BIG STONE GAP VIRGINIA | SOUTHWEST VA COAL MINE TOWN IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2021
- We traveled to the Coal Mine town of Big Stone Gap Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Karen is a true southern lady raised in the Southwest mountains of Appalachia. In the video Karen retraces some of her steps growing up and shows us around town. We visit the Southwest Virginia Museum, Powell Valley Overlook, Harry W. Meador Jr. Coal Museum, June Tolliver House, Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama and take a walk downtown for the sites and sounds of the once thriving coal mining town of Big Stone Gap Virginia. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Click "Show More"
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I was born on Callahan Avenue in Appalachia in 1954. Attended 1st grade at Appalachia Elementary in 1960. We moved to what was called the "Southern" near Powell Valley High School and attended East Stone Gap Elementary grades 2-5. Our family then moved to Frankfort, Indiana where I completed High School and entered the military for 20 years. The last time I was in Big Stone Gap was July 1981 when my Mother passed. She is buried in Dryden. My childhood remembrance of Big Stone Gap was the Police Station next to a River and a Super Market named "Buckles". I also remember a large fish in the lower section of the Southwest Virginia Museum. I still have relatives in Big Stone Gap and Keokee. We plan to visit in the near future.
So awesome to hear your connection to the area, David. My stepfather, Wendell, was from the Keokee/Stonega area. He played football for Appalachia HS. And was in the military also. That first town hall we went up when we were little was beside the river. I remember Buckles for a little while after we moved there. And our second house there was in the southern area, only about a mile from Powell Valley High School. Small world, huh?! Thanks for sharing! ~ Karen
I grew up in the trail of the lonsome pine play. Im now 74 .thanks for the great memory.
Thanks for sharing, I seen the Trail of Tears when I was growing up. I would love to see that again.
Great, Teresa! Thanks for sharing! ~ Karen
Nothing like growing up in a small town. Big Stone Gap is a beautiful town nothing like being from the South God Bless and thanks for the tour
So True, Jimmy! Yes and yes! Thank you! ~ Karen
It's a racist town
I read almost all Adriana's books. My husband and I took a trip to Tennessee and stopped at Big Stone Gap. It was very quiet when we went everyone was kind. I loved the museum it is beautiful
Great video...the movie was great too...had many memories as a kid getting those drinks from those vending machines and yes putting that bag of peanuts in the drink..we didn't have much STUFF but we had each other..Now seems everyone has a lot of STUFF but not much time for each other..those times were precious memories..Thanks for the great videos..✌
Hey Mike, that’s a wise and sad observation about how times have changed. But grateful for such fond childhood memories. Glad you saw the 🎥 ! ~ Karen
@@FridaysForever Thanks Karen..❤✌
I grew up in the Wild Cat went to Florida as kid come back often over the years to visit brothers sisters and family in the area Love it still my home
How cool, Mitch! Thanks for sharing! ~ Karen
Such a lovely way to get to know ya’ll a little more and it is a wonderful little town….just put it on my bucket list…..great job!
Thank you, Pamela! So glad you enjoyed and watched. ~Karen
Love your home town Karen. Thank you.
What a awesome visit to Big Stone Gap.Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for sharing this place with us and mentioning the movie Big Stone Gap. My wife and I just got done watching it. We really enjoyed it. May God keep blessing both of you. We look forward to seeing more.
Glad you watched the movie. Thanks for watching. the. video. God bless.
Thanks for the visit to Big Stone Gap . Watched the movie , and read the book .Great stuff !! Loved this vlog ..another great one !!!
Always appreciate you watching and commenting, Starla. ~ Karen
My husband and his very large family are from big stone gap.they moved up north and we met as teenagers. his mom was born in the wild cat and raised in the coal camps.
his family history goes back to 1600s ,the revolutionary war and civil war ancestors.
I told him i saw a video on Appalachia and he told me i talked like a yankee,its called appalach"ee".....but when he took me down home to see where he grew up ,i loved it.
The singing group I used to play for recorded 3 cassettes at Maggard Studio in Big Stone Gap.
Oh cool, Randy! We know Maggard’s well and some others who recorded there! Thanks for sharing! ~ Karen
Randy, who did you play for?
My Momma and Aunt recorded their Albums at Maggard's.
They were the Falin Sister's.
@@rhondawomble9036 The Pleasant Ridge Trio. This was about 30 years ago. We are from MIssissippi.
