Cumberland Gap: Appalachia's Gateway West 

Where should I explore next? Thanks for watching!

My great great great grandfather walked the Wilderness Road on his way to Southern Indiana in 1815. Got to admire the determination of people to better themselves back then.

Shelby Dade Foote Jr. (November 17, 1916 - June 27, 2005) was an American writer, historian and journalist. It looks like we have his noble successor in this channel, I see great stories and adventures ahead. ☺

The sky view of the Cumberland Gap gave me an eerie sense of what the westward bound travelers felt as they stared at this portal to their future and left civilization behind.

I’ve passed through many times, never had time to stop & explore. Gonna fix that summer 2023 good Lord willing

My great grand uncle Daniel Boone and his family brought branches of our family West through here. Thanks.

Great blast from the past, my girls and I hiked white rocks which was a marker for the early settlers. When they saw the white rock cliffs they knew they were one day away from the gap. Lived in the mountains of east KY for 30 years until relocating to Arizona. Man I miss these mountains for sure. Beautiful landscape and great people. I miss those mountains everyday!

Absolutely killing it with these docu-series!🔥

My great grandfather Matthias Brandenburg emigrated from Berlin Germany to the US in the 1760’s. He came through Cumberland Gsp with Daniel Boone. Matthias Brandenburg is now buried at Heidelberg Kentucky. If you look at the picture of Boone coming through the gap he’s the man next to Boone. The effects of The Civil War are still felt to this day especially along the Kentucky Virginia border.

Such beautiful country. If you take 58 east from Cumberland Gap into Virginia, it is a spectacular drive.

I got married in 2014 at the little white Cumberland Gap wedding chapel on a beautiful, rainy spring afternoon. I grew up in Tazewell and visiting the Gap was always and is still so special. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

I grew up in middlesboro and pineville but moved to Oregon. There’s no nostalgia like moving away and thinking about driving down a Tennessee backroad. Imma move back

Forgotten history that we should not forget

I drove the northern route coast to coast & back along the southern route in the US with diversions along the way. I loved & felt so at home in Kentucky, Tennessee & West Virginia. The terrain was so similar to my home here in New Zealand & the people were wonderful. It's such a beautiful part of your country. Thank you for the uploads & good luck with your channel.

My family is from Corbin, KY, my grand parents moved away before my time but I heard stories she would tell...I would love to see a video about the town and the way it was back then

This is how history should be told! From the way you narrate to the visuals, it just makes you want to keep going and learning more. Like I’m not ready for the end of the video! It just makes you want more. I love these videos you’re making! I would love to see you travel all over and do these kinds of videos throughout the country. But I love this area, so don’t go too fast haha!

Just saw this and I realize it's 2 years old, however you need to go to Martin's Station VA, as it will be celebrating its 250th anniversary next year in May.

I would like to know more about the salt mines and softball Virginia when they fight during the Civil War there’s so much history in that part of Virginia

One of my favorite places to go. Gorgeous.

When I was a Drill Sergeant in the Army (2007-2010) and stationed at Fort Jackson, my company commander owned the Old Mill Bed and Breakfast and my wife and I stayed up there for our anniversary one year. We met Robert D. Raiford who was a regular on the syndicated John Boy and Billy radio show. Nice, quiet town.

The Hensley settlement in Cumberland gap my family settlement was one of the largest settlements in the gap

I we t through that tunnel right after it first opened... there's a commemorative quarter featuring the Cumberland Gap....

Omg this one is your BEST one yet!!!! I loved it!!! The visuals you captured🤯😍

I just found your videos. I live in Louisiana but drive tanker trucks pulling loads out of Eastman chemical in Kingsport. I’ve fallen in love with these mountains and East Tennessee the last year and a half. So much so I’m thinking more and more about relocating here.

The New River is interesting, maybe a short series on that. The headwaters are in Blowing Rock, NC.

Sounds kinda silly but music really sparked my interest in Appalachia and the song Cumberland Gap made me determined to visit this historic place. We're coming in the Fall and I can hardly wait. I am from the mountains of the West, which are a far cry from the much older biological and cultural diversity of the mountains of the South. I'm sorry to say, the vistas might be more awe inspiring here in the Rockies, but I find the Appalachians much more interesting, nuanced, and beautiful.

Just stumbled upon this post. This is where I struggle brother; the desire to preserve the simplicity of the past , with the unstoppable progression of the future is difficult to manage in your heat! 🙏 ❤️

Wow! Beyond words. I loved how you captured such beautiful landscapes and scenery. This is one quality video. I love your narration too. Awesome history. Keep sharing.

