Everyone's Missing This About West Virginia: Summersville WV
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- Опубликовано: 10 окт 2024
- Join me as we explore Summersville, West Virginia, in this Exploring Appalachia episode. Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Summersville is a town steeped in history and natural beauty. From its founding in 1824 to its role in the Civil War at Carnifex Ferry, this town has survived wars, floods, and economic struggles, emerging resilient and proud.
Today, Summersville Lake-the largest in West Virginia-draws adventurers and nature lovers alike with its pristine waters and surrounding cliffs. Whether it’s cliff jumping, kayaking, or white-water rafting on the Gauley River, there’s no shortage of thrills. But there’s also a quiet peace found in this mountain town, where life moves slower, and every sunset paints the mountains in vibrant hues.
This episode dives deep into the history, culture, and stories of the people who call Summersville home. So, if you’re on Route 19, don’t pass it by. Discover the real Appalachia, where the land and the people have endured, and there’s beauty in the raw, untouched moments.
I'm Josh, and this has been a Mountain Roots Production. Thanks for joining me on this journey through Appalachia’s untold history.
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There is so much heavy loss and devastation in Appalachia and the Southeast right now from Hurricane Helene. I can't keep up with all the requests to come film and show what's happened. I am only one person. My contribution right now with my camera is to tell stories that may inspire some hope in these troubled times, to show the beauty that is still in the world. Here's one such humble attempt, my newest Exploring Appalachia episode.
Love hearing from y'all in the comments! What did you think of Summersville?
#AppalachianStrong
WV experienced flooding almost identical to the situation in NC back in 1985. While not the best time to feature the 1985 flood, (or maybe it is), it would show the breadth of destruction that is impossible to imagine from a century-level flood. It took years for people to recover. When I see coverage of NC at the moment, it brings back everything from 1985. Stay out of the areas that were flooded--the locals and services do not need tourists, and most likely there will be martial law/curfews in some locations.
And 2016 the Thousand Year flood in WV. The lake rose to right under Brocks bridge near my parents, covering much of iconic Long Point rock cliff on the lake. Never seen that before. Helping our neighbors to the south. Donating if you can. Is the WV spirit. And many are right now.
I like summersville but let's face a hard truth, Summersville could be more culturally diverse. Those of us who live ne
As an Eastern Kentucky native, WV is a beautiful state that doesn't get enough recognition
Thanks
We get tons of people from all around 😂😂😂 I didn't realize it til I started camping and meeting people 😂
This is my home town and I’m a proud West Virginian that unfortunately had to leave for work. I appreciate you bringing recognition to such a wonderful place to live and visit.
Traveling to summersville watch your speed it's always been one of the top ten for tickets in the USA.
Thank you Josh for showing another beautiful part of Appalachia.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
After looking at different parts of Appalachia for over a year, including eastern TN, and southwest VA, we settled nearby this town. Good job showing the flavor of Summersville. I like that it's been small and underappreciated. That's part of it's attraction.
What about gauley fest In September 😝
The Summersville Town Council should give you a special commendation on this post. Great work.
I second this motion! 😁👍
Second the.motion
I just want you to know, Josh, that I enjoyed this video immensely. There's poetry without meter and rhyme, attraction without salesmanship, beauty in simplicity and genuineness, history without editorialization, and truth in plain sight. Your introductions are always very worthy; I found this one to be even more polished than usual, and the musical selections consistently match well with the video. I pray for all of those whose lives have been altered by recent storms.
Thank you Josh that's help me escape for a while to a really nice town 😊. Regards from Steve in Wales UK.
You should visit welch wv
Also watching from wales! Always interested in WV always seems so similair to our beautiful country too
I'm from Texas and moved to Virginia 30 years ago when I joined the Navy. I've come to the conclusion that West Virginia is quite special and the people are extremely friendly.
Summersville is such a pretty place the Lake is so nice
❤WV!
❤Appalachia.
Please pray for our Appalachia brothers and sisters who are suffering.
Great video Josh, Summersville Lake was once called the "Bahamas of the east coast" by Angler magazine. Mild, temps and clear water abound. I've personally never laid eyes on a prettier body of water. With tree topped cliffs, the place is simply incredible..
I do everyday🙏🙏🇺🇸
They are and I do pray for our country and families and friends ❤❤❤❤
Another amazing video Josh. Summersville Lake is a huge attraction along 19. That whole area over there along 19 is one amazing stop after another. I could spend a week there with my camera and feel like i barely got started. We just did a day trip to Thurmond which is cool to go explore but the Dunloup Creek going down Thurmond Road into the New River is a photographers haven. I'm in the northern panhandle so it's roughly a 3 hourish drive over. I really enjoy all your videos but when i see one about WV i get ecstatic.
