Bluefield, Virginia/West Virginia: The Critical Railroad That Made Hitler’s Hit List 

I remember in 1960s my parents taking my sisters and I to Kresge's in downtown Bluefield. I could smell donuts before entering the store. Good memories.

I lived in Bluefield, WVA 80’s,working for Moore’ Building Supplies down at RR tracks. Which I noticed in your video, is now a roofing company. Rented a room, room and board,across from YMCA, in a old Victorian house. The older lady, which was a friend of mine’s Grandmother, cooked 2 meals a day. Great experience living there.

Great video. Love that you inserted the old pictures of the buildings. Keep up the great work.

Maccado's moved to Bluefield, VA in the old Ryan's building. It's even better than before.

WOW! My sister and her husband who became a Baptist minister lived in Bluefield, WV two different times. The first time he was the manager of Montgomery Ward which closed years ago. They moved back to Bluefield once her husband Ron earned his degree. She and her husband remained in Bluefield for many years. I love Bluefield. If I recall, there is a main highway in Bluefield where if you are standing in the middle of the street straddling the double line, one foot will be in Bluefield, WV and the other in Bluefield, VA. I always thought that was very neat. I lived in Bluefield for one summer with friends. Thank you for bringing back such great memories Shane and Melody.

13:45, this famous train ,,, "The Pow town Arrow" one of the leading fast trains of the time. My uncle Casero Sells was one of the engineers of this record-breaking fast train.

Thank you so much for this video,this brings back so many memories. When I was a teenager we lived about 1/4 mile to the right out of midway tunnel right beside Dairy Queen , I dated a girl that lived in midway I used to walk through that tunnel daily,my and her name’s were spray painted on the inside of that tunnel for years. I moved to North Carolina right after the blizzard of 93 that 4 and a half feet of snow was it for me and the fact that there were very few jobs available outside of fast food. Thank you again

Born, raised, and still live here. You did a good job. Thanks.

Another great video. The history of the Granada Theater was interesting including mentioning the actors who appeared there, especially Clark Gable. This wasn't Mr. Gable's first time in WV. During WW1 before he became famous, Clark Gable worked in the US government munitions plant for a few weeks in what is now Nitro, WV. I grew up in Nitro from 1950 when I was 2 years old until 1973 when I left to work for Southern Railway in Georgia. I know your focus is on smaller towns in Appalachia, however, Nitro has a wonderful museum that you might enjoy visiting some time in your journeys.

My father, Lonzo Gregory worked in the coal mine (1921-71) from age 12 to age 62. He retired from Bishop coal mine which is about 30 miles from Bluefield. I delivered the Bluefield Daily Telegraph newspaper in Bishop for four years 1953-57, when I was a teenager. Segregation was going at that time, separate schools/churches. everything was segerated.

Another great Appalachian video Shane and Melody. So much history in Bluefield that I didn't realize. Thanks so much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My aunt once taught English at Bluefield HS, I first golfed at Richwood off of Fincastle Turnpike, and my grandparents are buried at Grandview. Thank you!

Bluefield is getting a lot of new businesses. One being intuit. They recently brought 500 jobs. Also a house manufacturing company. I moved here 7 years ago from Tallahassee Fl. I bought a brick house on the golf course for 50k and my views are mountains. This is a great place to live. People are extremely friendly. We also have Bluefield Christian college on the Virginia side. My Grandfather was an engineer on the railroad. Thanks! You two are awesome.

My Grandparents lived there and my Aunt and Uncle are still there!

Bluefield WV/VA. Memories, Graham Colored School/Tazewell County High School was my mom's high school. Hayes Barber Shop, Tastee Freeze, Mercer Mall, Mitchell Stadium. Graham G-men and Bluefield Beavers sports rivals with Tazewell High School, the traffic light tunnel, the Faith Center Church, MLK bridge, BSU/BU, WCW matches at the city auditorium and Brushfork Armory. Loved watching the trains coming in and out the railyard. My deceased brother in law's hometown. Love this area. Also BU is a Southern Baptist school. Mitchell Stadium is home football for the Beavers, G-men, BU/BSU teams.

My parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are born and raised either in Bluefield VA, or WVA. In late 1800s my great grandparents moved from Staffordville Va, to Bluefield VA. On my mothers side. My great grandfather was a painter/elixir seller to the the west VA coal miners. His partner made the elixir and he traveled to the coal mines to sell it. His partner had a son and my grandfather had a daughter who married and are my grandparents. Also, my grandfather’s partner had siblings in high places in Bluefield, such as a police officer, etc. in early 1900s my grandfather on my dad’s side came to Bluefield. He was a barber, and met my grandmother who worked for a diner at the railroad. My parents met in high school. I never lived in Bluefield. Dad joined the military before I was born, but I have fond memories from our family’s vacation visits home. I remember Mitchell stadium when my uncle would go to my cousins football games. She was a cheerleader for graham high. My uncle worked for the Bluefield newspaper, and my aunt for Montgomery wards. I remember the tunnel, and the Dairy Queen. Just went to the Dairy Queen for the comfort food slaw dog when my aunt and uncle passed away. Actually I remember it all, but did not know about Hitler

Finally…Bluefield, WV. Great video. I’ve still got a lot of family there and they worked for the railroad. Bluefield has fallen on hard times, but their great positive spirit is still alive.

My grandma on my Mom's side was from Bluefield as well. Her name was Mary Lovell & her mother's maiden name is Katrina Thompson. She used to tell me stories about how beautiful it is there!

I really enjoy your laid-back approach to your presentation

So glad to see this. My daughter is working there for 3 months and I didn't know what the area was like.

I am from Bluefield, VA and really enjoyed my trips to Bluefield, WV as a kid in the late '60's and early '70's. Thank you for sharing some of the details of these two wonderful communities. Your channel rocks and the information on Appalachia is solid and the wonderful people that helped form this country and have been overlooked and abused for far too long. I like your merch. store. How about a VA/WV state outline shirt with the two Bluefield's noted w/ red stars or such. Divided only by a state line.

I really enjoyed this! Couldn’t help but notice there were almost no pedestrians on the streets, even in the downtown. I watched a video recently about Charleston WV and it was much the same- kind of a ghost town visually. Cheers!

This video has everything. Love the way you don't shy away from telling some of the darker history of the area, and you held true to that standard here. But you also share your endearing senses of humor! The "dueling agendas" -- singing Mel Street songs versus "telling my history" --- too funny! To top it all off, there was the "Tunnel of Fear" with the red light/green light access. It doesn't get better than that. Something for everyone. Godspeed to both of you! 💕

What a great visit, thank you Shane and Melody!

The Macado's is in Bluefield VA now. Next to the Ashley furniture store. My family moved to Bluefield VA last year and it's definitely the most beautiful place I've ever lived

Love this historic, and beautiful part of Appalachia. I always learn so much from your videos by how you both deliver the historic content with humor and even Shane's singing. Hey, back in the day when I was in high school, the basketball coach from Bluefield State would often come to the my hometown outside of Akron to recruit players, and some good ones too. I also like the new way to contribute to your channel, and just used it, and will again. You both just keep getting better every video. Keep up the good work.

Thank you so much for going to Bluefield. I was born and raised there. Wish you would have gone on East River Mountain and down Washington Street you would have passed the street where I grew up. I have been in Florida 55 years but my heart will always be in Bluefield. We are thinking about moving to Tennessee where I have many cousins. Bristol, Kingsport, Abingdon, Va., Meadowview, Va. and Chilhowie. My husband is from Welch and we really enjoy all the places you take us.

The end of your video Shocked me!! When you revealed that Melody was from Honaker, VA. Like Melody, I lived in Honaker, VA from 1945-1950 (2nd-6th grade). Then moved to Bluefield, WV! My dad pastored the Baptist church in Honaker during those years. Then became pastor of Bailey Memorial Baptist in Bluefield, WV in 1950. So the video brought back lots of memories of my 7 years in Bluefield, WV where I attended Fairview Jr. Hi, then Beaver High (graduated 1956), and my first year of college at Bluefield College (1956/57). After that, I transferred to a college in NC.Used to hike/climb/explore all over East River Mountain with my buddies. Later, I would pastor a church in VA where one of the church members showed me the design he had made of what would later be the entrance to the East River Mountain tunnel! Maybe my dad & mom even knew Melody's grandparents or great grandparents!

