I was born in and spent every summer in Johnstown until I was 17 (parents' divorce arrangement/my family never expressing that they still wanted me in their lives). It has been 12 years since I have been back, and I constantly feel as if I have left a massive part of myself there. Your video made me feel as if I was back in the city that I miss so dearly. Thank you for making me feel as if I was back home.
Me Boy, you are a fantastic example of what's good with your generation! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to see your enthusiasm for Johnstown, its history and the pride you show in your town. I throughly enjoyed your video. I have maintained and avid interest in the Johnstown Flood for many years now and a Johnstown visit, along with the South Fork historic sites, remains on my bucket list. As a 69-year old, I better get my butt in gear but for the time being, thanks for your tour. BTW, your folks better be damn proud of you!
Joel Genung You should totally pay it a visit! it needs some love here.. I'm doing my best but its hard sometimes. Your comment was amazing and I thank you for that.. Much love to you & thanks for taking the time to watch!
It is tremendous to see the enthusiasm you have to try and showcase your city of Johnstown, PA.. You take ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT within the immeadiate area of Johnstown and the people these school districts have graduated throughout the years and only a few showed an effort to give back to this wonderful city. I truly hope you can be a real positive and bring back the luster of prosperity this city once possessed.
Thank you for showing the good of Johnstown. All you hear is the bad and it's depressing. You have such an awesome personality and I could so see you being someone I would hang out and go on adventures with! Keep up the awesome work! You're gorgeous inside and out! Much love!
Born, and raised in J-Town. In Bon-Air actually. Live in Reading, PA now. Lived in Ephrata, and Akron. I miss Johnstown mainly because of the attitude of the general populace. And none of the other places I've been in do x-mas like J-Town. Very hearty, very light hearted, very family oriented people. There are a lot of things that 'look' run-down, or dilapidated. All of the old buildings. Even the fence on your left at the beginning of the video. I'm sitting here like "WoW that thing is 99% rust now. How's it still there?" But that is J-Town. Every thing, and every body is just there doing what their suppose to do until it falls over. Which is a blessing, and a curse. So much preserving of heritage, and history. And there's not even an emphasis to do so. It's just second nature. The town itself is very old looking, very rustic, and slightly depressing. I live in Reading. The poorest city in the U.S. with an extreme crime rate. And I believe the 'look' of J-town would slowly overtime make my neighbors depressed. But the people of Johnstown have thicker skin. This might seem like a put down put it really isn't. Yea I'm sitting here like "WoW how is that?, Look at how old that is now!" But at the same time I'm like "It is what it is, that's my town." I was more of a forest dweller anyway. I use to know every trail, and bike path all over the hills that surrounded Johnstown. I loved discovering a big wide open area with a perfect view of the big soup bowl Johnstown. You mention every where looks like a movie set. J-town was for several movies. "All the Right Moves" of coarse, "Slapshot" which is a hockey movie that not only used a diferent name for Johnstown, but also painted the town in a bad light. And also the movie "Rock Star" most of which was filmed in Pittsburgh. But the whole opening sequence, and 20% of the rest was filmed in Johnstown. A whole different attitude that I miss dearly. Maybe one day I'll be back.
Kind of sad. I too, was born and raised in Johnstown. My dad moved the family to southern California. The best thing he ever did for the family. Nice to visit but not to live!
Gary, you should be Johnstown's official goodwill ambassador! I love my hometown too. Born and raised here. I stayed and we raised our family here. I can't imagine living anywhere else. With enthusiasm like yours, this city can be great again! I enjoyed your video and keep em coming! Thanks for the great tour!
Love the video, mate. My Dad’s side of the family is from Indiana, PA. I remember my grandparent bringing me to Johnstown to show me the flood museum and stuff. I will have to make a return trip this summer and check it out again. God bless, m8
I'm a sophomore and I always talk about how I can't wait to graduate and get out of Johnstown because there is nothing here for me but it's cool to see that someone is so positive about this town and shows how beautiful it really is
Awesome video! Love your positive attitude! I'm one of the people trying to make a difference in our small town. I'm the guy that pitched the idea of the big animated Christmas Tree in Central Park to the Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership and the guy that did the technical work. There are many people that care about our town and want to make it better, but we need more!!! We also need more people to start shopping and dining downtown. If more people hang out in downtown then more businesses will want to be there. Vice versa, if there were more desirable businesses downtown then more people would want to be there. I've also found that there are a lot of negative people in our area and those people do whatever they can to bash any positive thing others do. We need to snuff out the negativity!!! Thanks again for putting together such a cool video!!!
