Welch, West Virginia: From Coal to John F. Kennedy's Rise to Presidency, a History of Importance
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Welch, West Virginia, is a must-visit town for anyone interested in the history of coal mining in Appalachia. Located in McDowell County, Welch is a gold mine of history (way above and beyond what I can cover in this video).
More on the French Gratitude Train can be found at mercitrain.org. Here is an excerpt from their website:
"The Merci Train was a train of 49 French railroad box cars filled with tens of thousands of gifts of gratitude from at least that many individual French citizens. They were showing their appreciation for the more than 700 American box cars of relief goods sent to them by (primarily) individual Americans in 1948. The Merci Train arrived in New York harbor on February 3rd, 1949 and each of the 48 American states at that time received one of the gift laden box cars. The 49th box car was shared by Washington D.C. and the Territory of Hawaii. Parades and ceremonies of welcome were conducted in the state capitols and major cities of almost all the states. The largest and most attended was in New York City where more than 200,000 people turned out to welcome that state's assigned box car."
You can buy Jeanette Walls' book The Glass Castle on Amazon at this link:
amzn.to/36Ub8HU
*Disclosure: The link in this description is an affiliate link, meaning, that I may receive a small commission when you purchase this book through the link.
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Excellent video. Being from Man (several decades ago), Logan was the closest thing we had to a 'big town'. Logan always felt a bit cold and impersonal to me. Welch, on the other hand, was not big but always warm and inviting. It was my favorite place to go because there was a place that I could get a drink before I was of legal age. I won't name the place or person but the owner knew I was going into the Navy at 17 and he said, "if you're old enough to serve, you're old enough to drink in my bar". That's the kind of people I remember from Welch.
That’s an awesome story, thanks for sharing
Love your story!
All of Appalachia has always been fascinating to me. WV has a special place to me. I used to drive through parts of it on a regular basis. The history and contributions of WV to the growth of America should never be forgotten. Sad to see so many buildings sitting vacant. Thanks for bringing a forgotten part of the US to light.
thanks for the comment and for watching, there is definitely an aura about WV
Thanks for the story’s ❤️
When I was a child I had a friend named Marty Gilcrest. We lived in Scottsburg Indiana and my mother made a picture of us fishing in a ditch with no water. His family later moved back to Welch and we went to visit them when I was a little boy.
I really enjoyed the tour of Welch.And Marty if you were still alive I wish you all the best. Art Summers
I hope he sees it. Your comment I mean.
Honestly many folks in sprawling areas of the country are looking for more rural towns. WV might see some growth in the coming decades
I hope so. There are some very nice places. Some beautiful places. Beautiful mountains, and friendy poeple.
InstaBlaster...
If these places get people I just hope they don’t move in and build neighborhoods and subarbanize these historic cities. They should try to restore old buildings and build according to the original city plans. I hate when historic downtowns have ugly neighborhoods and cheap apartments right next to them.
I hope they're wealthy...and they have NO libtard values....They will be welcomed.
@@gojudude I love West Virginia, but it's attitudes like yours which will keep these places from thriving again.
It is a beautiful little town. Grew up in WVa. Have family all over it. Almost Heaven doesn't even do it justice!
me too..ive lived in NC sense 87..but west Virginia will always be home..i feal special being born in west Virginia
Teresa I agree
I grew up in Gary in the 1950's & 60's and moved to MD in 1971. Welch was bustling on Saturdays with crowded sidewalks and stores. There were upscale dress shops (three whose names I remember), a jeweler with china, silver, and crystal, as well as fine jewelry. I think there may have been two jewelry stores. There were two drug stores. The Flat Iron had a soda fountain. There were a number of restaurants, a five & dime, JC Penney and a number of smaller clothing stores. And at least one higher end men's clothing store. There were also three hospitals. I visit from time to time and it's sad to see how things have deteriorated in the county. But the heart is still there. Great job on the video. Thank you.
I love hearing those types of stories and memories from the boomtown days. Thank you.
Flat Iron pharmacy is still in business, I have a close friend whose father was a doctor at Stevens Clinic, which is now a prison/correctional center
During my medical training I spent some time in gary at the Tug River Clinic, which was on the road to Anawalt.
I think the coal processing tipple is long gone
About 20 years go I would drive through "the county" about once a month, going from bluefield to gilbert , then over horse Pen to Logan
Thanks so much! Beautiful comment.