Proud Bluefield girl here. Thanks so much for the video! I was just wondering when you all would travel to Bluefield and do a video. 😁 Just an FYI about Central Jr. High, it was the original Bluefield High School in the early 1900s. Also, when you crossed the MLK bridge, there is a back way into Bluefield State College. It would have taken you past another of the old schools in town, Park Central HS. Just as BSC has an African American historical significance, Park Central does as well. Again, thanks for the video!

I grew up in Bluefield and lived there for a long time, then moved away about 30 years ago. Thanks for this video.

Wow!! Raised in Michigan. To find a channel that just shows me places both my parents are from (Mom New Ricky Hollar and Dad Crumpler W.Va. try that for tiny deep woods) where we as a family of 4 visited every year till my grandparents passed, now parents are "parent" and this just makes me SMILE!! Daddy said they piped in sunshine they were so deep! :) GOD BLESS YOU!!

Oh so much to remember. My mom's family are from coaldale. They went to Bramwell high school. She was born in 1934. 1 boy 9 girls. She was near the middle . I recognize so much👩‍🌾

We used to come from Giles County VA to the Mercer Mall to eat at the cafeteria. A dying mall is so depressing!

Bluefield was always a cool & windy city, and the coal cinders of the burned coal from the powerful steam engine driven trains would get into my eyes on the streets of Bluefield.

What a great video! Bluefield is such a beautiful town. Ur tee-shirt @ the beginning of the video w/ the switch brought back a memory of mine....true story: I got many whippings (all well deserved) as a youngster. The one that stands out is the one when my dad told me to go cut a switch. Well, being the crafty boy that I was, I went out and cut a forsythia branch and as I was walking back to the house, I broke the branch just enough so that u couldn't tell but when it hit me it would just break. It worked just as planned. I thought I had won until I heard the sound of my dad's thin leather belt being whipped out of his belt loops. Afterward, I don't think I could set down for a week!! lol

Hey guys, I'm from Michigan and have enjoyed watching many of your videos. Over the past 10 -12 years I've visited several of the areas you have featured including Damascus, the Creeper Trail, Grayson Highlands, Tazewell and Burkes Garden. I really like the winding county roads and great food too. Your videos are giving me some good ideas for future trips. One thing I've noticed though is Shane has worked at many places over the years and I've lost count. Take care & safe travels!

I can relate Shane. My old man used to make me cut my own switch too and if I came back with a tiny one, he'd still use it and then tell me to go cut a real switch. It's the way things were back then. I'm not surprised Lil' Miss Melody was a goodie two shoes. With some, you know they're lying...but I believe Melody. She strikes me as that kind of girl. Love the railroad history. I'm a nut for the old history and the railroads that ran through Appalachia, N&W, B&O, PRR...that stuff gets me all up in a twitter.

I've been to that Dairy Queen in Bluefield Va. On many visits to see family. That DQ was famous for their Slaw Dogs. First time I ever ate a Hotdog with coleslaw on it, and it was awesome! I recognize so many other places to but I wanted to share the slaw dog story with you.

Hi Real Appalachia. Good video. Malls are dying all over America. The internet has killed malls and a lot of other things. Bluefield is an interesting place.

My Father was from bluefield. My Grandparents lived near the methodist chruch on Collage Ave. Also my Grandfather Owned and Ran the Esso station. Lots of good memories, but everything time I go back it looks sadder on whats closing next.

This is where I call home. Great video! I actually work at Hobby Lobby. If I had known you all were filming that day I would have said hello. Keep up the good work

Great video,I was born in bluefield,I was just over at the new graham gift store last month.if you want to take a fun trip go across east river mountain on the old mountain Lane to cove creek then take rt 61to the old grapefield road and you will end up in bastion,va.at our little pizza plus right beside exit 58 ,on I77 .it's a cool ride over easy river mountain on a gravel road .,this fall would be a perfect time for a trip like that.i can remember when I joined the U.S. Army my First Sgt. Overheard me talking with a commo specialist and he asked me where I was from ?when I said bluefield west wva.he said he knew I had just got off the boat with Davy Crockett, when he heard me talking.lol

I was an inserter and bundle loader for the paper carriers at Bluefield Daily Telegraph in 1971-72 and some of us would go over to the West Virginia Hotel to eat after work in the late mornings. OMG the memories. I went to Graham High School as I lived on the Virginia side of Bluefield but I still remember going to Kresge's on that corner where the mural you loved is now.