Also born and raised in Johnstown. Still remember the flood of 77. I remember walking to downtown and going to Gloser-brothers (hope I spelled it right). After they closed it seems the downtown area died. I remember the filming All The Right Moves and going down to the point. They would give you a tickets for free hotdogs and a drink. My family still lives there. What a shame how far that great town has fallen. Best of wishes to the people of Johnstown but I won't be moving back.
@@MakkMar7 Yes. Definitely a BIG adjustment from Maryland. It’s run poorly here in my opinion. I don’t see nothing good happening here. It seems like people just buy houses here, fix them up an rent them out. Definitely not a kid friendly place, not much to do unless your driving far away from Johnstown.
I am always looking at the cheap properties that are nice homes in Johnstown to just buy a home away from the hustle and bustle to get away for the weekend once in awhile. Not as an investment property and rent it out, just for me when I want to get away. I am still learning about Johnstown but I like it so far. I have visited a few times already.
Kudos to you for showing what Johnstown could be again. You would have loved it when I was young. 50's and 60's. Feeding the pigeons in the park and they had a cute pigeon house, Glosser Bros. Dept store /bus stop the display windows with Christmas scenes and animated elves! Penn Traffic Dept store's displays at Christmas! Both stores were unbelievable! Selling hot nuts and sugar wafers on the first floor. Each floor had magic! I think the third floor had a record section if you wanted to buy your first record! It was a magical place, a magical time. Never to have that beauty of innocence, discovery, cleanliness and just plain wonderment of what all we were free to enjoy! Never again to come.
My dad worked at Glosser Bros & always tells me all the amazing stories from when he was younger growing up here. I wish I could’ve experienced it so badly!!!!!
I bought my wedding gown at Penn Traffic 1962 and had many lunches at Glossers cafeteria and hot dogs and cherry pie at Franklin St diner. ( was always afraid of the park pigeons!!) Best to you!!! fran in NM now since 1965
I'm from Johnstown PA. I love it We need to work together and bring it back to its full glory. My 7th g grandfather founded y, Joseph John's founded it!! Thank you for showing its beauty! We need to bring it back to its glory years!!!!
I stumbled across this video. Thank you for making it. I grew up in Johnstown in the early 60s.I have fond memories of feeding pigeons in the park, Coney Island hot dogs and shopping at Glosser Brothers. I still remember they have a big table with comic books for sale. My family lived there for generations before we left after the steel mill closed. My mother was in the flood in the 1936 and we grew up on that story. Its sad to see this town die. I know this video is 7 yrs old but I really loved Gary's positive attitude and enthusiasm. What a happy person. I hope life has been kind to him.
Your positive attitude, sincere smile and genuine love of your city are truly refreshing. I visit J-town about once a month to hit the thrift stores. It's a great day trip--I live about an hour away. So many interesting things to see--just wish some of the grand old stores like Glosser Brothers and Penn Traffic were still around. Coney Island is a one of a kind experience!
And how about Franklin lunch...right across from the park. Yummy hotdogs. And then Johnstown Central High...grad 1954. Sad it's gone along with Joe Johns Jr. Hi. Shucks!!! Been in NM 50 yr.s Best to you PS I bought my wedding dress at Penn Traffic. sigh!
I love your enthusiasm! I live in Binghamton, NY and my wife is from Johnstown. She moved here in 2009. But Johnstown is our 2nd home. I love going back there, I can't explain it but I love the history and the town. You should run for Mayor and change things in the town. Whatever don't stop being who you are and your ambition.