Raised there from 66 to 99, it was an awesome place to grow up.
I love Summerville!
Such a great state!
Country road take me home where I, i Belong West Virginia, mountain mama take me home. Take me home. West Virginia is a gold mine of beauty. Country folks home cooking where neighbors love their neighbors. We might not have big city lights, but we have campfires glowing in the beautiful night.
Thank you 😊
I love Summerville! I visit every year 🥰
Another incredible video Josh! Hoping you also visit Davis and Thomas WV in Tucker County. Our favorite places away from home here in Virginia.
LOVE WV MOUNTAINS ❤🧡
In two weeks we'll be heading to Fayetteville (south of the New River Gorge Bridge) along Rt 19 for Bridge Day and then to run the Gauley for our third time. Looking forward to it - we visit the area (and Greenbriar Valley) every year - it's our home away from home. Cheers from the hills of South-Central PA.
Next week's episode is there! Enjoy your trip!!
@@MountainRoots Awesome - looking forward to watching.
Josh, another exceptional episode! Your work is so beautiful, from the video footage you capture to the well thought out narration🤎 So proud of you!! I’ve actually been “tubing” several times in that river. It’s a good time!!
Summerville is my home town.
Nice town with nice people!
The lake is awesome, over 300 feet deep at the dam ( I surveyed all of it for the Corps of Enginerers long ago).
I am infamous in that area for being arrested in the biggest drug bust in Nicholas County history (August 28, 1992). I was visiting my friend Rodney Mansfield who lived (lives?) near the dam. He wanted me to take a tour of his marijuana patches which I had NO desire to see. I finally relented and one of the patches was being staked out by federal task force. Originally the state of WV was going to let me plead and get about 6 weeks in jail.....until the feds picked it up. Conspiracy to Cultivate 300 plants. Sentenced to 60 months which I did at Morgantown and new prison in Beckley. I love WV and the awesome people (especially the people!) and am heartened that they have finally seen the federal government for what it is.....long live West "by God" Virginia.❤
Wow, hearing your story is, to me, a grotesque abuse of "authority"... I can't imagine being imprisoned for something so benign as what you described- even if you were growing the plants, it's still an overreach by some humans (the feds) imposing their views upon others (the people).
And again, thanks for pronouncing Appalachia correctly. Great video, great narrator.
WV is where real people live
Heard that brotha'!
I was down there last week. Fat Eddies was closed but because it was a weekday. 1st visiting since last year, was sad to see how low the lake was due to the dry summer.
I would like to take more time later and explore the lake with a boat and my drone.
Was it y’all who did the video history of Gad? 🤔 at the bottom of the lake 😬
Great video 🤙🏼
Summersville is probably best known for being the world’s largest speed trap back in the early to mid 2000’s. It is still not wise to drive more than a mile per hour over the speed limit when traveling on US 19 through town.
Yep, us locals call it Hillbilly Highway😅
@@lisab7570 people used to drive many miles out of their way just to avoid summersville back in the day.
A great friend of mine who grew up in St. Albans in the 50’s told me the story about the naming of the dam, but I always figured it was fictional mountain lore. Now I find out it’s true! Sadly, he passed away nearly 20 years ago, but the thumbnail instantly made me think of him! Thanks for putting the Gad Dam clickbait there! Lol
@tomt9543 you are Gad Dam welcome 😉
@@MountainRoots HAAAAAA!!!!!!
You should look into doing a story on Petersburg Virginia, and the Battle of the Crater.
Davis Contracting built the Gad (Summerville) Lake. One many Davis Contracting's many memorable persons - Virgil Dehart. Anyone from the Brown Ridge,probably recollect that Virgil, one-of-kind, personality; said to Curt Davis, (owner- operator of Davis Contracting Company) one of several dam and highway projects - "Curt, that Gad Dam project in West Virginia, is wearing us out" And so, the final name chosen for became. Summerville Lake..
I, Joe Davis, want to thank all the employees
of Davis Contracting Company, they gave all the grit and their sweat every day. I was young.
I have many memories and stories of those days of hard working folks.
Now, you know the rest of the story.
I must go there!
Great video. The background music is overtaking your voice a bit though, but the images and history you put in your videos are great!
