Dan, this is wonderful! My Mom, Annie May Fore was born in Pamplin City and many of my forefathers come from that town. When my sister and I were kids, we'd often visit our grandparents, who lived about a block away from town in a house that's still standing. I can remember when the white brick building was Williams Brothers grocery and there were a number of beautiful old Victrola phonographs on the shelves along with jars of penny candy. The larger grocery store in the middle of the block was Canada's (Dan showed the interior and ceiling with old fixtures at 15:55). My grandpa Robert Fore worked at Ralco, the little brick building with a porch on the far end of the block. A number of my great-uncles were railroad employees. Before the trees became overgrown around the Belt Line tracks, my sister and I loved sitting on the front porch swing of the old homestead, watching freight trains rumble through town on summer nights! We made a game of counting the cars (easily over 100!!) and we'd always wave at the conductor on the caboose. Grandma Fore mailed weekly postcards to us from the old Post Office/Bank building. "Miss Lucy" owned a fashionable hat shop in one of the buildings with projecting display windows in mid-block. So many sweet memories of tiny Pamplin!! Pamplin was actually a junction of the Main Line from Farmville (since abandoned and replaced by the High Bridge State Park) and the Belt Line. It also lies within 3 counties: Appomattox, Prince Edward and Charlotte. The rail line was the route Civil War soldiers followed on their way to Appomattox Courthouse, 10 miles west, and surrender on April 9, 1865. The old building Dan filmed was once a hotel and I've seen some info that shows that it was around during the Civil War. Thanks again for a magical trip back in time! LOVE your series...
OHMYGOSH!! Thank you for adding so much more history to this!!! I'm glad I stopped it at the beginning, now I will know some history as I watch. This is the best yet!!
The old brick house was a motel at the start since Pamplin City was once a regular train stop. I'm not sure when it ended. The train station was restored and is currently in use. I'm not sure what type of business is there. In the 1970's most of the buildings were being used. I used to live in Pamplin City until my mother died of cancer in 1984. The old brick house was from the late 70's to early 80's used by a woman who used the room where you entered as an antique shop and the rest was used as a kind of thrift shop. I used to maintain her yard, the brick house behind the building. and the grounds of the old brick house. I was mostly her general handyman for other things as well. There was a sign on the porch at one time that said "Antiques" that I painted for her. Sadly the woman Mrs. F. is deceased (I'm not sure about her husband). She was a well liked woman. She used to ask me to do posters for her church for different types of sales for people who suffered some serious loss and needed help. I never could say no. I live near Lynchburg Va. now and I don't know who it belongs to or if it will ever be restored. Seeing your video brought back a lot of memories. Thank You. James.
@aaronsdavis Happy to help. The street they showed is "downtown" Pamplin and it is literally dead now. The good news is Pamplin has a Dollar General down the road a bit. Have a good day. James.
At least with brick buildings it’s not quite as insurmountable to gut and redo But I’ve been on some jobs with old houses and the owner ended up dumping fortunes into it to restore.
@@brid5970 I live right by the train tracks in my city, they don't come often and you get used to it. I literally don't notice anymore! Ppl who visit do, but they're always surprised at how quiet it sounds from inside so maybe we're just lucky
The old house was full of memories like the photos and the typewriter, then the suitcase being shown as if the people left just made me sad for some reason.
Can't believe you missed the Buffalo Bill aka James Gumm reference in the old house with the sewing machine and clothing items on a rail. Beautiful house, a wonderful time capsule.
The BEST! This is a typical small town layout and even the architecture and mix of buildings is similar to the late 1800s to early 1900s small towns that sprang up all over the US. There were oil and gas booms, coal, the industrial revolution, and many immigrants came and settled into areas and towns with homes were needed. This had a train (which also fostered these small towns and made it possible to move the goods if they weren't near waterways) which also delivered goods to stores that people needed. Many were farmers which takes space and is why the towns weren't near the main roads. Those main highway roads may not have existed then but there were and are plenty of back country roads if one needed to take a trip further from town, over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, for Thanksgiving or a visit. My grandparents lived in a town just like this in Indiana. Their house was right on Main Street by the post office and I loved the sound of the train at night, which was behind the houses right across the street. Their Depot had been taken down long before the 1970s but I have a picture and it looks like the one here. They had a large grain elevator near the train tracks I liked exploring. It was torn down in the 1980s. I'm guessing there were planning and building templates made available to municipalities via the government with various formats depending on need, size, grading. Even the intersections and alleys look almost identical. And it makes sense because those towns really worked and I can't imagine every new town trying to grapple with figuring out the particulars and asking at The first gathering in a makeshift location, "Say, does anyone here have any experience with urban planning or architecture?" In the late 60s and early 70s when I would go to Summitville, most business were still open. Everyone knew each other and my grandparents and aunt and dad. There was an old general store with creaky wooden floors that sold everything including yummy plastic smelling toys and cap guns. The drug store had a classic gorgeous wood soda fountain counter and would get a chocolate or Cherry fountain Coke for ten cents I think. Nothing compares. Little restaurant where my aunt and the regulars got coffee every morning and often ate. She worked atinsurance office that looked exactly like one of the building they didn't go in-laws/had big Windows and the halloween things but inside hers was tall counter and swinging doors and farmers or whoever would come in and gab. I would explore out back and there was The same lone old sink on the wall and overgrown crumbling alley in back with old oil tank. Small space between buildings. Houses surrounded the main Street more densely then we're spread out where the fields were. People like bankers with more prominent houses seemed to live just on the outskirts of town often. Summitville is now extremely run down. The buildings were empty. Then some were remodeled with no concern for the original architecture, so it looked Pretty bad and I don't think succeeded. At least they tried. Population is around 1000 but Probably less. With the demise of small farmers and so many types of businesses that Those towns and their locations were Based on, there's no way for enough people to afford living there let alone restore and upkeep an old house. Perhaps some folks who work via internet Can start moving back there. Or urban sprawl could push close enough to make the old towns relevant again for commuting workers. Just be careful what you wish for saying you want to fix up an old house that hasn't been protected. My current house is 58 years "new" and solid to the core but took years for the nasty money pit surprises to stop and so much work. It isn't like the movies or HGTV. Especially if you get sick. There are many socio-economic reasons the number of abandoned houses is increasing. I think Ive figured it out but am only typing to myself so will say by Bettina-self. Thank you for the AWESOME video and good/funny commentary. So many assholes in the world. Nice to witness others who "get it" at least somewhat like I do, which of course is what we each prefer. 😁