The architecture in this town is amazing. Nestled in the beautiful hills, it's just full of potential for a renaissance. One or two big tech companies setting up business in this area would certainly help Welch restore itself back to a vital hub of activity. I can see Bed and Breakfasts, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, Arts Centers and Theater all happening in a beautiful setting like Welch.
It would also be prime for attracting teleworking, especially feds in the DC area, specifically those who don't have to show up to the office a couple times a month. I'd love to see them develop a recreation district that features the different cultures that developed the area.
I agree, and also some of these high earner Millennials that work from home. What a great place to raise a family. Any economic support would be really helpful to jump start some of these small towns. Then you would start to see small restaurants flourishing.and other small businesses too. @@kathrynhaught630
That's a beautiful mountain city. Lots of tall stone and brick buildings. The foliage was beautiful. Thanks for sharing the history. Sad to see not many people though. GOD BLESS You always.
Thank you so much for creating and posting this. I was born in Welch, although I never lived there. My mother was from Welch. Dad was in the Air Force (he was from Anawalt) and mom returned home to have me. We typically made two trips a year back to Welch to see my grandparents. My grandfather owned a hardware store called Howard's Hardware (his partner's name) and you can see what was the storefront at 11:24 (the store to the immediate left. I've not seen that place in almost 50 years, so I am thrilled with this!). My cousin was 17 and playing tag football on the right side of the courthouse lawn when he had a fatal accident. He had petit mal epilepsy and suffered a blackout just as he was going back for a pass, fell off the wall and landed on his head. This was 1968. His father, my uncle, worked for Sterling Office Supply which was in the building on the right at 11:46. Somewhere around 23:55 you drove past what was my grandparents' house on Riverside Drive. So many beautiful memories. Back in the late 50s/early 60s it was a place where a kid could wander the streets of town without his parents being scared silly. And a quarter would get you a Cherry Smash at the Flat Iron and a movie ticket. My sister and I used to go to the soda fountain at the Flat Iron Drugstore, then down to the G. C. Murphy 5 and 10 cent store to browse the candy aisle before catching a movie at the Pocahontas Theater. Wow. Talk about a trip down Memory Lane! Thank you so very much!
Thank you sir for adding to this video with your first-hand recollections. I looked for the locations you mentioned and they do put a nice personal touch on this look around Welch. I'm sorry about the tragic loss of your young cousin - as someone who is also "older," I well know that these sad memories never fully go away - not even after fifty-plus years. Cheers to you and your family!
My mom's family on her dad's side is from Anawalt Jasper Young was, my Mom's Papaw
@@tinavarble6270 Small world! it's entirely possible, and really rather probable that Jasper Young might have known my father's family. His name was Kenton Murphy and his father was Roscoe, mother Etha.
@@Traveler19491 my mom's uncles name was, Roscoe Young
@@tinavarble6270 There wouldn't be a Robert Young in your family, woulld there? Wife named Kathleen?
What a beautiful town, I loved all the foliage and greenery, and of course all the old buildings and houses. Great job introducing us to this interesting coal town.
Glad you enjoyed it
I fell in love with the town back in the 80's. I'm not a hunter, but was enamoured by the gorgeous rivers and mountains.
The empty lot beside the parking building is where the Pocahontas Theater stood. Welch was a very active place, even in the 90's. I was a police officer there in the late 80's, and did my cruising on the weekends there in the 70's. It was a big deal to go to Welch when I was a kid.
@HobertC83 I know, I forgot about the Insurance Office, (which eventually became a bar) and the H&M, but I do remember some rowdy-ass people living in the apartments above..........LOL.
I was an aircraft mechanic in Bluefield, and worked on Mayor Swopes Beech Baron. Early 80's, . I also had to pickup a crashed airplane up at the welch airport.
Nice video. I was born in Welch, grew up in Coalwood. Now I live in Virginia, near Bristol. Took a drive through Welch and Coalwood last weekend. So heartbreaking to see them now.
I live in Bristol, VA myself now. Thanks for the comment.
I was born in Welch. My dad and mom moved us to Ohio when I was just a baby. I'm the youngest of 3.we moved to Ohio, then around 3 years old they moved us to North Carolina. Lived there every since. My dad was a coal miner, but after we moved he worked and retired from Goodyear Tire and rubber Co. He retired from there. I miss my dad and mom. I still have lots of family in West Virginia. Mom's madien name was Dunford. There's a Dunford town in West Virginia that's named after her family. Thank you 😊 💓
I'm 60 years old now
I was born in Welch at Stevens Clinic & delivered by my father, the coal company doctor, in 1961.