I use to live in Somerset. I was searching for videos of and around the area. so I looked up Johnstown and up popped this video. you are inspiring and your outlook on life is incredible. you should totally be an inspirational speaker. keep hammering the videos out people are listening brother. now including myself and my family. live well.
Hey, I visited your town ten years ago, I loved it, it's gritty and weird and has an awesome history. I remember the views from the car park. Thanks for the memories. Please make a new video of your town. Eoin, Ireland.
omg your enthuasium is EVERYTHINGGGGGGG I just moved to Johnstown in August and I absolutely love it... I take at least 15 pictures a day. its is so beautiful here.. and its literally a gold mine for a person with a vision and a solid plan... much love and respect...SN.. I just knew u was going to the Camtran station to charge up.. thats my charging spot... also central park has outlets :-)
Thanks for this video. It brought back some fond memories. I was born in Johnstown in 1960 moved to Dunlo in 1963 but because of the very high unemployment I left for Phoenix, Arizona in 1989 and have lived there ever since. Keep up the great work and make some more Johnstown related videos
Positive vibes Keep smiling expecially through your eyes Keep positive change the city a little at a time I just turned 70 and trying to make my community that i love better We are trying to get a bike trail here in North Huntingdon Pa 15642 Keep us updated on your vision Build off the bike trails in your community Brings businesses Good Luck
Went to Pitt Johnstown and I see what Johnstown as become in other cities across this country. I wish you could have seen it when I was little. Going to the store for breakfast with Santa was so special -- that was a good Johsntown memory for me. You are a breath of fresh air and I am so encouraged that you see the potential that is still left in flood city.
Love your enthusiasm and it reminds me of myself when I first moved to southern Astoria LIC Queens which still had parts that were quite dreary looking and had significant crime - around Queens Plaza. Now it is completely changed for the better. Hope you can come out to this part of NYC.
Thanks for the small tour, i lived in johnstown in the 40's as a child, lived on Bell Alley in Hornerstown, at the entrance to Hienz Co. There was an ice plant behind our house, the smell was bad but we enjoyed living there. My dad had a radio and appliance store on Horner St. Buds Radio and Appliance Repair Shop. Just up the street was Gobb's bakery. I return from time to time and wish it was better there now but it is the same most places, hoping johnstown can grow once again. 78 now and hope i get back again soon.
I enjoyed your video. I give it an A+. I was born in Johnstown and lived there during the '77 Flood. In spite of the city's current state, it always brings a smile to my face. A lot if things to do and see there like the Flood Museum, The Incline Plane, The Heritage Discovery Center. I like to indulge in comfort when I get there. Scott's By Dam and The Deli Six Pack have the best subs around. I can't wait to go back as soon as this pandemic passes. I would like to check out the new sports bar there called Fetz's. The same place where the Point Pub and Jerry's Lounge was. I'm happy to see that the city's heart is still beating.
Grew up in Johnstown. Lived in Ferndale. Moved to Dallas in 79 to find work after the steel mills closed. Wish things would have been different. I never would have left.
Same here. We left in 86 due to lack of work. We got tired of constantly stuggling financially. My husband was a manager at A&P and when they closed the Altoona division, he was out of work. We tried for a few more years to hang on, but when my job closed up as well, we had to make the hard choice to leave. We had a cute little starter house on Park Ave. in Moxham. We had dreams of working hard and buying our forever home in a few years and either selling or renting out our little "Moxham Cottage". Now, 35 years on, I see our lovely little cottage is sitting in disrepair and is for sale. So sad. I was considering buying it again as a vacation home for us, but my sister said Moxham is a crime ridden area now and not to do it. That is really sad because we loved living there and would pop into each other's homes for cake and coffee etc. Had a real homey feel there. I do hope she is wrong about Moxham.
I was born and raised in Johnstown and I had to move when I was 7. I miss it so much. It was beautiful, the people were so nice. I miss it so much. Now I live in Rand, West Virginia. I mainly miss the Sheets xD I don't have any near me. so many memories happened in Johnstown
Abby Mihelic I feel you I was born near Johnstown and I moved to Missouri and I miss sheets so so much!! My grandparents live like 10 minutes walk from where he is. They need to bring this amazing city back that has just died. I don’t want to move back to pa because all my friends are here but I am excited to move back for sheetz, fishing and being able to have land to shoot!!