I really loved your home town story, Karen. I could tell how much pride you have for Big Stone Gap & being raised in a beautiful small town. Thank you so much for taking us on your trip down memory lane. And yes, I always put peanuts in whatever “cola” I was drinking. I still occasionally have cola & peanuts even now & I’m 74 years old. ♥️
This is my hometown. Born and raised here, raised my children here and now my grandchildren.
I love this little neck of the woods. Grateful and blessed with such a loving, down to earth, God fearing place to call home.
Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed seeing this! My grandfather's family was from Powell Valley area. He used to talk about how beautiful it was.
How great! Powell Valley is super pretty! And the name of my Alma Mater! Thanks for sharing! ~ Karen
I loved going to southwest VA when I worked for the state. Have some good friends in Wise County and spent lots of time in Wise, Pound, Big Stone Gap, Norton, Clinchwood, and Breaks Interstate Park. I still have a big piece of coal shale on my desk to remind me of being out there.
Thanks so much for sharing Vic!
Today is the day. I am finally going to BSG where my grandfather is from. I am so excited to meet my family/cousins there.
Thank you for sharing Madeline - have fun.
Love the charm of small towns! It's a beautiful area where you grew up. Thank you for giving a tour and telling about the history. When you see it visually it definitely draws you in more. Beautiful pic of you and your sisters. Thank you Karen for sharing part of your life. ❤ Bless you both!
Glad you enjoyed it Tara and thank so much for the kind comment! God bless!!
I've never been there, but my Grandparents were born and raised there!
Beautiful town.
It really is. Thanks for watching Cody!
OMG!!! I just discovered y’all’s UA-cam Channel last week! I Love it!! I am from Grundy, VA (Buchanan County) and we used to play Powell Valley in Football!!! My Dad was one of the Grundy football coaches! I now live in Cedar Bluff, VA, but I am a Teacher in Buchanan County!! I love Southwest Va!! Nothing like it!!! God Bless Y’all!!!
Hi Ginger! Welcome to our youtube family!! Thanks so much for sharing with us and we love SouthWest Va. God bless!
Thoroughly enjoyed your video. I spent many summers of my youth in Big Stone Gap with my grandmother as my mother grew up there and my father grew up in Appalachia. Wonderful memories
Karen, what a beautiful town to grow up in!! Thank you (and Mike) for sharing it with us!!! ❤🙂👍
You’re welcome, Jim. Thanks for your kind words.
I love big stone gap
Hey thanks for the memories, grew up in the gap
You’re welcome, Fred! Great place to spend a childhood! ~ Karen
Been so long since I've seen the movie I had to watch it again ..just finished. It was just as good as I remember .
Thanks, Starla. We want to watch it again soon too. ~ Karen
Hi, I have been there many times. My great grandmother and grandparents lived in Artesian Well Hollow. Very good memories. Thank you.
Luv your video. I also grew up in BSG, graduated PVHS in the 80's, went to college @ ETSU. I even lived in Gray TN for a bit. Brings back a lot of memories. ❤️
Wow - thanks for sharing Jacqueline.
Thank You Mike and Karen. Very good job.
It’s always good to go back home. Nothing better to bring back memories and to help us remember where we really come from. Thank you for taking us along for the visit. - Tennessee Smoky
So true, we agree. Appreciate you coming along! ~ Karen
Love the video. My Mamaw lived there. Still have family there. My same is Sharon and I have a twin named Karen too😊
I so enjoyed this! Thank you very much for sharing.Just luv ya both.
Glad you enjoyed it Betty and it's our pleasure. Love ya back!
We have been at that overlook many times on our way home from Pigeon Forge. The view is amazing! Can't wait to stop at Big Stone Gap and explore the town. Thank you for sharing❤❤
Sounds great! Our pleasure.
Also my parents got married at The trail of the lonesome pine. They were both cast memebers my dad was the Red Fox in 1980. At the end of the last show they got married and surprised the audience.
thanks for another great show guys beautiful town KAREN grew up in luv the video GOD BLESS b safe
Appreciate you, Cory. Blessings to you! ~ Karen
@@FridaysForever thank you
Yes! Had great big ole bottles of RC cola or the big green bottles of coke....the kind of soda that would make your eyes water...lol....sodas are not like they use to be when we were growing up....but yes...I also have alot of memories of those ole coke machines.... pulling out a coke or RC cola and putting peanuts in it....still do it today....one of my favorite snacks.....:) Thanks for the wonderful videos! God Bless y'all
Catherine, seems like more people experienced the cola and peanuts than we thought. Yes, I agree, I'm not really a soda drinker anymore, but it does seem like they were stronger back in the day. ~ Karen
To the guy, filming everything, You gotta love that Girl's Accent!!