We moved to Port Arthur, TX in 1962 so my dad could take care of refinery workers wife's and deliver their children. They had a new item called health insurance. It was a good move that lasted until 1982 when the oil companies broke the control of the unions and laid off 12,500 workers in one day.
A native of WVA who never wanted to leave dad got to see the end of two major energy booms in one lifetime. He was forced out of practice by the loss of union customers and the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance (i.e lawyers).
He told the tale of the sheriff in Welch calling him one night and saying he was needed at the clinic, the deputies were bringing in fugitive in from the mountains. Dad asked what was wrong with him and the sheriff replied 'nothing yet but by the time they get him in he's gonna need you.'
We moved shortly thereafter.
Welch WV. was listed as the poorest city in the USA. For a poor city it has a lot. I love that area.
I wish we had a lot. 🤣 All the city does is add more houses which end up emtpy.
Was it really? Oh wow. It is very pretty!
Welch was turning into a ghost town several years ago. Even before coal mining went down hill.
I'm 88 years old, born in Eccles. About 81 years ago I had my appendix removed in the Welch Hospital. We were living in Berwind at the time. Rev Wiser, my pastor, drove me over.
You don't forget getting an appendix removed, ouch
Thanks for this video, I was born in Welch in 1947. We lived near Iaeger. My relatives still live there. My Dad didn't want his sons to end up working in the coal mines like he did so we left when I was 12 years old. I loved it there! Best memories of my childhood. I went to a two room school with an outhouse on the hill. I remember shopping in Welch with my Mom!
I was born just up road in 53 my wife was from panther
I like this town so much I've been looking at house's avaliable and how far to supply's like grocerys.So maybe a peaceful affordable pretty place to grow old and die.
French medieval heraldry in the middle of coal country! Thanks for the drive through and the historical relevance of this area. I've seen some earlier pictures of this place and it looked like a hive of activity but it's almost irrelevant to mention it in the present context. Thanks again for the history and the drive through, architecture reminded me of a unique combination of Glasgow and Bradford over the pond. Best wishes as always.
Thank you so much for the stellar job here, Shane. Once I was done consuming the video, I took
one of those wonderful internet tangent trips into the world of The Merci Train and....wow.
I knew a little about it (turns out, VERY little) but an hour of perusing and researching later and
I'm just humbled to the core, yet again, at the amazing people who came before us!
So...
Thank you once again. Be safe out there, my friend.
-Ed on the Ridge
I always forget just how awesome the Merci Train was until I go to that website too. It was an era where people showed a lot more gratitude and thankfulness than it seems we do now. I love the story behind it.
I wish you were going through town more slowly. I'm not from there but I would love to see more of the town. I'm from a little village in Ohio. My mother's family is from West Virginia and my husband's family is from Romney West VA. We still have family there. I love seeing small towns. ❤️ Thanks for what you're doing here. The heartbeat of America. ❤️
Very nicely done - thank you! I couldn't get enough of the beautiful old brick buildings - including that wonderfully grand Court House. The May 10, 1960 Democratic primary in West Virginia was absolutely pivotal in John Kennedy's quest for the presidential nomination of his party. JFK had gone head-to-head in the Wisconsin primary (some weeks earlier) against then Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota. Although Kennedy had won that contest (winning 6 out 10 of the State's Congressional districts) he did not demonstrate a lot of strength in the non-Catholic areas. So West Virginia was fated to be the "show down" between the two candidates, and Kennedy had to win the state if he was to remain a viable candidate. Hubert Humphrey was a very decent and likable man (who would later be elected as Lyndon Johnson's Vice-President, in 1964) but did not have a lot of funds left in his campaign chest to fully compete with the wealthy Kennedy machine. Humphrey quipped that he felt like an "independent merchant going against a chain store." Of course, JFK did handily win the West Virginia primary which really paved his way to the presidency, and he never forgot his debt of gratitude to the good people of the State. Cheers to all!
The parking garage is also the oldest parking garage in the US. Most of my family was from McDowell and Wyoming County ‘s. When I was a kid I spent many a weekend with my uncle who worked for the railroad lived in a house just across Tug Fork from downtown. That was late 60s into late 70s.
