A Tale of Two Towns: Bluefield Virginia & West Virginia
Vložit
- čas přidán 7. 09. 2022
- In this Mountain Roots episode of Exploring Appalachia I head to the coal & rail town of Bluefield West Virginia and Virginia. A town that straddles two states, and is full of history!
Become a Patron today & get perks: / mountainrootsproductions
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @mountainroots
Watch more Mountain Roots:
Exploring Appalachia: • Exploring Appalachia
If you want to contact us for business inquiries or collaboration opportunities, email: mountainrootsmail@gmail.com
Also find us on facebook @mountainrootshomestead
Snail Mail:
Mountain Roots Productions
PO Box 664
New Castle, VA, 24127
#westvirginia #appalachia #Bluefield - Zábava
Love hearing from y'all in the comments! Where should we explore next?
Hello how you doing
Good looking pplace
Maybe head way up north to Wheeling and or Harper's Ferry
@@jackwagner6809 Just fine! Living in the Ozarks Missouri 🤠. Have a Cattle Ranch. Love you guys 🙏🇺🇸
Nice job on the video sir!
I will be 84 next month, and was born and raised in Bluefield. My class was the last to graduate from the old Beaver high. We lived on college ave in the Mar Lee Apts.
Did u know the BROWNS...HOPKINS..GREYS..REV.PALMER TABERNACLE BAPTIST???
i live in bluefield VA and it’s nice to finally get some professional video on us thank you🙏
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!
I remember Bluefield as a booming town in the 1950s when I was a child visiting relatives.
Aww♥️♥️
Me too!
How would you compare Bluefield to Morgantown? I've been considering moving to WV and have been watching some CZcams videos.
You should do a part 2 of a tale of two towns featuring Bristol Tennessee and Bristol Virginia.
I was born in Bluefield WVA and lived in Bluefield VA, I left there in the late 70s, moving to Danville VA. I live in the Washington DC area now and absolutely hate it. I just miss the small town vibe and civilized people
I understand the sentiment, thanks for watching!
Yeah, the people are so friendly compared to bigger cities. The difference is striking. I run between Florida and West Virginia. Come on back! 🙂
My mother was also born in Bluefield WV. Their home was in Bluefield Virginia but she was born in WV because that's where the closest hospital was. She always considered herself a Virginian though, as that is where her ancestors were from. She died this year and I took her ashes there to be buried with her parents just two days ago. They are buried on the WV side. It's a beautiful place with wonderful people!
I'm probably 5 or 6 years younger than you but I remember you Brian Spivey living on Depot St you rode a blue banana seat bike and lived next door to "The Center." Your Cuz Stephanie is married to my brother Jimmy. We always wondered where you and your brother Gerrod and sister Z went to.
I'm originally from Clarksburg West Virginia which is in the North Central region. and the old highrise architecture in both towns are very similiar.Downtown Fairmont has that same vibe also.
Dont stop recognizing Appalachia. Great work!
That's the plan, really appreciate you watching & sharing too!!
We drove down for the Weir- Bluefield game. Met some of the nicest people down there!
I was born and raised in the Bluefields. I moved away when I was in my 20’s and have been gone for nearly 30 years, but I still think of it as home.
I was born in Welch WV and very familiar with Bluefield WV and Bluefield VA. In May 2023 i will go to those areas and others to look at land or property there as I am planning for my retirement. Peace and quiet in West Virginia.
I worked construction job there in the 90s. For the Felts family. You know them?
@@FredPena-rd5cf
There was a family by that name that I did know back in the day.
My grandma and grandpa are from Bluefield wv and although i live in Florida and I’m a flat lander as my great uncle calls me I love my visits to see my family up there. Love that town
My hometown! Lived on the WV side until I was 21 and then moved acorss the border to VA, where I lived anotehr 15 years. I have since moved to NC but Bluefield wil always be home.
My hometown(s) ❤️ I was born in Bluefield WV, grew up in Bluefield VA. I claim both states as home! Lovely video!!
