WEST VIRGINIA: Fading Towns In Rust Belt Appalachia - Along The Ohio River

[@johnconnolly6011]

Some 40 years ago a group of boys from Philadelphia slept in a state park in Wheeling, on picnic tables, on our way to Eastern Kentucky, I was part of the Catholic Appalachian Project. I was also a group of boys court committed by the state of Pa. We were all under 18 and did this during the summer. It was part of De LaSalle a school right outside Philadelphia. When we arrived in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky we slept in a Church rectory. During the day we winterize houses in the hollows. We got credit towards our high school graduation. It was the most rewarding I've ever felt. It changed me as a young man. Instead of fighting, helping others who were dirt poor lead me away from crime. Thank you for this video. I married, had 4 kids. I dealt with pain of losing my wife and daughter. Again thank you. John Connolly

[@fozalinko]

Always remember the good John Connolly and that they are always alive alive in your heart. x

[@guadalupeblakey9926]

The good bad is not always like the bad bad. Good bad can make a good person out of you. Oh yes Dollar General 10 miles from where I live even has groceries! Wonderful.

[@bennfisherr6317]

When I was a kid, my dad lived and worked in Huntington for maybe 3-4 years(opposite end of the state, but still right on the Ohio River). I enjoyed it. I've never been to the "northern panhandle" of WV but this video just about makes me want to move there. Old architecture, quiet streets, gloomy/rainy weather. I'd take these small charming WV towns over a big busy city any day!

[@cajagress6806]

Many generations grew up and died in weirton. I've personally lived here since 2013 and couldn't imagine being anywhere else. My uncles and grandfathers and great grandfathers worked the weirton steel mill, that was that huge blue building you were wondering about in video. It stretched 2 miles on each side. A company just bought the property and will be revamping it soon. There are so many Beautiful places in these areas. You just have to know them to get there. Great video and thank you for not slamming on the few of us that enjoy these environments over cities and updated areas

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I love that part of West Virginia. I would never slam it. :)

[@randysavage8963]

Great video thank you . Commentary and footage is n point as are the other videos

[@kathyfreeman5281]

I grew up in cross creek, went to Avella schools. Moved 30+ years ago but still love it when we get the chance to go home

[@cajagress6806]

@@kathyfreeman5281 turkey foot run road.

[@truthseeker3967]

The country is where it is at.

[@annenyman678]

These videos are addictive! You do a good job narrating, and the taping is not jumpy like some others.

[@tracyann4465]

Weirton is where I grew up in from 1970 and left there in 1997. My mom still lives Follansbee. My aunts and uncles live in Steubenville and Wintersville OH. I have a brother in Pittsburgh Pa area. My husband is also from Weirton. We moved from Weirton in 1997 to have a better life and opportunities for our future kids. My BIL is still also in Weirton. I know Follansbee and Wellsburg as well. Grew up going to places there. My husband recently unexpectedly passed and I thought about moving back but now seeing this video there isn’t much left to these areas. Growing up in these area it was a beautiful place to live and lots of jobs and a good wholesome place to live. My dad worked at Weirton Steel and retired from there. My FIL was the first OBGYN in Weirton back in the 60s. It was a prominent place to live and raise a family. Thanks for sharing.

[@markthompson9056]

I live in Follansbee ( Hooverson Heights ). What they failed to show is the Ohio side is even more depressing. Steubenville.

[@petesacco3255]

You might want to consider moving to Beaver County Pennsylvania it's only about 15 minutes down the road from Weirton and there's a lot more going on there

[@barblenzen2198]

That beautiful old drug store is listed for a mere $45,000 comes with a upstair apartment… I would buy that in a heartbeat

[@donnahughes8409]

Oh WOW 😮What great deal for someone local

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Incredible!

[@SlugSage]

🤔

[@828hype]

Link???

[@williamwilson6499]

So what’s stopping you?

[@fwilliamcony28]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I was raised in Wellsburg and spent a great deal of time in Weirton, Follansbee and Wheeling. My parents and maternal grandparents (who were immigrants from Italy) are buried in that area. During summer vacations from college, I spent three summers working at Weirton Steel and one summer at the Beech Bottom Plant of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel. Fortunately, there was public bus transportation available at that time. As I grew up, there were 4 high schools (Wellsburg, Follansbee, Bethany and St. Anthony's in Follansbee) which were consolidated into Brooke High School, currently located behind that Dollar Store Market in your video along Route 2 at the intersection into Cross Creek. The best times living in the area were spending the quiet, peaceful days just sitting on the porch along Charles St or Commerce St in Wellsburg, getting a good education at St. John's Elementary and WHS, and spending weekend nights at movies and restaurants in either Steubenville, OH or Wheeling. The worst times were living through and recovering from the occasional Spring floods along the Ohio River. As a kid, I lived in lower end of Wellsburg and vividly recall four floods, one of which nearly completely covered our first floor along our Charles Street residence. I often heard stories of how the 1936 flood was worse and engulfed the whole town. Although I still have relatives who live in Weirton, I have not visited that area in years. Your excellent video game me a chance to experience those memories while sitting on a couch in my current residence in the Pittsburgh area. Thanks so much!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, great comment. :)

[@amandajohnson8116]

I was raised in Weirton but left at 17 to go to college in California. I miss everything I thought I hated about it.