What's so cool is I can see these buildings and towns... because you show glimpses of something most people never see...thank you.... small town america is so interesting...😁
First off, let me say... awesome video! It ranks up there as one of my favorites you've done. I have a fairly personal reason for saying so, because I used to live literally five minutes from Pamplin (a little over ten years ago, before moving from outside Farmville VA to outside Philly PA.) I rode through Pamplin so many times on the way to my aunt's place in a town a little bit over from there called Cullen, VA. I always thought the little town had a charm to it, even though it was pretty dead even that long ago. I especially loved the old house you filmed... wow, if its walls could only talk! You've been in my old neck of the woods a couple times now, between this location and the Keysville Drive-In Theater that you filmed a while back. (I attended community college not far from there). I haven't been down that way in years, so it's cool being able to "go back home" vicariously through your videos. I really don't want to actually go back (too many memories... not the good kind) so I can kind-of do so safely from the comfort of my computer, haha. You can never go home... only in a virtual sense. Thanks for sharing all your amazing journeys with us. Hello also to Brian and Will... I especially love when you and Brian team up to visit these places, as his channel is also one of my absolute favorites. God, I wish I could do what you guys do. I'm a huge history buff and former 80s mall rat, so I'd be stoked to go along with y'all any time! ;)
+ThresholdDreamer111 Even though this is not my video I did want to comment and say thank you! I really like getting together with Dan and Will as well...it makes for a fun day of filming.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one Dan. That house was amazing. Probably owned by a wealthy individual. When you caught the tires on the roof, it made me smile. There is a very logical explanation for them. Here in the south, it is common to place rubber tires on the metal roofs of homes. The rubber absorbs heat and allows the building to stay a bit cooler. It really works! Please tell Will, love the haircut. It suits him and he looks great. Thanks for the vid, a really nice one!
@@caseywagner351 I totally agree. Many aren't homeless because of not working. Some are mentally or physically ill. Some have been beaten down in life. With no real hope.
The staircase in the old house reminds me of the one in Psycho. I can see Anthony Perkins ascending it now! Ha ha MOTHER......MOTHER!!!!! Aaaah.....so creepy!
This reminds me of Brownsville in Western PA, where my people hail from. It either will rally and become renewed, or end up a true ghost town. It's a unique state to be in-between a going concern and a relic.
My favorite thing about this sweet place is that vandals haven't touched it. Great, great,great video. The mama in me wants to tell y'all to get some work boots. You don't want a big rusty nail or foot long piece of rebar to go through your foot one day.
"Let's go see what's upstairs", a very old Norman Bates in his mom's clothes is what's upstairs, I'm thinking! Reminds my of his house, only a brighter, more cherry version! Cool find, thanks guys!
Watched the video all the way through. Excellent work Dan and crew. Such beautiful old structures. I try to imagine the past lives that dwelt there in it's heyday. Love the old plaster and woodwork of the 1800's. Irreplaceable. Sad to see them in such disrepair. Such history. Thank you for taking the time to film, edit and post.
What an amazing town! Reminds me of typical thriller/chiller movie! That house is awesome, would love to restore it! Nice haircut Will! Great video as always Dan!
Apparently all of the businesses are located on what's called "Main St.", but the way the roads are currently laid out, you have to deliberately go off of the more major roads to get to it. VA-47 runs through the town to reach Business US-460, which you imagine are all the highest priority roads. But Main St. is a loop off of VA-47 so all traffic is bypassing it by default. If perhaps VA-47 had been built along Main St. instead it might have had a chance, but who knows.
Dan, ever since I watched the Children's Asylum videos I’ve been hooked and I watched your entire collection, I was amazed at the bravery and willingness to explore that you possess. But now I enjoy it for a totally different reason. Yes; scary stuff always makes things interesting, but now I watch mainly for your intelligent commentary and the incredible angles and shots you use. I’m gunna see whats up on Patreon and see if can make a contribution! Keep it up dude, much respect from Canada!!
Hi, thx for filming that big, beautiful house, I was so blown away by all the rooms n the stair way n all the precious old Photos n belongs which were so breath taking to see!!!! I have always wished I could have lived back in the Turn of the Century n this Video made me feel happy. Although sad that the family who originally lived there back in the day are gone.
Thought it was train music starting up then realised sound was coming from outside. crazy that the buildings were left complete with stuff . Good video . enjoying the Film It series.
I always think about the Christmas days spent in these old homes, the Thankgivings and 4th of July's. They must have been great, if the walls could talk.
8:09 wow it reminds me of The Changeling movie 1980 8:55 just like the Proper People say: it's just a chair chilling XD 10:47 i miss my 1901 Singer treadle! i used to sew our dresses on it. i preferred it over our 4 other electric sewing machines 15:35 my guess is they were using it as a small barn stall, & hay loft above
I know everyone's already said it, and probably better than I can, but I just had to add my two cents. This little town is amazing. And that house is incredible. One thing your videos really document well, is that construction has changed so much over the decades. Much more care was put into the work and durability of the materials of times past. Things were built to last, and with an eye to beauty as well. Now everything is just pre-fab and disposable. It's sad really. Thank you so much for documenting these outstandingly fabulous structures before they're gone........And by the way......Nice haircut WIll.
He didn't change channels. This is his channel for things he doesn't feel are "quite perfect" enough for his main channel. Whether it be because of the shoot quality itself or the location. Hi Dan! Huge fan man. Your the best on the tube.
Always a great job Dan ! It seems so unreal to me who lives in France that there are beautiful small towns abandoned accross the USA. Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures with us ! :)
omg that brick house was a BEAUTIFUL home and could be with deep pockets! Such a shame the old buildings are left in that state of sadness and disrepair!