I was born in Bluefield, WV raised in Wyoming County WV. Great video !!

The Granada theater was just redone and opened. Marilynn Monroe visited too.

Born and lived in Bluefield in the 60s and 70s before moving to Danville VA. I can remember having tons of fun then. The area did go down after coal mining started drying up and there were not as many job opportunities with the railroad. I think most of my old friend have moved to other parts of the country. I do remember both Bluefield VA and WV as being busy little towns. I live in the Washington DC area now, so I definitely miss the small town atmosphere.

Thank you for this video. Earned my sub. I grew up in Bluefield Va and lived there for 27 years.

Grew up part of my life in Bluefield, Virginia lived on Depot Street worked at Kersey Manufacturing Company, Waller AMC Jeep, and Bailey Lumber Company before moving back to Danville, Virginia, and eventually going into the Military, much of the places in the video I don't recognize anymore at that time Bluefield, Virigina was a great place to raise a family, with very limited opportunities, upon reaching adulthood. I currently reside in Colorado and have met people from Radford, Pearisburg, and Pocohantas.

Being in my 40’s I have fond memories of going to the mall up until I left in 03. I mean in High School you could beat going there on Friday and Saturday nights. I used to work at the Sears and NRM there until I left. Thanks for the vid guys!

Hey Shane and Melody, LONG time ...no speak/comment!! But I luckily spotted this one and had to comment. First, I've not been available or able to watch much, if any of y'alls video since December. On November 22, '21, I had my 9th (yes, Nineth) Reconstruction & Replacement surgery on my Right Knee. Basically, it's been a 6 year trek from May/June '16 after I contracted MRSA and 2 Gram Staph infections a month into Physical Therapy Rehab (after 1sþ surgery) and over 5 month hospitalization and 7 more surgeries during that 5 months...I was left with a Reconstructed Knee without the Prosthetic knee, but a Medicated Concrete Block in place of the knee. Once that healed, I was to wait a minimum of 1 year, preferably 2-3 year before my Orthopedic Surgeon and Plastic Reconstruction Surgeon could go back in with the Knee Prosthetic. However, Covid-19 set up back until '21 and after trying to get Scheduled with two Surgeon's, Operating Suit,Private Hospital Room (due to prior infections) and a Rehab facility after surgery, it was another year. Anyways, the final surgery went fantastically and I've spent the last 7 months in Rehab, Basically learning how to walk again. So, unfortunately RU-vid videos were not too high on my "To Do" list. After my parents were married in '42 and dad returned from WWII Army Air Force combat duty in the South Pacific Campaign, they initially settled in Bluefield, West Virginia. Dad started working for Appalachian Power Company and mom start squeezing out my two older sisters and 3 older brothers. Then dad was transferred to Charleston, WV area with the Power Co. And my older brother and I were born up here. However, Bluefield has always been like a 2nd home to our entire family and had dad not been sent north, I'm sure I'd been born there too. Our vacations were always in Mercer County, WV, Bland/Giles/Carroll and Roanoke Virginia Counties. One of my older sisters graduated from Bluefield State (now University). Hopefully I'll be better about watch, still Rehabbing, but it's not quite as intensive as at first. Mike from Saint Albans

Thanks melody and Shane for showing Bluefield w.va it has been so many years since I have been there,

My people came from Atkins, Va and I had many relatives in Bluefield. Had my parents stayed in Virginia I would have been a mountain boy, but they moved to Michigan in the 1930s, and I was born there in 1945. Have not been back to the area since the 1980s, but I remember it well. During those hard times in the 1930s my people had to make moonshine to help survive. My dad was the youngest, so his job was to stay down at the bottom of the mountain and look for government men. If he saw any, he was to run up the mountain and warn his brothers and uncles. That was back in the 1920s. I live in the Philippines now, and I sure miss the States. Driving in the mountains is exactly what I loved to do on vacations. Guess that's why I like this video. I like your videos, they take me to family places I will never see again. Thank You.

