West Virginia | Deep In The Hollers of Appalachia

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  • Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
  • Deep in the Hollers of the Appalachian Mountains sits so many forgotten places. Not that long ago, these areas were thriving with businesses, coal companies, and familes all over the area. Today, its a mere shell of what used to be. I went WAY into the hills of West Virginia and I found this poverty stricken but beautiful holler in Covel. Here's what I saw...
    Covel is located in Wyoming County, WV. Its population is around 112 people, a 34.9% growth since last year in 2023. It's known for having a well engineered railroad trestle, built by the Virginian Railway. Main transported item was coal from the local areas to ports in Norfolk. Many of the coal camp homes are abandoned at this point. The post office is only open from 830am to 1030pm except for Saturdays which is 1130am to 130pm, and it is one of the smallest post offices in the country. This video is for educational and documentary purposes.

Комментарии • 757

  • @ithacacomments4811
    @ithacacomments4811 Месяц назад +493

    My family for generations lived in the mountains. They were poor but ....never unorganized. Their properties were their pride and joy!

  • @kennethfanelli5496
    @kennethfanelli5496 26 дней назад +162

    Twice in my life I've been stranded with a vehicle issue in a place like this. I'm Italian from NY originally. People went out of their way to help me.

  • @MarkWilliams-lx9vy
    @MarkWilliams-lx9vy Месяц назад +275

    I retired as a truck driver & delivered a load of RR ties in a place like that. Parked next to a small country store & talked to some of the locals. I've never have been treated with kindness the way I was that day.

  • @joecummings1260
    @joecummings1260 Месяц назад +1066

    After having spent 54 years of my life in an Affluent suburb and having the whole place get built up with mini mansions full of pretentious people, I escaped to appalachia. I don't think I've ever been more relaxed in my life

    • @ed241
      @ed241 Месяц назад +176

      Yeah but you didn't move to this street.

    • @anna-el7my
      @anna-el7my Месяц назад +47

      This is exactly why i chose to move to WV as well!!

  • @billl1127
    @billl1127 Месяц назад +351

    Seems strange because you don't see anyone, not even a stray dog.

  • @amyseward165
    @amyseward165 28 дней назад +119

    Hard working folks that fell on hard times and no fault of their own .. life is hard!

  • @jimjohnston7688
    @jimjohnston7688 Месяц назад +443

    Those massive railroad bridges give testament to how important and valuable the coal coming out of West Virginia was. Amazing place.

  • @nancywilliams9041
    @nancywilliams9041 Месяц назад +106

    I’m from West Virginia and am a coal miners daughter and had to move to Texas last year but I miss my mountains !

  • @johnwilcox4078
    @johnwilcox4078 Месяц назад +282

    It may not appear that many people are around, but rest assured eyes are watching when you drive up these hollers!

  • @lindaharbin9158
    @lindaharbin9158 26 дней назад +68

    I grew up in West Virginia best experience ever we worked hard and. Appreciate every little thing . We have poverty stricken areas just like any place eles does . But the people the
    Kindest most giving u will ever meet

  • @katbow5922
    @katbow5922 Месяц назад +132

    The love of my life came from Hinton, West Virgina along the banks of New River. Stunning beauty everywhere. People were poor but they would give you the shirt off their back. Then he went to Vietnam at 17, money was tight. He was my everything. I miss him so.💔

    • @BobbyTucker
      @BobbyTucker Месяц назад +33

      Sounds like you lost him during the war, I'm sorry for your loss. May God Bless him and you too.

  • @bonzotalonzo9072
    @bonzotalonzo9072 Месяц назад +197

    Sometimes the less one has, the happier they are.

  • @jcaam8094
    @jcaam8094 Месяц назад +219

    I built a place for some rich Virginians a few years back in this area, The people here are the kindest folk I've ever met, Always helping out, love them all.