He left out that Summersville Lake is the cleanest clearest lake east of the Mississippi water is crystal clear guys it's an amazing lake Yes the clearest cleanest lake east of the Mississippi River facts
The good Southern Christians wouldn't tolerate Lake GAD referred to as "Gad Dam". LOL
Summersville Lake is my most favorite place to be. I spent a lot of time near that lake at my grandfather's camp and boating that gorgeous lake. That was over 40 years ago. Now that I'm older, the camp's been sold (unfortunately), but over the past eight years my family and I visit several times a year. I bought a small parcel of land with hopes of retiring here. For now, we camp there often and for the past two years we now have a boat. It's a magical place that always centers my soul and makes me feel home again. Thank you for this outstanding video! If you want a view of the lake from a boat, see my video I made this July. ruclips.net/video/vyJwzNItRwo/видео.html
One thing he forgot to mention about all the correct things he said, west va likes to keep it that way .....👍💯
@@RobB-z8o 🤔🤔
You can actually see 50ft. Below the water it is so clear he left out a lot about the lake
Glenville ;wv `♡
could not call it Gauley dam the Gauley is the real special place
My dad and uncle helped build the dam. Worked on it for 3 years. My grandmother and aunt grew up in Gad that was flooded for the lake. My cousin opened the one and only brewery in town. Gad Dam Brewery. I came back during pandemic and finally have place at the Lake. Have tiny house airbnb. No other lake like it. I've searched with every army move, living next to some. You can take the girl from the lake but never the lake from the girl. Thanks for video showcase!
An no, they were never gonna allow folks to say the Gad Dam back then. Coming from a family of some preachers and we were never allowed to curse, it's cool to have that Gad Dam Brewery in the fam. Ha.
There's a lighthouse in Summerville ?
No where can y'all find the salt of the earth ppl ❤
Why does the plaque say established in 1820, but you say 1824?
1824 was when it was actually laid out👍
Worst speed trap ever! You better be right on the number, going through there!
Do the speed limit,19 is a cash cow ,speed trap
Why are you so thick headed? That is a remark that is mean spirited and unkind to a wonderfully strong and proud people. I thought ignorance and crude remarks against our Appalachian people had decreased. I guess not, as there will always be crude people around. My Sociology professor said, “Stereotyping is an indicator of lack of education.”
Thompson Richard Garcia Timothy Martinez Joseph
Ill tell you why i avoid summersville the cops are crazy strict
Wouldn't live in West Virginia if you paid me. Besides Mississippi. it is the most back woods people in the nation. Most have left there never to return.
@benrobertson2467 it's probably best, you don't sound like the type who'd enjoy it anyhow.
If you're not from here then don't come here
Why?
@raleighhollerboywv7253 I believe I understand what you mean. I have lived here for over 25 years. I'm a transplant from Fayetteville. Fayetteville was such a sweet little quiet town. Tourists came and changed it forever. Everyone loves quiet and quaint so they move to those places and then it changes. Gets crowded. Tourists underfoot everywhere on their vacations while you are just wanting to do your day. I get what you are saying. Truly.
@@AmyHypes-nk6bv and yet, how do you generate a local economy?
Sure. Let's have yet another coffee shop, gift shop, café. Yeah. Those are jobs. Jobs that do not support families. I love my little town. But a bunch of tourists will only change it into what every other tourist town looks like. No longer unique.
@@AmyHypes-nk6bv that's not what I have observed from extensive travel and immersion into numerous locations at home and abroad.
Music during narration. Grrrrrrrr! If you're going to talk, talk. If you're going to play music, play music. -WV resident.
West Virginia? When a man and woman gets a divorce in West Virginia? does that mean that they no longer brother and sister👋🏻
@@Paulftate ignorant comment..
@@MountainRoots well, I didn't graduate ... so that would make your comment on time .... have a nice day .... I excuse yourself for not being able to appreciate dry humor🤟
@Paulftate it's not dry, it's just, tired..
Quit stereotyping these wonderful people. You have a mean spirit!
@@MountainRoots did I mention the fact that I'm from West Virginia or at least my ancestors .... it's all good ... no harm no foul from my position✌🏽
You left out the part about meth, mental illness, poverty, welfare, and filth.
@@BrianVincent-k6g did I, now?
Yeah, there a big disconnect between the rich history and possibilities, and the reality of 2024.
@@MountainRoots yeah you did. You're one of many that deceive people of the truth of Appalachia. Beautiful land destroyed by whitetrash.
@@marcoluoma3770 4 trips wasted looking for land. You can't go anywhere without seeing filth, trash, and drug addicts.