well the true story of pocahontas is that she was a native american princess, she fell in love with a white guy, then she trust him and he lied to her, after the white guy and the inmigrant soldiers destroyed and killed all her town, her people, and her father, and bcuz she was a princess she was burn alive, its just that the usa goverment change the story cuz they dont want their own people know the true story of what happened to her....THATS THE TRUE STORY.....
Why dont you cross the state line into West Virginia! are you affraid? Look at Bramwell WV... 2 miles away! Thats history. yeah Poci is great blah blah blah, but 2 miles away lies the greatest story of heritage, history and hard work, West Virginia! #1... This country owes my state a debt of gratitude! And in true WV style... we dont like your kind around here! Go home.
What rail line brought out the coal? My granddaddy was the chief dispatcher of the Carolina Clinchfield and Ohio RR which ran from South Carolina to Virginia with HQ in Erwin TN..was it the CC and O?
(From Wiki) In 1885, several small mining companies representing about 400,000 acres (1,600 km²) of bituminous coal reserves grouped together to form the coalfields' largest landowner, the Philadelphia-based Flat-Top Coal Land Association. Norfolk and Western Railway bought the Association and reorganized it as the Pocahontas Coal and Coke Co., which it later renamed Pocahontas Land Corp, now a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern.
I almost forgot, Thanks Tom for the nice comment. The Little River Railroad Museum has some great history of rail in Townsend Tennessee.. Mostly Logging, but still cool.
My Uncle Rand Wagner managed the Company store in the 50's and 60's until he died. My Aunt Gerry lived in thehouse on the corver of Jockey and St Clair until her death in the mid 90's.
We use to go from Roanoke to Pocahontas in the 1940;s and 50s to get truck loads of coal for $3.25 a load.
Went back to Pocahontas on vacation 4 years ago and all of the houses on the hill except 2 were burn or rotted down. It was really depressing and a shame. The town people there are the nicest you will ever meet. They do have a very aggresive police force running radar there. I guess it the way they support their town ( no I did not get stopped).
The tourguide's name is Amy at the mine. Everyone who goes to see the mine should drive three miles up the road to Bramwell and go see the mansions (which are still well kept).
I am very pleased with this video. I have lived in Pocahontas my entire life as well and I am very pleased to see that outsiders appreciate it as well as it's residents do. Pocahontas is an amazing place.
I was born and raised in Pocahontas. I was pleasantly surprised to see this video. You guys did great and i'm glad to see the people of Pocahontas not giving up on their town. Sad to see the company store like that. My first job was there.
I've lived in Pocahontas my whole life and I absolutely love it. I'm proud to be from Pocahontas. It's great to see that even though we're so small, we matter.
I've lived in Pocahontas my whole life and I absolutely love it. I'm proud to be from Pocahontas. It's great to see that even though we're so small, we matter.
I am from Boone County West Va. maybe you could come up and Ill give you a tour of my great hometown!! I'd do it, but could never do as good a job as you would do!!
I am from West Va, and while I was a recruiter for the US Army I was assigned this area. I met some of the nicest folks in Pokie!! And put a lot of great young men and women in the Army and Army Reserves!! This clip, plus your Bramwell, and Coalwood/Welch ones brought back great memories!! I still have friends in those areas from my recruiting days. After 22 years in the Army, (and counting, lol), I still go through there every time Im home. to be cont'd,,,
I wish i could have seen my town in its hayday.Its sad to see all the buildings beat up like they are.Hopefully they'll build some new things to get the town booming again.
We just spent the day in your town today! It's amazing how much changes from one visit to the next! Maybe you saw us, I am the chick with the camera! I hung out at the Little Store most of the afternoon. We do love your town, hope to see y'all soon!
Hi Dan! Will your documentary of Pocahontas be available to the public for purchase when you have it finished? If so, how will we know when it's available?
ask her if she remembers any dyes that lived there....my pawpaw was fred dye whos sister willie was married to roy arrington....theyve all been gone for years but i have fond memories of visiting them as a child..such great people in those towns....i also remember a paved hill we used to skateboard down at the edge of the town...looooooooong ago....lol
great vid dc....my pawpaw was born n raised in pokie...as he called it....been there often as a child to visit my great aunt and uncle..all passed away sadly years ago...but this was awesome...thanks
My family is from this region. My grandmother was actually raised in Abbs Valley just down the road. Most of my family is still in the region. We have a vacation house up there, and I absolutely love to visit. So much history. There used to be a huge high school on the top of the hill over looking the town, but I believe it was torn down already when you visited, it was beautiful. A sight to see. I'm disappointed though, I find the cemetery mesmerizing and you hardly got any video of it.
Hi Jamie Lynn, we have a tremendous amount of footage of the cemetery. We plan to include in the documentary we are working on. Hopefully we will have it put together soon.
Hi JamieLynn - I recently visited Pocahontas and fell in love with it, returning the following week. I took a bunch of videos, but not enough! I have a bunch of the Cemetery and as soon as I check them out, I will add them to my other Pocahontas Videos I just put on. You might want to check them out. Search Pocahontas, VA OR try searching MerryGoRnd, my user name, and all my videos will come up. I am using a new camera that I have to get used to!
I simply love this town. I was just there on a mission trip repairing houses, and i can not wait to go back. It is the most burtiful and friendliest place I have ever seen in my life.
I agree with you Ukitake! I told my husband I want to go back AGAIN, maybe in the fall. I temporarily put a bunch of my videos on You Tube until I can edit them, join them and insert pics. Check them out.
My dad grew up on peel chestnut mountain (The Cranfills) where they have the pumpkin festival every year in Oct-its a great place to meet former residents of Poci. I never appreciated Poci as a kid but am very sad to see how it is crumbling today!!