I can't believe such a place exist ! In Austria there are not so many abandoned houses or streets ! I love the old stuff in abandoned houses and I enjoy this video very much thank you guys !
I'd like to know if there's anything like a Preservation law of historic buildings that have a certain age in the United States like we have in Europe? Those buildings look kind of old and I think they would look really nice if renovated.
+Yvonne P. I agree, the house tour showed the place to be in pretty decent shape, enough to fix up and use somehow....but it will slip away if nothing is done.
There's laws about houses on the national registry of historic places that loosen otherwise strict red tape to make it worthwhile for people to renovate houses like this.
In the United States, people would rather abandon a strong built older home and move to a cheaper built home that is put up within a week that the first storm can blow down. Makes no sense to me but thats how it is.
Beautiful House. I wish it was restored. My home was built in 1917 and solid as a rock. They sure don't build them like they used to. Attention to details.
so quote me as wrong... but i couldnt go in the places without taking antiques or items i wanted. I love history and couldnt let it sit there. so this is why i do not do this. its not that id want to steal. i just hate history destroyed.
This very much resembles the town of Gordonsville,Virginia ... Train tracks and towns layout. That is what caught my attention , I thought it was Gordonsville,Virginia .
I don't know if u made a point to Ever go back to this location.. But a Spirit Talker and EVP detector would be a perfect addition..lol Good Derelict location...
I was under the impression that breaking and entering is a felony and a strikable offence if it is a residential dwelling and just because no one seams to live there and that is questionable from what I have seen with some of these videos none the less these places are owned by some one and what these explorers are doing is called breaking the law and posting the evidence on UA-cam for the world to see not very bright.
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was quite the house in its time. That rocking chair upstairs says it all. That little house is on its last days. Looks like they took out the chimney. Look at those green and yellow cabinets!!!!!
Wow, went to something similar but they moved the town onto this old street, and you could walk threw each place was a museum, and you went in and saw and learned what each dwelling did in the old days, like Doc office, town church/school, train depot! My favorite was the old house, I could just move in and live among all those beautiful old stuff! That place you were at woild be Perfect to make museums!!!! Another good video Dan, I enjoyed it!
Chip B I happen to like wheelchairs, they are helpful when your legs arent cooperating with your body, they come with brakes ( the good ones anyway) and they have wheels which spin and stuff.... let's not discriminate because of what they represent in horror movies ...
This is by far one of my most favorite places that you have explored. That house is gorgeous ! The town is amazing .... so sad to see it abandoned. What a shame : (
Dan, Thank you for saying gosh. Thank you for no profanity. Thank you for a steady hand with the camera and THANK YOU for sharing this place with us. The entire town is amazing. It beaks my heart to see Americana disappearing. Wish I could restore this gem. What a beauty. Good job. God Bless!
Cornelia Bender-D'Antoni I live in Pamplin and the reason why it was abandoned was because it was a railroad town. The “House” was actually a hotel where the train riders would stay. Another reason is that the main road was moved from the town to highway 460 making it really hard to know it was there. My dad was a kid when they built the Highway and the had to pick up his house and move it for the construction.
I just watched your video on Pamplin Va. Yes it is abandoned now I can remember that town was a very busy but laid back little town. Mostly farming and tobacco timber. I spent many child hood days there I had a lot of family that lived outside of town. My aunt and uncle had a large farm, more family than I can count. Spent many summers on that farm. people were friendly. Helping hand if you needed it. Learned to crop tobacco hang it and cure it. Got paid by going to the candy store. I remember the grocery, hardware feed store, even clothing store. use to have a greyhound bus station. Enough thanks for some good old time memories could go on forever.
It is good to see the younger generations taking an interest in early architecture and history. We just need to get more of them to commit to preservation rather than pillaging or scavenging (including metal detector buffs) of these sites. I was just thinking now during this current Christmas season, that if this place was ever restored, it would be a great location/site/home for Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.
+Dan Bell I am so obsessed with your videos. You're doing what I would LOVE to do but cannot so I thank you for that and I appreciate the slow camera work, focusing on things. It's like I get to snoop without the dangers. Thanks for your sacrifices!
What an amazing find. The first house main floor I swear it can be found in many old time films. What I mean is that not this particular house but rather the plot of the stairwell, big door and rooms off to the side has been in horror films. Nice.
If you slow the speed down to 0.5 you can better hear a man greet Dan as they enter the old house. To change the speed settings go to the bottom right of the screen and click on the little gear icon and select speed, then select 0.5. The spirit is talking so fast he is hard to understand at regular speed. When you slow the speed down to 0.5 you can hear him say "More of you here?!!" at 8:05 and then he says "Welcome to my home!!" at 8:08. Again, slowing the speed down to 0.5 will allow you to hear him better. At regular speed I hear a woman say "I made white bread!" at 8:40. Slowing the speed down I think you can hear a reply of "Thank you!" at 9:33 to you saying this place is awesome. He says it quietly as if he's a bit nervous you're in his home. You can hear the "Help me !!" at 10:13-10:14 at regular speed, but at 0.5 speed you can hear it clearly. You can hear very faintly a woman say "Does he even see you?!!" at 12:27-12:28 and then at 12:29. It's a little more easier to hear in the slow speed. The spirit of the older man is definitely easier to understand when you slow the speed down. He's in the habit of talking fast. He is saying "When you going home?!!" at 12:45-12:46. He's already tired of you. He wants to know that his home is going to be o.k. As you pan down to the portrait of the young girl you can clearly hear in slow speed a young lady say "That was me!!" at 13:04-13:05. You hear it so fast in regular speed that you would probably pass right over it. Here's a good example of hearing an EVP much better in slow speed. At 13:21 you can clearly hear the spirit of the poor older man yelling "Go back home!!!" You don't even hear the last part of what he's saying in regular speed. Which by the way is proof you're hearing a ghost. Amazingly you don't hear "home" in regular speed. You just hear "Go back!!!" Go ahead and listen to it both in regular and slow speed and you'll see what I mean. Again, he's heard much better in slow speed at 13:34. He says "Why do you have to be here?!!" You can hear a child say "Mommy, help me!!" at 13:39. I do believe the man you're hearing can be seen in the portrait at 13:48. I think I hear "Betty' at 13:54. Dan says that that was a really cool place and I think he got a response of "Thank you!!" at 14:47. "Now you all leave!!" at 14:52. It's not always best to listen to EVPs at half speed (0.5). I think you will find that usually it is though. So hey perhaps we just proved the existence of ghosts. What fun. I've been reviewing my investigations at half speed for years now and I think it's time I start sharing the concept with others because it produces far greater results. So those that are ghost hunting and are not using half speed, try it you'll like it. Thanx for exploring and letting me tag along.