Even then it was a bustling place.
great info
@HobertC83 I believe it was also the first. Not being a native of the area, I set out to find as much about it as I could. That was one of the things that I learned.
Welch is a lovely town. Love the way those big older houses are built up on the sides of the hills. There are many beautiful stone buildings. Just sad that there seemed like no one was on the road. Very deserted looking, but still a nice looking town. U also provided a great history lesson about the town and county. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and the feedback, very much appreciated
Still an absolutely beautiful town. Reminds me of some of the places I grew up around in PA and southern upstate NY but a bit pointier at the top.
I live in rural Ohio, but love to visit West Virginia to fish, camp and sight see. Just a beautiful state. Nice job here by you describing this jewel of town. Will go there next summer for sure.
I was born in Welch WVa, but raised in Delaware... It's nice to see the town! Thank you for the tour and history!
I enjoyed your tour very much. It took me back to the spring of 1968 when I got my first job as a dentist working for the McDowell Health Dept. I stayed at the Carter Hotel there on the corner across from the garage building. I worked down at a public school in Yukon, the very picture of impoverishment. Even being from the hills of East Tennessee - Knoxville - I had never been in a town that was so Vertical, not to mention that all the roads getting there were one torturous hair pin turn after another. It looks now much like it did then.
Its amazing to think how long and how hard the toen has struggled. A sad situation.
I know Welch well, I spent a lot of time there in my younger days, I had and still have family in the area. My dad was born not far from there in Marytown, lots of my uncles and cousins worked in the mines. I was there in 1977 when the town flooded, it sets along the banks of the Tug River and that was a time I will never forget. My uncle had a bar in the downtown called The Sportsman, but it's been long gone. My aunt and uncles apartment was downtown and the balcony overlooked the river and just across it was the railroad tracks on which I counted the longest coal train I have yet to see again in my lifetime. Once I got caught riding my cousins bicycle on the sidewalk of downtown which was not allowed, the copers got me and I had to put the bicycle away for a while. I bought my first stereo in Welch, it had a 8 track player and I could play any music I wanted on it with the tape deck, it was a proud possession at the time. I will never forget the water melon parties my uncle would do after the games when his son was playing ball for all the players, such fun in Welch. It was good to see the place, I have not been there in a while. Anyway good job on the video and thanks for the history lesson.
Knew the old Sportsman bar well had a few beers and gambled some, shooting pool playing cards.🏀🏈🇺🇸
@@tapptom Not that I recall, a few years before my time I was born in 58, but I do remember when I was 6-7-8 years old getting milk from a farmer in glass bottles with the the cream on the top. We would get it out of a shed were the bottles set in the stream to keep it cool, and we always had to take the bottles back to the farmer when we would visit, after that we got our milk from the grocery store. But that was in Springvelle which was between Tazewell and Bluefield, I never lived in Welch myself but family did.
@@charleswells5266 That's great, Scomey was a hoot, you may know Johnny then.
loved reading your comment, Gordon, it is so great to hear from folks who can add color to the stories of the towns I visit. It must have been quite a place in its day.
Born there in 1955, we lived at War. Last name Church. Moved North for work (Dad got a job working construction as an electrician) and only came back to visit our Grandparents, Rufus and Pearl. I always thought it was so beautiful here.
Don't sell yourself short you did a very good job in talking about Welch. I'm proud to say my uncles and cousins worked in the mines in the 40's up to the 70's and you are right they migrated to other areas and industry.
Even in the late sixties and early seventies Welch was a fairly busy town, especially on weekends and holidays. Consol Energy was a big player in the coal industry in McDowell and surrounding counties. Also in Virginia. I spent 21 1/2 years working in two of their mines.
Welch W.va. was a bustling little city in 1950-60' era. Lot's of people and money. I lived in Davy W VA. And went to Welch all the time. It was a good time to be a kid growing up.🏈🏀Davy👹
.
I need to make it to Davy sometime now that you mention it...
Charles Wells, I grew up in Northern Virginia and made few trips to West Virginia. Now I wish I had. There are so many "green spaces" there & the more crowded the nation gets the more I crave what's wild, free & green.
Unfortunately the gentleman that owned the 76 recently passed away. My father used to work on his Chrysler Fifth Avenue from time to time. He worked for many years at the dealership called Herd Chrysler Plymouth in “Coney Island” Welch. Welch actually got a new bakery recently, and it seems to be doing well. They also want to build a bridge overtop of the underpass on McDowell St, because of flooding. Also fun fact: Welch’s Municipal Parking Garage was the first municipally owned parking garage in the United States.