I know, we hear that a bit from our friends across the pond, even in the USA borders it is like that if you travel out west, what they say is old doesnt seem so old here in the east.
please post some vids of your old buildings there, we would love to see them
Sounds like a good idea!I'll see what I can do,I really want to go to the USA to see the old west etc,give me half a chance and I'd move there so I can own a gun and shoot again,and there is nothing worse than living on a poxy island,with 60million other people,most of them immigrants!
Fascinating part of our history. I love the fact that the Opera House was above the courthouse and jail...if you had the misfortune to be locked up, at least you got some entertainment!!
I live a little over an hour away from Pocahontas, VA and never knew anything about it. Great job on the video. The TV production will hopefully give the town more than 15 minutes of fame.
We just got back from Pocahontas, shooting Oral Histories from many area people. We plan to continue as long as people will talk to us. So many great people, stories, and friendly faces up there.
I grew up in Pocahontas and was so sad to see the company store. I had so much fun in there as a child. I would love to see the whole town restored to its former glory! what a great tourist attraction it could be. My dad was in the maxwell house commerical that was filmed there in the 90's. we miss and love you Pocy!!
Yes they are my uncles-my dad was Thomas (the oldest) he passed away in 2000-my mother is Cora (maiden name Smith) you may know her sister Linda "Snuffy" Smith in Boissevain
I spoke to Crump at the store a few hours ago and he said you were his niece! Nice to meet you! Come see us soon. Great changes soon to happen in Pocahontas! FINGERS CROSSED - we hope! Pocahontas is to TOUGH TO DIE & CRUMBLE!!
What changes? We are planning to move back to Poci when my son graduates in 3 or 4 years-if you know of any land for sale (wooded land with no house) please let me know! It is nice to talk to you!
Thank you for this. Historic sites are important for us to work out who we are, where we are from in our cultures. I must visit this town next time I'm in the US. God Bless +++The Saint+++
I am saddened to see that the company store collapsed. I grew up in Pocahontas - graduating from PHS in 1983. I spent many a time in the store when it was a grocery store owned by Frankie Rodriguez....later the IGA. I have been in the opera house, the mine - everywhere in Pocy. Why doesn't the state of VA do something to save this historic place????????
Well the company store could have been saved if the Catron's hadn't let it go to ruin and not turn it over to the Town of Pocahontas until it was falling in.
From what I understand, Tommy and the others on the town council acted quickly after the town got possession of it, but not quickly enough.
I recently moved back home to pocy for a short period of time, and it was worse than what's in the video. I think the Cricket is closed and now that the high school is closed, I think the town is pretty much doomed...
And I didn't mention who I was either...Lacey, graduated from PHS in 2001.
What a great Video! My Mom grew up in Pocahontas, (Eskut family) and they took all of us kids on a road trip there in the 70's. The video brought back a lot of memories. We visited the Coal mine and I still have the picture I took of the "Coal Wall" with my new polaroid camera. My mom pointed out her old high school (this was before it was torn down) and a couple of houses that her family had lived in.
I'm so glad to find this - we live a few hours from Pocahontas, and have visited several times, most recently last weekend. The falling-down buildings fascenate me, and I was really interested to find out what had happened to the company store, which was still standing our previous trip. It's an amazing town - the architecture is unbelievable.
What a wonderful video...~ Thank you for sharing the story of Pocahontas... Its a real treat to listen/learn about the history of such a town... and to see such incredible architecture! Really amazing to think about what people endured too.
Thanks for the comment AnnieCanada! The architecture is amazing! I mean AMAZING ~ If you ever have a chance to see it in person please come before it is to late. It is awesome.
Pocahontas - my home town. I saw the old company store on Friday night and Saturday morning it was on the ground. So sad but probably too late to save it anway. Thanks for the video.
This was a pretty informative video. We owe so much to the folk from the 1800's and early 1900's. They worked so hard and sacrificed so much for the next generations.
Thanks for the nice comment! I agree - those people worked so hard for so little. If you come to Pocahontas - please come to the Exhibition Coal Mine - you will leave there a different person.
this an awesome video, especially since my sister was in it, there is alot of history in that town, Please talk to the old coal miners and see the tools they had to work with and the ones stricken with black lung from years of working in those conditions. I can smell the cornbread, granny's coleslaw, and baked Ham. YUMMMMM
I always thought it odd that Virginia has a town named Lebanon, I am sure there is a reason, but for the most part I think the food we have eaten there when visiting my wife's hometown (one of them) was Hardee's
It is good to read all the good comments about Pocahontas I have noticed the traffic has picked up since your video has been on utube keep up the good work,Coal Poke, it would be nice to have copies of the book to sell to help restore the company store.
I sent a note and offered to allow (for free) Tazewell County Historical Society, the rights to produce and sell both the book and DVD for Pocahontas benefit.
I have had alot of people ask me how to buy a copy of this video! & MY BOOK - I LOVE MY BOOK!(Smiling BIG & PROUD) Dan Is there any way possible we can get some copies here for the Coal Miners Reunion on Sept. 3rd. Email me on how to proceed and how much it will cost me .. maybe "coal poke" can contact me also??? and help me out ... I can't figure out who it is by the name!? Everybody please remember the Coal Miners Reunion on September 3rd also - ALL are invited ...
Dan, thanks for the video of Pocahontas, my home town. The town is rich in history and sad to see it today, but the legacy will continue with all of us who grew up there.
We were surprised at how vibrant the town is today, The people we met there are excited and enthusiastic about the town and history. So I think the future of Pocahontas is a bright one.