[@Zoink122]

Thanks for sharing

[@breng5767]

@fwilliamcony28 I was raised in Chester. Chester, Newell and New Cumberland consolidated into Oak Glen High School. Brooke was one of our big rivals - in addition to Weirton and Weirton Madonna. Small world. Go Steelers. 😀

[@markthompson9056]

Brooke High 1979

[@leslielutz6140]

Big wide "working rivers" like the Mississippi and the Ohio are fascinating. So beautiful !!

[@laurak3762]

I really appreciate how you go into small towns that may not be fancy, and still remark on their beauty. I also love small old towns and it’s really wonderful to see someone with the same admiration for small town America.

[@jeanniescott3308]

The church bells are in every little town in this area so peaceful

[@janicestewart8291]

I live south of Weirton in Ohio. Steel mills along with other metal plants lost out to outsourcing and getting the metal's' from China. NAFTA was the beginning of the end for many who had generations proud to work there.

[@paulpryor850]

NAFTA was a bad deal! So was trickle-down economics and right-to-work policies....

[@spaceflight1019]

Add in the power plants and the coal miners who once supplied them and the economic devastation will continue.

[@Linda-hq8xq]

SOOO SAD, THINGS I BELEIVE WILL TURN COURSE, IN NEXT ELECTION SEASON, OUR TRUE COUNTRYS LEADER, IS THE LEADER WE CHOOSE. THIS WOULDN'T HAV HAPPEN, IF WHAT WENT ON DIDN'T. WE KNOW WHO COULD HAV MADE BETTER CHOICES, IT WILL HAPPEN, YET. IN THE ALPOWERFUL NAME OF TBE LORD GOD.

[@vicranger6876]

The US needs to start building about 100 coal fired power plants and using only American 🇺🇸 steel and exclusively use American coal as well. We have lots of new bridges and power plants to build and it will take years to build them and convert / rehab a lot of existing power plants and start back up coal fired steel mills.

[@risenfromyoutubesashesagai6302]

All by design by those in power.

[@JJJBRICE]

At 6:59 the LS comment about the hill lawns on the right remined me that my grandfather in the old days would take sickle on that type lawn slope to cut the grass .

[@BrendaCimino-lh4wd]

I born and raised in Follansbee during the 70’s and 80’s. The areas of Weirton, Follansbee and Wellsburg were AMAZING during that time. Growing up in “The Valley” was at that time a great place with so much to offer. Thank you for your kind words of my hometown areas.

[@dustyrustymusty3577]

You should have seen it in the 50's and 60's.

[@markthompson9056]

Hi Brenda! Mark The here. BHS 79

[@markthompson9056]

Thompson

[@cdl8637]

As a flight attendant ive always appreciated these "flyover states." I love this channel cause I get to see what they look like on the ground. Beautiful.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the kind words, Collin!

[@acme_tnt8741]

As a person that lives in Ohio about 9 miles north of the bridge, he crosses in the beginning (Market Street Bridge) I can tell you that if you are flying east into Pittsburgh from Chicago or Indianapolis and the weather is clear you can see the farm I grew up on. Lol.

[@cdl8637]

@@acme_tnt8741 I love this!

[@ianstuart5660]

Of course. You miss everything when flying high above. Traveling overland can't be beat!

[@maryrosed8475]

Brilliant video. I live in Ireland but many of my Mum's family emigrated to the US. A lot to Ohio and they worked in these steel mills. Today cousins live in Toledo, Ohio. I have visited Ohio. This video brings back memories and how beautiful that area of the States is. Thanks again.

[@cindytrayer4279]

I absolutely love the band from Ireland Westlife. They are truly amazing singers, not to mention gorgeous too!

[@maryrosed8475]

@@cindytrayer4279 I have never seen them live! But they are popular with younger members of my family. I love that you like an Irish band. ❤

[@deeregirl7356]

Hi I live 30 minutes from toledo, it once was a nice town to go shopping and visit (about 30 years ago) but now the crime and gang violence are ridiculous .when we turn on the news another person has been shot, 63 total in Toledo for 2022. We don't go down town any more its not even safe in the daytime.

[@maryrosed8475]

@@deeregirl7356 Oh I love Ohio. Good few years since I was in Toledo. I remember we went out on a boat a few times on Lake Huron. My relations live in Oregon and Perrysburg. Relations used live in downtown but years ago. A pity the city is full of crime. But here in Ireland my city Dublin has a lot of drug crime. Also a lot of murders!

[@deeregirl7356]

Yes Perrysburg and Oregon are nice areas . My best friend grew up in Oregon over by Maumee Bay state park, its such a pretty area on the water. its a small world . Hope you stay safe in Dublin. Take care God bless you.