Love the attitude you have for OUR city. It really has the potential to be great again, just need more people with a positive attitude like you. If you even want any cool shots from up on the hill, let me know. One or 2 really good overlooks.
My aunt worked at Penn Traffic in the 60’s or maybe it was Woolworths. Do you know those stores? My grandma lived there and all my cousins, aunts and uncles. All have left or died. Thanks for the video, keep up the positive attitude!
So glad I saw this video. I turned 40 over the weekend, but was born and spent the first ten years of my life as a Johnstown native. I love and miss that town every day. I get back every so often....I always make sure to grab a dog at Coney Island. It's cool to see they are still doing those little houses in Central Park. They were doing those when I was a kid...and then, right behind it, you'd wait anxiously for them to unveil the Christmas Window at Glosser's....and visit Santa at The Richland Mall. *sigh*. I bring friends back for filming/photography days every once in a while. Maybe we can colab some time. Good stuff!
Great video dude Johnstown has been my home for 55 years I only left once for 2 years but of course I came back home!! We are some good people here in Johnstown yeah we got our share a crap but what city doesn't!? Thanks for sharing your day with us more people need to be as upbeat as you!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New year too! 😊
Dude, I know exactly, like EXACTLY what you mean when you see photo shoot/movie/video opportunities everywhere. Places that have character are always photogenic and interesting in any state of repair.
Glad you like Johnstown I left in the 80s because of no work available, came back retired and wish I never purchased a house there! The crime is off the hook, it's dirty, if someone breaks into your house don't expect the police to help in anyway if you have insurance on your home it's basically useless when the police won't even show up at the house??? If you're looking for cheap living and want to handle things yourself (hopefully you don't get arrested for doing so) it's a great city. What I see is a pit in the mountains where all the trash collects at the bottom. Sorry but that's my 2 decades of experience of the town. You can put sugar on rotten fruit but it's still rotten underneath.
Opening photo....Market St'?.....many walks in the neighborhood when attending Joe Johns jr. high....1952. Then over the bridge to Johnstown Central. thanks for the memories. Fran in NM since 1966.
I'm originally from Clarksburg West Virginia that suffered a similiar industrial decline that was glass instead of steel,it suffered a population decline from a peak of 32,000 to 16,000 in the 2020 census.Johnstown peaked at around 67,000,in the 2020 census it is now 18,500 even more dramatic.Housing is cheap in Johnstown though if you don't want to get tied down on a big mortgage.
@@ThatManNamedGary Do you know if that's still the case? I've heard with the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, housing prices have been steeply increasing across the country.
Who would dislike this video? Theres one dislike. Whats not to like about this video? Its just him showing us his city. stay positive. Just subscribed :)
Just came across this. Jtown is awesome! Was raised here on Benshoff hill (Middle Taylor). Now I'm living downtown. You walked past my apartment on Walnut Street twice! Thanks for the great vid.😁
Nice video! I stopped in Johnstown on the way to Hershey, PA once in 2017. I thought it was a neat town. I remember that park and a museum nearby. Also a really old record store.
I have been on the top of that building too. I am from Johnstown and used to go there with my sister a lot. It's great to see you are putting use to the love that exists in this world. I am planning on coming back to Johnstown to rebuild. Learning the skills to bring them home. Send me an email. I'd love to chat about the future and what we can do! PS: Buy a treat / drink / coffee/ tea from Press Bistro downtown and you can charge up there no doubt. ~Chantel
I was born in Johnstown, since then ive lived in tons of other places but I always love going back because like you said, it smells so good! lol the smell alone reminds me of being a little kid. The one thing you said was "all these people and no one can come up witha business plan?" well its not really that, its the cost to use those buildings is priced outside the range of people willing to use them. Which is a shame that people would rather it be a ghost town than to let SOMEONE use it for SOMETHING. About 6 years ago I moved to a really small town called Washington NC and I used to walk around exploring like this too. There are some really neat buildings on main st that are just... empty. Like I said, upon further research I realized they were empty because the people that owned them would rather they be empty than to let someone use them for a "discount" shits terrible brother. I really loved this video man, thank you for making it. I'll make one and show you my town.