I listened, but did not hear anything that i could identify as speech.. i DID hear a few indistinguishable sounds that had a cadence, but could not make out any recognizable words... That's COOL, though!
@Glitterbomb45 Ten thumbs up. Nowadays I do tend to mostly post only "easier" EVPs so more people can hear what I'm posting. Nine times out of ten an experience investigator will hear that there's an EVP there. They won't always agree on what is being said. What is helpful is using headphones, raising the volume to nearly maximum and slowing the audio speed to 0.5. Whenever you're listening for EVPs you should at least do the first two. But what helps the most is a whole lot of experience. I hope that helps. Take care.
The town is neat and scary all in one. Reminds me of Stephen King's Salem's Lot where they only come out at night. Great video Dan. Hi Will, I like your new haircut. And hi there to you Brian, you cutie you. ;)
It's always interesting to learn more about one's home state, especially one as large (originally much larger) as the Commonwealth of Virginia, where the first surviving European settlement, Jamestown, was established in 1607, LONG BEFORE THE PILGRIMS at Plymouth Rock in 1620!
How cool is this? Reminds me of a lot of little towns in Oklahoma. Many are just like this. Only a very few left and main street merchants are all gone. Thanks for the adventure!
Dan, this is wonderful! My Mom, Annie May Fore was born in Pamplin City and many of my forefathers come from that town. When my sister and I were kids, we'd often visit our grandparents, who lived about a block away from town in a house that's still standing. I can remember when the white brick building was Williams Brothers grocery and there were a number of beautiful old Victrola phonographs on the shelves along with jars of penny candy. The larger grocery store in the middle of the block was Canada's (Dan showed the interior and ceiling with old fixtures at 15:55). My grandpa Robert Fore worked at Ralco, the little brick building with a porch on the far end of the block. A number of my great-uncles were railroad employees. Before the trees became overgrown around the Belt Line tracks, my sister and I loved sitting on the front porch swing of the old homestead, watching freight trains rumble through town on summer nights! We made a game of counting the cars (easily over 100!!) and we'd always wave at the conductor on the caboose. Grandma Fore mailed weekly postcards to us from the old Post Office/Bank building. "Miss Lucy" owned a fashionable hat shop in one of the buildings with projecting display windows in mid-block. So many sweet memories of tiny Pamplin!!
Pamplin was actually a junction of the Main Line from Farmville (since abandoned and replaced by the High Bridge State Park) and the Belt Line. It also lies within 3 counties: Appomattox, Prince Edward and Charlotte. The rail line was the route Civil War soldiers followed on their way to Appomattox Courthouse, 10 miles west, and surrender on April 9, 1865. The old building Dan filmed was once a hotel and I've seen some info that shows that it was around during the Civil War. Thanks again for a magical trip back in time! LOVE your series...
RosyB9 I live here in Virginia,but i have never been down south of it,and i never came across here
RosyB9 mmmm,
Pretty cool & interesting story. 👍
What a great comment. Thanks so much for giving us some background on this interesting video!
OHMYGOSH!! Thank you for adding so much more history to this!!! I'm glad I stopped it at the beginning, now I will know some history as I watch. This is the best yet!!
The old brick house was a motel at the start since Pamplin City was once a regular train stop. I'm not sure when it ended. The train station was restored and is currently in use. I'm not sure what type of business is there. In the 1970's most of the buildings were being used. I used to live in Pamplin City until my mother died of cancer in 1984.
The old brick house was from the late 70's to early 80's used by a woman who used the room where you entered as an antique shop and the rest was used as a kind of thrift shop.
I used to maintain her yard, the brick house behind the building. and the grounds of the old brick house. I was mostly her general handyman for other things as well. There was a sign on the porch at one time that said "Antiques" that I painted for her.
Sadly the woman Mrs. F. is deceased (I'm not sure about her husband). She was a well liked woman. She used to ask me to do posters for her church for different types of sales for people who suffered some serious loss and needed help. I never could say no.
I live near Lynchburg Va. now and I don't know who it belongs to or if it will ever be restored.
Seeing your video brought back a lot of memories. Thank You. James.
James Fulford ......nice
@aaronsdavis Happy to help. The street they showed is "downtown" Pamplin and it is literally dead now. The good news is Pamplin has a Dollar General down the road a bit. Have a good day. James.
I always start thinking about how I would go about restoring the houses or buildings. I hate to see them rot.....
Me too
At least with brick buildings it’s not quite as insurmountable to gut and redo But I’ve been on some jobs with old houses and the owner ended up dumping fortunes into it to restore.
Me too. Especially old mental hospitals & nursing homes
With the train they close I would have left it all behind lol
@@brid5970 I live right by the train tracks in my city, they don't come often and you get used to it. I literally don't notice anymore! Ppl who visit do, but they're always surprised at how quiet it sounds from inside so maybe we're just lucky
I love the train going through. A perfect soundtrack for an old town fallen by the wayside.
The old house was full of memories like the photos and the typewriter, then the suitcase being shown as if the people left just made me sad for some reason.
It's the photographs left behind that kill me the most. Families and their memories are just forgotten. It puts things into perspective a bit.
until you realise that they are just objects and that the only thing that made them special are the people and the emotions we attach to these things.
The live flower in the window is actually a great theft/vandal deterrent.
