Vicco, Kentucky: Once Labeled the “Coal Miner’s Vegas” By The New York Times Now Facing Hard Times
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Vicco, Kentucky: Once Labeled the “Coal Miner’s Vegas” By The New York Times
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Thank you! My home town many years ago! God Bless
I love these little adventures. Small town America is so charming and somewhat melancholy. How hard these miners worked with little or no rewards, bless them all.
Thanks for riding along with us
my father raised 24 kids on coal mine wages
You have very good videos. My family was from Knott Co. around Brinkley-Mallie. They moved up here in Southern Indiana in the 50's to work & remained up here.
I'm from Vicco it once was a thriving little town people grew up got their own family's and moved away I miss that place 🥺
As always, I enjoy these videos and learning about different places in Appalachia. My heart is quite heavy as I think about Ms. Loretta Lynn’s passing. Thank God for her legacy and the rich history of the region. ❤
Yes! Loretta Lynn’s passing was heartbreaking, she was a true icon in this area of the world
I did a lot of growing up next Vicco in Scuddy Holler. Vicco stands for Virginia Iron Coke and Coal Company
It’s Vick O =Vicco I live in Hazard love my hometown!!
My dad was from there. He lied in Gerges branch. Still have relatives there
Visited there in early summer. Rather passed through. My first time in Kentucky. The area was beautiful and loved the people.Vic like a Bic pen. My girlfriends fathers family lived in various coal camps in the area back in the 40's,50's and 60's.Vicco was one of them. Prayers to those affected by the flood.
Amen on the prayers for flood surviviors and victim’s families.
I guess a long i in the name, but if you spoke to locals and it's Vic like Bic pens, I stand corrected. But I still never heard of the place! 🙂
My husband lived there until he was 5 years old.Hes mow 82 almost 83. Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it, Dollie
Try asking the locals.
I just found you guys, living up in Canada I won’t be able to see Kentucky just yet, I came here after hearing the passing of Ms.Loretta Lynn, I grew up listening to her music as my mom was American. She was such a inspirational lady and will be greatly missed.
Yes, it was such heartbreaking news to hear of her passing - she was a true icon in our area and never heard anyone say a bad word about her
Another interesting video. I learn so much about that part of our country from y'all. America really does have a rich history that needs to be told. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Thank you Robert! - Melody
my hometown aint been back over 20 years
Ironic that this Kentucky town was shown on Loretta's passing. So peaceful. Another warm show from you both.
Loretta was from Butcher Hollow, near Van Lear in Johnson County, Kentucky. I work for the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands. A number of years ago, we did a project at her brother's house just down from their old homeplace, which is now a museum. Her brother, Herman Webb, ran a store on Miller Creek.
Yes, pure coincidence, this one has been scheduled for a few days in advance
That's where I was born and raised at.
Enjoyed, as always! Very beautiful area there in vicco . I love the old, laid back little towns, in this case city...I could listen to melody talk all day, such a sweet voice, and enjoy Shane's sense of humor...appreciate you 2...stay safe out there....God bless ....🙏❤
God bless you too, Ben
I believe Vicco was one of the areas in Kentucky that was flooded. My prayers still go out to the people who lost their homes and or loved ones during the horrific flood. I believe that you are the most adventurous and fun couple on TH-cam. You visit such interesting and unique places. Thank you for sharing the history of this little town. Stay safe.
Thanks for the kind words, that’s awesome to read
You two are so entertaining. I wait patiently for your new vids. It's a very welcome escape. I'm retired and get a little bored...you guys help alleviate that...so thanks and keep up the outstanding work
That’s awesome, thank you so much, Timothy!
The house with the tree on it was torn down. It is a short I. You should have turned right at the end of the bridge and gone up through the holler. I have a cabin up there. It's where I will take my last breath
sadly both sets of my Grand Parents are currently residing in the cemeteries near Vicco, Kentucky. my last Grand Mother passed away a dozen years ago and it has NEVER been the same since then. Rest In Peace Granny Bea
Thanks for sharing.
On the day we lost the “coal miners daughter “.
Right? 🥲🙏🏻
Another charmer! Thanks so much. One of the best parts was near the end when you mentioned that anyone who corrected your pronunciation of the word "Vicco" in a way that was rude...? "Well, we'll be prayin' for ya!" 😀 May I add a thought and a prayer for the friends fans and family of Loretta Lynn, the talented singer and song-writer who we lost today at age 90. She died in her beloved TN, and many a person who identified with her and her Daddy (who was of course a coal miner) will be missing her a lot. Rest in peace and rise in glory, Miss Loretta.