Hi Dan, This is so exciting to see that someone has taken the time to visit Pocahontas and the video is outdstanding.I too, feel that the future will be brighter for the community. My grandfathercame to America 1918 from Bulgaria worked in the mines as my dad aand family did. I was born in Boissevain abt.3 miles past Pocahontas so yes I am proud of my home land and hertiage. Thank you so much for taking the time to explore our home place and helping us keep it alive..
Pocahontas is very much alive and well come and visit us you will have a good time going to the mines and all the other Historic sites around town.The coal Miners reunion is on Labor Day every year Sept.3ard you can talk with the men that worked in the mines,they have some good stories about mining.
martinsuper: the town you are refering to is centrailia(spelled wrong) anyway it is pretty creppy but if go on some of the trails theres the sweet smoke vents(also can see smoke on cold overcast days)
1997 a girl called lauren was walikng in a forest and then a she just dissapeared no one ever found her untill 2000 when a yoing girl called Mary found her body and markings on her chest saying: I wasnt pretty enough" and now you have read this she will appear in your mirror saying your not pretty enough and kill you. by the way the girl called mary died shortly after.
To be saved paste this to 5 other videos. THIS TRUE
Oh!! Ilive right near there. Sometimes I go walking there in the little town. There's a nice little park, and some of my friends go to Poci High. (Slang for the town name) ^__^
I drove through a small town in Pennslvania that had all burned but two houses. The houses were all built wall to wall so the two remaining houses were really tall and skinny facades. The rest of the whole town was a green field with roads and sidewalks seperating it into parcels. It was CREEPY.
I live right by here, and many of my family worked in these mines...my great-grandfather was killed in a mine accident in McDowell County in 1937. My grandfather was 5 at the time, and his family says that after his father died, he still walked up the road every day hoping to meet him... Unfortunately, this area is full of these kinds of stories. People came from across an ocean in search of a better life, and many lost theirs in that search.
I'm sorry. PLEASE DON'T READ THIS you will die in seven days if you don't post this comment on 10 videos in the next hour. if you do, tomorrow will be the best day of your life
I live in Abb's Valley where the Moore Fam Massacare took plce by the hands of Indians and to read some of the comments posted by eapatty01 and screwstone, I thought to myself, what gives them the right to talk about a place where they have either never been or never embraced. Pocahontas is a great little town and it saddens me to see it crumble and t be forgotten about. There is always one person or another trying to close our school or rip apart what is left of Pocahontas.
Thats nothing special compared to some of the stuff in West Virgina I've been to too many towns and not too many things are worse then some of the disasters in WV mines
This was a great video, and very sad what happened to the historic building just before your arrival. My grandfather lost an eye to a coal mine explosion, so I know this kind of history rather well, but have never seen the sites. Thanks for bringing it to us.
The bars in the photo were on the Powerhouse windows. The coal company produced and provided power to the entire town on its own. My guess is to keep people out, I am sure it was dangerous.
I am not sure, but Jazz does seem to create the mood for telling tales of the demise of many.
From the late 1800's till now, men of all races, from all over the world have worked SIDE-by-SIDE in the coal mines around Pocahontas and received EQUAL PAY for their labors! Racism? Outside the mine was another story and no different than any other place in America.
PLEASE DONT READ THIS. YOU WILL GET KISSED ON THE NEAREST POSSIBLE FRIDAY BY THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. HOWEVER IF YOU DONT POST THIS COMMENT TO AT LEAST 3 VIDEOS YOU WILL DIE WITHIN 2 DAYS. NOW UV STARTED READIN DIS DUNT STOP THIS IS SO SCARY. SEND THIS OVER TO 5 VIDEOS IN 143 MINUTES WHEN UR DONE PRESS F6 AND UR CRUSHES NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE SCREEN IN BIG LETTERS. THIS IS SO SCARY BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY WORKs
I told my wife the Angel of Death said I should do a 30 minute TV show, after a long pause, she said the Angel of Death said she should get another credit card.. ha ha
LOL well you do such a great job and I'm always longing for more info.
I find your videos very cool because I don't get to go to those places and if course there is so much history for our country that no one can see them all or even record them for the future.
They fueled over 1/2 of America at one time. The Pocahontas Coal Vein runs from PA to AL. Unless I'm mistaken, (someone correct me if I am wrong please) They also sold coal to your home (Great Britian) as well to help fuel the Industrial Revolution all over the developed world in the early 1900s
Biggy001: Don't know how old you are but the Pocahontas coal from the #3 seam was used to make the steel that was used to build the ships and tanks that were used to win World War I and World War II. So, It could even be said that without Pocahontas coal from Southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia we would not have won either of those wars.
well the true story of pocahontas is that she was a native american princess, she fell in love with a white guy, then she trust him and he lied to her, after the white guy and the inmigrant soldiers destroyed and killed all her town, her people, and her father, and bcuz she was a princess she was burn alive, its just that the usa goverment change the story cuz they dont want their own people know the true story of what happened to her....THATS THE TRUE STORY.....
mellyvel1 11 months ago
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nirmalaadesha 1 year ago
huhuhat jemand lust zu schreibn oder pic tausch mir ist soo langweilig
TessRemlingaacx1 1 year ago
Why dont you cross the state line into West Virginia! are you affraid? Look at Bramwell WV... 2 miles away! Thats history. yeah Poci is great blah blah blah, but 2 miles away lies the greatest story of heritage, history and hard work, West Virginia! #1... This country owes my state a debt of gratitude! And in true WV style... we dont like your kind around here! Go home.
kissfanjohn 2 years ago
Superior long form cinematic journalism.
What rail line brought out the coal? My granddaddy was the chief dispatcher of the Carolina Clinchfield and Ohio RR which ran from South Carolina to Virginia with HQ in Erwin TN..was it the CC and O?