This is crazy seeing someone from my home that's so happy, it'd be dope to talk one day, moved when I was 9 I live in Tampa Florida thank you for showing something I have so much love for
Younger guy myself from Johnstown! Hoping to see the city thrive again as well. We have to many historic buildings on the verge of collapse for another parking lot. I'm glad i'm not the only one who appreciates this town and envisions a thriving revived future.
I’m planning on moving to Johnstown, and I’ve seen a lot of people saying not to move there because it’s a dead/dying city. People like you make me excited to get out there. A city only dies when it’s people give up on it, and you don’t seem like the guy who would give up what he loves.
You are so beautiful, inside and out, and so wonderfully optimistic and positive. It was a pleasure watching this video. I wish you sll the lucj and success in the world. Please take care if yourself. You look like someone problematic personalities would love to use and abuse. I hope you develop plenty of life experience with minimal pain and suffering. People like you make the world a truly better place. Thank you for posting.
dude my grandparents own our sons i lived in Johnstown till i was 13 then i moved to Altoona stay positive man if everyone looked at Johnstown like you do it would be way better off
I was born in and spent every summer in Johnstown until I was 17 (parents' divorce arrangement/my family never expressing that they still wanted me in their lives). It has been 12 years since I have been back, and I constantly feel as if I have left a massive part of myself there. Your video made me feel as if I was back in the city that I miss so dearly. Thank you for making me feel as if I was back home.
What a happy, young fellow. I'm from Johnstown Originally. Now in Orlando, Fl since 1978
Rebecca S me to🤗
Me Boy, you are a fantastic example of what's good with your generation! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to see your enthusiasm for Johnstown, its history and the pride you show in your town. I throughly enjoyed your video. I have maintained and avid interest in the Johnstown Flood for many years now and a Johnstown visit, along with the South Fork historic sites, remains on my bucket list. As a 69-year old, I better get my butt in gear but for the time being, thanks for your tour. BTW, your folks better be damn proud of you!
Joel Genung You should totally pay it a visit! it needs some love here.. I'm doing my best but its hard sometimes. Your comment was amazing and I thank you for that.. Much love to you & thanks for taking the time to watch!
It is tremendous to see the enthusiasm you have to try and showcase your city of Johnstown, PA.. You take ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT within the immeadiate area of Johnstown and the people these school districts have graduated throughout the years and only a few showed an effort to give back to this wonderful city. I truly hope you can be a real positive and bring back the luster of prosperity this city once possessed.
Thank you for showing the good of Johnstown. All you hear is the bad and it's depressing. You have such an awesome personality and I could so see you being someone I would hang out and go on adventures with! Keep up the awesome work! You're gorgeous inside and out! Much love!
Born, and raised in J-Town. In Bon-Air actually. Live in Reading, PA now. Lived in Ephrata, and Akron. I miss Johnstown mainly because of the attitude of the general populace. And none of the other places I've been in do x-mas like J-Town. Very hearty, very light hearted, very family oriented people.
There are a lot of things that 'look' run-down, or dilapidated. All of the old buildings. Even the fence on your left at the beginning of the video. I'm sitting here like "WoW that thing is 99% rust now. How's it still there?" But that is J-Town. Every thing, and every body is just there doing what their suppose to do until it falls over. Which is a blessing, and a curse. So much preserving of heritage, and history. And there's not even an emphasis to do so. It's just second nature.
The town itself is very old looking, very rustic, and slightly depressing. I live in Reading. The poorest city in the U.S. with an extreme crime rate. And I believe the 'look' of J-town would slowly overtime make my neighbors depressed. But the people of Johnstown have thicker skin. This might seem like a put down put it really isn't. Yea I'm sitting here like "WoW how is that?, Look at how old that is now!" But at the same time I'm like "It is what it is, that's my town."
I was more of a forest dweller anyway. I use to know every trail, and bike path all over the hills that surrounded Johnstown. I loved discovering a big wide open area with a perfect view of the big soup bowl Johnstown.