  • @mitchelllittrel653
    @mitchelllittrel653 Месяц назад +140

    I've been working in WV for 6 years and can honestly say it's the most naturally beautiful state I've ever been in. I've never met people more proud of where they're from too. A lot of poor people and run down properties but very polite and cordial.

  • @JoJo-ie8sl
    @JoJo-ie8sl Месяц назад +792

    Just folks trying to get by, same as the rest of us.

  • @ItsMeHello555
    @ItsMeHello555 Месяц назад +144

    Some of the most unsuspecting, hardworking, generous people I know, live in the hills of Appalachia. They may not have much, but they are quick to share and lend a hand.

  • @user-vs8bt6dy4e
    @user-vs8bt6dy4e 29 дней назад +68

    My oldest grandaughter and boyfriend just moved to Barboursville, WV. They love the area and can't wait to explore it. I loved the country road and holler. I grew up in the country side of Mo. Ozarks. I had lots of Aunts that if you stopped at their house you would get a big plate of beans an
    cornbread with chopped onion and pickelilly relish. Also the biggest home made rolls you have ever seen. We learned to swim in the creek that ran through my grandparents farm and take long walks through the woods. We hunted for morell mushrooms for grandma and there would be sassyfras roots to did in the spring for grandma to boil up for a tea, our "spring tonic". Wild berries for jams and pies. We understand the peace and joy of hills and hollers and fishing by our creek.Cherri.

    • @kathyw7303
      @kathyw7303 27 дней назад +4

      Sounds like heaven on earth. Thank you for sharing .

    • @Jan-fy5mh
      @Jan-fy5mh 26 дней назад +2

      Still do it all here in Mo. ❤❤

    • @ianstuart5660
      @ianstuart5660 26 дней назад +1

      Sounds awesome. All best wishes from Canada!
      ❤❤

    • @2019FiveLiter
      @2019FiveLiter 24 дня назад

      Nice! I used to spend summers with my grandmother in Huntington which is right next to Barboursville. It sure has changed a lot since the mid 90s though!

    • @karenperdue2695
      @karenperdue2695 22 дня назад +1

      I live in Barboursville WV when first married,loved it.

  • @pauls.2526
    @pauls.2526 29 дней назад +59

    They're probably some of the loveliest people come from their. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪

  • @HackHunter1835
    @HackHunter1835 Месяц назад +243

    I grew up in northern WVa and moved away 40 years ago. When i go back to visit, some of the towns i drive thru look like these hollers you show on this channel. Its a weird feeling of sadness and feeling blessed that I had a chance to move away when i did. Im not surprised that someone came out to greet you, they're good people back in those hills.

    • @freedomrings1420
      @freedomrings1420 Месяц назад +31

      I left Upstate NY in 88 ,dairy farm country . Went back just over 20 years later and most of the farms were shut down. Very sad moment in my life.

  • @Catfish2255
    @Catfish2255 Месяц назад +69

    I was down in Sophia a few years ago for a few months. Did some driving in the hills and yes there are places where life was moving along. Times change. People leave. Jobs get scarce and life stops. Left over homes and nobody to carry on it will happen that life stops. No different in the big cities. Look at Detroit for an example. Homes caved in on old streets that were alive. It's everywhere. I loved all the West Virginia people I met. They were more friendly and polite than most I met in prosperous cities. I hope that someday peace and wealth come to all. Amen!!

  • @joycegullett80
    @joycegullett80 28 дней назад +32

    Not all of us who Live in West Virginia Live like this ! I feel sorry for the ones who do Live like the Video
    Prayers for those families.❤

  • @andrewrobertson2378
    @andrewrobertson2378 Месяц назад +60

    I left West Virginia 1 time to live in Florida, thought it would be better,, NOT !!! Come back n 10 yrs that was 1992 , ain't left since !! I'm be 59 n February , yall cab figure up how long I lived here. If I ever move it'll be inside the state.. God Bless !!