Really neat seeing where you grew up, Karen! Looks like a beautiful, quaint little town. I also enjoyed seeing a pic of you with your sisters! You and your twin sister do look identical!
Thanks so much, Courtney! Yes, I think we are!
@@FridaysForever You’re welcome! That’s so cool! I think I already mentioned this, but my Paternal Grandmother and Great Aunt were identical twins. I prayed for twins, and God blessed Kyle and I with fraternal twins. God is so good!
That’s so neat. I believe that too. My mom is also a twin which is unusual since it normally skips a generation. A twin had twins. ☺️ ~ Karen
@@FridaysForever Wow, that is unusual, but super cool!
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your childhood. Such a beautiful area to grow up in. God bless. Have a blessed weekend 😊.
It was a lonely place to spend my childhood. Blessings to you, Anthony! ~ Karen 😇
Awesome town!
🙂👍❤️❤️
That was such a nice adventure, It almost felt like I was really there back in the day.
This is my favorite video of all of yours, it was good for the soul...
Thanks for your kind words, Ray! There’s power in story and every one has a story to share! ~ Karen
I could write a very long note, but I’ll try to keep it brief. My dad’s family were all born and raised in Big Stone Gap/Powell Valley area. They moved up to IN in 1944. Long story about the move. Just think moonshine. I recall my first visit back in 2002-2003. It felt like home. I have been back a few times. Unfortunately, I don’t know any of our distant family - Gilley’s, Gibson’s, Collier’s, and Carter’s and the older generation that may have known my grandparents and older aunts are most likely not with us any longer. Thank you for sharing and I would love to hear more.
Oh how I LOVED the Big Stone Gap series. One of my favorites. In fact I’ve read all of Trigiani’s books. Thanks for taking us on a trip to your hometown. I’m interested in making a trip there myself now. That’s the beauty of being retired now, we can go places whenever we desire. Yesterday, we drove over to Pretty Place in SC. Beautiful, but we need to go back because the view was obscured by the smoke from out West that is here now.
Thanks so great, Wendy! I graduated with Mike Trigiani, her brother! Glad you all are getting to travel whenever you desire to do so! ~ Karen 😃
Very pretty little town. Thanks for sharing !
You’re welcome, Julie! Glad you joined us! ~ Karen
Beautiful town, thanks for sharing alittle about yourself.😊❤🚂⛰
Thanks so much, Pamela. It is a beautiful place to grow up. ~ Karen
Beautiful area just loved the history thanks for sharing 😊
You’re welcome! Thanks for coming along!
Great video! Thanks for sharing your story!
Appreciate how you’re always so nice, Chad. Thanks for watching! ~ Karen
I was raised here had my kids here, just moved this year away, other reasons, but it is a beautiful place and the nature there I will miss alot... Alot of hiking there caving an more... Flag rock is awesome also you can go to a place to swim called the devil's bathtub...
It's a beautiful area.
I loved Peanuts in my Coke. I'm from the South, (NC). 👍🙂❤️
Thank you for sharing part of your past what a beautiful little town once again thank you
Our pleasure!
That was very enjoyable to watch. Thank you
Glad you liked it Diane! Thank you! ~ Karen 😊
What a beautiful area to grow up in. Thanks for showing us your home town
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
Great video. I grew up in the North Ga mountains and still live in my hometown.
Thank you Robin!
Such a lovely town Karen, with lot's of interesting history!Thanks so much for sharing your home town memories!We'd love to visit sometime!🥰
Thank you, Jody. I think so! Hope you get to visit. ~ Karen
Always nice to go back to your home town. Had grand fathers and great uncles who worked in the coal mines, very hard work they done. They yellow mine machine my pap ran one. Im from the north (Pa.) and do the peanuts in coke. Till this day nothing beats a coke that in a glass bottle. Love all the videos you all do :)
So neat, Les. Thanks for sharing and telling us about the machine and your pap. Thankful to have you in our community! ~ Karen
Beautiful place. Thank you for sharing your life and hometown!
You’re so welcome, thanks for watching! ~ Karen
That place looks beautiful! What a great place to grow up!
It really was a nice small town to live as a child and teen. Wouldn’t trade it for anything! ~ Karen
One of your very best videos. It might be your best and yes I have poured peanuts in a coke. Thanks for all your great work.