Tom in Utica NY
telsport 2 years ago
(From Wiki) In 1885, several small mining companies representing about 400,000 acres (1,600 km²) of bituminous coal reserves grouped together to form the coalfields' largest landowner, the Philadelphia-based Flat-Top Coal Land Association. Norfolk and Western Railway bought the Association and reorganized it as the Pocahontas Coal and Coke Co., which it later renamed Pocahontas Land Corp, now a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern.
dmccoig 2 years ago
I almost forgot, Thanks Tom for the nice comment. The Little River Railroad Museum has some great history of rail in Townsend Tennessee.. Mostly Logging, but still cool.
dmccoig 2 years ago
My Uncle Rand Wagner managed the Company store in the 50's and 60's until he died. My Aunt Gerry lived in thehouse on the corver of Jockey and St Clair until her death in the mid 90's.
davelusk 2 years ago
I wish they would restore the whole town and bring jobs to the locals.
drsambone 2 years ago
We use to go from Roanoke to Pocahontas in the 1940;s and 50s to get truck loads of coal for $3.25 a load.
Went back to Pocahontas on vacation 4 years ago and all of the houses on the hill except 2 were burn or rotted down. It was really depressing and a shame. The town people there are the nicest you will ever meet. They do have a very aggresive police force running radar there. I guess it the way they support their town ( no I did not get stopped).
rasberry123 2 years ago
Thanks Rockkker, I am working on getting subtitle, hopefully we can get it on the air in VA sometime.. Thanks again
dmccoig 2 years ago
The tourguide's name is Amy at the mine. Everyone who goes to see the mine should drive three miles up the road to Bramwell and go see the mansions (which are still well kept).
srs6d 2 years ago
1. Cover your mouth with your hand
2. Make a wish into it.
3.Close your hand (make it into a fist)
4. Hold you hand(the fist) to your heart for 5 seconds.
5.Send this to 3 more videos.
6. Tommorow will be the best day of your lif
jrodbballgen21 2 years ago
aaron. how is german?
HIFKhockey90 2 years ago
Very good video, my husband's family is from Pocahontas (Lewis) is their last name...Hi Uncle Jim Lewis if you are reading this.
My husband took me to Pocahontas on our honey moon 29 years ago...
dlluvspigs 3 years ago
I am very pleased with this video. I have lived in Pocahontas my entire life as well and I am very pleased to see that outsiders appreciate it as well as it's residents do. Pocahontas is an amazing place.
Kristin Shupe c/o 2007
Once an Indian Always an Indian!
shupiedoop 3 years ago
I was born and raised in Pocahontas. I was pleasantly surprised to see this video. You guys did great and i'm glad to see the people of Pocahontas not giving up on their town. Sad to see the company store like that. My first job was there.
pardue12003 3 years ago
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I've lived in Pocahontas my whole life and I absolutely love it. I'm proud to be from Pocahontas. It's great to see that even though we're so small, we matter.
Kayla Brooke PHS c/o 2008
blondefortunecookie 3 years ago
I've lived in Pocahontas my whole life and I absolutely love it. I'm proud to be from Pocahontas. It's great to see that even though we're so small, we matter.
Kayla Brooke PHS c/o 2008
blondefortunecookie 3 years ago
Today only 400 people live in Pocahontas.
christian31Eagles 3 years ago
Thank you so much for this video. I dont like in that stated but its still facinating to see other states/twon history!!
mlcarter71 3 years ago
I am from Boone County West Va. maybe you could come up and Ill give you a tour of my great hometown!! I'd do it, but could never do as good a job as you would do!!
Happy Traveling!!
cloudpounder 3 years ago
Thank You so much CP,
We will look you up the next time we head up to the wonderful state of WV to film. It is awesome up there and the folks are always so nice to us.
dmccoig 3 years ago
Dan,
Great Video!!!!
I am from West Va, and while I was a recruiter for the US Army I was assigned this area. I met some of the nicest folks in Pokie!! And put a lot of great young men and women in the Army and Army Reserves!! This clip, plus your Bramwell, and Coalwood/Welch ones brought back great memories!! I still have friends in those areas from my recruiting days. After 22 years in the Army, (and counting, lol), I still go through there every time Im home. to be cont'd,,,
cloudpounder 3 years ago
I wish i could have seen my town in its hayday.Its sad to see all the buildings beat up like they are.Hopefully they'll build some new things to get the town booming again.
valleyskater25 3 years ago
Hey Valleyskater!
We just spent the day in your town today! It's amazing how much changes from one visit to the next! Maybe you saw us, I am the chick with the camera! I hung out at the Little Store most of the afternoon. We do love your town, hope to see y'all soon!
wifeofdantraveling 3 years ago
This video is awesome because I'm from Pocahontas. Its really cool to see your hometown on YouTube.
valleyskater25 3 years ago
Hi Dan! Will your documentary of Pocahontas be available to the public for purchase when you have it finished? If so, how will we know when it's available?
MerryGoRnd 3 years ago
Hi Merry, thank you for your interest and your wonderful videos.
I will make a note to send you a note about it.
We will make available on Amazon.
dmccoig 3 years ago
My family is the Mitchem's and Wyatt's.
JaimeLynn510 3 years ago
That is very cool JamieLynn!
do you get to visit often?
dmccoig 3 years ago
I have an aunt that lives right outside of Pocahontas which I visit at least once a year.
JaimeLynn510 3 years ago
I live right in Pocahontas, VA. Chances are I kno her. What's her name?
blondefortunecookie8 3 years ago
ask her if she remembers any dyes that lived there....my pawpaw was fred dye whos sister willie was married to roy arrington....theyve all been gone for years but i have fond memories of visiting them as a child..such great people in those towns....i also remember a paved hill we used to skateboard down at the edge of the town...looooooooong ago....lol
yetitracker 3 years ago
At least once a year, I love to go in the fall. My aunt lives right outside of Pocahontas.