[@SV-lw8jo]

After conducting research, I have found that the house in question is a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom dwelling spanning an area of 612 square feet. Its construction dates back to the year 1920. According to the assessment conducted in 2022, the property has a value of $24,900 according to Zillow. I enjoy your videos by the way.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome internet sleuthing! 👍👍😀😀

[@nancyparker9986]

I guessed it as around 25,000 ! Thanks for posting and doing the research

[@nancyparker9986]

You are so right Joe about people taking pride and cleaning their cities …… what has happened to people over time ….. I do believe I understand what has happened to this country over decades…..we need God back in our lives. I pray everyday for the truth to told !!!

[@bayoumanbryan]

my guess was 15-20k

[@johnboston5292]

That building you show in town was the Capitol building . Wheeling was the Capitol of wva and then changed to Charleston wva . As you started through wheeling you went through north wheeling you should e slowed down and looked at all the Victorian homes that the city got redone they are beautiful

[@KathyFodor]

As a former 55 year Weirton native (currently living in Florida) I thoroughly enjoyed this post. In the distant past, I went to Beauty School upstairs of the Capitol Theater in downtown Wheeling, and worked in downtown Follansbee at a salon. Thank you for the walk down memory lane, it brought back so many memories from a long time ago.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Very cool! :)

[@glenfordburrell1076]

I just love this channel. Especially after a hard day's work. I live in Pimlico, London, UK, a highly dense enclave between the bridges. I love the open roads and the non pedestrianised thoughfares of the Midwest. The clear blue skies, but I wouldn't dare swap for chaos and unpredictability of London life!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you. :)

[@adriengremaud9797]

hello from Switzerland ! really nice to discover USA through your video, very relaxing and nice to see place we are not used to see in movie etc.

[@sharonm.t.2492]

My grandmother was always considered born in Wheeling WV in 1905. I found out after she passed it was technically Cameron WV. She was one of the first college girls and "flapper" girls in town, and the first to own her own automobile. Anyway, thanks for posting this video!

[@verahinnant8021]

I lived in follansbee. It was calm and quiet. I enjoyed it.

[@timw1421]

This was My Home Town it was booming there in the 60's 70's and 80's

[@markthompson9056]

Colliers here

[@Lullalicious]

Im from Steubenville, but also lived in Weirton. I haven't lived there since I left for university 12 years ago. I've now spent the last 5 years living/working in Vietnam. Watching this has made me homesick beyond words. Thanks for showing the area... its not the most beautiful or interesting, but it's home.

[@ianstuart5660]

It's a pretty beautiful area compared to many others I've seen on this Channel!

[@joshf2685]

I still visit the area every year but the videos do make me miss home. I can at least drive back but it has to be more than just a weekend visit.

[@amandajohnson8116]

I grew up in Weirton and left when I was 17 to go to college in California. I’m now 38 and I miss everything I thought I hated about it.

[@Sohvnly]

Born and raised in wheeling left wva and moved to martins ferry Ohio when I was 18 years old. Wheeling is failing now with the crime rate due to the opioid epidemic I truly believe, also lack of jobs. It’s sad because this used to be such an amazing place to live when I was younger. My great grandmother used to take me on weekends for shopping and lunch in downtown wheeling . The old stone and Thomas tea room !! Loved it!! Had the best hot roast beef sandwiches ever!!! Tyvm for these two videos you did of my hometown cities!!! Moundsville and Glendale wva are right below wheeling, those are 2 beautiful cities to see also!!!

[@Antonio_Serdar]

Seems like a lot of people from the region are Catholic, mostly Polish, but also Croatian. You seem Polish as well judging by the surname.

[@lydibugmuzik]

@antonio_serdar, yes my grandfather and grandfather who grew up in Wheeling in the 1920s and 30s were Polish and Croatian, respectively 😊.

[@catlover614]

A very enjoyable video, as always. Wellsburg had a lovely historic feel to it. I love the old lamp-posts in the street, and the church bells were eerie, but beautiful at the same time !! Thank you so much.😊❤

[@standunitedorfall1863]

Those bells were giving the time. Normal back in the day.

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

Very nice towns in WV! I like Wheeling in particular. Love the history of the state capitol. It’s a gorgeous building. The bridge and river views are really amazing. So nice to see the citizens cleaning up the downtown. You’re correct. Other cities should take note. Always love driving through WV.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the great comment, Alexandra!

[@Hanna-tt1ex]

Raised in New Cumberland but still in Hancock county! My dad used to work as a truck driver for Weirton steel until he got laid off. Truly a wonderful video on mine and many others hometown

[@tygreenwood472]

Weir cove remember that company well it was contracted to haul the steel out of the mill in weirton.

[@joeswan6747]

My grandma and uncles used to live there,three still do.they were the swan family .

[@markthompson9056]

Love New Cumberland and Tomlinson Run Park.

[@joeswan6747]

All my dads family was from New Cumberland.used to hang out on the river there

[@lindanaughton9689]

I grew up in E Liverpool Ohio until 1967. Enjoying these 2 videos along the Ohio river very much. My guess re: the crime rate is that it is drug-related with a dash of organized crime sprinkled in.