Thanks so much Jimmy!
Enjoyed visiting your pretty hometown via your video!
Thank you, Judy! Appreciate you visiting with us! ~ Karen 😀
Yep we put peanuts in our coke too. That's a beautiful place. Want to see the Blue Ridge Mountains someday.
Awesome! And hope you get to the mountains.
Great video, I really enjoyed it.
Beautiful Countryside.... thank you...I live in Jonesville now I was born and raised in Fortlaudale Florida.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing!
What an awesome tour of your hometown thanks for taking us along beautiful place looks like a Lotta great memories thanks for doing what you do God bless and have a great week
Thanks for coming along, glad you enjoyed it, Joe. ~ Karen
Hi. Thanks for sharing this video, it’s great. Love all the history. Happy weekend to you both.
Thank you, Michelle. We’re grateful for you!
@@FridaysForever I’m moving to Nashville in a few months, then next year to East Tennessee. Sister lives in Greeneville now but we are going to somewhere a little bigger in East Tn. Your videos have helped so much. Can’t wait for the seasons.
Beautiful place and story! Loved it!🤗
Thank you so much!
Love love love the history!!! Lots in common! Coke n peanuts, coal mines, and of course ETSU.💙
Go Bucs! Thanks, Julz! ~ Karen 💙💛
Love your Video, Thank you
Thanks, Ann. We appreciate how you always comment with such kind words! ~ Karen ❤️
Love that town, so many memories visiting there. My grandma lived in Stonega. I have a relative still living there Selma Hart she was a teacher.
I ask my Stepfather, Wendell, if he knows her. Or my brother -In-law, who’s a pastor in the Derby/Stonega area, David. ~ Karen
Great tour yall👍I absolutely love living here,seeing this in a different perspective makes me appreciate the awe & wonder of living in a beautiful area
Hi! Thanks so much for watching and sharing with us.
Best video yet! Kim and I loved to hear Karen’s connection to Big Stone Gap.
Thanks Mark & Kim! Still hoping to meet you both in person some day! ~Karen
@@FridaysForever us too. I’ve been working home loans so much lately that I haven’t had any time to spend on UA-cam but we still watch all your videos and haven’t forgotten about y’all
Beautiful area you grew up in Karen. My maternal grandpa John Harris was raised by his grandfather somewhere in southwest Virginia. We're still trying to obtain info. Enjoyed the video, thanks for taking us along.
Very cool, Keith. I hope you find out more. ~ Karen
Enjoyed this video! We drive right by there when we go to visit my mom and stepdad in Hazard, Kentucky. I need to stop and look around sometime for sure. Karen, you make a great tour guide. It is such a pretty little town.
Hey Stephanie, thank you. Yes, we used to visit cousins when we were little in Ky. ~ Karen
Injoy your videos very much. My Sister and Brother n Law lived in Johnson City. Rev Jerry B Fleenor and Eleanor. He was a minister at 2 churches there. My Sister Eleanor worked at ESU for years in the office. They resided in Johnson City up to 2021, She passed away in Feb. Jerry passed 5 yrs ago. I also lived in Marion,Sugar Grove Va in 1968 thru 70. Keep up the Great Work. My Husband is a truck driver and He use to go to Big Stone Gap every week.
Hi Ann! Thank you so much for sharing with us about your family. We appreciate you watching our adventures.
What a treasure! Such a sweet video of YOUR story. I can't wait for your husband's story and the rest of the videos. My husband and I honeymooned in Gatlinburg 22 years ago on July 17th.
Thank you so much Cheryl! We appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Thank you for this video!
My father was from Big Stone, and I remember coming here as a young boy.
I retired last year, had been in the Baltimore area, but moved into “the valley “.
I have relatives here, including two that live across the street from “Powell Valley HS” (I still have trouble calling it Union).
Wonderful place to be!!
Our pleasure Bob! Thanks so much for sharing your memories with us.
Thanks for the nice video. We travel US 23 going to the Smokies, but we haven't stopped in Big Stone Gap. Thanks for the tour, and keep up the great work.
Janet, maybe you can stop in BSG sometime. Thanks for watching. ~ Karen
Peanuts in a RC cola bottle! Still do it!! Awesome vblog , big stone gap is one of my favorite books!!