JaimeLynn510 3 years ago
great vid dc....my pawpaw was born n raised in pokie...as he called it....been there often as a child to visit my great aunt and uncle..all passed away sadly years ago...but this was awesome...thanks
yetitracker 3 years ago
My family is from this region. My grandmother was actually raised in Abbs Valley just down the road. Most of my family is still in the region. We have a vacation house up there, and I absolutely love to visit. So much history. There used to be a huge high school on the top of the hill over looking the town, but I believe it was torn down already when you visited, it was beautiful. A sight to see. I'm disappointed though, I find the cemetery mesmerizing and you hardly got any video of it.
JaimeLynn510 3 years ago
Hi Jamie Lynn, we have a tremendous amount of footage of the cemetery. We plan to include in the documentary we are working on. Hopefully we will have it put together soon.
Thanks again for the nice words
dmccoig 3 years ago
Hi JamieLynn - I recently visited Pocahontas and fell in love with it, returning the following week. I took a bunch of videos, but not enough! I have a bunch of the Cemetery and as soon as I check them out, I will add them to my other Pocahontas Videos I just put on. You might want to check them out. Search Pocahontas, VA OR try searching MerryGoRnd, my user name, and all my videos will come up. I am using a new camera that I have to get used to!
MerryGoRnd 3 years ago
I simply love this town. I was just there on a mission trip repairing houses, and i can not wait to go back. It is the most burtiful and friendliest place I have ever seen in my life.
UkitakeJuushirou 3 years ago
Thanks UJ, we love the town as well. So very awesome.
dmccoig 3 years ago
I agree with you Ukitake! I told my husband I want to go back AGAIN, maybe in the fall. I temporarily put a bunch of my videos on You Tube until I can edit them, join them and insert pics. Check them out.
MerryGoRnd 3 years ago
That makes me want to go check it out.. Thanks Dan.
ariesvsmars 3 years ago
Thanks aries mars, if you go tell them Dan and Jan sent ya.
dmccoig 3 years ago
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familyguyjustworks 3 years ago
You can see the loss in the ladies faces.
True Historians. You have to know to care!
Thank You so Much.
john
BCghostTownsDOTca 3 years ago
Thank you BC,
They are sooo passionate about their hometown.
We believe it is worth preserving as well.
dmccoig 3 years ago
such history, for sure. Good production job.
Creepy sort of. I'm thinking Black lung, union busting, worker abuses, environmental pollution. I wonder about the enviroment around the area. hmm.
AJuner78 4 years ago
Think about that next time a big coal train goes by.
lonelyboy03 3 years ago
Thanks AJuner
The area is pristine and beautiful,
most of the towns we have traveled are green and lush.
Pocahontas has a different history than most coal towns, I believe since it was the headquarters to the Pocahontas Fuel.
dmccoig 3 years ago
This guy did a great job!
HitDatHighlit3 4 years ago
OMG!! My family lived there until they passed away! Great memories! Stella and Richard Bucchi. Dorthey and Buford Hypes. I miss home!!
HitDatHighlit3 4 years ago
Thank you hitdat.
I think we have seen those sir names in the town.
It is a wonderful place
dmccoig 3 years ago
lol Dan!
9sec2valve 4 years ago
Thanks 9sec
dmccoig 3 years ago
I think this is a great video , i lived in pocahontas till i was 10 ,All my family is still there!!! Like my aunt Dianna Miller LOL
bizkit24737 4 years ago
Dianna is your aunt!
she is such a wonderful person
Thanks
dmccoig 3 years ago
My uncle lives in pocy i live 30 mins away. that place is old school
ballensince88 4 years ago
Thanks Ballensinc,
You nailed it, very Old School, like Log Cabin old school.
I think its one of the most unique places in the southeastern US.
dmccoig 4 years ago
My dad grew up on peel chestnut mountain (The Cranfills) where they have the pumpkin festival every year in Oct-its a great place to meet former residents of Poci. I never appreciated Poci as a kid but am very sad to see how it is crumbling today!!
pamcranfill 4 years ago
Thanks Pam,
I understand, The town is so unique, I hope they can save the character and the buildings.
Great info on the Pumpkin Fest as well
dmccoig 4 years ago
What grasps me most is the fact that you consider P to be OLD,compared to the UK those buildings are fairly modern,as is the mine.
silver760 4 years ago
I know, we hear that a bit from our friends across the pond, even in the USA borders it is like that if you travel out west, what they say is old doesnt seem so old here in the east.
please post some vids of your old buildings there, we would love to see them
thanks
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Dear Dan,
Sounds like a good idea!I'll see what I can do,I really want to go to the USA to see the old west etc,give me half a chance and I'd move there so I can own a gun and shoot again,and there is nothing worse than living on a poxy island,with 60million other people,most of them immigrants!
silver760 4 years ago
Love your movie clips
iyacker 4 years ago
Thank You so much
iyaker.
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Fascinating part of our history. I love the fact that the Opera House was above the courthouse and jail...if you had the misfortune to be locked up, at least you got some entertainment!!
cookingupastory 4 years ago
I never thought of that! I think your right,
The town had over 23 saloons at one time in their history, there was probably some entertained detainees at some point!
Thanks again
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Thank you for bringing home a little closer to me. It brings back quite a few good memories. I hope to see more.
amylynn17 4 years ago
Thanks amylynn,
we are working on more projects from this great little town!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Dan,
I live a little over an hour away from Pocahontas, VA and never knew anything about it. Great job on the video. The TV production will hopefully give the town more than 15 minutes of fame.