The same here with me it will always have a special place in my heart!
At 4:41 you were less than 50 yards from the house I grew up in. I really miss Bluefield sometimes as it was a great place to grow up back in the 60's thru the 80's. Go G-Men class of '81!
People in my travels don't know where Bluefield Va is but when I mention Graham Va they tell me about the football team and town history.
My one cousin was the executive secretary to the president of the Bluefield 1st national bank for over 40 years
Mt. Airy North Carolina. The inspiration for "Mayberry" on The Andy Griffith show/Mayberry RFD. This should be a visit for you.
Ok just saw old. Beaver. High. School what memories😂👈👍
Parts of Bluefield remind me of the roaring 20's..1920's. The wonderful band-aid station Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands Virginia called me up and told me they had my Dad and were going to release him and I needed to be there in a few minutes to get him. I told them, I'm on my way but I'm two hours from you. Can you hold off releasing him? They said no lol. I had to drive up there and find out they sent him another hour down the road to Bluefield, VA/WV to a motel there they kept homeless people in(his house had just burnt down and he was battling cancer). I had to drive nearly 3 hours from where I was to get him and take him back over 2 hours to my home until we could find him a new place.
There's something about living in a mountain town in Appalachia that just feels different. Every town and city is separated by miles and miles of deep forests, it feels like you're living in a little hidden pocket of civilization.
I wish these places would revitalize sooner. Or else we'd be losing something truly exceptional.
And the Mountains feel protective and soothing like a big hug.
I had 2 good friends from the Bluefield/Princeton area back in the mid 70's AT WVU , Rick Meadows and Dave Myers
I sometime wonder what ever became of them.
I enjoyed your video on Bluefield. I was born in Bluefield WV at the Bluefield Sanitorium in 1956. I am sure it is not called that today! My parents lived in Rich Creek Va at the time.
This is a beautiful town such a contrast to some of the abandoned towns like War that you've shown. Wish more could be done to help those Americans.
Have you watched my episodes on Lewisburg or Princeton for example?
Grew up here. Miss it so much!
Nice video! As a Mountaineer, I remember learning in school that Bluefield was one of the highest elevation cities in the east. Because of the altitude, they use to call it the "Air Conditioned City", and they city would give out free lemonade if the temperature ever got over 90.
They still do the lemonade. Unfortunately more often. It does stay cooler in the Summer. The wind tunnels between two mountain ridges which also helps with cooling. Yes it is the highest elevation east of the Mississippi. I adore Bluefield. 😊
The lemonade Day is once a year in September. The art museum is amazing as is The Downtown Merchants and Ellis M lamps, next door. Bluefield West Virginia is very cool.
I love my west Virginia I was born in south west Virginia
BLUEFIELD VIRGINIA WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME
Blue field is definitely my favorite West Virginia town. I live in Roanoke so going up north we pass through Bluefield all the time
One of my favorites routes. US460 all the way.. the scenery is breathtaking.
My daughter was one of the last to be born at Bluefield Regional Hospital before closing down back in 2020. I went to Bluefield College with Dre Fourie son of the owner at the stables. Yes, one of the biggest rivals I believe between Graham and Bluefield.So many memories!
Didn’t know Bluefield regional hospital closed. I lived in both WV. and VA parts of the city for almost 25 years. I loved it and miss it!
I love the tunnels
Me too!
Once again an enjoyable video! This time great to see a beautifully kept town. Hi from Finland 🇫🇮
My wife's grandather had his first baseball managing job with the Bluefield Baby Birds in 66' and 67.' Ron Shelton (writer/director of Bull Durham) talks about his arrival there to start a minor league career and meeting my wife's Grandfather in the book, "Church of Baseball." I keep meaning to get there to see the park.
Beautiful 💙💛I love my state
I never thought I would see a CZcams video about my Hometown. Lol. I'm from the virginia side most people don't even know there's a Bluefield virginia they only think it's Bluefield West Virginia. I appreciate the video and sharing the history about 2 little towns.