That actually makes sense 😯
Every town needs a gargoyle shop! :) Love the columns on the bank; they were beautiful. The whole video is beautifully filmed!
why don't they make houses like this anymore? All the houses now days are so cookie cutter and expensive.
I agree totally. No class, just boxes. they all made of ticky tacky and they all look the same. Words by Malvina Reynolds.
Peach lala i blame post modernism infesting architecture
Agree
We live in a throwaway culture
and plain/boring looking
very beautiful house, needs to be bought and restored and saved
luke9511 It’s been boarded up and is currently being renovated.
Can't believe you missed the Buffalo Bill aka James Gumm reference in the old house with the sewing machine and clothing items on a rail.
Beautiful house, a wonderful time capsule.
The BEST! This is a typical small town layout and even the architecture and mix of buildings is similar to the late 1800s to early 1900s small towns that sprang up all over the US. There were oil and gas booms, coal, the industrial revolution, and many immigrants came and settled into areas and towns with homes were needed. This had a train (which also fostered these small towns and made it possible to move the goods if they weren't near waterways) which also delivered goods to stores that people needed. Many were farmers which takes space and is why the towns weren't near the main roads. Those main highway roads may not have existed then but there were and are plenty of back country roads if one needed to take a trip further from town, over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, for Thanksgiving or a visit. My grandparents lived in a town just like this in Indiana. Their house was right on Main Street by the post office and I loved the sound of the train at night, which was behind the houses right across the street. Their Depot had been taken down long before the 1970s but I have a picture and it looks like the one here. They had a large grain elevator near the train tracks I liked exploring. It was torn down in the 1980s. I'm guessing there were planning and building templates made available to municipalities via the government with various formats depending on need, size, grading. Even the intersections and alleys look almost identical. And it makes sense because those towns really worked and I can't imagine every new town trying to grapple with figuring out the particulars and asking at
The first gathering in a makeshift location, "Say, does anyone here have any experience with urban planning or architecture?" In the late 60s and early 70s when I would go to Summitville, most business were still open. Everyone knew each other and my grandparents and aunt and dad. There was an old general store with creaky wooden floors that sold everything including yummy plastic smelling toys and cap guns. The drug store had a classic gorgeous wood soda fountain counter and would get a chocolate or Cherry fountain Coke for ten cents I think. Nothing compares. Little restaurant where my aunt and the regulars got coffee every morning and often ate. She worked atinsurance office that looked exactly like one of the building they didn't go in-laws/had big
Windows and the halloween things but inside hers was tall counter and swinging doors and farmers or whoever would come in and gab. I would explore out back and there was
The same lone old sink on the wall and overgrown crumbling alley in back with old oil tank. Small space between buildings. Houses surrounded the main Street more densely then we're spread out where the fields were. People like bankers with more prominent houses seemed to live just on the outskirts of town often. Summitville is now extremely run down. The buildings were empty. Then some were remodeled with no concern for the original architecture, so it looked
Pretty bad and I don't think succeeded. At least they tried. Population is around 1000 but
Probably less. With the demise of small farmers and so many types of businesses that
Those towns and their locations were Based on, there's no way for enough people to afford living there let alone restore and upkeep an old house. Perhaps some folks who work via internet
Can start moving back there. Or urban sprawl could push close enough to make the old towns relevant again for commuting workers. Just be careful what you wish for saying you want to fix up an old house that hasn't been protected. My current house is 58 years "new" and solid to the core but took years for the nasty money pit surprises to stop and so much work. It isn't like the movies or HGTV. Especially if you get sick. There are many socio-economic reasons the number of abandoned houses is increasing. I think Ive figured it out but am only typing to myself so will say by Bettina-self. Thank you for the AWESOME video and good/funny commentary. So many assholes in the world. Nice to witness others who "get it" at least somewhat like I do, which of course is what we each prefer. 😁
What's so cool is I can see these buildings and towns... because you show glimpses of something most people never see...thank you.... small town america is so interesting...😁
First off, let me say... awesome video! It ranks up there as one of my favorites you've done. I have a fairly personal reason for saying so, because I used to live literally five minutes from Pamplin (a little over ten years ago, before moving from outside Farmville VA to outside Philly PA.) I rode through Pamplin so many times on the way to my aunt's place in a town a little bit over from there called Cullen, VA. I always thought the little town had a charm to it, even though it was pretty dead even that long ago. I especially loved the old house you filmed... wow, if its walls could only talk! You've been in my old neck of the woods a couple times now, between this location and the Keysville Drive-In Theater that you filmed a while back. (I attended community college not far from there). I haven't been down that way in years, so it's cool being able to "go back home" vicariously through your videos. I really don't want to actually go back (too many memories... not the good kind) so I can kind-of do so safely from the comfort of my computer, haha. You can never go home... only in a virtual sense. Thanks for sharing all your amazing journeys with us. Hello also to Brian and Will... I especially love when you and Brian team up to visit these places, as his channel is also one of my absolute favorites. God, I wish I could do what you guys do. I'm a huge history buff and former 80s mall rat, so I'd be stoked to go along with y'all any time! ;)
+ThresholdDreamer111 Even though this is not my video I did want to comment and say thank you! I really like getting together with Dan and Will as well...it makes for a fun day of filming.
Such a soothing voice Dan has. I could fall asleep to it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one Dan. That house was amazing. Probably owned by a wealthy individual. When you caught the tires on the roof, it made me smile. There is a very logical explanation for them. Here in the south, it is common to place rubber tires on the metal roofs of homes. The rubber absorbs heat and allows the building to stay a bit cooler. It really works! Please tell Will, love the haircut. It suits him and he looks great. Thanks for the vid, a really nice one!
How ironic, people in major US cities living out of cardboard boxes and all these habitable buildings empty.
Graeme Williams I know, and it bothers me, too.
Graeme Williams I know what irony is: it's like Goldy or bronzy, but it's made of iron.
not ironic.
Jo, you are either very ignorant or poorly educated on homelessness.
@@caseywagner351 I totally agree. Many aren't homeless because of not working. Some are mentally or physically ill. Some have been beaten down in life. With no real hope.