[@russellfraser9826]

I was born in Wellsville, Ohio. We moved to East Liverpool when I was around 10. I worked in West Virginia at Homer Laughlin, Taylor Smith and Taylor, Ohio Brass, and New Castle Refractories. They were all closing back then and moved West to California in 1976. When visiting, Hard to believe all the towns hanging on. Visiting my Aunt in Wellsville, main street is void of business. Such a great town back then. So Sad.

[@marksnyder8022]

Yes, and crime concentrates around population. More population means more opportunities for mischief and more of a crowd to hide in. In Follansbee a stranger sticks out a mile and will be watched. Less so in Wheeling.

[@ianstuart5660]

@russellfraser9826 Canadian here. That name you mentioned Taylor Smith is vivid in memory. Drinking water fountains from long ago. Also remember a Halsey Taylor from Ohio!

[@laminator72]

I was born in East Liverpool in 1951 and moved to Florida in 1971. I worked at Homer Laughlin during 68-71. We were on strike when I moved. I do miss living there. Like you, I have really enjoyed these videos.

[@annabelleb.8096]

That pretzel looked yummy. What beautiful towns. Some of those abandoned houses could be so stunning. I hope they get renovated.

[@nmbr1ptcrw1]

I grew up most of my life in Weirton/New Cumberland and I loved living there is a diverse community of people and have seen the city change due to the change in the steel mill. I have been up and down the river on both sides and can appreciate the beauty of WV

[@earving3245]

Italian viewer here. I visited Pittsburgh but never ventured so far. You gotta love blight with a charm. Your best video so far: rust belt plus appalchian mountains is an irresistible match. Love the calm emptiness, Italy is so crowded

[@creasefold1986]

delusional

[@nickmad887]

Iam Italian in PGH.Iam from Palarmo

[@jnuss2012]

Pittsburgh is a gorgeous city! Hope you enjoyed your time there!

[@zanderbailey]

This is Steubenville ohio crossing to wv...follansbee weirton area. Long way from Pittsburgh.

[@peopleskarmasquad1042]

@@zanderbailey only 30 miles

[@talllman3218]

Nice video. I live in Central Ohio but have been to all these towns many times. A few years ago, I rode my bicycle from Stubenville all the way across the state of West Virginia into Pennsylvania and back by noon. Ok, it was only a 10 mile trip. LOL Wheeling has always been a rough town. Lots of drugs cause much of the crime problem.

[@KarenG55]

Traubert's building is for sale for $45,000.

[@patrickrancourt4782]

Why this town is so quiet on sunday morning ? No one's walking and every store's lookslike closed !!!!! But this town look so really clean and safe

[@marksnyder8022]

​@@patrickrancourt4782Everyone's at home or in church (a few might be on a local golf course).

[@elliebellie7816]

@@patrickrancourt4782 "Downtown" is usually closed on Sunday due to church and other activities and shopping establishments being held elsewhere. Not a lot of people live downtown so there's no reason to have businesses open. "Downtown" is also usually closed up tight after 6PM as well due to lack of working people being around.

[@markthompson9056]

Graduated with Susan Traunert. Wonderful family

[@HackHunter1835]

Let me say that you did an awesome job with this video. Born and raised in Wheeling. Moved away many years ago. The only thing that was missing from this was I wish you would of done some footage on the town you drove thru just before Wheeling called Warwood. Lots of history there as well. Thank you for putting the time in to showcase these locations. I do go back to visit family but seeing this video was a pleasant surprise. Well done. "Almost Heaven" WVa!

[@maryjowatkins6126]

Born in the Ohio valley…..brought back many memories. Moved to Nc in the 90’s. Good job

[@davidabraham1969]

I grew up in Warwood

[@fwilliamcony28]

My dad was a bricklayer at Blaw Knox located in the north part of Warwood along Rt 2 for decades. I also remember the Warwood HS Vikings before the consolidation with Wheeling Park HS.

[@khatokhato9350]

Among the rest rivers, Ohio river looks very special and beautiful. Its slow current looks very powerful. Riverbed seems to be very deep with plain bottom. On the surface there are no whirlpools, nor high waves, the stream is steady and slow heavily rolling huge masses of water. Very impressive look indeed.

[@dianacornwell2258]

I love this river...I canned with my grandpa and my my great grandfather had a ferry from west Virginia to ohio

[@maryjowatkins6126]

I lived in Warwood, Wv for 38 years with a great view of the Ohio river….I still miss that view❗️

[@hansblitz7770]

I have a fish finder that measures depth, and even out in the middle is not very deep, 15ft-25ft generally. Also, the violent crime rate is misleading, it is almost exclusively from domestic violence. This is not a place where somone is likely to get attacked by a stranger.

[@michaelgarrity6090]

The Ohio River we see today is vastly different than it was in the time these towns were founded. Back then, the river was wild and uncontrolled. You could go from the river flooding in the spring and by late summer, you could barely float a canoe. Today we have the big US Army Corps Of Engineers locks and dams. They guarantee that there is a minimum of a nine foot channel down the middle so the barges can continue to run the river. The river now is a series of lakes backed up behind the dam portion of Locks and Dams. Most of the time the current is modest at about 3 or 4 miles an hour but in high water it can move much faster.