I love watching these docu. Series on the small towns in usa thank you so much from Denmark in Europe

The Breaks, The Cascades… a lot to see in the region! Oh, and Mt Rogers, for certain!

I think the spot at mid-way would give me vertigo lol

Before the oldtimers are all gone and dead. I'd like to see a video made on Conneaut Ohio right on Lake Erie in the Pennsylvania state line. I was born there in 1940 January 17th the town history major railroad the nickel plate. The New York Central run east and west and the best part is that run north and south bring coal from Pennsylvania to the docks at Conneaut Harbor. They're being shipped to the power companies and the steel companies along the Great Lakes. It was called the Pittsburgh dock company. It was the fastest time loading dock on the Great Lakes. It had a fishing fleet owned by several different people that Italians the hungarians and swedes. I grew up as a kid working around the fish race living on the beach women boating and fishing was a beautiful town to be raised in when I was a kid. Most of the industry has left and it's more like a retirement area. Sincerely Mike onion

I Would love to live some place like this with mountains surrounding me.

I enjoyed your video. I stopped at the Cumberland Gap in August 2017 on my way back home to Ohio. I was traveling from the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, where I witnessed the total solar eclipse in Andrews NC. I traveled through the rugged Appalachian mountains in both directions. Awesome scenery. Unforgettable.

My mom's family is from Keokee, Virginia. Bigstone Gap, Pennington Gap, and old stone face. .memories of a childhood in the 60's.

Great video, Wow!! Lincoln Memorial University, near Cumberland Gap, has a story to tell. Several Civil War artifacts are still being found at LMU. The English came to this area around 1880, built an elaborate Four Seasons Hotel and Sanitorium, mined iron ore and coal, developed American Association. Harrogate was named after Harrogate England. There's too much to write here. They left around 1890 because of financial problems. Abraham Lincoln had told General O.O. Howard to come to this area and do something for the people here because of their loyalty to the Union. He, along with a minister (A.A. Myers) bought the vacated property and started LMU. This is only a short part of the history here. Think it would make a great video. ......Pap

I am really enjoying these videos. I love the history lessons and architecture of each town that deserves to be shared. Thank you. I think to preserve these towns the people there need hope and vision. Living in the city I get many ideas for economic growth watching these videos. I’m sure others will too. Thank you

I happen to come across your videos today I live in harrogate tn tazewell more specifically hiked those mountains my whole life it’s nice seeing people enjoying our home views and telling our history my dad worked in the tunnel when it was being built

Well done. I enjoy the cinematography and as an Irishman... I can hear stories all day long. One thought might be The Clinch River. Everything from freight to stories from the War are involved with that crazy beautiful river. Thanks for bringing our piece of the world to light.

The only bicycle museum in Tennessee is in Cumberland Gap. Something to see !.

I enjoy your videos Brother. I grew up in Kentucky. Thinking about moving back when I retire. Had to move when I was young for work. Can't find better people than Kentucky.

I feel all swelled up with pride that my ancestors were of these pioneers. I want to go out there one day and take my children to see this beautiful place. Edit: have you heard of or seen the moon bow at Cumberland Falls? I have heard it is quite amazing.

Great stuff brother. Writing from Bristol. Something NOBODY has done is making out the high points and, or retracing the ride. If you do so, the wife and I will treat you to dinner at the Burger Bar, the last place Hank was vertical. Keep up the great work.

Everywhere you can!

They need that iron and steel industry back. And make high quality uniquely pattern steels.

Thank you so much for this video! ❤️

I wouldn't even know what area to visit next, the Appalachia Mountains contain so many treasures. Just point the hood of your car in a direction and go. Thanks, for taking us along on your journey.

Visit Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park then drive over Parson's Branch Road (gravel), hike to Gregory Bald, then on to Deal's Gap/Fontana Dam/Tapoco to see early hydroelectric dams that provided power for the mountain region. Then to Bryson City, NC and the Tunnel to Nowhere.

You are doing a beautiful job with these videos! 😊

Loving these videos - thr gap is a very familiar sight to me and all your videos in this series has brought back so many memories for me. I'm loving learning things I've never heard before... great stories and history for sure. Great video as always 😀

Go to Middlesboro Ky and find out the history of that small towm

I thought we were just getting started and it was finished! Don’t know if that is good or bad? For someone like me who lives in California hasn’t gotten far and always had a fascination with that are, you could just record like you did every little thing in all those states back yonder. I would love it! But I am only one person so I’ll watch whatever you post.

Norton , Va and visit with the good ole boys at Home Hardware

Beautiful scenery!

Beautiful countryside , Thanks for taking us along

I really enjoyed this, had to subscribe! I think that you put forth a wonderful presentation, pictorially, musically, along with your narration. I have never been to that part of the country, but have always been interested in the history of it, thanks MAN!!!