Yes, thanks for that - we were heartbroken to hear of Loretta Lynn’s passing too, terrible loss
It's Vicco to rhyme with sicko. Not Vicco to rhyme with psycho.
Perfect, thanks for helping to clear that up
Have you been to Whitesburg, KY? My grandfather was from there. From what I can tell they have some interesting architecture because of an influx of Italian craftsmen at some point. Also Appalshop and its festival. I don't know much else besides that and a recent disaster that hit. I've been meaning to go visit. Anyway thanks for your videos.!
We’ve been to Whitesburg but haven’t videoed there yet! We have it on the list! It is a great town! - Melody
Beautiful country, thanks again!
When I lived in Jeremiah close to Isom we had to drive to Vicco to get a case of beer because we lived in a dry county. Actually traveled from as far as Whitesburg to Vicco for the same thing. Your channel brings back a lot of memories for people.
That’s great, bringing back memories is one of the main reasons we do it
When all the counties were dry here it was either drive to Knoxville TN Richmond Ky or a bootlegger or ole moonshiner if you were lucky enough to know one
I always heard Jeremiah pronounced Jermar, it's a eastern Kentucky kentucky thing. Born in Whitesburg. Most Whitesburg people went to Pound Virginia for liquor and beer it's closer.
I have most always heard it pronounced Jermi in SW VA.When picking out names for our son, my husband came up with "Jeremy ". I said no because he would always be called Germy. LOL
name of the town is vicco
I love it when y’all show pictures from the hay days. I didn’t come along until the ‘50’ but it was all still fresh in the grownups minds. Brings back a lot of good memories ☮️ Go team Pepsi😎
You and Melody are on that Pepsi team together lol
Yes, the historic photos are great. As obscure as this town is, they were somehow available.
Very interesting! Melody, you have a beautiful voice so no need to change it. Thanks for another great one.
Thank you, Brenda
Enjoy watching
Thanks, James
Really enjoy your videos! I'm from NYC...so this is a part of the country I've never been to. Very interesting and beautiful. Thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting, Ed
that old house with tree on it dose that make t A tree house lol
In 1939 the tallest man in the world visited Vicco. Robert Wadlow 8ft 8 inches tall
Oh wow, that’s awesome, I remember reading about him in Ripleys Believe It or Not
Hi there..I have family that lives there..my grand paw and grand mam ..been there many times....
Thanks! Reminds me of places in far Western Maryland's coal country. Be safe in your travels!
Thanks so much, Vince
What a cool place to see, thank you Melody and Shane.
Thank you, Robin
Were that my family home, I would not let it fall to ruin. I know it was just a shack, the same as my home was but, the memories good and bad would be so easy to remember.
I know people move on and make new life’s but rather then let this place fall down, give it to a needy family so someone could have a place to fix up for their family.
I love traveling through all these towns with y’all.
Thanks for riding along with us, Kimberly
I enjoy your videos so much with the information about the towns you visit, but it would be so much more entertaining to myself and many other viewers if you would include some brief interviews of local people. This would add so much to how to pronounce Vicco and why it was 'Coal Miner's Vegas'. We have seen that from other videos you have posted.
We try whenever possible but it is MUCH more difficult than it would seem for numerous reasons. We love when it works out too
Maybe they're afraid of getting into a brawl. I've heard Appalachian people don't take kindly to strangers.
Always asked the mail man for the pronunciation of the town, Thanks for the Awesome Video !!!
Gotta find him first! Not many peopel around in this place.
Thank ya sir
i love your videos and your conversations. I can't wait to be back in the mountains again. Thanks for sharin all these cities/towns.
Thank you for watching and commenting, that’s what keeps us going
Yee haa big town
Nice drive. Thanks for the tour.
There used to be a Vicco coal camp in Wise County. Was outside of Coeburn.
I forgot all about that, thanks for the comment
Vicco pronounced like Sicco was a happening place in the 1960s. There was the stock auction, and all sorts of entertainment. But the new Rt15 bypassed the "city" of Vicco and severely reduced drive through traffic. I liked when Dad stopped there. My cousin married a girl from there.
Too bad that bypass was cut through the town. It did a lot of damage esthetically as well as economically.
Hey Mark Holbrook how do you pronounce Sicco?
@@benjamincalbert174 just like sicko
Footbridge
Vicco was named after Virginia iron coal and coke company. Was a very large company for its time.
Then I'd think it would be pronounced with a long I sounds, seeing as the word "Iron" starts with a long I.
Outlaw bad tom smith is buried in the church yard at the Old church on hwy 15.