[@marksnyder8022]

A series of dams keeps the river in pools that are deep for barge traffic. They also mitigate flooding. There are old photos that show the river dry at Cincinnati where packet steamers are sitting in the riverbed. In April I was shunpiking over near Ulysses Grant's birthplace and stopped at the Meldahl Dam near Neville, Ohio. I forgot how big they were.

[@lillypad9960]

Joe, you're always positive, never condescending. Thanks for that. Blessings from Michigan.

[@45AMT]

Wow! Wellsburg and Wheeling are very nice! neat how Wheeling is divided between the banks of the Ohio and an Island Thanks for the tour Joe!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It’s a cool town! 👍😀

[@rickbaker7507]

West Virginia has 2 panhandles northern, (where you are currently), and the eastern panhandle, I'm originally from wheeling, and still live close To wheeling, in the state of Ohio, Really enjoy your content! 👍😉

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting. :)

[@bigscarysteve]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip People from the states neighboring West Virginia frequently make reference to "the West Virginia panhandle" as if there's only one. I find this irritating, because it seems as if those people could only be bothered to look at a map showing the area near where they live, and they notice a bit of West Virginia sneaking onto the map, and they think that that's THE West Virginia panhandle. If you ever get over to the eastern panhandle area, you might want to ask people in Hampshire, Mineral, Grant, Hardy, and Pendleton counties if they consider their area to be a part of the eastern panhandle or not. Some people from WV think that the eastern panhandle consists of eight counties, but other people insist it's composed of only three counties (Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson). I'm curious to know what people who live there actually think. If you listen to the weather report on WV Public Radio, they always mention an area called the Potomac Highlands. I'd never heard of such a geographical term until I started listening to WVPR--I think it refers to the first five counties I mentioned, but I'm not sure. Some geography teachers bother to teach about the panhandles of every state, and others don't--and then there are others who do a half-a**ed job. My teachers fell into the third category. It was only years later that I ever heard of the Texas panhandle. Looking at a map of Texas, I didn't see anything that really looked like a panhandle to me. I wondered if it protruded north, west, or south. Finally, somebody from Texas told me that "north" was the correct answer.

[@Antonio_Serdar]

I would say that the eastern panhandle only consists of the three counties you mentioned, basically DC suburbs. Arguably the only part of WV that is not in Appalachia would be the eastern half of Berkely county and the entire Morgan county.

[@prophetmargin7497]

Watching this video of all these beautiful abandoned towns reminds me of those post-apocalyptic sci-fi films that were so big in the 60's and 70's!

[@sewer_8512]

Twilghlight zone had some good ones like some last man on earth type stuff 💪🏻

[@prophetmargin7497]

@@sewer_8512 How about "Omega Man" with Charleston Heston!

[@CharlottePrattParrott]

Lovely towns. Thanks for the great tour.I was surprised that those grand old houses were so close together.

[@willbygosh4887]

Weirton Steel was a huge employer in Weirton that one time employed like 10,000 at it's peak.Not sure if it's still open.Wheeling was once the largest City in West Virginia and it was also the first Capitol of West Virginia.

[@КазичВолков]

Its owned by cleveland cliffs these days, its still operating but they're laying people off currently unfortunately

[@markthompson9056]

Weirton Steel is no more. Most of the buildings are gone including blast furnace

[@gretchenburton7184]

My husband was from Akron, Ohio. He told so many stories about the area and his life. His father worked for Firestone for over 40 years. We lived in West LA, Ventura County then San Diego county. He passed 11 yrs ago. He was a shaolin martial artist and had served the military. Miss him so.

[@derekrichard9189]

Joe I love your videos and your success is well deserved!! Appreciate it and keep up the great job

[@DottyKupsky]

My dad worked at Weirton Steel most of his life operating a crane. The Nipon steel mill you saw used to be part of Wheeling Steel, but now it's Japanese. Weirton Steel was worker-owned.

[@kathleenroush2781]

My MIL grew up in Wellsburg and my husband in Follansbee. The first time I went home with my hubby that whole panhandle was booming with steel product, All the buildings were covered in ash from the mills

[@johnshields6852]

That first shot driving over the metal grating, when my children were little, we'd drive over the bridge in our neighborhood where the shipyard is and even though they were in their car seats and couldn't see, that sound of the tires over the metal made that sound and they'd yell, " shipyard", it was cute, guess you had to be there.

[@jm7578]

Regardless of what all of the videos on KZbin say about West Virginia, I want to go there really bad before I leave this earth. Family and work keep me home a lot but if I ever get a chance to go to West Virginia I am definitely going

[@stephenuhlman7588]

I was born in WV and lived a lot of years there before being transferred. It really is a beautiful state. Beautiful mountains, really great people, and a lot of interesting history. Blennerhasset Island is a fun place to go. I hope ou will be able to see it sometime.