Steve Bowman Abingdon, VA
COKE4STEVE 4 years ago
Steve, Thanks so much for the kind words.
We just got back from Pocahontas, shooting Oral Histories from many area people. We plan to continue as long as people will talk to us. So many great people, stories, and friendly faces up there.
To quote Amy it was Awesome.
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Oh and they lived in a small mining town also (Wayland KY). So this was really interesting.
shadygal1969 4 years ago
Thank you shadygal,
We love KY as well! so many great places, Cumberland Gap, Berea, and my favorite childhood rest stop DOGPATCH!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
New Subscriber :) Glad I found your videos. My dad's family is from Eastern Kentucky and your vid's make me miss it but I love them keep them coming!
shadygal1969 4 years ago
Nice Job on the Video Dan....
Well Done
StellarChi 4 years ago
Thank You StellarChi,
We are working on some more from this wonderful place, stay tuned!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Been there in September - very nice to see the video again! Michael Fuchs, Germany
MiFuchs 4 years ago
Thanks Mifuch,
We went back up there on our way to Coalwood last week.. its still Awesome.
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
There is an excellent article in the Oct 8th Richmond Times Dispatch on Pocahontas Virginia!
Google it!
We hope great things come to Pocahontas because of the attention articles like this provide.
Best of luck Poca
Dan and Jan
dmccoig 4 years ago
You do such a great job covering the story. Keep the videos coming. Makes us want to travel more.
TennesseeShelties 4 years ago
My Grandfather was Charles Carter.
He lived just up the street from the Butt Coffin Company building you see in the video.
I remember going to the Opera House on Halloween for the "Haunted House" and the Company store.
GradyMusick 4 years ago
My great-grandfather was James Roberts Phipps.
He spent most of his time in the jail right by the Butt Coffin Company, right at the Opera House :-P
wellf00ku2then 4 years ago
I grew up in Pocahontas and was so sad to see the company store. I had so much fun in there as a child. I would love to see the whole town restored to its former glory! what a great tourist attraction it could be. My dad was in the maxwell house commerical that was filmed there in the 90's. we miss and love you Pocy!!
treeman2C 4 years ago
This town reminds me of Bisbee, Arizona. Similar story -- a boom and bust mining town that now is a shadow of its former self.
OpiumMuseum 4 years ago
My mom and dad grew up in Poci and I now live in Sierra Vista AZ-20 mins from Bisbee and I love both of these places!
pamcranfill 4 years ago
You must be related to Crump (Bobby) & George Cranfill????
amyjoflick 4 years ago
Yes they are my uncles-my dad was Thomas (the oldest) he passed away in 2000-my mother is Cora (maiden name Smith) you may know her sister Linda "Snuffy" Smith in Boissevain
pamcranfill 4 years ago
I spoke to Crump at the store a few hours ago and he said you were his niece! Nice to meet you! Come see us soon. Great changes soon to happen in Pocahontas! FINGERS CROSSED - we hope! Pocahontas is to TOUGH TO DIE & CRUMBLE!!
amyjoflick 4 years ago
What changes? We are planning to move back to Poci when my son graduates in 3 or 4 years-if you know of any land for sale (wooded land with no house) please let me know! It is nice to talk to you!
pamcranfill 4 years ago
Thank you for this. Historic sites are important for us to work out who we are, where we are from in our cultures. I must visit this town next time I'm in the US. God Bless +++The Saint+++
saintfletcher 4 years ago
My Aunt and Uncle live in Pocahontas.(The Carter Family)
The last time we went there was about 2 years ago,and are planning to visit again this year.
I am saddened at the collapse of the company store,and the storefronts on the main strip are probably going to fall soon too.
Nice job on the vid Dan.
choochin3 4 years ago
I know a bunch of Carters - I went to school with some....
psopst 4 years ago
Forgot to tell who I am - Pam Tabor.....my uncle was once the Chief of Police in Pocy.
psopst 4 years ago
I am saddened to see that the company store collapsed. I grew up in Pocahontas - graduating from PHS in 1983. I spent many a time in the store when it was a grocery store owned by Frankie Rodriguez....later the IGA. I have been in the opera house, the mine - everywhere in Pocy. Why doesn't the state of VA do something to save this historic place????????
psopst 4 years ago
Well the company store could have been saved if the Catron's hadn't let it go to ruin and not turn it over to the Town of Pocahontas until it was falling in.
laceyk99 4 years ago
Thanks for the info. - I didn't know that. Why in the heck did they wait until it was passed saving???
psopst 4 years ago
That's the Catrons unfortunately...
From what I understand, Tommy and the others on the town council acted quickly after the town got possession of it, but not quickly enough.
I recently moved back home to pocy for a short period of time, and it was worse than what's in the video. I think the Cricket is closed and now that the high school is closed, I think the town is pretty much doomed...
And I didn't mention who I was either...Lacey, graduated from PHS in 2001.
laceyk99 3 years ago
What a great Video! My Mom grew up in Pocahontas, (Eskut family) and they took all of us kids on a road trip there in the 70's. The video brought back a lot of memories. We visited the Coal mine and I still have the picture I took of the "Coal Wall" with my new polaroid camera. My mom pointed out her old high school (this was before it was torn down) and a couple of houses that her family had lived in.
dojanglover 4 years ago
I'm so glad to find this - we live a few hours from Pocahontas, and have visited several times, most recently last weekend. The falling-down buildings fascenate me, and I was really interested to find out what had happened to the company store, which was still standing our previous trip. It's an amazing town - the architecture is unbelievable.
swordfisht 4 years ago
That was really good.You covered things that I just love(history and old churches).:)
noahsark1962 4 years ago
kool
iseehaters 4 years ago
What a wonderful video...~ Thank you for sharing the story of Pocahontas... Its a real treat to listen/learn about the history of such a town... and to see such incredible architecture! Really amazing to think about what people endured too.