The staircase in the old house reminds me of the one in Psycho. I can see Anthony Perkins ascending it now! Ha ha MOTHER......MOTHER!!!!! Aaaah.....so creepy!
This reminds me of Brownsville in Western PA, where my people hail from. It either will rally and become renewed, or end up a true ghost town. It's a unique state to be in-between a going concern and a relic.
My favorite thing about this sweet place is that vandals haven't touched it. Great, great,great video. The mama in me wants to tell y'all to get some work boots. You don't want a big rusty nail or foot long piece of rebar to go through your foot one day.
OMG I want to buy this village. How charming it could be!
True
"Let's go see what's upstairs", a very old Norman Bates in his mom's clothes is what's upstairs, I'm thinking! Reminds my of his house, only a brighter, more cherry version! Cool find, thanks guys!
Watched the video all the way through. Excellent work Dan and crew. Such beautiful old structures. I try to imagine the past lives that dwelt there in it's heyday. Love the old plaster and woodwork of the 1800's. Irreplaceable. Sad to see them in such disrepair. Such history. Thank you for taking the time to film, edit and post.
Your Footage Is Amazing, Very Clear! Love Your Videos!
:)
I smoke a pipe and I can see myself sitting at that table, next to the radio. I love old things and old times.
Mountain Mettling well that was weird ....... right when I read your comment the table and radio came up.... like immediately 😲
Mountain Mettling That’s funny because Pamplin used to have a clay pipe factory it’s about a half a mile down the road.
When Dan first went into the old two story house, and the wheelchair was shown, it reminded me of the1980 Horror Film 'The Changeling'.
Alexander The Great love that film
What an amazing town! Reminds me of typical thriller/chiller movie! That house is awesome, would love to restore it!
Nice haircut Will!
Great video as always Dan!
am I the only one that noticed that FedEx truck kept popping up everywhere O.o
It's the feds
Apparently all of the businesses are located on what's called "Main St.", but the way the roads are currently laid out, you have to deliberately go off of the more major roads to get to it. VA-47 runs through the town to reach Business US-460, which you imagine are all the highest priority roads. But Main St. is a loop off of VA-47 so all traffic is bypassing it by default. If perhaps VA-47 had been built along Main St. instead it might have had a chance, but who knows.
Look at the highway going through dayton WA, lol that town got lucky with highway 12.
Dan, ever since I watched the Children's Asylum videos I’ve been hooked and I watched your entire collection, I was amazed at the bravery and willingness to explore that you possess. But now I enjoy it for a totally different reason. Yes; scary stuff always makes things interesting, but now I watch mainly for your intelligent commentary and the incredible angles and shots you use. I’m gunna see whats up on Patreon and see if can make a contribution! Keep it up dude, much respect from Canada!!
Hi, thx for filming that big, beautiful house, I was so blown away by all the rooms n the stair way n all the precious old Photos n belongs which were so breath taking to see!!!! I have always wished I could have lived back in the Turn of the Century n this Video made me feel happy. Although sad that the family who originally lived there back in the day are gone.
Thought it was train music starting up then realised sound was coming from outside. crazy that the buildings were left complete with stuff . Good video . enjoying the Film It series.
I always think about the Christmas days spent in these old homes, the Thankgivings and 4th of July's. They must have been great, if the walls could talk.
Love this video. I liked see you, Will and Brian ejoying a day out exploring this charming place. I hope you post more ghost town footage.
A lot of history in some of these little towns. I love it...very interesting.
Be careful when you see the walls and ceiling caving in. My moms cousin died exploring an abandoned house from a chimney falling on him.
8:09 wow it reminds me of The Changeling movie 1980
8:55 just like the Proper People say: it's just a chair chilling XD
10:47 i miss my 1901 Singer treadle! i used to sew our dresses on it. i preferred it over our 4 other electric sewing machines
15:35 my guess is they were using it as a small barn stall, & hay loft above
I appreciate the time stamps and comments :)
Your worst enemies in places like these are (1) bee hives, (2) snakes and (3) exposed nails.
devwreck127 (4) asbestos (5) black mold.
Overzealous hillbillies..
and crazy homeless people
devwreck127 b
Inbred home owner with a shotgun and or mold* lol
I know everyone's already said it, and probably better than I can, but I just had to add my two cents. This little town is amazing. And that house is incredible. One thing your videos really document well, is that construction has changed so much over the decades. Much more care was put into the work and durability of the materials of times past. Things were built to last, and with an eye to beauty as well. Now everything is just pre-fab and disposable. It's sad really. Thank you so much for documenting these outstandingly fabulous structures before they're gone........And by the way......Nice haircut WIll.
they were not putting in a "big window", the original chimney was probably in poor shape so they took the entire thing out.
+audiboi1587 you're exactly right! Probably recycled the old bricks.
+OXY ! He didn't
He didn't change channels. This is his channel for things he doesn't feel are "quite perfect" enough for his main channel. Whether it be because of the shoot quality itself or the location. Hi Dan! Huge fan man. Your the best on the tube.
audiboi1587 I 7 hi
Always a great job Dan ! It seems so unreal to me who lives in France that there are beautiful small towns abandoned accross the USA. Thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures with us ! :)
omg that brick house was a BEAUTIFUL home and could be with deep pockets! Such a shame the old buildings are left in that state of sadness and disrepair!
I can't believe such a place exist ! In Austria there are not so many abandoned houses or streets ! I love the old stuff in abandoned houses and I enjoy this video very much thank you guys !
I'd like to know if there's anything like a Preservation law of historic buildings that have a certain age in the United States like we have in Europe?
Those buildings look kind of old and I think they would look really nice if renovated.
+Yvonne P. I agree, the house tour showed the place to be in pretty decent shape, enough to fix up and use somehow....but it will slip away if nothing is done.
There's laws about houses on the national registry of historic places that loosen otherwise strict red tape to make it worthwhile for people to renovate houses like this.
You would need at least a hundred thousand dollars to Renovate it
In the United States, people would rather abandon a strong built older home and move to a cheaper built home that is put up within a week that the first storm can blow down. Makes no sense to me but thats how it is.
