A Tale of Two Towns: Bluefield Virginia & West Virginia
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- In this Mountain Roots episode of Exploring Appalachia I head to the coal & rail town of Bluefield West Virginia and Virginia. A town that straddles two states, and is full of history!
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#westvirginia #appalachia #Bluefield
Love hearing from y'all in the comments! Where should we explore next?
Hello how you doing
Good looking pplace
Maybe head way up north to Wheeling and or Harper's Ferry
@@jackwagner6809 Just fine! Living in the Ozarks Missouri 🤠. Have a Cattle Ranch. Love you guys 🙏🇺🇸
Nice job on the video sir!
i live in bluefield VA and it’s nice to finally get some professional video on us thank you🙏
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
I remember Bluefield as a booming town in the 1950s when I was a child visiting relatives.
Aww♥️♥️
Me too!
How would you compare Bluefield to Morgantown? I've been considering moving to WV and have been watching some UA-cam videos.
You should do a part 2 of a tale of two towns featuring Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia.
I was born in Bluefield WVA and lived in Bluefield VA, I left there in the late 70s, moving to Danville VA. I live in the Washington DC area now and absolutely hate it. I just miss the small town vibe and civilized people
I understand the sentiment, thanks for watching!
My mother was also born in Bluefield WV. Their home was in Bluefield Virginia but she was born in WV because that's where the closest hospital was. She always considered herself a Virginian though, as that is where her ancestors were from. She died this year and I took her ashes there to be buried with her parents just two days ago. They are buried on the WV side. It's a beautiful place with wonderful people!
I'm probably 5 or 6 years younger than you but I remember you Brian Spivey living on Depot St you rode a blue banana seat bike and lived next door to "The Center." Your Cuz Stephanie is married to my brother Jimmy. We always wondered where you and your brother Gerrod and sister Z went to.
Dont stop recognizing Appalachia. Great work!
That's the plan, really appreciate you watching & sharing too!!
I will be 84 next month, and was born and raised in Bluefield. My class was the last to graduate from the old Beaver high. We lived on college ave in the Mar Lee Apts.
Did u know the BROWNS...HOPKINS..GREYS..REV.PALMER TABERNACLE BAPTIST???
Hi Josh, Love watching your series on Appalachia. I’m from England, so it’s a different world for me. It’s a fascinating place and wonderful scenery, but it’s sad to see many run-down areas. The music is great too. Looking forward to future videos.
Thanks so much for watching, really appreciate it!
The coalfields are really depressed for sure. Some amazing people in the area still yet, some punks…..like anywhere. There is a rich culture in these hills though!
This is a beautiful town such a contrast to some of the abandoned towns like War that you've shown. Wish more could be done to help those Americans.
Have you watched my episodes on Lewisburg or Princeton for example?
My hometown(s) ❤️ I was born in Bluefield WV, grew up in Bluefield VA. I claim both states as home! Lovely video!!
The same here with me it will always have a special place in my heart!
Mt. Airy North Carolina. The inspiration for "Mayberry" on The Andy Griffith show/Mayberry RFD. This should be a visit for you.
There's something about living in a mountain town in Appalachia that just feels different. Every town and city is separated by miles and miles of deep forests, it feels like you're living in a little hidden pocket of civilization.
I wish these places would revitalize sooner. Or else we'd be losing something truly exceptional.
I'm originally from Clarksburg West Virginia which is in the North Central region. and the old highrise architecture in both towns are very similiar.Downtown Fairmont has that same vibe also.
I had 2 good friends from the Bluefield/Princeton area back in the mid 70's AT WVU , Rick Meadows and Dave Myers
I sometime wonder what ever became of them.
I was born in Welch WV and very familiar with Bluefield WV and Bluefield VA. In May 2023 i will go to those areas and others to look at land or property there as I am planning for my retirement. Peace and quiet in West Virginia.
I worked construction job there in the 90s. For the Felts family. You know them?
@@FredPena-rd5cf
There was a family by that name that I did know back in the day.
Once again an enjoyable video! This time great to see a beautifully kept town. Hi from Finland 🇫🇮
Really appreciate the quality of work you put into bringing this fascinating series to us!
Most welcome!
My wife and I may be moving there in about 3 months
At 4:41 you were less than 50 yards from the house I grew up in. I really miss Bluefield sometimes as it was a great place to grow up back in the 60's thru the 80's. Go G-Men class of '81!
My grandma and grandpa are from Bluefield wv and although i live in Florida and I’m a flat lander as my great uncle calls me I love my visits to see my family up there. Love that town
Blue field is definitely my favorite West Virginia town. I live in Roanoke so going up north we pass through Bluefield all the time
One of my favorites routes. US460 all the way.. the scenery is breathtaking.
