This is my hometown. My husband and I have never wanted to move off, we love raising our kids here. I actually still work in town. Im so thankful for Bradshaw and its residents.
Are there any Keens left in Bradshaw,,,Grace and Virgie were Aunts.They died in the 70,s Had family in the old cemetary that was moved because it was washing out,,,,Anyway let know if not all is good
We ❤️❤️❤️ Bradshaw. Everyone is SO supportive of YL here and always make a way for us to have a meeting place. So generous and friendly. We live in Iaeger and moved to the area years ago. We love raising our kids here!
Thanks, guys. I just love Melodie's accent! I've had the privilege of motorcycling through West Virginia on occasion; I do believe I have seen some of the most striking women there... some real mountain beauties.
Thank you both so much. I learn a bunch about West Virginia, the cutlure, the beauty, the good people who live there. Honestly, 99.99% of the internet could be thrown away and the world would be a better place for it. Your channel is a breath of fresh air. Thank you again. I spent most of my life in CA, recently moved to a more conservative state in line with my politics, and now try to fill my life with patriotic Americans who appreciate our great country. Your channel makes me smile.
I live on the unbelievabley beautiful Colorado Plateau Four Corners area , but I would feel right at home sitting on the front porch in my chair listening to some stellar blue grass and fearing God. Thanks for letting us ride shotgun in some of the most beautiful mountains the good Lord ever did make. God bless you and yours
Can you imagine how different life could have been if people had been able to retain the mineral rights beneath them and shared in the wealth that was extracted from those hills. I love all the old photos and it really shined a light on the lives and times. Safe travels!
Those are coal company owned houses. Those people never owned anything. My entire family was from this part of the country....my Aunt Gussie and Uncle James (a miner) were from Bradshaw. There was little opportunity to own anything...all was controlled by the corporate mining companies. These people, like my people prospered when they moved as my folks did, North. We and my Aunt and Uncle moved to Cleveland. Everyone went to work for GM, Chrysler, or Ford in Brookpark OH. Never missed the dirt and grime. New life, new homes, good money, new cars, union jobs with benefits. Uncle James made $29 an hour as a janitor in 1973 for Ford Motor Co. More money than he ever dreamed. Aunt Gussie worked on the assembly line ....same company. They bought their OWN home, cars, and had a great life. They never spoke of WV without spitting I have to say. Love the people, hate the work environment. These people were abused terribly....like the Indians by the corporations. My dad went to trade school in Cleveland and became an electrician for GM in their plant there. He never regretted the move. He was from War, McDowell County.
Really did enjoy that musical interlude. That piece has always moved me and the photos included added to that. My great grandfather immigrated from Aberdare, Wales to Wheeling in the early 1800's, something I did not know until much later in life. Which explains my life long fascination with Appalachia and West Virginia, specifically. Almost as if I was connected to her by DNA! LOL. Also had a beloved uncle(by marriage) that was from the Princeton area. I loved listening to him tell stories from his childhood growing up there. He used to laugh and tell folks "folks in West Virginia are all born with one leg longer than the other, and which one is figured by what side of the holler ya live on!"
In the video Melanie had mentioned the Bradshaw grade school and they are doing construction work. What they are doing is raising the building up 10 ft or so from the road. Out of a flood zone. It's the army corps of engineers that are doing the construction. And they use that building now for their Town Hall well it's temporarily out of order and they have another building that they are temporary using for the town hall. But when the construction work is done it will go back to being the town hall. Thank you for the drive-thru of the town of Bradshaw in McDowell County, West Virginia
Great original content.. thank you.. Brings back memories my grandparents were from Wayland Kentucky and worked for the Elkhorn Coal Company 40s through the 70s.. remember how much fun I had going to family reunions
Another beautiful drive with two beautiful people. Love the history of these little places, it's nice to drive along with you as your relay the stories behind them. Stay safe , look forward to your next video. ♥ ♥ ♥
Beautiful scenery and I also like the cut throughs to make the roadway possible. I am humbled by the fact of so many American flags along the way. Patriotism is so near and dear to my heart and I am moved by the sight of our beautiful flag. You both do such a wonderful and welcoming job on all of your videos; I truly appreciate the subject matter and the efforts put forth!