  • @stevearrico3448
    @stevearrico3448 Месяц назад +52

    Peaceful and quiet with a cup of early morning coffee, what else can you ask for. May God Bless All Americans.

  • @oldbird-zm8qt
    @oldbird-zm8qt Месяц назад +88

    I'll take this over most cities these days. Some of the best people I've ever met lived in places like this.

  • @patkcorcoran
    @patkcorcoran Месяц назад +150

    MAY GOD BLESS THOSE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE.

  • @tedk2166
    @tedk2166 29 дней назад +44

    We go to the Hatfield & McCoy Trails and never ran across any locals who weren’t friendly. Been throughout that region for 15 years and being from New Jersey where you can’t truly trust strangers, I feel at ease and accepted by all the locals we encounter. It’s a shame a place so beautiful isn’t easy to prosper in.

    • @realredmamma4
      @realredmamma4 23 дня назад +2

      It's a different kind of "prosper". 😊 We're rich in God's love, family, traditions, and so much more that's not measured in today's "wealth". 😊❤

  • @zest4life246
    @zest4life246 29 дней назад +31

    The most beautiful, hard working women I've ever known. They were from Appalachia. Those ladies could do anything required, for their families. Its been an admiration for me, being a city slicker! What a beautiful state, too. ❤

  • @trinasyoutube
    @trinasyoutube Месяц назад +157

    There’s a lot of places like this in WV. It’s sad but true but you’re right about one thing - they’re good people & they’re the kind of people that look after one another!

    • @lilfairycupcake
      @lilfairycupcake Месяц назад +10

      people are totally different than the crew i reside with in OH.

  • @andrewm4799
    @andrewm4799 Месяц назад +40

    This is a perfect kind of place to be a homesteader. And it's all about the people who care more about each other than $$.

  • @360-Guy
    @360-Guy Месяц назад +85

    The people of the Appalachian Hollers are the salt of the earth they care about people ❤

    • @danielbrown3461
      @danielbrown3461 Месяц назад +9

      And a few of them don't! But I'd rather take my chances there than in the big cities. Allmost allways.

  • @ClydeBuilt
    @ClydeBuilt Месяц назад +39

    I have relatives in West Virginia. Scottish heritage. Good people.

  • @glyniscoleman4813
    @glyniscoleman4813 Месяц назад +52

    I love west Virginia my husband's family is from South western west Virginia and Kentucky we used to go up for vacation every year to totally destress no cell phone coverage it was great

  • @rickrundle625
    @rickrundle625 Месяц назад +40

    I grew up in Wyoming County. There is not much there anymore when I was in High school it was a booming area. It is a great place to grow up and have a Motorcycle. Thank God for my parents who bought me several Motorcycles when I was in High school. It kept my sanity and gave me a purpose to live.

    • @BobbyTucker
      @BobbyTucker Месяц назад +2

      That's where I want to move to, I already have a motorcycle, got a Suburban too, like to find myself a cute little lady to settle down with and do some bike travelling with.

  • @rhondabradley3432
    @rhondabradley3432 Месяц назад +63

    WV...almost heaven! We love our mountains,our hollars, and, our families!

  • @etheljanefontenot2970
    @etheljanefontenot2970 Месяц назад +25

    Praying for them. I grew up that way and my heart breaks for them.

  • @malissawooten3423
    @malissawooten3423 27 дней назад +55

    Wv born & raised , if you like peace & tranquility it’s here , yes there is some places run down just like everywhere else , the wildlife & nature is beautiful here ❤❤I love it here .. thank you for all the kind comments..

  • @branch2000UT
    @branch2000UT 27 дней назад +44

    Take me home, country roads to the place I belong, West Virginia, mountain mama, take me home country roads...

  • @donniek7182
    @donniek7182 Месяц назад +31

    I lived in McDowell County, Iaeger, gilbert creek WV, as a child in the 70s, coal trains used to run 24 hrs a day.