Appalachian small towns are really beautiful do more of these small town series

Each series has been wonderful as Appalachia has so much to offer! I loved everything about this video (ditto on other positive comments) You're becoming a pro, Josh!

Love the series man!! Amazing history and beautiful filming

Very good at what you do sir. Thank you.

Love your vlogs... it's over 35 years now since I drove through the mountain country.

Thanks again, great videos, very professional & enjoyable. Keep up the good work !

Started watching some of your videos and have enjoyed them but this one I especially like with the included music ! Very nicely done. Thank you. 👍😊

SUPER GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR SHARING THIS WELL DONE !!!!!

I love information about these towns in Appalachia. I have family in Mountain City Tn. Like to see something on that area.

Awesome

Wonderful video. We enjoy all you do. That is one place we didn't go. Absolutely Beautiful! Where ever you go and film we will watch! God bless you and your family 🙏❤

Visited Cumberland Gap in 2006 and this video brings back some fond memories of hiking in the area and taking in the history. Also had some fine meals in a place called Webb's in the town of Cumberland Gap, which if I recall correctly, was next door to the Whistle Stop Antique Shop at that time.

Well done!

The furthest point of Southwest Virginia is further west than Detroit. You can look it up. I grew up in the New River Valley, but know SWVA well and used to work in Eastern Kentucky very often to connect these small towns to long distance services in London, KY.

I was very blessed to be born and raised here in this beautiful area 💕 (..... and great job on your little documentary!)

Thanks M.R.🖤

Great video. The wife and I stayed a weekend at the Olde Mill Inn B&B a few years back, while off-roading at Black Mountain Off-road Park in Harlan County KY. We absolutely loved this little town. Now, I'm on to watch your Harlan Kentucky video.

Very well done. As an old time fiddler I would have loved to hear the soundtrack break into the old classic .’Cumberland Gap’.

I loved seeing this beautiful place. The filming was tremendous: the sight, the music, mood, and history!. I know these are a lot of work to produce but I would love to see longer videos. I would love to know even more about each place. Even if it were multiple videos on each location. Great work.

Thanks for the tour ! Very cool !

That was neat and sounds like a vacation spot, I love the history of the railroads-coal mines.

Could you do one on Neon Ky,,letcher county

Longer vids please. I wanna deep dive

Hi there! Enjoyed this video! I’ve been through the Cumberland Gap many times but never over to the town. My mom was born and raised in Wise, VA and her parents were from Corbin, KY. They moved to Wise to work in the mines in of course. Wise/Norton is a beautiful area you should explore. My mom growing up in the Glamorgan area of Wise which is where the entrance to the mine is. She often went to High Knob and Powell Valley in Norton. Beautiful areas for you to visit.

Excellent series. I live in Harrogate Tennessee which is right next to Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro Kentucky. I recommend that you read a book by Anne Matheny called the magic City. It is about this area mainly about Middlesboro Kentucky. You could spend an entire episode on Middlesboro. Most people around here do not realize the historic value of that little town. As a musician I admire your choice of music also. I play down in Cumberland Gap most every weekend at a place called Angelo's. Come see me sometime.....

Great video. I live on the Cumberland Plateau and dig the local history.

Great video!

I just adore this little town!❤

Needed to see this. Thanks!

Thanks!

I live in Ewing Va just up the road from Cumberland gap i live 10 miles from the tunnel

Fantastic - very well done. Learned a lot.

Iam heading to the gap after watching your video.thanks for posting

Some of nature's beauties.

This is interesting!! THANKS for making an awesome video!!

I love the USA ❤️🇺🇸…… signed a friendly neighbour to the North 🇨🇦

Love the history

Great video.

Great video

First time watching, sparked my interest , I love traveling and history. My grandparents were born and raised in Hilham , TN situated between Livingston and Gainsboro.. I did not know them and I was raised all over as a military brat.. I have made two trips there, and always feel as if I am missing something interesting in its history . It would great if you could make it to those parts of TN , with some history attached. Lots of gravesites of warriors during civil war are in that area. I subscribed, so I will keep an eye on your adventure , stories and history of different parts of our country. The history of the people of WV would be interesting as well. I have watched a RU-vidr Real Appalachia, Learning about places I may or may not have been is helpful for us travelers.

Beautiful area. Nice video. Thanks.

Excellent information, ready to go visit!

Enjoyed this episode.

Thanks... ur vids bring back a lot of good memories..I did mobile home factory service for 20 years. There is no hollar or town that I haven't been to..in e.ky,,va,,w.va..e.tn,,n.ga,,s.ohio,,w.nc,,and pa..