Wow, that’s so neat! Glad to hear you read the book and still do the cola peanuts thing! ~ Karen
My dad and I poured peanuts in our coke. It is really good. Susie
hey karen you make a great tour guide thank you for the adventure
Lol, thanks so much, Terry. ~Karen
Wow! You just introduced me to a new place to visit! We take little road trips all over the state.
That's awesome Bernie!
Beautiful place!!
Without a doubt! ~Karen
I used to drive a truck through there every week. I came up from Greenville,SC. I sure miss that ride through wise county and on up through west Virginia. Thanks for the video
Thanks so much for watching and sharing with us David!
Such a lovely place I wanna go there quiet place nice neighborhood,historical sites and country musics that's my grand ole opry y'all ❤️❤️❤️ by the way u got a beautiful sister Karen..have a good day to u guys God bless 🙏🙏
Thank you, Roland. It is a wonderful place to grow up and visit. And the history and music are the best. ~ Karen
Thanks for a Great Relaxing Escape on this Saturday morning! My cousin who was like my sister who passed in 2012 taught me to put peanuts in the coke bottle. Brought back great memories!
Michael, I haven’t had that in years. Thanks for watching! Glad you had such a close cousin to grow up with. ~Karen
It's definitely a beautiful peaceful area!
Yes.
Read the book & seen the movie but it's great to see the town up close in your video! Beautiful place! I grew up in a small town in a valley over here in Scotland & Big Stone Gap reminds me so much of it. Thank you for sharing your town 💛
How cool is that, Linz! Glad you got a closer look and it reminds you of the valley in Scotland! Love that! ~Karen
Karen ,I enjoyed seeing your hometown. It looked like a great place to grow up in .We used a coal burning furnace for heat in the house I grew up in. I put peanuts in my coke also when I was young. That is a nice museum in the town. I bet they put on a good play there. Thanks for showing us your hometown.
Thank you so much Rita for sharing with us.
Thank You for the Great video I'm from Roanoke Virginia
Awesome, Roanoke is a beautiful area as well! Been there many times! ~ Karen
Beautiful area!!
It’s is indeed! Thanks for watching! ~ Karen
I love your guys channel. My wife and I go to the smokies all the time and it is my favorite place ever. I am also from Wise Co Virginia and actually graduated from Appalachia High School in 03. Though I haven’t lived in BSG town. I grew up in West Norton and a lot of my friends and family do live in BSG. I have however, lived in Appalachia and Olinger outside of BSG. My wife and I went there yesterday and this lead me to this video. Hadn’t realized you we re from BSG but you look very familiar. Who are ya Kin too. I’m sure I know your family and you probably know mine. Anyways Ty for your great content and for bringing some positivity to Wise Co. I hadn’t realized how much it changed. I can’t believe Mutual is gone and now BSG has a brewery in the town. When I moved away, WISE CO was still a dry county on Sundays and no restaurant or place served alcohol to the public. Give the town another 10 or 15 years and it could be the next Gatlinburg.
Thank you for sharing!
I visited this time last year. My dad’s side is from there living in cadet section of town. My mawmaw went to Powell valley in the 40s. Her first job was Carmine’s where she met my pawpaw ❤️
Thank you for sharing Valerie!
Love the view at Powell Valley. My family is from Clintwood, Virginia.
Thanks for the comment! It's beautiful.
Really looks like a neat place. It's always dun to visit home for me.
Yes, there’s no place like home. 😊 ~ Karen
@@FridaysForever I go back to Paducah for work from time to time. Always feels like going home. Grew up there.
She has a voice you would here on a hometown country cooking show!
Thanks for sharing.
We live in Virginia (Roanoke area), but we've never been to the Big Stone Gap area. It looks like a beautiful place. We love the Virginia & Tennessee mountains.
Neat, Paula. Roanoke is a beautiful place too. Been there many times but not in a long while! Thanks for commenting! ~ Karen
My family lived in El Paso for several years in the 70s - early 80s. Dad was a marine and was stationed at Fort Bliss. A lot of memories there.
My dad was in the military in El Paso too. ~ Karen
It is Beautiful there also
:-)
My hometown too!
That's awesome!
Also, PBS did a good multi-night documentary on the the West Virginia coal mining area. I can't remember the name of it, but it was really good. That area up through PA built America...
Sounds interesting, thanks!
At 15:20 that machine is an undercutter. It was used to cut along the FLOORLINE of the coal seam so the coal could be cut loose by the Continuous Mining Machine (1st Yellow Machine).
Thank you so much for answering the question we appreciate the information.