Man do I wish I knew that, I wrote an article about him a few years ago
Love watching your video's! it's like taking a Sunday afternoon drive along with you LOL Your car must feel crowded at times LOL
We can fit a lot of folks into that old Corolla lol
I want to see this town eventually
Another town I have never heard of, lol. Cool video thanks for sharing. I love the pics you posted at the start of the video. Where do you find them? I like your hat also. It does something for you in a good way. Stay well & safe everyone.
We find the pics anywhere and everywhere we can, not a good answer but the truth lol. It is a LOT of work
Y'all were ten minutes from me!
That’s awesome
Good job
That sunset bouncing off your skin; you two were just "glowing".
You make it sound so good 😊
Vic co
Our little town in Missouri when I was a kid there was 104 people over half were under 18... From the last I hear 16 years ago there were 32 people left there and the druggies were running them out...
When I was looking for some land a few years back there were a few places in Vicco (VI co??) That were for sale. Needed a lot of work or a fresh start but the land looked good.
How much did they want for them?
@@1940limited it's was before the big price increases, 50 acres and a 3 bedroom 1 bath house, well and septic was going for about 60,000 house needed some touch up but nothing big.
100 acres 2 bedroom 1 bath. 2 wells on property, working septic, $70,000 no mineral rights. I was looking for places with a gas well and free gas with mineral rights and at least 40 acres. Should've bought back in 2008 - 2010 when prices were best. Ended up getting hurt at work so all that didn't happen.
Edit- I should add if I remember correctly, these 2 were on top of my list for not having free gas.
good ride guys. thanks
Thank you, Bobby
I luv small towns! They have such unique & colorful personalities! I thought a city consisted of a population of 25k or above w/ a certain amount of density/sq mile. So I 'googled' it ( and we all know that everything posted on google is 100% correct 😉) and found the following: "Minimum population requirement of 25,000 for new cities; existing cities have a minimum population requirement of 5,000. Cities must be at least 4 square miles in area, have a minimum population density of 1,000 people per square mile, and an assessed property valuation of $2,500 per capita." So based on that criteria, I'm not sure how Vicco is considered a 'city'. But none the less, it's a beautiful area!
Nearest town to me pop 8000 other closet town 1500 people south eastern ky Manchester & London ky
Strange how many tiny cities there are, way below that criteria
Love your channel
Thank ya so much, Nancy
If had to guess I'd say it's pronounced Vicoe, long i. Never heard of this place. You sure found an obscure one this time. And, as always, there's the railroad, too! Love these old coal mining towns. They deserve to see boom times again.
Makes sense to me, seeing as Iron uses a long i sound.
It’s small I as in (it)
My family is from there
Did you guys see Loretta Lynn pass away
Yes, that was heartbreaking. One of our favorite trips was visiting her old homeplace in Butcher Holler, Kentucky.
Vick--co = Vicco loll only way I knew to explain it lollll
gotcha lol, thank you
Another cool video! Although not gonna lie, thought my right headphone stopped working for a moment there lol
yeah our dadgum mic battery died and we didnt know it unfortunately
It is VICCO not Vico
People are leaving eastern Kentucky theirs no jobs
Sad situation
CoViD forced me into retirement. I moved to Clay County from San Diego CA. I've been told I'm not the first Californian to dump the big city and move to a rural area.
Looks like fun! Kennedy is such a cute little girl
Thank you so much
Vicco rhymes with sicko.
Thank you!
Shane and Melody 🤟❤️
Vik-o not vi-co 😂😂
Thank you! Haha
Vic as in Vick salve.
Thank you!
Where was the Imperial Club?
And it's pronounced like hiccup
Bless you for solving that mystery lol
Hahaha! That did not take long!
It’s like Vicki without the ki.
❤
I am so proud of where I am from!! It's not here but it's Kentucky! Thank you for showing love to KY nobody ever does!!
We always love our trips to Kentucky
@@realappalachia that's so great 🤍
It's very upsetting that you didn't even do the research to know how to pronounce the name properly!!! I love Appalachian history considering it's my history....born and raised in Hazard.....the name is Vicco.....pronounced like the name Victor....
Just to let you know if I didn't say it in the comment I do love watching these videos.....these old communities use to mean alot to ppl....now days this generation just doesn't care about the history of where they came from and what ppl back then had to live through just to survive.....my history and where I come from still means something....thank you for doing the videos you do so ppl can catch a glimpse of our past
And here I thought Kentucky was the way the military was, don't ask don't tell. So I have to stay away from there. I have to be where men are men and women are women.
Audio is only coming through the left channel unfortunately
Unfortunately one of our mics died on the trip and we had to make do with what we had