Loved the train going through, perfect for the situation, really added to the ambience!!
Great exploration, as always! Thanks for posting!!
I really like the architecture!
love the radio with the books, looks so preserved.
reminds me of the Waltons.
So this abandoned town is literally the disney movie cars in real life... So cool looking, sad that highways kill small towns like this one.
Literally?
Omg I was just thinking the same thing
Magi Algarin, the model town for Cars is in Kansas/Missiour on the Route 66.
Beautiful House. I wish it was restored. My home was built in 1917 and solid as a rock. They sure don't build them like they used to. Attention to details.
so quote me as wrong... but i couldnt go in the places without taking antiques or items i wanted. I love history and couldnt let it sit there. so this is why i do not do this. its not that id want to steal. i just hate history destroyed.
skyrim born the property belongs to someone so yes it’s stealing.
@@donnaking3344 skyrim born did not ask if it was stealing, they are clearly very aware of that fact...
@@donnaking3344 yeah, yah idiot!
Thief
This very much resembles the town of Gordonsville,Virginia ...
Train tracks and towns layout.
That is what caught my attention , I thought it was Gordonsville,Virginia .
awesome, Dan: I love, love "ghost-towning" - it's an exciting hobby. Am a professional prospector myself.
I don't know if u made a point to Ever go back to this location.. But a Spirit Talker and EVP detector would be a perfect addition..lol Good Derelict location...
Why *is* there always a wheelchair?
Ikr lol
I think an old person loved there due to the chair and the portable toilet in the room across from said chair
I think Dan brings one around with him.
I was under the impression that breaking and entering is a felony and a strikable offence if it is a residential dwelling and just because no one seams to live there and that is questionable from what I have seen with some of these videos none the less these places are owned by some one and what these explorers are doing is called breaking the law and posting the evidence on UA-cam for the world to see not very bright.
@@benhadigan8337 shuttup you coward
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was quite the house in its time. That rocking chair upstairs says it all. That little house is on its last days. Looks like they took out the chimney. Look at those green and yellow cabinets!!!!!
There is always photos left behind ....🙁
I know. sad isn't it? memories of people who likely are no longer with us.
+Movie Edge The last vestigial clues to a forgotten life
Captain Southbird what're you doing here mate??
It would be good to know some of the history of the building and of the people that lived in these old houses x
Great stuff
Amazing- what a beautiful old house and a village stuck in time. Really enjoyed the video.
Great video---it reminds me of the little town in Fried Green Tomatoes. Sad though.
Wow, went to something similar but they moved the town onto this old street, and you could walk threw each place was a museum, and you went in and saw and learned what each dwelling did in the old days, like Doc office, town church/school, train depot! My favorite was the old house, I could just move in and live among all those beautiful old stuff! That place you were at woild be Perfect to make museums!!!! Another good video Dan, I enjoyed it!
First house was magnificent 😍
Loved this one!
Would love to see this old town revamped! I love this old house ! ❤️❤️
Every time you post a video, it makes me giddy like a schoolgirl. :) Amazing finds, Dan!
This
same. I was at work when he posted his last dead mall video.... made the night 10 times better. :D
+Jessy Musto .....hairdryer?
Llama Pants Wheelchair. Why is there always a wheelchair?
Chip B I happen to like wheelchairs, they are helpful when your legs arent cooperating with your body, they come with brakes ( the good ones anyway) and they have wheels which spin and stuff.... let's not discriminate because of what they represent in horror movies ...
This is by far one of my most favorite places that you have explored. That house is gorgeous ! The town is amazing .... so sad to see it abandoned. What a shame : (
That house is beautiful! Probably 1800s if I had to guess!
Dan, Thank you for saying gosh. Thank you for no profanity. Thank you
for a steady hand with the camera and THANK YOU for sharing this place
with us. The entire town is amazing. It beaks my heart to see Americana
disappearing. Wish I could restore this gem. What a beauty. Good job.
God Bless!
"Will is such a geek."
Come on Dan, we're ALL geeks here. :)
yeah i was liking your vid until you called will a geek
Will is cool
My grandma was from Altavista Va. same kind of town. Went there for her funeral and saw the sadness and defeat in the rural past.
I live ten minutes away from there, Pamplin, in a town called Appomattox, where the civil war ended.
So maybe you Can explain to me Why this town is abandoned? I am from Germany and wonder Why.....
Cornelia Bender-D'Antoni I live in Pamplin and the reason why it was abandoned was because it was a railroad town. The “House” was actually a hotel where the train riders would stay. Another reason is that the main road was moved from the town to highway 460 making it really hard to know it was there. My dad was a kid when they built the Highway and the had to pick up his house and move it for the construction.
@@corneliabender-dantoni787 Because everyone wised up and moved. It was never a big deal.
Another good one Dan, love seeing these old places you find. Keep up the good work. Nice haircut Will.
Forget the radio, send me the table it's setting on...
Stunning interiors, and those lead glass windows!! Awsome spot Dan :)
The cut out in the back of that last house looked like there's use too be an fire place in that spot mr bell..
What a quaint little hole in the wall place and absolutely beautiful old mansion. Nice video!!!! Thanks for the tour!!
loved it!! Will your hair looks great!
Too bad for Billy the Puppet though. Seems he's gone bald. 4:47
+Jill Sandwich why yes, yes he has. lol
I just watched your video on Pamplin Va. Yes it is abandoned now I can remember that town was a very busy but laid back little town. Mostly farming and tobacco timber. I spent many child hood days there I had a lot of family that lived outside of town. My aunt and uncle had a large farm, more family than I can count. Spent many summers on that farm. people were friendly. Helping hand if you needed it. Learned to crop tobacco hang it and cure it. Got paid by going to the candy store. I remember the grocery, hardware feed store, even clothing store. use to have a greyhound bus station. Enough thanks for some good old time memories could go on forever.
I would love to film here! Nice video
for sure
Holy catsup! What an incredible location. Marvelously steady shots. Thanks muchly, Dan.