AnnieCanada 4 years ago
Thanks for the comment AnnieCanada! The architecture is amazing! I mean AMAZING ~ If you ever have a chance to see it in person please come before it is to late. It is awesome.
amyjoflick 4 years ago
Pocahontas - my home town. I saw the old company store on Friday night and Saturday morning it was on the ground. So sad but probably too late to save it anway. Thanks for the video.
powerguy765 4 years ago
This was a pretty informative video. We owe so much to the folk from the 1800's and early 1900's. They worked so hard and sacrificed so much for the next generations.
newenglandlady65 4 years ago
Thanks for the nice comment! I agree - those people worked so hard for so little. If you come to Pocahontas - please come to the Exhibition Coal Mine - you will leave there a different person.
amyjoflick 4 years ago
this an awesome video, especially since my sister was in it, there is alot of history in that town, Please talk to the old coal miners and see the tools they had to work with and the ones stricken with black lung from years of working in those conditions. I can smell the cornbread, granny's coleslaw, and baked Ham. YUMMMMM
sharonpole 4 years ago 2
Thanks Sharon,
September 3rd correct?
Is the reunion at the mine?
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
I only remember granny's chicken-n-dumplins! I can smell them though!!
amyjoflick 4 years ago
Fantastic video!
DaringSunshine 4 years ago 2
Wow, also Thank you for your generous comment!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
WOW...Very informative video. History is always so interesting to lean. Thanks so much for sharing this with the world. I had no clue...
*kisses*
therese
1butterflykiss 4 years ago 2
Thanks for your enthusiastic comment!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Interesting, Dan, fascinating. A 5 star tour!
Thank you very much! ;D
Lebanon, just up the road? Ummm, I love lebanese food! 8-P
phunnie99 4 years ago 2
You sir are a gem,
I always thought it odd that Virginia has a town named Lebanon, I am sure there is a reason, but for the most part I think the food we have eaten there when visiting my wife's hometown (one of them) was Hardee's
Ha ha
dmccoig 4 years ago
You could sell an all black tee shirt labeled "Lights Off"
phunnie99 4 years ago
It is good to read all the good comments about Pocahontas I have noticed the traffic has picked up since your video has been on utube keep up the good work,Coal Poke, it would be nice to have copies of the book to sell to help restore the company store.
coalpoke 4 years ago 2
Thanks Coalpoke,
I sent a note and offered to allow (for free) Tazewell County Historical Society, the rights to produce and sell both the book and DVD for Pocahontas benefit.
I'll let you know if I hear from them.
dmccoig 4 years ago
I have had alot of people ask me how to buy a copy of this video! & MY BOOK - I LOVE MY BOOK!(Smiling BIG & PROUD) Dan Is there any way possible we can get some copies here for the Coal Miners Reunion on Sept. 3rd. Email me on how to proceed and how much it will cost me .. maybe "coal poke" can contact me also??? and help me out ... I can't figure out who it is by the name!? Everybody please remember the Coal Miners Reunion on September 3rd also - ALL are invited ...
amyjoflick 4 years ago
nice video, cool :)
hillbillygill99 4 years ago
Thanks Hillbilly Gill!
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Dan, thanks for the video of Pocahontas, my home town. The town is rich in history and sad to see it today, but the legacy will continue with all of us who grew up there.
ducky1961 4 years ago
Your very welcome Ducky,
We were surprised at how vibrant the town is today, The people we met there are excited and enthusiastic about the town and history. So I think the future of Pocahontas is a bright one.
dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Hi Dan, This is so exciting to see that someone has taken the time to visit Pocahontas and the video is outdstanding.I too, feel that the future will be brighter for the community. My grandfathercame to America 1918 from Bulgaria worked in the mines as my dad aand family did. I was born in Boissevain abt.3 miles past Pocahontas so yes I am proud of my home land and hertiage. Thank you so much for taking the time to explore our home place and helping us keep it alive..
evewelch 4 years ago
Wow, what a nice note Eve.
We drove out to Boissevain, its a great place as well
Thanks you and you have a great deal to be proud of
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Pocahontas is very much alive and well come and visit us you will have a good time going to the mines and all the other Historic sites around town.The coal Miners reunion is on Labor Day every year Sept.3ard you can talk with the men that worked in the mines,they have some good stories about mining.
coalpoke 4 years ago
Thanks Coal Poke,
It does sound fun, But the main question I have is,.. will there be BBQ? at the reunion?
Just kidding about the bbq, but it sounds great and I think people would love the Mine tour..
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
No BBQ, just beans and cornbread, slaw.
coalpoke 4 years ago
Thats like eatin dinner at my Moms house!
I like beans and good cornbread!
Thanks
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
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asteroidman 4 years ago
martinsuper: the town you are refering to is centrailia(spelled wrong) anyway it is pretty creppy but if go on some of the trails theres the sweet smoke vents(also can see smoke on cold overcast days)
tadpolesam 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
1997 a girl called lauren was walikng in a forest and then a she just dissapeared no one ever found her untill 2000 when a yoing girl called Mary found her body and markings on her chest saying: I wasnt pretty enough" and now you have read this she will appear in your mirror saying your not pretty enough and kill you. by the way the girl called mary died shortly after.