    • @djt8518
      @djt8518 Месяц назад +6

      My wife is from panther I used to work around gilbert creek

  • @wd-39
    @wd-39 Месяц назад +21

    I had a friend that lived in Covel back in the mid 80s. All these homes were nice then. The coal mines were a 7 day a week operation and paid good money. Now they are gone, just like the textile industry.

  • @londonkyguy
    @londonkyguy Месяц назад +132

    The people living here would not be anywhere else. Its home to them.

  • @tubbers20
    @tubbers20 Месяц назад +42

    Where the sun comes up
    About 10 in the morning
    And the sun goes down
    About 3 in the day

    • @djt8518
      @djt8518 Месяц назад +7

      We dug coal together

  • @user-pi9my3lt9p
    @user-pi9my3lt9p Месяц назад +30

    What a beautiful place ...surrounded by mother nature ...the peace and quiet must be deafening somedays ....

    • @katbow5922
      @katbow5922 Месяц назад +8

      Yup, until the coal trains rumble by on the other side of the river...but somehow it was a beautiful sound. Certainly better than the endless traffic and noise of the big cities. ❤

  • @Johnny_Utah187
    @Johnny_Utah187 Месяц назад +53

    That’s an awesome bridge.

  • @lisabunnie22960
    @lisabunnie22960 Месяц назад +46

    Thank you most for the humble ones. ❤

  • @fredsalter1915
    @fredsalter1915 Месяц назад +70

    Run down is one thing. Having rubbish build up and neglecting it is quite another.

  • @johngregory7841
    @johngregory7841 Месяц назад +17

    That bridge is just incredible. Worth the trip for that alone.

    • @hoodsnhollers
      @hoodsnhollers  Месяц назад +3

      Definitely awesome to see in person.

  • @Faded-Jeans
    @Faded-Jeans Месяц назад +12

    I know this area quite well as I was raised on Rockridge at Bradshaw Mountain, WV…..(Paynesville) Graduated from Iaeger High School. Rural WV is filled with beauty, love and some of the best people you’ll ever meet 🥰

  • @derekthemountaindawg467
    @derekthemountaindawg467 Месяц назад +36

    I live in southern WV and this looks Soo familiar, it's just a hillbilly holler that looks identical to all the rest as if I've been there before.

  • @totalstranger8412
    @totalstranger8412 29 дней назад +22

    Fellow Americans, God bless ‘em.

  • @daveholok6380
    @daveholok6380 Месяц назад +15

    Made a trip with my friend to visit his Grandmother and the rest of the family in Boomer. Wonderful people and place. Hawks Nest, and New River bridge nearby. Absolutely spectacular in the fall!🙏🙂👍

  • @michaellucius6161
    @michaellucius6161 Месяц назад +20

    Brings back memories. Lived in windmill gap and went to school at Montcalm high.

  • @gwenwheeler1248
    @gwenwheeler1248 Месяц назад +14

    I live in upstate ny,the country side looks about the same. I love seeing things from down south, because I can't take the heat anymore. I will probably never get to see the places again,only on video like this. THANK YOU, BLESS YOU AND YOURS

  • @Seanriver316
    @Seanriver316 Месяц назад +29

    Not ALL of it was bad.
    Kudos to the good people still trying to hold it together and have a community down there.

  • @joehaney5482
    @joehaney5482 Месяц назад +41

    I have family in Virginia & West Virginia. They are the friendliest people you'll ever meet.

  • @chainey05
    @chainey05 Месяц назад +82

    West Virginia is a beautiful state

  • @gfunk5994
    @gfunk5994 Месяц назад +14

    I love watching the rural places. Especially coming from 3rd largest city in America.
    Life must be way different than ours. Must be peaceful & quiet

  • @OldHickoryAndyJackson
    @OldHickoryAndyJackson Месяц назад +25

    I been in the holler, it ain't no fun when you can't get out

  • @maximuswedgie5149
    @maximuswedgie5149 Месяц назад +31

    Looks beautiful and perfect to me. Love the train tracks way up there

  • @johntaylor5968
    @johntaylor5968 Месяц назад +35

    If all folks in the same road got together they could clear that mess from 0.24 - 5.12, yeah , it would take effort but life does.