Great videos. I've been following you two for a while. My wife and i are opening on buying some property in WV and i went through this little town. I went to see a house, didn't find anyone there so i went into town passed that Walgreens. The old school on the left is now the town hall. (They are not tearing it down. They were building a new front porch) I went there to ask some guys sitting out on that porch if there was a public restroom. I went inside that old school building and used the restroom and met the mayor. Young fella. Star Wars fan. Nice guy. He knew the house I was looking at and was related to somebody who owned it. 😂
Seeing all those pictures of the people way back then was sad. However ,they didn't realize how poor they were because they had love in their homes. That is what is missing in today's society. The love in the families! I'm 62 now. I basically grew up poor. But I didn't know that because I experienced love from my mother. My dad died when I was 2. I just love your videos! keep them coming!
If I was independently wealthy, I would love to live in Bradshaw. The Mts around that small town captivates me! I am a mt. scenery guy! Great video, by the way!
Your wife is so pretty with the loveliest voice! You two carry yourselves so well. So interesting to learn more about parts of our country ive never been to but have always been curious about. I like and respect what you two are doing. Have a blessed day and a happy thanksgiving
My husband pastors Rocks Spring Baptist Church. That’s us standing out there at it. The building you mention as the library is town hall with a small library in it. The old school mentioned was town hall. They are lifting it out of the flood zone. The Walgreens shut down February 24th so we no longer have it. Thanks
Thanks again for the great video as usual y’all do a great job! We always enjoy riding along with y’all on your trips! Keep up the great work! Happy thanksgiving 🦃
I know the owners and operators of the Sunamco businesses you mentioned having a "chokehold" on Bradshaw. Sunamco is a blessing to everyone in that area. Not just for groceries and lumber, but they actually care about the community. Being family owned and operated by people who actually live there, they understand the needs of the people around them. How many other "chokehold" corporations do you know send food to grieving families for free? You speak like you know the area.....ask around about that "chokehold".
I had to work two of those Sunamco grocery stores when I worked in Bradshaw and they were very kind to me. I think the one store was in Bradshaw and the other was in a place called Jolo.
I really liked seeing the old photos & the music you played while showing em was perfect. This seems like a nice little place, but that Walgreens stuck out like a sore thumb! Enjoyed this drive very much! Stay safe and God bless!
Thanks your latest RU-vid video. Really interesting to see the real West Virginia and the topography plus the flora . Have recently subscribed to your channel. Glad I did . Greetings from Derbyshire, England
Love the Catskills. I'm up in Parksville, Livingston Manor, and also Greenville often. I definitely need to get up there at least every couple of months to escape the city... its so peaceful.
I just admire all your videos from you both. Shane made such an important statement about Walgreens. Perfect analogy. Hey, they also sell alcohol and cigarettes. If you need baby wipes, or baby formula, forget it. They will be out of that. So sad this is happening all over our country. Keep moving and grooving you two.
It’s so frustrating that there are almost no family-owned pharmacies anymore. I was fortunate that the little town of 2,500 people I grew up in had two drugstores and both pharmacists were highly respected and well liked (but one drugstore had a better soda fountain and the other one had a better comic book selection😁). Those pharmacists knew their patients and knew their community.
@@realappalachia I wish you'd expand on this a bit, maybe a video devoted to this subject. We have Walgreens CVS and Medicap the independents are all gone there are a few in the smaller towns south of here but they all sell booze and cigarettes just about like every grocery store around here. Is it because they do what they do or is it because they're Not From Around Here? Exploitation is as American as apple pie. I've lived in northern Appalachia up near the Canadian border and worked for starvation wages as a millhand so I know the story.