Love the video y’all! That hotel was awesome would been cool if y’all could went Inside but it wouldn’t be the same as it was way back then! Sometimes I wish they would keep some historical building like that one like it was in the old days! I have only been to West Virginia once that was in Huntington WV I had blasted seeing all the history of the place specially getting to see Marshall University and where there old field was!

Thanks for the video. I’m an Appalachia and history lover, and considering relocating to the Bluefield area from my hometown of Kingsport TN.

Thanks for the great memories. I was born in Bluefield and grew up in Pocahontas. Love seeing this video,

I remember the Dudley family. Some of them lived in Lauderdale Lakes. My friend was married to the football player's brother.

1940s, The city of Bluefield would give FREE Lemon-aid to everyone on the streets whenever the temperature would get to 90 degrees, which as was very rare.

My mother was raised in Bluewell WV.. Her dad, my granddad Tackett worked for the railroad in Bluefield. They would take the train to Bluefield the shop, because they had passes, sort of a perk from the railroad. I wish I knew more. Thanks for sharing.

Hey thanks I was born and raised in blefield wva❤😢

Enjoyed this ! I have always liked bluefield....alot of history there , and I like history ....it was a happening place back in the day ...thanks for sharing this! Stay safe always and as always, God bless y'all always....🙏❤

My family began in bluefield..the Cogar or Cougar family. In the early 1920s and before. From Ireland and and England raised in Va.

FYI, Macado's is now over at the old Ryan's in Bluefield, VA. Between Sam's and Walmart.

Love the video! Grew up in Bluefield and I do miss it.... also miss the good ol Hollywood sign hahah totally forgot about that lol

Shane, your singing is not as bad as you think. Lol Melody, I love your artwork. Thanks for taking us along and paying for the gas. ~ Trish

It’s also called Wrights valley. Lotittos park is really nice with the Award winning Stadium, tennis courts, trails picnic shelters.

We had our reunions at Glenwood. So many memories....

Thank you both for another interesting video, I am beginning to feel as if I now you both. You do a great job.

Great Video friends !

Great video! Thank you!

I really enjoyed this video! Thank you

At 39.54 you passed a little green house where my grandmother lived.

Thanks!

Hey guys another fun road trip. Kinda feels like malls are dying off. I can't remember when the last time I was at the mall. I workout at Crunch fitness. Good little gym. Take care!

Al Land : I'll stand on my head to please you, and thats a fact" His jewlrey store was among the many builds raazed on Bluefield avenue I was born in the old St Lukes on Bland street, my grandfather and father had a lumber business down from the Fuetchenberger bakery

I remember when that was a Hills - where the hobby lobby is. I was a wee little guy.

Thanks very much for the tour. I learned a few things. Your husband has a nice singing voice. Jump in there and harmonize. ☮️❤️ ps. My great Grandfather helped build the Sanders house. He was a carpenter.

Bill Dudley and Ahmad Bradshaw both are Graham High School of Bluefield VA alumni!

I am originally from bluefield. I still have family up there. Haven’t been home since 2018. But eventually I will go home to visit. But I wouldn’t think I would live there anymore.

WHEN I MOVED 2 WEST VA. FROM MILWAUKEE WIS. IN 1974 I LIVED IN PRINCETON BLUEFIELD WEST VA. HAD A BLACK POLICE CHIEF WHICH SUPRISED ME HE USE 2 BE A FBI AGENT CHECK IT OUT.

I’ve lived in Bluefield since I was about 3, and I never knew about Hitler wanting to bomb us! You learn something new everyday. Some of my older coworkers mentioned to me that at the end of John Nash Blvd (where you get onto I-77) was originally supposed to be an industrial park, but I guess that got pushed to the side. They are actually building a modular home manufacturing plant there, it would be nice if they could integrate the railroad with transporting materials. Thanks for sharing as usual!! I’ll have to get that Pocahontas coal shirt soon!

Mel Street was related to my family. I believe my grandfather was his uncle. I have family in Bluefield the Colemans.

1940s, I remember the "the black outs" of WW2 when there were bomb threats. President Rosevelt dying in office and the middle of WW2 on his third term as president. And the rationing of sugar/tires/,,, everything,,, to support the War efforts with Germany, Italy & Japan.

