Bluefield, Virginia/West Virginia: The Critical Railroad That Made Hitler’s Hit List

I lived in Bluefield, WVA 80’s,working for Moore’ Building Supplies down at RR tracks. Which I noticed in your video, is now a roofing company. Rented a room, room and board,across from YMCA, in a old Victorian house. The older lady, which was a friend of mine’s Grandmother, cooked 2 meals a day. Great experience living there.

I remember in 1960s my parents taking my sisters and I to Kresge's in downtown Bluefield. I could smell donuts before entering the store. Good memories.

Great video. Love that you inserted the old pictures of the buildings. Keep up the great work.

WOW! My sister and her husband who became a Baptist minister lived in Bluefield, WV two different times. The first time he was the manager of Montgomery Ward which closed years ago. They moved back to Bluefield once her husband Ron earned his degree. She and her husband remained in Bluefield for many years. I love Bluefield. If I recall, there is a main highway in Bluefield where if you are standing in the middle of the street straddling the double line, one foot will be in Bluefield, WV and the other in Bluefield, VA. I always thought that was very neat. I lived in Bluefield for one summer with friends. Thank you for bringing back such great memories Shane and Melody.

Maccado's moved to Bluefield, VA in the old Ryan's building. It's even better than before.

Thank you so much for this video,this brings back so many memories. When I was a teenager we lived about 1/4 mile to the right out of midway tunnel right beside Dairy Queen , I dated a girl that lived in midway I used to walk through that tunnel daily,my and her name’s were spray painted on the inside of that tunnel for years. I moved to North Carolina right after the blizzard of 93 that 4 and a half feet of snow was it for me and the fact that there were very few jobs available outside of fast food. Thank you again

Born, raised, and still live here. You did a good job. Thanks.

13:45, this famous train ,,, "The Pow town Arrow" one of the leading fast trains of the time. My uncle Casero Sells was one of the engineers of this record-breaking fast train.

Another great Appalachian video Shane and Melody. So much history in Bluefield that I didn't realize. Thanks so much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My aunt once taught English at Bluefield HS, I first golfed at Richwood off of Fincastle Turnpike, and my grandparents are buried at Grandview. Thank you!

Finally…Bluefield, WV. Great video. I’ve still got a lot of family there and they worked for the railroad. Bluefield has fallen on hard times, but their great positive spirit is still alive.

My Grandparents lived there and my Aunt and Uncle are still there!

My parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are born and raised either in Bluefield VA, or WVA. In late 1800s my great grandparents moved from Staffordville Va, to Bluefield VA. On my mothers side. My great grandfather was a painter/elixir seller to the the west VA coal miners. His partner made the elixir and he traveled to the coal mines to sell it. His partner had a son and my grandfather had a daughter who married and are my grandparents. Also, my grandfather’s partner had siblings in high places in Bluefield, such as a police officer, etc. in early 1900s my grandfather on my dad’s side came to Bluefield. He was a barber, and met my grandmother who worked for a diner at the railroad. My parents met in high school. I never lived in Bluefield. Dad joined the military before I was born, but I have fond memories from our family’s vacation visits home. I remember Mitchell stadium when my uncle would go to my cousins football games. She was a cheerleader for graham high. My uncle worked for the Bluefield newspaper, and my aunt for Montgomery wards. I remember the tunnel, and the Dairy Queen. Just went to the Dairy Queen for the comfort food slaw dog when my aunt and uncle passed away. Actually I remember it all, but did not know about Hitler

Love this historic, and beautiful part of Appalachia. I always learn so much from your videos by how you both deliver the historic content with humor and even Shane's singing. Hey, back in the day when I was in high school, the basketball coach from Bluefield State would often come to the my hometown outside of Akron to recruit players, and some good ones too. I also like the new way to contribute to your channel, and just used it, and will again. You both just keep getting better every video. Keep up the good work.

Another great video. The history of the Granada Theater was interesting including mentioning the actors who appeared there, especially Clark Gable. This wasn't Mr. Gable's first time in WV. During WW1 before he became famous, Clark Gable worked in the US government munitions plant for a few weeks in what is now Nitro, WV. I grew up in Nitro from 1950 when I was 2 years old until 1973 when I left to work for Southern Railway in Georgia. I know your focus is on smaller towns in Appalachia, however, Nitro has a wonderful museum that you might enjoy visiting some time in your journeys.

I really enjoyed this! Couldn’t help but notice there were almost no pedestrians on the streets, even in the downtown. I watched a video recently about Charleston WV and it was much the same— kind of a ghost town visually. Cheers!

This video has everything. Love the way you don't shy away from telling some of the darker history of the area, and you held true to that standard here. But you also share your endearing senses of humor! The "dueling agendas" -- singing Mel Street songs versus "telling my history" --- too funny! To top it all off, there was the "Tunnel of Fear" with the red light/green light access. It doesn't get better than that. Something for everyone. Godspeed to both of you! 💕

I am from Bluefield, VA and really enjoyed my trips to Bluefield, WV as a kid in the late '60's and early '70's. Thank you for sharing some of the details of these two wonderful communities. Your channel rocks and the information on Appalachia is solid and the wonderful people that helped form this country and have been overlooked and abused for far too long. I like your merch. store. How about a VA/WV state outline shirt with the two Bluefield's noted w/ red stars or such. Divided only by a state line.

So glad to see this. My daughter is working there for 3 months and I didn't know what the area was like.

What a great visit, thank you Shane and Melody!