I enjoyed your video on Bluefield. I was born in Bluefield WV at the Bluefield Sanitorium in 1956. I am sure it is not called that today! My parents lived in Rich Creek Va at the time.
Hey played. Gram high. Back in the day thoes are my home towns. Blufield Princeton. Matoaka. Still have kin there. Visit there alot. Thanks. Is beaver high still there. If not who did they consolidate. With. 🙏🤔👈👍
I had a friend in WV who told me that in one day during the War, his town was occupied three times in one day! By morning it was Union territory, by afternoon it was Confederate territory but by evening it was Union territory again! (Or was it the other way around?)
My one cousin was the executive secretary to the president of the Bluefield 1st national bank for over 40 years
Beautiful 💙💛I love my state
I visited in 2010 and there was a strip club there called Cherry Bomb.
Super high quality work here friend. Sad to say, the grind will be closing soon. Building issues and what not. I appreciate how positively you showed both towns. There is so much amazing architecture in these two towns……Blfd WV was so wealthy at one time. So depressed now though.
Great work, instant subscriber.
Lot of new stuff. Haven't been the in awhile. Most of family gone or moved on. Hmm road trip🤗👩🌾
My grand father started Bluefield produ e and provisions
Both my parents lived in Bluefield
As did my grand parent also my mother and law father lived In in bluefield.
My grandfather, Bishop Hicks Coon was a locomotive engineer for Norfolk and Western Railroad, lived in Bluefield and hauled a lot of coal.
I went to LOGAN STSCHOOL.I LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS..I MISS THE HOME PLACE..
Nice video! As a Mountaineer, I remember learning in school that Bluefield was one of the highest elevation cities in the east. Because of the altitude, they use to call it the "Air Conditioned City", and they city would give out free lemonade if the temperature ever got over 90.
The lemonade Day is once a year in September. The art museum is amazing as is The Downtown Merchants and Ellis M lamps, next door. Bluefield West Virginia is very cool.
I was born and raised in the Bluefields. I moved away when I was in my 20’s and have been gone for nearly 30 years, but I still think of it as home.
Omg in Nicaragua have a place name bluefields in the coast side were we all mixt etnic and speak inglish as first language and spanish as second for some some have spanish as first language
People in my travels don't know where Bluefield Va is but when I mention Graham Va they tell me about the football team and town history.
My family travels to the Bluefield area twice a year to ride the Hatfield & McCoy and
Spearhead trail systems. Always a great time had by all. Enjoyed a meal at the Railyard
on one of those trips. In May of 2022, We toured the mine exhibit at Bramwell, West Va.
Made me appreciate all the more the folks who mine coal for living to help keep the
lights on for the rest of us. Thank you for the videos, they are appreciated.
Any where you travel to next I'll be sure to watch.
Thanks for watching. There's nothing like visiting Appalachia to make you appreciate it's beauty, history, and people.
A part of WV that doesn't get much love is the Eastern Panhandle, especially Jefferson County. Our part of the state hasn't seen as drastic of an economic and social breakdown as the rest of the state, and I've been told by other West Virginians that we're not "real" West Virginia. We are as much of Appalachia and WV than anyone else and would love to see our beautiful area showcased.
Thanks for the recommendation 👍
Whoever made that comment was stupid. WV, though small in area, is spread out, and parts are not easy to get to from other areas of the state. I've traveled to Charles Town and Martinsburg several times. I love the area of the state.
My daughter was one of the last to be born at Bluefield Regional Hospital before closing down back in 2020. I went to Bluefield College with Dre Fourie son of the owner at the stables. Yes, one of the biggest rivals I believe between Graham and Bluefield.So many memories!
Didn’t know Bluefield regional hospital closed. I lived in both WV. and VA parts of the city for almost 25 years. I loved it and miss it!
I was born in Bluefield WV. {1958} We left when i was around 2 years old but visited grandparents there often. I remember going across the bridge towards Bluewell and as far as you could see the trains load of black gold. I would like to see you do a video on Pinacate Rock. {hwy 52 north of Bluewell} I still take the trip up there every so often to go up to the top of the rock.
If you are from Bluefield you know it as just uptown and downtown
Great job. I’m a new subscriber to your channel. Just wondering if you do any videos on the small diners in the area ? I’d like to see some of their food if you haven’t done it already. Thank you.
Got Family in Bluefield West Virginia. Coal miner people! 🙏💪🌄
My father was buried in Tazewell, VA
BLUEFIELD VIRGINIA WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME
There’s so much more that could’ve been said. The last building you show, for example, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Nice visuals though.
There's always more than can fit into a single episode. Be sure to watch my show on PBS called Hometowns- I just did a full length episode on the Bluefields!