  • @kenyoung4610
    @kenyoung4610 Месяц назад +14

    Wow! Seeing another side of American life that it seems like modern times have forgotten!

  • @takingchances9071
    @takingchances9071 Месяц назад +28

    A land and people that time forgot!!

  • @stormgirl09
    @stormgirl09 Месяц назад +61

    even though I never been to this region of the country in my life there is something oddly nostalgic about the old school train bridge with the huge mountain backdrop!

  • @nelsonx5326
    @nelsonx5326 Месяц назад +13

    Gloomy weather, leafless trees in the hills. Depressing.

  • @brandonhajdin9777
    @brandonhajdin9777 Месяц назад +59

    Always loved West Virginia. Very beautiful place.

  • @user-jn2wx7db1c
    @user-jn2wx7db1c Месяц назад +27

    I spent some weeks in West Virginia and loved it. Great people.

  • @allenmorris85
    @allenmorris85 Месяц назад +19

    How incredibly beautiful would this place be if it was cleaned up. It would look like a scene from a hilltop in Switzerland. The difference is this is America. Land of the Free and Don’t give a Hoot about Thee!

  • @johnevans1969
    @johnevans1969 Месяц назад +15

    Poor folks, the Best folks by FAR!

  • @frankwoods4532
    @frankwoods4532 Месяц назад +10

    It seems calm and peaceful.

  • @jonduggan7433
    @jonduggan7433 Месяц назад +24

    Would feel safer walking around there at 02:00 am than in any big city.

  • @gamec2343
    @gamec2343 Месяц назад +13

    I would fill right at home there. No joke.

  • @donnash5813
    @donnash5813 Месяц назад +9

    There are places like that in counties surrounding Atlanta. If the burned and abandoned house and trash was removed it wouldn't look so bad. A lot of those houses are well maintained.

    • @hoodsnhollers
      @hoodsnhollers  Месяц назад +2

      Ive uploaded Atlanta and many other areas nearby on the channel, check them out thanks for watching!

  • @blipblip88
    @blipblip88 Месяц назад +7

    Most of those homes look really nice. Just that one section at the beginning that looks like a tornado hit it. We travel a lot thru WVA and have always felt welcome anywhere by warm-hearted folks we come across. Thanks kindly.

  • @Dakota-xi6cg
    @Dakota-xi6cg Месяц назад +37

    I like the homes. Just needs a grocery store & gas station. Love seeing all those US flags👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

  • @BLU.-.J
    @BLU.-.J Месяц назад +35

    Just felt like a nice bicycle ride somewhere I have never been to...

  • @GRAFHC
    @GRAFHC Месяц назад +29

    Beautiful countryside, it's a shame whats happened to that region.

  • @witlof5492
    @witlof5492 Месяц назад +10

    Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver.

  • @platinumpagoda3079
    @platinumpagoda3079 Месяц назад +21

    Appalachia is one of my favorite regions to drive through. Would really like to see one of these night recordings that you make correspond with the upcoming super moons. It's amazing how much the full moon brightens up the sky, and makes horizons and building outlines more discernible 😍.

    • @hoodsnhollers
      @hoodsnhollers  Месяц назад +12

      It’s coming on the channel very soon!

  • @susandavis903
    @susandavis903 Месяц назад +44

    Nearly all mobile homes. They have no resale value. When owners die and children have left, it’s simply abandoned.

  • @sirsmilealot5458
    @sirsmilealot5458 Месяц назад +20

    Yeah, that area is a paradise compared to where I grew up not far from there. Think eating possum.