@@johnnielson7676 Yep, the mom and pop pharmacy is gone forever. It's a tragedy. I am so fortunate to live in a small town where there is one left. The best pharmacy on the planet if you ask me because they treat you like family.
thank you for the little tour .Im bringing a little team of 8 people to this town in a few wks..to work alongside Anchor Ridge Ministry .we live in Ormond Beach Fl & are members of Tomoka Christian Church & we are all looking forward to serving with Josh & Andrew , Founders of Anchor Ridge Ministry
Awesome videos guys reminds me of when i was back in Bluefield WV..thank y'@ll for all your great videos GOD Bless all Virginians. GOD BLESS YOU GUYS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA 🇺🇸❄️🙏🏞️🙏❄️🇺🇸
I was Born in Marytown Coal camp long ago.Lived in Welch. for few years I was there in the Flood of 57 right next to Grace Hospital when she broke.Crawled up the side of the Mountain.Never wil forget that.But listen next time you are in Bradshaw,See if any Keens still there let me know. well Please perttyyy please.,loll If not all is good.
Seeing the pictures reminded me of growing up there. I almost expected to see myself in a couple. I was raised by my grandparents in Jolo. Alot of the buildings are gone but I recognized a few. When you first pulled out I remember the steel building on the left was brand new. It was D&T Chevrolet. I remember the school and at 7:40 on your way back into town the brick building on the right was a hardware store. Tommy Wimmer owned it. The Bradshaw hornets was the Jr high (not shown). I moved to Johnson City Tennessee in 1980.
I knew my great grandpa was from the Appalachia, but just found out a couple days ago he was from Grundy and you mentioned it being a little bit away from this town in this video. 😊 Now I can get a better understanding of the area around there.
Just like you aptly pointed out when the coal busted people left. The same happened to many of my relatives that lived in Wise Co. Va, when coal busted many moved to Ohio and Indiana and lived the rest of their lives there but they always called the mountains home. Excellent video Shane you all keep up the good work
Thanks so much, a lot of us have lost family who moved away on what they call the "hillbilly highway" but like you said this will always be home in their hearts
In 1986 Bradshaw made the national network television news. The local residents got together and blocked the road that went out to the school. The reason was a series of cliffs that hung out over the road that they were afraid would collapse and crush the buses. The company that I worked for at the time got the contract to remove them. We were there several weeks drilling and shooting and it was like we were the circus in town. Bradshaw hadn’t had that much excitement in years.
Wow, I dont remember hearing about that but I can definitely imagine that situation existing. They cut through the mountains just about any way they could so I guess we're lucky there arent even more rock falls
I remember that well. My mom made me go to school along with my cousin when no one else showed up. Then Timmy Vance decided he would join us for kicks. We planted flowers in front of the school.
Really enjoy the videos and commentary. Small suggestion, open up with a map showing the location of where you are at. Not that I'm too lazy to Google, but I was looking for Cigarette Hollar (holler?) and could never find it. Cheers
I've been to Bradshaw a few times. What ever happened to the Crow's Nest? It was a bar up on the hill. The guys name was Crow. At least that's what they called him. He never had a license for the bar. They played poker also. My brother and I came thought there a few times while visiting from Maryland.
Well, hello again - it is I - the author of "thirdary roads." Did you spend Thanksgiving in WV? I spent Thanksgiving in a cabin way up in the mountains of WV. As a matter of fact, yesterday we received 3" of snow. It was beautiful. Your video of Bradshaw was magnificent. Are you aware that McDowell County is considered the "poorest" county in the State of WV? Some people might not agree. Keep up the grand work that you do folks!!
Looks like a nice place to visit but living in the desert west all my life those mountains would make me claustrophobic. I would feel like i would need to get on top of a mountain to be able to see what's around me.
I work at Sunamco in Perkins Camp (right past the high school)! They are such amazing people to work for! The owners really own most of the houses and stuff here in bradshaw. The one you guys passed at the beginning is the furniture store. no one works there but they store all of the furniture there!