Unfortunately Intuit didn't bring the huge jobs number advertised beforehand. But some is something! Not that I know anything about it, but you do a great job of filming, editing, and narrating your videos. You have the equipment you need as well. I subscribe to some other channels that I really love, but the talent and equipment, which I fully understand can get expensive, is just not there. Thanks so much! I'm really enjoying your channel!
Thanks Brad, it's been both quite a process and investment. To your point on Intuit, I don't think it helped that a global pandemic was declared just as they were coming to town- plus they're still operating under very strict & rigid California covid regs due to their corporate policy🤷
Places like "The Grind" are exactly the kind of establishment I like to frequent. I'm an ardent supporter of small, local businesses, and you find the friendliest and most accommodating people in them! Great video and musical accompaniment!
Hard to believe I’ve never been to Bluefield despite growing up In Christiansburg
Well, it's not too far up the road 😉
@@MountainRoots haha, true, but I live on Hilton Head now, so a 7 hour trip to Bluefield
@@Steve-Duh-Rino that's a little further 😜
Did you take journalism in college? Your videos are outstanding!!!!!!!
Appreciate that, it's something I really enjoy!
Great video. Loved it. As a side note, it would’ve been cool to acknowledge how The Stylistics mentioned Bluefield, WV in their hot Rockin Roll Baby.
Well thanks for sharing it!
I'm going to retire soon in Newmarket, Virginia.
I love the tunnels
Me too!
I never thought I would see a UA-cam video about my Hometown. Lol. I'm from the virginia side most people don't even know there's a Bluefield virginia they only think it's Bluefield West Virginia. I appreciate the video and sharing the history about 2 little towns.
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Great video! 🗞️⛏️⚒️😊
EXCELLENT video of Bluefield!!! Even though I’ve lived close to Bluefield my whole life, and even worked in a couple of the business shown in the video, such as Pawz Grooming Styles, before opening my own dog grooming shop, I never knew of some of the history here! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for television!!!
It is beyond beautiful, crisp and clear in that region!❤️❤️❤️
I live here...24652
Best video ever .
I've spent a fair amount in the Shenandoah valley. Need to do more exploring in WVA. But I'm based in NE (state with little real hiking.
It's a great place to explore, thanks for watching!
What about some locations in PA???
Absolutely, planning on it!
Yea, Pt. Marion, where we would buy real beer back in the mid 70's. I went to WVU back then.
@@MountainRoots Yeah there are definitely some interesting places in Northeastern PA that you could check out! :)
Love this video. So nice to see the beautiful side of these towns. It feels so forgotten but you have a way of making us want to remember it and love it again. Loved seeing Andre Fourie Stables!!!
It's nice seeing a familiar place through a different perspective 😊
Hey man, were you planning to make your way up to Beckley?
Soon 😁
Uncle Herbert was a Coal miner in Beckley WV. Got Family in Bluefield West Virginia. Came from Harlan Kentucky! Live in the Ozarks Missouri cattle Ranch. Cowboy Cattle Trump Country! Adios 🤠🐴🌄
The WV side bank
Great video! Your editing skills are amazing!
Thank you!
Thank you for featuring my salon in your documentary! I fond your work to be amazing!
Thanks so much! Glad you like it!!
I live there
Home 1959-61, Upper and Lower drug stores where we carved our names in the booths, soda fountains, pool hall with good hamburgers, GHS, Blue Chords band, Harmony Acres swimming pool, concerts at the Auditorium, GHS band, Double Gates Grocery and Bluefield cleaners to name a few good memories : )
💙💛
My hometown! Lived on the WV side until I was 21 and then moved acorss the border to VA, where I lived anotehr 15 years. I have since moved to NC but Bluefield wil always be home.
So close to my hometown of Tazewell! Love it!
Stay tuned, Tazewell's soon!
@@MountainRoots would love a shot of the corner of Orange St., up by the Peak. My dad and I built the rock wall, if it’s still there. I’m told the lady that bought our house tore it down. I’ve been in Pittsburgh for 22 years now, so a glimpse of home would be most welcome. Tip: the view from our yard used to be almost as good as from the top of the mountain.
The rocks we used to build that wall came from where they cut/made the road going on up the mountain.
@@MountainRoots you can also visit lots of local spots, the museum, the various “valleys” and mills. Lots of Civil War history in the area. Old timers used to entertain our imaginations as kids, with their various tales. Who knows how much truth they told, but they kept our imaginations running wild in those hills.
@@echuck66 love all the history!! Actually already filmed there 😉
My wife's grandather had his first baseball managing job with the Bluefield Baby Birds in 66' and 67.' Ron Shelton (writer/director of Bull Durham) talks about his arrival there to start a minor league career and meeting my wife's Grandfather in the book, "Church of Baseball." I keep meaning to get there to see the park.
Love your videos you do an awesome job and I learned a lot from a place I've never been Can we do something with the music that was pretty bad Just my opinion I could be wrong Either way I'm still going to watch your videos I do have A button to lower the volume to where I don't here it Either way love your videos Keep them coming
Thanks for watching!