I didn't recognize Will at first. Nice haircut.
glad I wasn't the only one :). I thought, who is that, glad to see will again.
+pantherseyes I think the same
+Lori_J :)
ChiBot Can You Like mine? You have to like mine! So like it! And like it! And
Iike it! Or else you will suffer!
It is good to see the younger generations taking an interest in early architecture and history. We just need to get more of them to commit to preservation rather than pillaging or scavenging (including metal detector buffs) of these sites. I was just thinking now during this current Christmas season, that if this place was ever restored, it would be a great location/site/home for Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.
Not a chamber pot, soup turrin, lid has a notch for a spoon handle.
Could be a chamber pot for people with very tiny butts?
A chamber pot would be a poop turrin
It could also have a spoon for poop stirrin’
+Dan Bell I am so obsessed with your videos. You're doing what I would LOVE to do but cannot so I thank you for that and I appreciate the slow camera work, focusing on things. It's like I get to snoop without the dangers. Thanks for your sacrifices!
I absolutely love this vid!! What I wouldn't give to buy that house and fix it up.. Truly.. 😉
What a nice house....love the beautiful woodwork!
What a creepy little town, I love it!
AdamDiddy its not creepy!!!
AdamDiddy p
LOVE this video! What a great little town. I wish someone would come in and make it thrive again while the buildings can still be saved.
I hope nobody goes and trashes these places... I was surprised there didn't look like any vandalism here
I hope it stays that way
Great video!!
What an amazing find. The first house main floor I swear it can be found in many old time films. What I mean is that not this particular house but rather the plot of the stairwell, big door and rooms off to the side has been in horror films. Nice.
Did Will get his Haircut at that Abandoned Barber Shop.....Looks Good.
Wow it looked like a set from the walking dead 💀 I started getting anxiety when they said they heard a car door shut 😳
I like Will's new haircut!
Best video seen yet of abandoned ghost towns!!! please give us more!!!
If you slow the speed down to 0.5 you can better hear a man greet Dan as they enter the old house. To change the speed settings go to the bottom right of the screen and click on the little gear icon and select speed, then select 0.5. The spirit is talking so fast he is hard to understand at regular speed. When you slow the speed down to 0.5 you can hear him say "More of you here?!!" at 8:05 and then he says "Welcome to my home!!" at 8:08. Again, slowing the speed down to 0.5 will allow you to hear him better. At regular speed I hear a woman say "I made white bread!" at 8:40. Slowing the speed down I think you can hear a reply of "Thank you!" at 9:33 to you saying this place is awesome. He says it quietly as if he's a bit nervous you're in his home. You can hear the "Help me !!" at 10:13-10:14 at regular speed, but at 0.5 speed you can hear it clearly. You can hear very faintly a woman say "Does he even see you?!!" at 12:27-12:28 and then at 12:29. It's a little more easier to hear in the slow speed. The spirit of the older man is definitely easier to understand when you slow the speed down. He's in the habit of talking fast. He is saying "When you going home?!!" at 12:45-12:46. He's already tired of you. He wants to know that his home is going to be o.k. As you pan down to the portrait of the young girl you can clearly hear in slow speed a young lady say "That was me!!" at 13:04-13:05. You hear it so fast in regular speed that you would probably pass right over it. Here's a good example of hearing an EVP much better in slow speed. At 13:21 you can clearly hear the spirit of the poor older man yelling "Go back home!!!" You don't even hear the last part of what he's saying in regular speed. Which by the way is proof you're hearing a ghost. Amazingly you don't hear "home" in regular speed. You just hear "Go back!!!" Go ahead and listen to it both in regular and slow speed and you'll see what I mean. Again, he's heard much better in slow speed at 13:34. He says "Why do you have to be here?!!" You can hear a child say "Mommy, help me!!" at 13:39. I do believe the man you're hearing can be seen in the portrait at 13:48. I think I hear "Betty' at 13:54. Dan says that that was a really cool place and I think he got a response of "Thank you!!" at 14:47. "Now you all leave!!" at 14:52. It's not always best to listen to EVPs at half speed (0.5). I think you will find that usually it is though. So hey perhaps we just proved the existence of ghosts. What fun. I've been reviewing my investigations at half speed for years now and I think it's time I start sharing the concept with others because it produces far greater results. So those that are ghost hunting and are not using half speed, try it you'll like it. Thanx for exploring and letting me tag along.
Thanks for showing me how to do that thats awesome
I listened, but did not hear anything that i could identify as speech.. i DID hear a few indistinguishable sounds that had a cadence, but could not make out any recognizable words... That's COOL, though!
Whoa!! I've heard that "help me" :O
@@andfggxpsksbr5524 I'm glad I could help. Thanx for letting me know.
@Glitterbomb45 Ten thumbs up. Nowadays I do tend to mostly post only "easier" EVPs so more people can hear what I'm posting. Nine times out of ten an experience investigator will hear that there's an EVP there. They won't always agree on what is being said. What is helpful is using headphones, raising the volume to nearly maximum and slowing the audio speed to 0.5. Whenever you're listening for EVPs you should at least do the first two. But what helps the most is a whole lot of experience. I hope that helps. Take care.
Hey dan i used to live in pamplin. That building you said was a bank is actually the old post office.
The town is neat and scary all in one. Reminds me of Stephen King's Salem's Lot where they only come out at night. Great video Dan. Hi Will, I like your new haircut. And hi there to you Brian, you cutie you. ;)
Loved the video. I'm not leaving anything negative because it's all a plus. Thank you! Without you, most of us would never have seen this.
does will have any social media? or his own channel?
It's always interesting to learn more about one's home state, especially one as large (originally much larger) as the Commonwealth of Virginia, where the first surviving European settlement, Jamestown, was established in 1607, LONG BEFORE THE PILGRIMS at Plymouth Rock in 1620!
10:13 That is not a chamber pot sorry. I had that is 80s decorative ceramics. :D Stay safe guys!
Lmao!!😜
How cool is this? Reminds me of a lot of little towns in Oklahoma. Many are just like this. Only a very few left and main street merchants are all gone. Thanks for the adventure!