You mention every where looks like a movie set. J-town was for several movies. "All the Right Moves" of coarse, "Slapshot" which is a hockey movie that not only used a diferent name for Johnstown, but also painted the town in a bad light. And also the movie "Rock Star" most of which was filmed in Pittsburgh. But the whole opening sequence, and 20% of the rest was filmed in Johnstown.
A whole different attitude that I miss dearly. Maybe one day I'll be back.
So happy I came across this! I was born and raised there. Johnstown will always be home for me!
Kind of sad. I too, was born and raised in Johnstown. My dad moved the family to southern California. The best thing he ever did for the family. Nice to visit but not to live!
DUDE!!! You're so positive and happy! so cool! There should be more sunshines like you.
Gary, you should be Johnstown's official goodwill ambassador! I love my hometown too. Born and raised here. I stayed and we raised our family here. I can't imagine living anywhere else. With enthusiasm like yours, this city can be great again! I enjoyed your video and keep em coming! Thanks for the great tour!
Love the video, mate. My Dad’s side of the family is from Indiana, PA. I remember my grandparent bringing me to Johnstown to show me the flood museum and stuff. I will have to make a return trip this summer and check it out again. God bless, m8
I'm a sophomore and I always talk about how I can't wait to graduate and get out of Johnstown because there is nothing here for me but it's cool to see that someone is so positive about this town and shows how beautiful it really is
I love your enthusiasm. I have visited and will come back.
Awesome video! Love your positive attitude! I'm one of the people trying to make a difference in our small town. I'm the guy that pitched the idea of the big animated Christmas Tree in Central Park to the Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership and the guy that did the technical work. There are many people that care about our town and want to make it better, but we need more!!! We also need more people to start shopping and dining downtown. If more people hang out in downtown then more businesses will want to be there. Vice versa, if there were more desirable businesses downtown then more people would want to be there. I've also found that there are a lot of negative people in our area and those people do whatever they can to bash any positive thing others do. We need to snuff out the negativity!!! Thanks again for putting together such a cool video!!!
grafs, tags, art, the only solution to express yourself and change things around us!
Keep the good vibes flowing!
Thank you! Love my Jtown ❤🇺🇸❤
Also born and raised in Johnstown. Still remember the flood of 77. I remember walking to downtown and going to Gloser-brothers (hope I spelled it right). After they closed it seems the downtown area died. I remember the filming All The Right Moves and going down to the point. They would give you a tickets for free hotdogs and a drink. My family still lives there. What a shame how far that great town has fallen. Best of wishes to the people of Johnstown but I won't be moving back.
I'm from Philadelphia but my father was born in Johnstown. My grandparents buried there. Haven't been there since early 70's
my dad's family is from Johnstown and I know it well. This guy is GREAT!
Thank you Vince!
2019 my husband and I are relocating there from Maryland. I absolutely love Johnstown. #BringBackJTown
Did you make the move, how is it?
@@MakkMar7 Yes. Definitely a BIG adjustment from Maryland. It’s run poorly here in my opinion. I don’t see nothing good happening here. It seems like people just buy houses here, fix them up an rent them out. Definitely not a kid friendly place, not much to do unless your driving far away from Johnstown.
I am always looking at the cheap properties that are nice homes in Johnstown to just buy a home away from the hustle and bustle to get away for the weekend once in awhile. Not as an investment property and rent it out, just for me when I want to get away. I am still learning about Johnstown but I like it so far. I have visited a few times already.
Kudos to you for showing what Johnstown could be again. You would have loved it when I was young. 50's and 60's. Feeding the pigeons in the park and they had a cute pigeon house, Glosser Bros. Dept store /bus stop the display windows with Christmas scenes and animated elves! Penn Traffic Dept store's displays at Christmas! Both stores were unbelievable! Selling hot nuts and sugar wafers on the first floor. Each floor had magic! I think the third floor had a record section if you wanted to buy your first record! It was a magical place, a magical time. Never to have that beauty of innocence, discovery, cleanliness and just plain wonderment of what all we were free to enjoy! Never again to come.