Thank you for that information
October Sky was based on a true story in the county of McDowell county, and Welch is mentioned quite a bit in the movie.
Just coalwood .
I hit the wrong button.thanks for you
His name was Catfish Grey. He was knowledgeable in all kinds of holistic medicines. They used to fly into Huntington Regional airport and fill her order from Catfish. He said that she felt she could not live without his meds.
I had him at Girl Scout Camp quote frequently to show the girls what was valuable in the woods. A great man.
Thank you for all the memories.
sounds like a fascinating guy, thanks for sharing
I'm amazed every time I go there at the contrast of people living in such poverty but In such a beautiful majestic environment
My cousins wife works at the Count Gilu motel. That's where I have stayed the last couple times I was down there. My mothers family was from Roderfield, but she graduated from Welch in the mid 50's, and by the time I came along, my grandmother had moved to Welch. That was our family vacation destination for most of the 60's and 70's. One week in Welch with our grandmother, and another week in Valls Creek/Hartwell with the other grandparents. Love these videos. Brings out some good old memories.
I was born and raised in Welch, and am a proud member of the last class (1978) to graduate from Welch High School. Still own a house in Blakely Field. Might move back after I retire.
You may have been in school with my brother rick
Thanks Shane, another great video. Just look at all those beautiful MOUNTAIN'S.... Fantastic
Hey Shane thanks for the history of Welch,so sad to see how lots of towns like these in WV as well as all over the US just kinda died when there wasn’t anymore work around, especially after lots of the coal mines shut down, thanks again for the history lesson of this once booming town
glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate your comment, Donald
There was a house off Virginia Ave that had a small coal seam in the basement. The residents used some of it for home heating. There was also a house built on the side of the hill on Rte 52. The folks who lived there would pulled their car on the house 's roof and take an elevator to the rest of it. I'm grateful to Margaret Justice for pointing out so many little things about Welch. All my coworkers were great. Leon Hess,, Clarence Blankenship, Dave Hutcherson, Scott Roberson, Nancy Gouge,, Loretta Godinez. Fine people all. And Glen Jean Tee.
There wasn't any fast food place near the office, so the ladies from the many churches would make box lunches. They would come in one day and take an order and deliver it the next day or so. First time I ever had sweet potato pie.
I am grateful for all the kindness and humanity shown me in my brief time there. This Jersey boy is thankful.
that is awesome, so glad you had a great experience there. Man, I love some sweet potato pie lol.
Thank you so much for posting this. I'm out West but I traced my surname to 1801 in Eastern Kentucky so this was so fun to watch! Hopefully I can visit one day.
The movie, “Matewan” with James Earl Jones and Chris Cooper gave an entertaining if not accurate version of the Matewan Massacre. Much of the film was done in Thurmond, adding to the West Virginia connection. Welch and McDowell County are such beautiful places with so poignantly interesting histories. I visit there as often as I can.
I was 22 years old when I visited Welch in 1983. It was a fascinating place with it's cliff homes and mountains and forests. I really don't care about the stereotypes - a place so scenic with a diverse history is very inviting. I'd love to go back.
West Virginia is such an awesome place -Itmann is a former mining town located in Wyoming County, West Virginia, between Pineville and Mullens off West Virginia Route 16. there is a old abandoned building (Named Stonehaven) here that used to be a homeless rehabilitation center, it is said to be very haunted!!
Just now find this. Thank you for the sweet memories. My mother lived on Frank St on top the hill in downtown. My step father worked years at a Welch Daily News.
That’s great
I worked at the paper 70 s 80 s
Actor and Comedian, talk show host, game show host Steve Harvey was born in Welch West Virginia.
Good job! These local-level travel/history tours I find very relaxing. I live in VA, so it wouldn't be too hard for me to travel to Welch & see for myself. I noticed several grand-looking private homes with long porches, perched on various high places; some stories about those would be most welcome.
Jeanette Walls' book The Glass Castle brought me here. Thank you for this nice tour. That is obviously a small town and after watching this video it's now completely clear why Jeanette Walls decided to leave Welch. While reading a book you think like there's some drama. When in fact anyone who don't feel comfortable in a small town always will be looking for some ways out of it into a bigger city. But sure Welch is located in a beautiful location. These small streets on hills reminds of old european cities. Somehow Welch looks like a perfect decorations for a popular game Last Of Us. A bit of abandonment vibes with a solid motivation to be part of a great history is probably what makes this place so wonderful.