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Got Family in Bluefield West Virginia. Coal miner people! 🙏💪🌄
I was born in Bluefield WV. {1958} We left when i was around 2 years old but visited grandparents there often. I remember going across the bridge towards Bluewell and as far as you could see the trains load of black gold. I would like to see you do a video on Pinacate Rock. {hwy 52 north of Bluewell} I still take the trip up there every so often to go up to the top of the rock.
Me too! I love Pinnacle rock!😊
Places like "The Grind" are exactly the kind of establishment I like to frequent. I'm an ardent supporter of small, local businesses, and you find the friendliest and most accommodating people in them! Great video and musical accompaniment!
A part of WV that doesn't get much love is the Eastern Panhandle, especially Jefferson County. Our part of the state hasn't seen as drastic of an economic and social breakdown as the rest of the state, and I've been told by other West Virginians that we're not "real" West Virginia. We are as much of Appalachia and WV than anyone else and would love to see our beautiful area showcased.
Thanks for the recommendation 👍
Whoever told you that is a “Real” dumb dumb. I’m gonna check it out. 😋
Whoever made that comment was stupid. WV, though small in area, is spread out, and parts are not easy to get to from other areas of the state. I've traveled to Charles Town and Martinsburg several times. I love the area of the state.
I have lived on both sides of the state line and Bluefield was my hometown growing up as a young child and have many wonderful memories of that place. It was a great place to grow up in the 80s and to live there once again for a couple of years in the 90s
It is beyond beautiful, crisp and clear in that region!❤️❤️❤️
Hi Josh, Love watching your series on Appalachia. I’m from England, so it’s a different world for me. It’s a fascinating place and wonderful scenery, but it’s sad to see many run-down areas. The music is great too. Looking forward to future videos.
Thanks so much for watching, really appreciate it!
The coalfields are really depressed for sure. Some amazing people in the area still yet, some punks…..like anywhere. There is a rich culture in these hills though!
My grandfather, Bishop Hicks Coon was a locomotive engineer for Norfolk and Western Railroad, lived in Bluefield and hauled a lot of coal.
Home 1959-61, Upper and Lower drug stores where we carved our names in the booths, soda fountains, pool hall with good hamburgers, GHS, Blue Chords band, Harmony Acres swimming pool, concerts at the Auditorium, GHS band, Double Gates Grocery and Bluefield cleaners to name a few good memories : )
Great video! 🗞️⛏️⚒️😊
Thank you for featuring my salon in your documentary! I fond your work to be amazing!
Thanks so much! Glad you like it!!
My family travels to the Bluefield area twice a year to ride the Hatfield & McCoy and
Spearhead trail systems. Always a great time had by all. Enjoyed a meal at the Railyard
on one of those trips. In May of 2022, We toured the mine exhibit at Bramwell, West Va.
Made me appreciate all the more the folks who mine coal for living to help keep the
lights on for the rest of us. Thank you for the videos, they are appreciated.
Any where you travel to next I'll be sure to watch.
Thanks for watching. There's nothing like visiting Appalachia to make you appreciate it's beauty, history, and people.
I went to LOGAN STSCHOOL.I LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS..I MISS THE HOME PLACE..
I own 3 lots on Booker street and I hear if it reaches 90 degrees there....free lemonade down town!😊 I am thinking about going up to my property that's why I searched bluefield on CZcams.
Really appreciate the quality of work you put into bringing this fascinating series to us!
Most welcome!
I am so glad businesses are coming to these small towns to support and make them thrive. To much history to be lost forever without.
Indeed! Hope to see them flourish again!!
There are a couple of businesses but nothing compared to bluefield beverage or a massive Mecca for employment. That’s why I hope to start my cannabis non profit and get this community back in action
I was born in Princeton and lived in north tazwell went to school in bluefield va I moved to mt airy nc in 1993 I do miss it beautiful place! Great video!