To be saved paste this to 5 other videos. THIS TRUE
Enigma71 4 years ago
Oh!! Ilive right near there. Sometimes I go walking there in the little town. There's a nice little park, and some of my friends go to Poci High. (Slang for the town name) ^__^
JTHMDEZZY 4 years ago
I drove through a small town in Pennslvania that had all burned but two houses. The houses were all built wall to wall so the two remaining houses were really tall and skinny facades. The rest of the whole town was a green field with roads and sidewalks seperating it into parcels. It was CREEPY.
martinsuper73 4 years ago
I live right by here, and many of my family worked in these mines...my great-grandfather was killed in a mine accident in McDowell County in 1937. My grandfather was 5 at the time, and his family says that after his father died, he still walked up the road every day hoping to meet him... Unfortunately, this area is full of these kinds of stories. People came from across an ocean in search of a better life, and many lost theirs in that search.
wellf00ku2then 4 years ago
Thank You wellf00ku2then,
That is such a sad story! Coal cost so many lives, and I admire the courage it took and takes for the men and women to do that job.
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Yay Poky :). When I was growing up we used to play Basketball against them and they were always really cool.
RobingdfelowsLady 4 years ago
Thanks for the nice comments and memories RFL
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I'm sorry. PLEASE DON'T READ THIS you will die in seven days if you don't post this comment on 10 videos in the next hour. if you do, tomorrow will be the best day of your life
Ihateyousomuchfcker 4 years ago
Lol- so you had a good time there?
OttoMaddock 4 years ago
I live in Abb's Valley where the Moore Fam Massacare took plce by the hands of Indians and to read some of the comments posted by eapatty01 and screwstone, I thought to myself, what gives them the right to talk about a place where they have either never been or never embraced. Pocahontas is a great little town and it saddens me to see it crumble and t be forgotten about. There is always one person or another trying to close our school or rip apart what is left of Pocahontas.
mathu07 4 years ago
Thanks Mathu07,
I think many people tell us what we cant do and why things are terrible etc.. But - anything is possible - If you just keep trying.
Thanks
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
good stuff
PitPat23 4 years ago
Thanks Pitpat23
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Thats nothing special compared to some of the stuff in West Virgina I've been to too many towns and not too many things are worse then some of the disasters in WV mines
JoeYankee555 4 years ago
AWESOME! I just had to say it one more time .....
I love the video !!! Come see us in Pocahontas.
Amy
amyjoflick 4 years ago
Thanks Amy,
It truly is the most Unique town we have ever been to.
Its a very special place and I hope people will go see it and stop by the Exhibition mine and say, Hey I saw you in that Pocahontas Video!
Thanks again, you guys are Awesome
dmccoig 4 years ago
its not va its wva
finalfantasyfan71490 4 years ago
Not it's in VA. It's very close to the stateline near Bluefield VA. There is a Pocahontas county in WV though.
ryehollow 4 years ago
oh okay yeah well i live in calhoun co...anyway what town then?
finalfantasyfan71490 4 years ago
This was a great video, and very sad what happened to the historic building just before your arrival. My grandfather lost an eye to a coal mine explosion, so I know this kind of history rather well, but have never seen the sites. Thanks for bringing it to us.
LadySofia 4 years ago
were the bars on the windows to keep people in or out ?
Does jazz and so many deaths go hand in hand ?
Andy.
1peoplesun 4 years ago
Hi Andy,
The bars in the photo were on the Powerhouse windows. The coal company produced and provided power to the entire town on its own. My guess is to keep people out, I am sure it was dangerous.
I am not sure, but Jazz does seem to create the mood for telling tales of the demise of many.
thanks
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
I smell racism in this video... : /
xXSCREWSTONEXx 4 years ago
From the late 1800's till now, men of all races, from all over the world have worked SIDE-by-SIDE in the coal mines around Pocahontas and received EQUAL PAY for their labors! Racism? Outside the mine was another story and no different than any other place in America.
Danny Sadler, Anawalt, WV
hondo1939 4 years ago
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Vizam123 4 years ago
Another fantastic history lesson !!
Keep them coming. I wonder if Dan will ever do a 30 minute history show?
He does such a great job at it.
evilborg 4 years ago
Hello EB,
I told my wife the Angel of Death said I should do a 30 minute TV show, after a long pause, she said the Angel of Death said she should get another credit card.. ha ha
Thank you very kind one
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
LOL well you do such a great job and I'm always longing for more info.
I find your videos very cool because I don't get to go to those places and if course there is so much history for our country that no one can see them all or even record them for the future.
Just keep them coming.....
evilborg 4 years ago
Pity!i don"t hear about the place.
ziyou66 4 years ago
Thank you for the comment zlyou66
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Pocahontas world famous fuel company ? never heard of it.
Biggy001 4 years ago
They fueled over 1/2 of America at one time. The Pocahontas Coal Vein runs from PA to AL. Unless I'm mistaken, (someone correct me if I am wrong please) They also sold coal to your home (Great Britian) as well to help fuel the Industrial Revolution all over the developed world in the early 1900s
Thanks
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
Biggy001: Don't know how old you are but the Pocahontas coal from the #3 seam was used to make the steel that was used to build the ships and tanks that were used to win World War I and World War II. So, It could even be said that without Pocahontas coal from Southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia we would not have won either of those wars.
hondo1939 4 years ago
boktan video:D
sexci0808 4 years ago
Thanks You, I think. as long as boktan doesnt mean a farm animal or something worse.
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago
I think you are becoming the new Charles Kuralt. He was from NC too.
Sockless.
celtborder 4 years ago
That might be one of the best compliments I have recieved, I mean minus the several secret families part.
Thanks Sockless, or actually sockful
dmccoig 4 years ago
wht is this
thekkenmala 4 years ago
This is a trip we took up to the Virginia Coal town of Pocahontas.
We just like to share some video and photos of interesting people and places.
thanks for the comment
Dan
dmccoig 4 years ago