moved in to the shell, rough going for a while. Fi ally it was done to an extent so he started looking for a permanent job. A mining machinery business which did not pay a lot and closed and went to VA. We tried to stay but over twelve years it was the same, finally him working in MD. And NC and driving home weekends 🙃 we couldn't live like that and the stress was immense! We decided to sell our house for which we got a percentage of its worth, packed up like the Beverly Hillbillies and moved to North Carolina. Although I left crying and didn't want to leave my mountain home I am glad we did. We have never been out of work and made a good living here, owned our home with acreage for many years. I do look at this film and sorrow for the many who left as we did with tears in our eyes longing for our Mountain Home.

[@shantitakemoto1058]

I lived in PA for awhile but I’m originally from Hawaii and this video reminded me of how similar I found the greenery and atmosphere of Southwest PA and WV to Hawaii lol! I’m sure ppl look at me sideways when I say that but that’s how I felt! I thought the landscape and plants were really beautiful. Unfortunate about the economy but lots of natural beauty.

[@kellypolfleit3942]

My mother is from southern West Virginia and we would frequently visit my grandmother. Today it appears most homes around the place are vacant. Makes me sad 😢

[@archangel5627]

Very post apocalyptic and what makes it even more eerie is the sound of that crow or buzzard in the background of the very beginning of the video. It’s an absolute shame to see a community like this become so decrepit. It’s even sadder knowing that some of the houses and properties you drove by still have people and families living in them. Granted, I’m sure it’s few and far between but still very sad. It takes money and future prospects to move, and sadly the few who remain here don’t have the means to do so. These are the towns that need the support of the people. It’s absolutely crazy that so many Americans citizens live in squaller when our government is more than wealthy enough to help. The problem is that our government is too busy helping themselves from the hard working people of our country. Anyways, thank you so much for sharing. Take care!

[@MultiSkippy101]

The bird is a blue jay.

[@JMK15]

Serious movie set potential

[@tunafang]

Blue Jay.

[@1wsky]

OFF-GRID

[@hannahloveanna3938]

The town may look poor, but in many ways they are rich. Wish I lived where people are kind, caring, generous, loving, ...

[@resolute123]

I passed through WV several times and I always thought the land and the people were awesome. It's tough being landlocked and I wish there opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs utilize the good and hard working people of that state.