[@gatorgogo2742]

Very interesting. Never seen anything like it. It's nice to see the architecture of the old buildings. Thank you.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

You are wonderful travel companion. I appreciate the way you see beauty in environment and architecture, though time may have taken its tool. As you say, restoration is always a possibility. Keep your heartfelt travelogs a comin'.❤

[@OrganNLou]

Harpers Ferry, is my fave town in West Virginia (its spectacular!).

[@marknewton6984]

Lee and Jackson!

[@burleybater]

What an incredibly well-preserved town (Wellsburg, W. Virginia?) The place reeks of town pride. The downtown is to die for. There are some buildings just begging to be brought back to life. This is one of the finest towns I've seen on your tour. If I lived in a town like this, I would walk it two hours a day every day. Those streets ache for my footsteps, and vice versa. Turns out Wheeling is not that much different in size than the town I grew up in. North Bay, Ontario, in Canada. Now that I think back - in the early sixties, I used to steal my older sister's transistor radio (it was understood I had to provide fresh batteries) and tune in at night, after dark, Yankee ball games. On the nights that didn't work, I'd tune in rust belt radio stations for the music, which came in clear as a bell after 9 or 10 pm at night. And Wheeling, West Virginia was one of my old standbys. I remember the first time I ever heard Billy Graham on the air. I was lucky to grow up in a kid-friendly town. The right size. One that suited my beloved bicycle. 28-inch wheels, I kid you not, and that bike was mine by the age of 11. But the town - proud, competent, responsible adults, services, schools, wonderful Main Street, beaches, parks, playgrounds - and all of it slapped in the middle of a wilderness that was only a 20-minute bike ride away. A good town in a kid's life should be a must. I was fantasizing rolling a bike around downtown Wheeling. Old habits and old loves never die.

[@fwilliamcony28]

Speaking of Wheeling, I saw the Capitol Theatre was still open along Main Street. At one time, it was home to the Saturday night WWVA Country Music Jamboree which you could also listen to on the 50,000-watt WWVA radio. Dozens of busses with hundreds of visitors, including many Canadians, packed the streets and theatre to enjoy that old-time country music.

[@danielferrara5636]

I’m currently in the process of opening a second business in wellsburg with plans of others in the future, I agree, this downtown is to die for and I’ll be working with a few others in an attempt to bring it back to life a bit

[@TheMadTube]

Raised in the county south of Wheeling known as Marshall County. However, due to bizarre zoning laws in the 80’s when I grew up, my address was still “Wheeling”, even though I lived in another county. My wife was raised in the exact area you were in. In fact, you could actually see the lot where her house was growing up here in this video. Her and I both left over 20 years ago when we finished high school and never looked back. There are many positives about living there, but those are not for us. This area was very heavily polluted from the coal plants, chemical factories, and steel mills. We feel it every time we go back to visit. Great video!

[@jimthornton-fc8kq]

I would have never made it to Wheeling W. Virginia unless you allowed me to go with you- and you did. Thanks for the ride. I really enjoyed the trip.Sincerely, Jim Thornton

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@PatJenningsGloves]

I live in England i really enjoyed this video, especially those beautiful old houses you have in the states with those little turrets on them, and that lovely old theatre you showed. Many thanks.

[@marknewton6984]

Iaeger, W VA on the Tug River. We love limeys.

[@justmike6377]

I grew up in Follansbee and now live in Weirton. Once steel industry went bust things went downhill, however this is technically the greatest PGH metro area and many commute to the Pittsburgh area for work. Fun fact my parents live in Lou Holtz's former home (where i grew up). Not the best homes/neighborhoods represented in this video but this what the downtown areas have to offer. For WV this is a decent place to live. Smaller town vibe with close proximity to major metro area. It's sorta odd, downstate WV doesn't really claim the northern panhandle, nor does Ohio/PA . Hope you enjoyed your visit. Safe travels

[@shirzadyo]

We are in West Ohiovania

[@tallboy2234]

@@shirzadyo Nice! 🤣🤣😂😉

[@dougmozingo2324]

Loved your video of West Virginia, I’m from Wheeling, but living in Tampa now. But that Suspension Bridge you were walking on at the end of your video is heading towards Wheeling Island and down by that Stadium we saw on the Island is a Beautiful Huge Motel and Huge Casino

[@donnahughes8409]

Thank you so much for taking us through this journey of West Virginia. when my family came to the US and settled this clears up a lot for me in the state that they decided to settle in I thought was West Virginia but it was not declared yet. It was still Virginia when they came over and later declared West Virginia which is where all my families from they say the Nichols family.

[@vinnyo1726]

I grew up in Steubenville but left there in 6 grade I’m 56 now and I can’t believe that bridge is still there .I remember driving across it and smelling the steel mills because they were still in operation back then . Thanks so much for this being able to connect back with my childhood I hit so excited seeing and remembering that bridge

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@markthompson9056]

Market Street bridge is permanently closed and will be replaced within the next 20 - 15 years.

[@jennywilson9731]

Wonderful videos!..thank you sharing all the beautiful sights,..the big homes speak the history of place an the Ohio river..looking forward to the next sights you bring us "Good Sir" ,safe travels ! God bless.🌼

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Jenny!