Really great! I watch the horses from my front yard on the hill at the golf course. We moved here 7 years ago and we love it. It has very affordable housing, everything is convenient, the people are friendly, and it’s absolutely beautiful. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this is the place. Thanks and I’ll be looking out for that tv production. Exciting! 😁
You're right, the area has a lot to offer! Appreciate you watching 😊
Are there any areas in bluefield WV to avoid buying a house in?
@@rachelbrandt9 the West side is lower income but it too has some great deals. Also there are 2 colleges.
Nice little town
I lived in Princeton, WV, for a minute and found Bluefield to be lovely
There’s so much more that could’ve been said. The last building you show, for example, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Nice visuals though.
There's always more than can fit into a single episode. Be sure to watch my show on PBS called Hometowns- I just did a full length episode on the Bluefields!
I was born in West Virginia but i was living in Virginia because of bluefield regional bein in wv..we were living in crescent view
Just scrolling through some You Tube videos. Decided to take a video tour of Bluefield this evening. Nice.
So glad you liked it!
I am happy to find you on my home page. Have been so homesick. I grew up in Speedway W.Va. near Athens. Know Princeton and the Bluefields very well as I went to college there. I am 60 now and haven't been home since 2007 . Time to come home. Bless you dear for this treat.
So glad it's given you a glimpse of home 😊
Great video. Loved it. As a side note, it would’ve been cool to acknowledge how The Stylistics mentioned Bluefield, WV in their hot Rockin Roll Baby.
Well thanks for sharing it!
I was a union organizer there,,,went there every month for 25 years
I just found these videos about Virginia and I love Virginia and west Virginia. I have a lot great great grandparents that were from Virginia. I have been to Virginia and west Virginia. All my ancestors were appachulians.
Glad you found the channel!
Super high quality work here friend. Sad to say, the grind will be closing soon. Building issues and what not. I appreciate how positively you showed both towns. There is so much amazing architecture in these two towns……Blfd WV was so wealthy at one time. So depressed now though.
Great work, instant subscriber.
Amazing.
Thanks!
My wife and I may be moving there in about 3 months
EXCELLENT video of Bluefield!!! Even though I’ve lived close to Bluefield my whole life, and even worked in a couple of the business shown in the video, such as Pawz Grooming Styles, before opening my own dog grooming shop, I never knew of some of the history here! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for television!!!
My grand father started Bluefield produ e and provisions
Both my parents lived in Bluefield
As did my grand parent also my mother and law father lived In in bluefield.
Nice video 👍
Here watching it from the Virginia side of town 👀
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Love this video. So nice to see the beautiful side of these towns. It feels so forgotten but you have a way of making us want to remember it and love it again. Loved seeing Andre Fourie Stables!!!
It's nice seeing a familiar place through a different perspective 😊
So glad you're getting a tv production! Can't wait to see what you have in store for the future!
Thanks so much, really appreciate it!
Great job.
Thank you!!
I subscribed. Nice use of music. The other travel guy I watch is Freddie Dobbs. He and Monica have introduced me to several new artists.
Lot of new stuff. Haven't been the in awhile. Most of family gone or moved on. Hmm road trip🤗👩🌾
Hey played. Gram high. Back in the day thoes are my home towns. Blufield Princeton. Matoaka. Still have kin there. Visit there alot. Thanks. Is beaver high still there. If not who did they consolidate. With. 🙏🤔👈👍
I’m from Montgomery County VA back in the day and many of its inhabitants are from southern WV due to that state’s economy. Great video!
Migrations to & from the state over the years, largely and nearly directly tied to coal, are breathtaking. Thanks so much for watching!
@@MountainRoots my pleasure, for sure!
I spent a few mid summer months in Blue Field WV 68' worked @ TV station WHIS...
I had a friend in WV who told me that in one day during the War, his town was occupied three times in one day! By morning it was Union territory, by afternoon it was Confederate territory but by evening it was Union territory again! (Or was it the other way around?)