I live in Berkeley Co. in the Eastern Panhandle. This town reminds me of Harper's Ferry - the beautiful old buildings & narrow streets. Amazing views too. So much history in West Virginia!
Gosh thanks so much for this comment, I'm coming up there this fall, 2021, never stop crossed the River's working, getting older want to stop and take it in. Also I have a interest in Shepard's Town not far from you. Thanks for the comparison,it gives me a feeling of lost pride. I hope no one else ever has to know that feeling. Thanks again ...
I love these videos. Thank you so much . Born at Steven's clinic hospital in Welch. I would love to see you do a video of what's left of JenkinJones. WV. Not far from Welch. Best memories are from that little coal town . It was a wonderful place to grow up in
I've been trying and trying to get to Jenkinjones but it just hasnt worked out yet but I will get there someday. Thanks for the kind words.
Shane have you e ever thought of doing a documentary ? There's a website on FB started by JJ families that grew up in and around Welch , Gary , JenkinJones areas . They have a reunion every other year . It was a hard life but it was a wonderful place to grow up in . what is now a ghost town was vibrant and the people truly happy . You'll enjoy all the pictures and stories . God Bless you Sir
i was born at the old stevens hospital too in 1972
Jenkin Jones was where we had a farm and my dad worked at pocahontas fuel. It's really not the same as it used to be. What hasn't grown over has been reclaimed and land marks don't look the same.
I hope they can keep the roof's on all those fine buildings it's just a matter of time till a new generation discovers Welch.
I hope you are right.
I have realized after watching many of your videos, that my home state looks the same from north to south. Im from Follansbee WV and at times I thought you were touring the northern end of the state. I love my home state and am WV proud! Much love❤
That's great, I haven't made it to the northern part yet but can't wait to get there
What a blessing for me today! Your channel came up on my feed, so I am a first time viewer. There is a special place in my heart for the Appalachia's. Welch has been on my list of travels for decades. What a great vlog. I actually learned a great deal. Learning the history of Sid Hatfield was very interesting. Thank you for taking the time to make this vlog & including the history.
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thank you so much for the awesome comment and for subscribing. Welcome to the family :)
Thank you for all you do and all you share with us. You always bring out the best in all these little towns!
Thanks for watching and for the kind words
Wow! I just stumbled on your videos and they are amazing! Beautiful landscapes!
Thanks so much!
My whole famous from Welch. My mom went to Mt. View and it was up on a mountain too. Lol. We r from a little holler called Capels. I love it there. I had a lot of fun growing up in Caples.
Ok so Count Glu Motel is a very nice Motel, it was back up to the right from where you seen the sign coming down the mountain. Elkhorn Towers is a apartment building for elderly or disabled people. When you stopped at the water tank to look at the painting, there is a overlook of Welch about maybe a mile on up the road at the crest of the mountain. It was nice to view your video, like I said there isn't much there but it is home and I do miss it . If you can locate one Alan 'Cathead' Johnston, he looks back on the past of Welch and often posted old photos of Welch, he could definitely help you with some of the History of Welch.
Thank you
Wow, it is really amazing to see this town. For it to be a big coal mining town, lots of coal. It has started its downfall within 40 years, would you say? Such a great place, beautiful scenery.
I use to be a rep with old IDS Financial Services. I had some accounts in Welch, one of which was Ed Shepherd (8:00). He was a wonderful person and I enjoyed visiting him and the stories he would tell.
I only met him once but he was super gracious and engaging, so sad to know he is gone. He was an icon in town.
Born in Welch 65 yrs ago and always loved going back anytime I could. Wonderful memories
my family is from Bluefield ...used to love it there...so different from 50 years ago
Fascinating area! Personally, I love seeing the architecture. Wish I could actually go inside some of the old buildings! Also, I didn’t know about JFK’s involvement with Welch, so that was interesting! Thank you!
10:57 From wiki page on Welch: "Welch built the first municipally owned parking building in the United States, which was opened September 1, 1941. It accommodated 232 cars and showed a profit its first year in operation." HOW COOL IS THAT!!!
that is amazing, thanks for sharing that info
*gasp* Infrastructure spending! Nobody tell @gojudude
Welch is a fascinating place. Beautiful little town and so much history. So sorry Long John Silvers went out. Thank you for doing this video.