[@kimberH1005]

I was surprised how nice Weirton was because I know how much of West Virginia has fallen on hard times. I read the comment by the Weirton resident that was cool. When you said Wheeling's population was 27,000 I was very surprised I would have guessed 80K So then I went on google and learned it's the 5th most populated. Charleston the largest has 49,000. Those were the only two I had heard of but I never thought the population was so small. The history of how it became a state during the civil war was very interesting. I learned something, 😀

[@marknewton6984]

Where is Iaeger?

[@fwilliamcony28]

@@marknewton6984 During the school seasons, my guess is Morgantown has more residents than anyplace else in WV. Morgantown is annually ranked among the Best Small College Towns in America.

[@gonzothompson412]

The part that says “leaving Ohio” was the best! Go Steelers

[@joandean7243]

Go Steelers from a Buckeye woman

[@old64goat]

Thanks for the tour, I have been to wheeling on vacation each year from 1970 to 1978 and stayed at the Downtowner Motor Inn, right next to the Wheeling suspension bridge. YES I went to the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree at the Capitol hall. Shame they tore up the city streets, walked those streets many times, lots of the buildings seem to have been torn down.

[@larkhigginbotham5374]

Downtown eraser is being torn down.

[@E2MC2]

Wellsburg is an amazing town. Thank you for sharing.

[@hjcj2685]

Hey Fellas I'm from easton maryland I've been here in weirton of and on 14years And I looove it yes maryland is beautiful and lots to do but I love the people of the town and I love the mountains and it's a good place to raise you kids and the cost of living is very good

[@gregkerr725]

That Wellsburg old town square was awesome. It reminded me of Williamsburg Virginia.

[@muhindoibrahim5427]

Brother, you are the best, l had never seen the childhood home of MJ but through your effort I have seen it , am in Rwenzori mountains Kasese Uganda, go ahead with this tour,

[@amberhansen3806]

I miss Tudors Biscuit World in WV. Drove from Oil City Pa to Weirton WV just to have my fix. I was introduced to them when I lived in St albans WV

[@markthompson9056]

It's still there

[@patm5594]

Nicer looking in that area than I thought. Looks like they are working hard to maintain the area

[@cecoya]

Did not realize was that beautiful. Born in VA but never went back. I was amazed at the houses puts you in mind of the old age and lovely to look at. Thanks for sharing have a safe trip

[@amandaw.7311]

You were in the downtown area of Weirton. Weirton heights on the hill is where everything is. The Mill was the Old Weirton Steel, now Cleveland cliffs.. I lived there. I'm from Chester WV. Top of the panhandle near Newell WV.. home of the Homer Laughlin China Co. Where beautiful Fiesta ware is made.. and where Mountaineer race track is. Should have headed north on route 2 we are across from Eastliverpool Ohio and boarder Pennsylvania.. 😊 safe travels. I enjoyed watching this video all of the river towns you were through have Heights to them which are really nice.. hope you visited the Highlands while in Wheeling..

[@cherienafo7676]

Australia here/ Thanks Joe & Nic- loved these towns in this video- so pretty and well-kept too. When I win the OZ Lotto- I,ll be coming to buy one of those gorgeous old houses !! LOL.

[@marknewton6984]

West VA is pretty...but Florida even nicer, mate!

[@welcome_to_the_collapse]

My grandparents eloped to Wellsburg in 1937. My grandmother told me that Wellsburg had a lot of wedding chapels and was like the Las Vegas of the Ohio Valley in those days.

[@Bloomalloo]

That stadium is where Wheeling Park High School hosts its home football games, along with soccer and other sports. It has also hosted West Virginia high school football playoff games as well. I am a news producer for WTRF 7News which is on 16th Street in downtown Wheeling. I was born, raised, and currently still live in Moundsville, which is part of Marshall County, about 15 minutes south of Wheeling. If you are ever in the area again, it is certainly worth checking out. Lots of good historical nuggets to discover in my home town!

[@leehuff2330]

The mill building you were wondering about was the Number 9 tandem rolling mill. Steel slabs from the now- demolished open hearth and basic oxygen furnaces was rolled into various shapes such as structural steel or flat strip steel.

[@vickiehawkins8865]

Joe I love your commentary with the video. It really helps us learn and understand the town better.

[@krisboynes4915]

Born and raised in Weirton the overhead bridge used to go thru the mill mostly tore down

[@hisforheretic1765]

My mom's family is from Follensbee. Have family in all the towns you visited that day. Have family in Stubenville as well. My grandad retired from the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel coke plant in the mid 1970s. Love your vids.

[@markthompson9056]

Good times with good people

[@davidbroughall3782]

Weirton straddles that entire panhandle from the Ohio River to the Pennsylvania border.

[@tig3rjax494]

I grow up in this area. I have been in FL since 2015. I do miss it up there. I have been thinking about moving back soon.