An awesome cool video I truly enjoyed it. In the Mercer Mall there use to be a Caferitria-style restaurant there. They sold the best food ever. I loved their hush bubbies. Is that cafeteria still there? I could tell you some stories about Bluefield. It was an awesome town back in the day. I enjoyed the video thanks for sharing it. Thumbs up to this video. Stay well & safe guys.

Yep, I had to cut my own lilac switch. More than I can remember but not as many as my older brother.

AYOO is that mercer mall in the intro? I recognize that place cause i live here 😂! I used to work for the Blue field Virginia side for a bit, on grass crew

my great grandmother was born there she was related to the Hatfields in 1897 she died here in 1930

Interesting place, I learned a lot and enjoyed visiting with you!

Dairy Queen was there in the late 1940s. the first of "soft serve ice Cream"

My Dad grew up in Midway and my Grandfather was a brakeman on the railroad. I need to go back to see my family soon.

Funny how your videos make me homesick for places I've never been!

Melody you are truly bless seeing all the beautiful areas and live music too lol

My grandfather drove that locomotive off the tracks for the last time, so it's special to me, too!

I want everyone to know that this is a thriving community. We have some big business that are have chosen Bluefield and Mercer county for their home base. Each are bringing hundreds of jobs. Also, Bluefield has been given a lot of money for infrastructure and there are big plans in the works. This is also contributing to jobs. I absolutely love ❤️ it here. Great video and thanks again. I’ll be getting one of those Pocahontas tshirts. Ps. Pocahontas has a coal mine tour that is really good.

Shane and Melody, I used to have to get my own switch as well. It had to be a little thin green one. If I brought back a brittle brown switch, I had to keep going back, however long it took, until I finally came back with the dreaded green one. I'd give it to my mom... with my head hanging down, quivering in my shoes (or bare feet)...while she would look at it and say it was a pretty good one. Then she would throw it in the bushes, saying I had been punished enough, so go back and play. Truthfully, it rarely happened because I was such a good child. 😇And I don't think she ever actually 'used' one on any of us kids.

Thank You. I spent some time in Bluefield VA working for Joy Technologies of Franklin PA at the Bluefield VA Joy rebuild center. I worked there normally two days a week travelling down from PA. I would schedule a Wednesday work day and then travel to Iaeger WV to visit GW Powell of Iaeger WV at the Iaeger WV Church of God so I could attend Wednesday evening services. Good times.

Can you guys please do more southern recipes? That strawberry pie was so delicious.

My Sister Punkin lives up there on Doileda La there in Bluefield WVa.

Bluefield West Virginia has alot of high-rise architecture built in it's heyday like a little Manhattan when it was booming.Reminds me of my hometown of Clarksburg West Virginia(Birthplace of Stonewall Jackson whose statue remains at the courthouse)in North Central West Virginia of I-79 that like Bluiefeld built their highrises in the early 1900's,1910''s.Fairmont West Virginia near Clarksburg has some unigue downtown highrise architecture,also where the pepperoni roll was invented by local coal mining Italian Immigrants wanting a cheap,convenient lunch,the Country Club Bakery was the first bakery to make them since 1927..Near Fairmont is the town of Monongah West Virginia,home of Nick Sabin where the largest coal mining disaster in the US was which killed 362 miners in 1907;that event help lead the creation of the US Bureau of Mines there's a memorial there,that includes a statue of a mother and his children.Farmington West Virginia near Monongah had a more recent mining disaster that I remember happened in 1968 which killed 78 miners.and helped create the 1969 Coal Mining Health and Safety Act that greatly increased inspections making the mines safer.The explosion was heard 12 miles away in Fairmont.There's some interesting youtube videos on it.This is the area where US Senator Manchin is from.Might be out of your reach but it's still Appalachia,further north is Morgantown West Virginia home of West Virginia University and Don Knotts(Barney Fife) whose statue is downtown, further up north is Pittsburgh Pa.,said to be the largest city in Appalachia.

Hi y’all enjoyed your trip enjoy you both my wife wants to know how you and melody got together thanks guys keep up the good work

love your singing voice...Sean!