Wish i could go with you myDad and his family grew up in rsndoph county in a place called czar west virginia little place called sugar awww the storys i could tell you two about how my dad and his 8 brothers and sister grew up in
Have you guys thought about doing a video of Hurley Va. & the Guesses Fork area since the flood? Shame that those people are having so much trouble trying to get FEMA help. 😕 I know that McDowell County borders Buchanan County VA. where the flood took place . Tfs! Blessings!
A couple things, this video is 3 days old and over 11k views? thats saying something, My parents are from Bradshaw and they traveled the world over and moved back there 20 years ago.The most valued memories are from back there, mining will always be king even when its not because people loved what i did for them, as we speak its booming again but we will see how long it last, Im not sure yall know how much people enjoy your videos, Bradshaw Mountain is where we really call our home but Alota time spent in Bradshaw too. God Bless You all and keep making good Videos!
I have really enjoyed watching your videos of WV , I have been through WV many many years ago and have renewed my interest in a vacation there. It is a gorgeous state that I feel should really make tourism their industry since coal is no longer the bread winner for the people of WV .
With such beautiful topography you would think some of these areas could figure out a way to reinvent themselves - maybe as low cost communities for retired folks who don’t necessarily enjoy the heat and/or humidity of places like Arizona or Florida? Of course, that population seems to like living 15 minutes from the nearest hospital, so that might be a hurdle for some of these towns? Kind of a shame to let all these gorgeous views go to waste with out people being around to enjoy it - especially when the world has pretty much put any material good you could ever want only a few clicks away on your computer…….🤔
My family has been in West Virginia since it was part of Virginia. I myself have lived in Los Angles and NC so I think I have a different perspective. I now am back in WV by choice and would live nowhere else. The vintage photos were great......looked like home good or bad. You need to come to Pocahontas Co sometime, we have a great historical society that has tons of vintage photos. Side note. The drug stores are part to blame for the opioid problem. But I feel the major part of the blame goes to the doctors that took kickbacks, drug manufactures and their Reps, and the people in the Govmt regulatory boards that saw what was happening and either did not care or were paid to look the other way. Thanks
I definitely agree with your assessment of who deserves blame for the opioid problem, I just get annoyed seeing big pharmacies propped up in these little communities like leeches
I appreciate what you guys do. I would ask however, if possible you guys try to see if its welcoming or even just safe for melanated folk to pass through. Thank you again!
Free your mind, let all that tension go. No need to be scared. I heard a beautiful African woman say just today, " Skinfolk ain't kinfolk". Now, that's the truth. We all bleed red.
As we age being close to good healthcare is important but I expect the reluctance of old folks to move can make difficulties when healthcare disappears.
That's true but a lot of people were very happy then and have great memories from those times and being happy is such an important piece of life. I remember growing up in the coal business how it would be boom and bust but I was just as happy eating government cheese as I was when we could go on nice vacations, etc. lol
I just ate some government cheese. A friend of my parents gets assistance but doesn't like or gets too much cheese so they give my parents some and I get a box of it every once in a while. Home grown potatoes, hot dogs, and cheese made into a baked casserole!!
Perhaps Elon Musk and Starlink will bring high speed internet to everywhere and give people other options to live where they choose. On another note, I totally liked the Walgreens dig.
Back when these towns were first built it was before cars so there wasnt a need for a vehicle road much less a two lane road so the changing transportation needs started to encroach on people's yards, which weren't all that big to begin with.
The whole county is like this because the big land companies and coal companies and other companies own huge tracts of land for the timber and coal rights.There's nowhere to build except close to the road .They won't sell the land for development to build houses(private individuals)Most of the land is tied up in McDowell County.There are no big farms here anymore.Most towns won't let you raise chickens.
They say that what gos around, comes around. If you look at the family histories of the men who moved into that area to work in the mines, you will see a great deal of them came there from Virginia and North Carolina. Now their decendants are leaving there and going to those states to find employment.
Actually, the first people to live in the area were Native American and descendents of long hunters that were hiding from warring tribes of Shawnee during the Powell Valley/Baptist Valley Raids.