[@donaldmilhoan6379]

Good filming, love seeing the welcome signs. Boy old bridge

[@gamebriz4163]

I like how you present your videos, straight up facts not sensualizing the issues/problems that these towns have👌

[@marguaritekyer1377]

I lived 40 years along the Ohio river in Parkersburg and St. Marys W. Va.

[@bigdog593]

I am from Parkersburg born and raised I have been up and down the Ohio River I live in ga now but I'm coming home soon 4 good miss it to much

[@bigscarysteve]

One of my father's best friends lived his whole life in Vienna. When asked for his phone number, he would respond "Parkersburg 6." If the younger people couldn't interpret that into a modern phone number, he'd go into a rage and say, "By Golly! My phone number has always been Parkersburg 6 and it'll always be Parkersburg 6!"

[@jeneendove906]

Thank you for showing these beautiful states.❤🇺🇸

[@richardduerr9983]

I love all your travel videos, but this one was particularly enjoyable. The houses are beautiful and the architecture amazing in these towns. I have driven by Wheeling on the interstate many times, with no idea of what I was missing. All those towns are lovely, and are giving me alternative ideas on what I might do for a vacation, instead of the usual shore or cruise route. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Richard!

[@joycelebaron2582]

Oh I'm so glad you went through Wheeling. FINALLY I've seen Wheeling! Seriously. I had driven by there a few times in my younger days and always thought it was a dump. I was so happy I wasn't from Wheeling when looking at it from the freeway. But I always wanted to drive through town to see if it was nicer than it looked from the freeway but never had the time, so thanks! Too bad it was rainy but it seems like a nice enough town. A pretty area and central location to places I like to travel.

[@lancebon2931]

Weirton had a wonderful recreation center that we use to go to back in the 1960's

[@pamelia7788]

Hi Joe, I just wanted to say thanks for these wonderful videos. I am 72 now and don't get to drive all around like I did when I was young. I enjoy your company and cruising around with you. Wishing you peace and blessings. Pam

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Pam!

[@lmcwill0502]

The husband and I had planned a road trip and WV was one of the states in that trip. We would have been there at the same time had not surgery got in the way of our trip. Been through WV once and found it a beautiful state . We are hoping to carry on with our plans maybe in July .

[@Champwsox05]

WV is gorgeous. There really is no other place quite like it.

[@Champwsox05]

I'd almost rather live there than my home state of Illinois. Illinois sucks big you know what.

[@olivieraleman]

Hope you make it here, we have poverty but also beauty, and an almost forgotten way of life.

[@olivieraleman]

Thanks for showing my hometown of Wellsburg WV….I have lived in Weirton and worked in the steel mill there.❤

[@TalliesbyDee]

In all my travels I've never made it to W. Virginia and I enjoyed seeing what a beautiful state it is. Looks like I need to make a point of doing a road trip through the northern section of W. Virginia to visit Wheeling and some of the other small towns.

[@PolkRidgeAesthete]

A beautiful, revealing video, indeed! Thanks for your coverage of these old river towns.

[@poowg2657]

Not only steel disappeared but thanks to the SFBs in DC the coal industry is also just about gone. Love the up close and personal take on the places I usually only see on Google Maps. Great video as usual, thanks much!

[@fwilliamcony28]

My maternal grandfather, an Italian immigrant from Norcia, Italia, and his sons worked for decades in a coal mine located in Windsor Heights, a tiny hilltop community between Wellsburg and Wheeling. They lived in a coal company house located in Wellsburg and shopped at a coal company store near the mine.

[@stefaniecummings7019]

My In-Laws live in Weirton... I enjoy visiting. Lots of history in that area. Thanks for the video!

[@markthompson9056]

Weirton is still low crime and comfortable.

[@marywalker2896]

My husband and I use to shop at a dollar gf real store marketplace. Loved it. Not so crowded easy in and out and could pick up underwear and shoes if needed along with groceries. Great store. But we moved and haven’t been able to find another. Nice towns. Great vlog.

[@patroclo2100]

Joe and nic ! Thank you so much ! I had the chance ti see again my lovely Town wheeling where i spent three months as and Exchange studenti in 1977 (!!). I was 18 ! Love you ! Giuseppe. Italy

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Our pleasure!

[@frankwoods4532]

I was born in W.V. and like you I love seeing the big old building's. It beats the crap out of seeing trash on the streets, people hanging out on the street corners, parked cars on what used to be lawn. It's nice to see people caring about where they live. Thanks for sharing.

[@marknewton6984]

Visited Iaeger as a child from Florida. Loved it on Tug River. Lovely mountains-- exotic to me.

[@thedeathwishchronicles]

My boyfriend is from wheeling, WV. I’m from columbus, & had never been out that way until we met. We go down a couple of times a year and for holidays to visit his family. He’s said construction has been like that downtown for years. It’s truly such a beautiful place & I almost feel in awe every time we visit. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever seen. I’ve said multiple times “if you ever want to move back…I’d be fine with that.” lol

[@brstoffel]

Outstanding video, Joe and Nicole!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, BR!

[@briansaxby5357]

Love those ood buildings, especially the ones with the turrets

[@randysavage8963]

Fantastic video and commentary as usual great work !