  • @Grifynmusic
    @Grifynmusic Месяц назад +9

    the farm views & natural landscape are stunning! ✨🤍🙏🏽⛰️

  • @williameisenberg1999
    @williameisenberg1999 Месяц назад +31

    The Coal Barons really did a number on these people !

  • @wolstenholme100
    @wolstenholme100 29 дней назад +4

    I'm British and interested in industrial history (and country music!). I've always been fascinated by Appalachia and its mining communities etc.

  • @user-uu9pu6ib2f
    @user-uu9pu6ib2f Месяц назад +22

    Great video..beautiful holler and even more beautiful souls! Not being snarky but i always thought Jed made a huge mistake uprooting his family to Beverly Hills only for the Clampetts to be mocked and' mean mouthed' by Milton Drysdale and Jane Hathaway...but all in fun, I guess. Please keep up the outstanding work!

  • @richardpowell4643
    @richardpowell4643 25 дней назад +3

    When you're in a true holler you only get about 6 or 7 hrs of daylight at the most. The mountains block the sun both ways, especially in the winter.

  • @LauraKnotek
    @LauraKnotek Месяц назад +21

    This looks like a peaceful place to live.

  • @koz8850
    @koz8850 Месяц назад +13

    That bridge is awesome.

  • @williambailey1712
    @williambailey1712 Месяц назад +8

    I live on a housing estate in England I would swap anyday.I can imagine how beautiful the night sky is

  • @maaxee89
    @maaxee89 Месяц назад +40

    I don't know why this place reminds me of the movie Stand by Me from 1986. Greetings from Uruguay

    • @hoodsnhollers
      @hoodsnhollers  Месяц назад +6

      Hello and thanks for watching!

    • @chillmurray7529
      @chillmurray7529 Месяц назад +15

      It’s the suspended railroad trusses. One of my favorite movies

  • @greenbeagle13
    @greenbeagle13 29 дней назад +2

    I drove through West Virginia one time many years ago and always loved how beautiful it was.

  • @shirleygiordano7627
    @shirleygiordano7627 Месяц назад +49

    I love the mountains ⛰️

  • @joelstein4657
    @joelstein4657 Месяц назад +6

    I'm from Western Pennsylvania and it's strange the difference between the two states. The country is the same but the similarity pretty much ends there. Good people in both though. Oh, at that time, 40s and 50s both areas were largely dependent on coal mining.

  • @yourseatatthetable
    @yourseatatthetable Месяц назад +23

    Just reminds me that no matter how much we believe we own our properties, in the end, we're just tenants.

  • @user-st3vd5bf6g
    @user-st3vd5bf6g Месяц назад +4

    Born and lived in WV. My family lived there since the 1700’s. I feel a connection, but the best thing I did was leave there. OK to visit for a day or two, but I love leaving.

  • @user-rl3iv2jk9q
    @user-rl3iv2jk9q Месяц назад +6

    Thank you for your presentation , I watched all of it .

  • @lilfairycupcake
    @lilfairycupcake Месяц назад +10

    my mothers side is from WVA. resident of massillon oh, but love the mts of wva.

  • @RalfyCustoms
    @RalfyCustoms Месяц назад +48

    Absolute incredible, what a beautiful place, and such a shame about the dereliction, I'd live there very happily

  • @4Life-4Love
    @4Life-4Love 26 дней назад +4

    Probably some of the best people you could ever come across. The kind that would give you the shirt off their backs if you were in need regardless of whether or not they could afford to do it. The ones that would help a complete stranger out no questions asked.

  • @Stormblast729
    @Stormblast729 29 дней назад +3

    This reminds me of Premier, West Virginia where I lived as a child. I miss West Virginia.

  • @user-cz1sq9lz2l
    @user-cz1sq9lz2l 25 дней назад +3

    Great video!

  • @Dak36
    @Dak36 Месяц назад +7

    One end of the road is abandoned. The rest of the area looks great.