I'm going to retire soon in Newmarket, Virginia.
This is an amazing video. Can’t ask for better.
I am from, and live here. Appreciate the work, sir!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
So glad your channel popped up in my feed! Loving it!🤗
Great job. I’m a new subscriber to your channel. Just wondering if you do any videos on the small diners in the area ? I’d like to see some of their food if you haven’t done it already. Thank you.
Loved this episode. Once again awesome history. Another beautiful town(s). Looking forward to the follow for this part of Appalachia.
Great video. My maternal grandparents came from Hinton West Virginia. I loved it out there as a kid
Thank you! They did? Have you seen my episode on Hinton yet?
@@MountainRoots I'll go find that episode
I love Hinton and I love the River too! Lots of water sports. The DQ chili dogs are really good. 😋 I wonder when the Damn is expected to be done?
Enjoyed this story, info and scenery.
Great video! Your editing skills are amazing!
Thank you!
Great job on this video.
Fantastic video! My dad has relatives who moved there but I’ve never been. Great videos of my childhood area. Polar opposite of the palmettos and live oaks here on Hilton Head
My hometown. Nice work.
Glad you liked it!
My ancestors settled in the Tazewell Valley in the early 1800's. I deeply thank my late grandparents for having the ambition and brains to be sure their children got educated and OUT.
Now, the educated are coming back. Due to having the ability to work on line and big businesses coming to town.
BTW…. Hinton, WV may be worth noting.
Was there a month or so back, be sure to check out that episode!
Great job! 👍🏼
I can’t wait to find out what’s happening with your TV episode.
Really appreciate it! Stay tuned 😁
Awesome . You do your homework. I love Virginia.
I enjoy and appreciate the history and culture of Appalachia. Thanks for watching!
So close to my hometown of Tazewell! Love it!
Stay tuned, Tazewell's soon!
@@MountainRoots would love a shot of the corner of Orange St., up by the Peak. My dad and I built the rock wall, if it’s still there. I’m told the lady that bought our house tore it down. I’ve been in Pittsburgh for 22 years now, so a glimpse of home would be most welcome. Tip: the view from our yard used to be almost as good as from the top of the mountain.
The rocks we used to build that wall came from where they cut/made the road going on up the mountain.
@@MountainRoots you can also visit lots of local spots, the museum, the various “valleys” and mills. Lots of Civil War history in the area. Old timers used to entertain our imaginations as kids, with their various tales. Who knows how much truth they told, but they kept our imaginations running wild in those hills.
@@echuck66 love all the history!! Actually already filmed there 😉
Wow. I lived there almost my whole life. Wonderful video
Thanks for watching!
@@MountainRoots Thank you for sharing
The WV side bank
everyone! I made a quick appearance at 8:36
I've spent a fair amount in the Shenandoah valley. Need to do more exploring in WVA. But I'm based in NE (state with little real hiking.
It's a great place to explore, thanks for watching!
Great vid!
Thanks!
Nice video, very interesting.
Thank you very much!
Unfortunately Intuit didn't bring the huge jobs number advertised beforehand. But some is something! Not that I know anything about it, but you do a great job of filming, editing, and narrating your videos. You have the equipment you need as well. I subscribe to some other channels that I really love, but the talent and equipment, which I fully understand can get expensive, is just not there. Thanks so much! I'm really enjoying your channel!
Thanks Brad, it's been both quite a process and investment. To your point on Intuit, I don't think it helped that a global pandemic was declared just as they were coming to town- plus they're still operating under very strict & rigid California covid regs due to their corporate policy🤷
They say over time they’ll hire 1000. Omnis building technologies is building a 40 million dollar plant at exit 1 in Bluefield. They manufacture new highly efficient affordable housing. State of the art stuff. That’s creating 300 jobs. There are more that I can’t think of now but the future of Bluefield looks pretty secure. The 2 colleges are expanding now too. 😊
@@davebryant8050 They have huge investments so I don’t think so.