Glad you enjoyed it Miss Rita
A lot of the roads you are on with the houses so close to the road and the small towns, remind me of places in PA where I was born, all the hills and riverside roads bring back memories when I was a little girl, love your trips, thank you
Glad to find more great content in my daily feed. I'll say this: Anybody who watches these super-informative videos should be given college credit. Even a college degree. No joke. Much thanks.
I'm from NZ. If I lived in the states Appalachia would be where I would want to be. Beautiful country. Not too crowded.
That's pretty spot on
Funny story, years ago I competed in a beauty pageant in Charleston, WV and the lady who won was from Welch. Lovely lady. Born and raised in WV until age 16. Love my home state and know that friends and family from WV are some of the best people I know.😃
I was born at home in Bradshaw, WV. Played football at Iaeger HS. I made several trips to Grace Hospital in Welch. Welch is only a shadow of it's former status. Interesting fact about Welch, it is the birthplace of Steve Harvery, the TV show host.
Great video! Looking at the sturdy and ornate old buildings and houses one can tell that at one time Welch had big money . Again, would have loved to see Welch in its heydey. Enjoyed the narration and history as well.
Thank you, Welch was apparently a sight to behold in its day. I'm glad so much of it remains.
It is/was a beautiful town. It's sad it's not booming anymore. It would be great if it found new, long-lasting industries to give it a kick.
Great job as always! I am embarrassed to admit you know more about the place I grew up than I do.
I cheat and research before i go lol. Thanks so much, Lamont
The parking building in Welch, WV, was the first municipally owned parking building in the U. S.
Even when the Coal Mines were booming in the 90s and 2000s Welch looked so run down even compared to Wyoming County but you would hear stories and see pics of how amazing Welch once was.
Thanks for posting these great views, especially of the court house. Denise Giardina's award winning novel Storming Heaven features a scene in which two of her main characters are shot down on those steps. It's really interesting to see what they looked like. That book, btw, is a great read, and Giardina is a fine WV writer.
Thanks for the kind words and the heads up on the novel. It sounds right up my alley.
I read that book
When I was a kid, they only mentioned Welch with Pineville. It was always "Pineville and Welch"...
Thank you. Those old stone buildings are still standing strong. The town needs an infusion of hard working young people who care, make stands of foods, flower shops, craft made stores etc.
I was born and raised in Welch, graduated from Welch High School.
So much has changed.
I noticed the Pocahontas Theater is gone, think it burned down a few years back.
Liberace did a concerto there back in the day, when his career was just starting.
During WW1, Clark Gable worked at an explosives factory in nitro WV.
On the weekends he would take the train to welch to visit with his girlfriend.
Sometimes I wonder if I should move back.
The Gentleman that owned the old gas station, he was a war Hero.
He served with a Ranger Commando unit during WW2.
He was the real deal, Brave,Courageous man.
Across the street from the gas station, there was a roller skating rink.
This was around 1960, early 60s, we would go there on friday nights. skate,hang out, listen to the music of that time.
rock and roll music was Chubby Checker, Elvis, Ben King, Dion, etc., beatles didnt show up until around 1964, I believe.
Someone correct me if im wrong.
I had no idea about Liberace and Clark Gable, that was awesome to read. Thanks a ton, I love hearing stuff like that.
I am fascinated by all the huge old buildings. I wonder how much of the upper floors are still being used or occupied in those buildings. I also saw a huge set of buildings higher up on the hill side of the downtown area. Almost looks like school buildings, but wish you had driven up by that area and identified them. Would love to see a video done exploring the inside of a lot of the abandoned buildings. Would love to go there and walk all around the city.
Please do so. You'll be rewarded.
This was extremely interesting. Loved hearing the history about the town of Welch. I've heard of it, but never have been there. Those buildings & some of the homes were beautiful architecture...shame its not still a bustling place. The courthouse was magnificent! But there was a building off to the left, if you were standing facing the courthouse, that really got my attention. It was sort of a dark mustard yellow with what looked like black designs painted around the top. Then, as you were getting back toward Rt. 52, there was a huge brick building upon the hill there. This was such an interesting & historical ride thru Welch! Thank you, Shane! I really enjoy these trips & history! Stay safe & God bless!
Thank you, hopefully someone else will know the history of those building you mentioned.