I spent a few mid summer months in Blue Field WV 68' worked @ TV station WHIS...
This is an amazing video. Can’t ask for better.
We recently decided we are buying land in WV. It’s a beautiful state. Property taxes are SO low. The state doesn’t get represented for what it is and I’m glad because I hope it stays the way it is. I grew up very Rural in Northern California and that culture is gone.
WV is full of hidden gems! I wish you the best!!
I was born in Princeton and lived in north tazwell went to school in bluefield va I moved to mt airy nc in 1993 I do miss it beautiful place! Great video!
I subscribed. Nice use of music. The other travel guy I watch is Freddie Dobbs. He and Monica have introduced me to several new artists.
We drove down for the Weir- Bluefield game. Met some of the nicest people down there!
I have lived on both sides of the state line and Bluefield was my hometown growing up as a young child and have many wonderful memories of that place. It was a great place to grow up in the 80s and to live there once again for a couple of years in the 90s
Loved this episode. Once again awesome history. Another beautiful town(s). Looking forward to the follow for this part of Appalachia.
I’m from Montgomery County VA back in the day and many of its inhabitants are from southern WV due to that state’s economy. Great video!
Migrations to & from the state over the years, largely and nearly directly tied to coal, are breathtaking. Thanks so much for watching!
@@MountainRoots my pleasure, for sure!
Josh where is war west Virginia
What do you mean?
So glad your channel popped up in my feed! Loving it!🤗
I was born in West Virginia but i was living in Virginia because of bluefield regional bein in wv..we were living in crescent view
Fantastic video! My dad has relatives who moved there but I’ve never been. Great videos of my childhood area. Polar opposite of the palmettos and live oaks here on Hilton Head
Amazing.
Thanks!
I was a union organizer there,,,went there every month for 25 years
Just all the more reasons to love my hometown, awesome video
So glad you're getting a tv production! Can't wait to see what you have in store for the future!
Thanks so much, really appreciate it!
Then go south and be in Bristol Virginia and Bristol Tennessee
1 side gets to grow cannabis and the other side is the 'mountain free state' where you have to pay over $200 to get a 1 year medical card, then you can drive 4 hours up to a bigger town and get medical cannabis that is literally 50x more expensive than medical cannabis in Michigan just another hour north.
Being high for no reason destroys lives. Very few people need drugs. Only those in severe pain or cancer. This new epidemic harming the youth and destroying the lives of people. Its a sickness in people head wanting be high all time. These drugs will further destroy the towns.Bluefield is bad as it gets. So you can make corrupt politicians rich? Off the suffering of people. Accidents,lives , livelyhoods all destroyed. But we will tax it. Get rich while rest suffer. I know many these people. They have little or no care other than making themselves richer and the corrupt friends.
One good thing is that WV doesn't fly helicopters to look for bud anymore so it's pretty easy to grow all you want. It's sad it's like that though. Are you in the Bluefield area? If so I'll gift you some fine cannabis around Thanksgiving.
@@terryt2728 lies
Michigan is much further than one hour away…..from Bluefield to southern MI, it’s about 6.5 hour drive.
@@terryt2728 there is so much growing in these hollers!
I lived in Princeton, WV, for a minute and found Bluefield to be lovely
Matoka, Lake Shawnee, Spanishburg
I love my west Virginia I was born in south west Virginia
Awesome . You do your homework. I love Virginia.
I enjoy and appreciate the history and culture of Appalachia. Thanks for watching!
I am happy to find you on my home page. Have been so homesick. I grew up in Speedway W.Va. near Athens. Know Princeton and the Bluefields very well as I went to college there. I am 60 now and haven't been home since 2007 . Time to come home. Bless you dear for this treat.
So glad it's given you a glimpse of home 😊
Great video…… I have always wanted to visit and see these great places ….. I currently stay in Maryland near Washington DC ….. I have been through Bluefield…. I really want to and need to visit …. As I am sure there is a lot I have not seen ….plus I am looking to leave the Washington DC area..Too crowded and expensive
Peace and Blessings
Definitely a LOT of places to explore, thanks for watching!
Just scrolling through some You Tube videos. Decided to take a video tour of Bluefield this evening. Nice.
So glad you liked it!
I am so glad businesses are coming to these small towns to support and make them thrive. To much history to be lost forever without.
Indeed! Hope to see them flourish again!!
There are a couple of businesses but nothing compared to bluefield beverage or a massive Mecca for employment. That’s why I hope to start my cannabis non profit and get this community back in action
I just found these videos about Virginia and I love Virginia and west Virginia. I have a lot great great grandparents that were from Virginia. I have been to Virginia and west Virginia. All my ancestors were appachulians.
Glad you found the channel!