This town appears to have two sides: beautiful old houses, beautiful mountains, and a wonderful homey feeling; but also sad because there is not a soul walking around, empty buildings. I continue to be fascinated by these towns. What will happen to these places once the older generation passes?
they will continue to decline and disappear, sadly
I hope that it won't continue to decline. Sadly, I'm an optimist.
I was born in Welch. Moved to War in 1978, I still love my hometown and am proud to be from WV. My uncle Sid Hatfield died on the court house steps, in Welch. My Dad was a coal miner in Pocahontas as was his dad and all or most of my uncle's. Family still in Coalwood. Also the parking garage is the first one built like this in the US. This area was a great place to grow up. It's so sad to see it now.
My mom worked for the Red Cross in Beckley in the early 80’s and I would ride with her on Thursday’s to deliver blood to Welch Emergency and Stevens Clinic!!!
As many times as I have been to Beckley and Welch separately, I have never traveled from one to the other so I would have no idea how to even do it
God bless your Mom.
52 !
@@markminter3960 52 is a bit west, from bluefied through the county through Gilbert, williamson and into Kentucky, From welch I would probably take 16 into wyoming county and Pineville then 97 to Crab Orchard
Take plenty of Dramamine!!
Heading to Welch for my first visit later this summer for the City of Welch Cook Off. I always like to research a place before I visit for the first time so this video was very insightful and hopefully I’ll be able to check out some of your highlights.
THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE HERE ON RUclips.
Thank you for the kind words, really glad you enjoy it
Thank you for the video. I grew up in the Welch area.
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael
My Grandfather was a Pinkerton Detective at one of the shootouts on court house steps in Welch.
Did he ever discuss it?
Great video. I hope they can preserve those amazing old buildings. Would be a nice peaceful place to retire!
I hope so too
Melody Bragg wrote also a book called windows to the past. A lot of great history of the coal mines and life in WVA
Hadn't heard of that one before, sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the tip.
"These steps are as steep as a horse's face" love that!! My husband's kin are sprinkled all through out Welch, Gary, Yeager and Davey...Millers, Blankenships and the Fletchers. I've been many times to all of those areas but Welch is a very storied and historical place that is just fascinating and the scenery of the hills and hollers, the old buildings and most certainly the people are very warm and most hospitable! 💙 Thank you for this video! God bless 🙌from Mi. 🇺🇸
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much!
I went there 15 years ago and meet the guy as he started painting the sign at 9:30 mark. I remember hearing that this is the smallest population town in America to have a super Walmart. I ate dinner in the DB's restaurant at 11:35
Hey, well done! now i have a few observations & questions: I've bee through, and lived in places, esp. pennsylvania, that remind me of those places. it's a clean town, waiting for redevelopment. But i get the feeling and idea that we all gotta' get beyond the culture wars. But maybe the culture wars could be successfully blended into a modern-day sid hatfield story. but i don't know if you're wanting to build up that violence part. it might be helpful to have some way of specifying visually exactly where kennedy spoke, or easier, use that photo along with the video, or whatever. i particularly appreciate the 'riding down the road' experience that you have largely captured. some of the old architecture is reminiscent of part of the time i remember as a young, getting-older kid, in the 50's and 60's. thanks for your commitment to your mission of promoting and historically describing the town along the river, welch. i appreciate as well the 'insightful', but not 'inciteful' spirit that abides in us.
Not sure how this comment got past me until now but it was great. A lot of these similar areas with that type of history, Matewan in West Virginia come to mind as well, have so much history to tell. Matewan seems to have done a better job of developing a museum, etc. to capitalize on the interest. I almost feel like some of these towns dont realize how important they truly are to American history..
I remember my parents talking about Welch. Family's came from areas
One of my uncles was in the retail business and active in community activities/government, in Welch, until the late 1960's; then passed away in 1974.
Thanks for another great video. The first time I ever heard of Welch was its reference in the movie October Skies. Then when you made the reference to The Glass Castle, I knew I had to watch it. (Paused this video at this point). Just finished watching The Glass Castle, excellent film. Beautiful story. A definite must see. Thank you. Have fun, stay safe and stay healthy.
The first municipal parking building in the United States was built in Welch. That gives you an idea of how populated that place used to be.
That is pretty amazing to think about
That was great! I felt like I was there. You're a great guide. Thanks
thanks so much!
The guy that passed from the 76 station Ed Shepard is on that mural at 9:40 bottom right standing against wall.
That's awesome and well-deserved, he was an icon in Welch