My dad worked at Glosser Bros & always tells me all the amazing stories from when he was younger growing up here. I wish I could’ve experienced it so badly!!!!!
I bought my wedding gown at Penn Traffic 1962 and had many lunches at Glossers cafeteria and hot dogs and cherry pie at Franklin St diner. ( was always afraid of the park pigeons!!) Best to you!!! fran in NM now since 1965
I'm from Johnstown PA. I love it We need to work together and bring it back to its full glory. My 7th g grandfather founded y, Joseph John's founded it!! Thank you for showing its beauty! We need to bring it back to its glory years!!!!
Really?! That’s amazing!! We should definitely connect & discuss ideas sometime!
I stumbled across this video. Thank you for making it. I grew up in Johnstown in the early 60s.I have fond memories of feeding pigeons in the park, Coney Island hot dogs and shopping at Glosser Brothers. I still remember they have a big table with comic books for sale. My family lived there for generations before we left after the steel mill closed. My mother was in the flood in the 1936 and we grew up on that story. Its sad to see this town die. I know this video is 7 yrs old but I really loved Gary's positive attitude and enthusiasm. What a happy person. I hope life has been kind to him.
Your positive attitude, sincere smile and genuine love of your city are truly refreshing. I visit J-town about once a month to hit the thrift stores. It's a great day trip--I live about an hour away. So many interesting things to see--just wish some of the grand old stores like Glosser Brothers and Penn Traffic were still around. Coney Island is a one of a kind experience!
And how about Franklin lunch...right across from the park. Yummy hotdogs. And then Johnstown Central High...grad 1954. Sad it's gone along with Joe Johns Jr. Hi. Shucks!!! Been in NM 50 yr.s Best to you PS I bought my wedding dress at Penn Traffic. sigh!
Thank you for this video and for the smiles you are sharing with everyone. :)
I love your enthusiasm! I live in Binghamton, NY and my wife is from Johnstown. She moved here in 2009. But Johnstown is our 2nd home. I love going back there, I can't explain it but I love the history and the town. You should run for Mayor and change things in the town. Whatever don't stop being who you are and your ambition.
I use to live in Somerset. I was searching for videos of and around the area. so I looked up Johnstown and up popped this video. you are inspiring and your outlook on life is incredible. you should totally be an inspirational speaker. keep hammering the videos out people are listening brother. now including myself and my family. live well.
I love Johnstown and miss it everyday!!! I wish more people knew about it
Hey, I visited your town ten years ago, I loved it, it's gritty and weird and has an awesome history. I remember the views from the car park. Thanks for the memories. Please make a new video of your town. Eoin, Ireland.
Cool stuff...thanks for showing
omg your enthuasium is EVERYTHINGGGGGGG I just moved to Johnstown in August and I absolutely love it... I take at least 15 pictures a day. its is so beautiful here.. and its literally a gold mine for a person with a vision and a solid plan... much love and respect...SN.. I just knew u was going to the Camtran station to charge up.. thats my charging spot... also central park has outlets :-)
Thanks for this video. It brought back some fond memories. I was born in Johnstown in 1960 moved to Dunlo in 1963 but because of the very high unemployment I left for Phoenix, Arizona in 1989 and have lived there ever since. Keep up the great work and make some more Johnstown related videos
Positive vibes Keep smiling expecially through your eyes Keep positive change the city a little at a time I just turned 70 and trying to make my community that i love better We are trying to get a bike trail here in North Huntingdon Pa 15642 Keep us updated on your vision Build off the bike trails in your community Brings businesses Good Luck
you should of went on the incline plane you would of got some better shots of the view
Went to Pitt Johnstown and I see what Johnstown as become in other cities across this country. I wish you could have seen it when I was little. Going to the store for breakfast with Santa was so special -- that was a good Johsntown memory for me. You are a breath of fresh air and I am so encouraged that you see the potential that is still left in flood city.
Great guide, love your energy.
Love your enthusiasm and it reminds me of myself when I first moved to southern Astoria LIC Queens which still had parts that were quite dreary looking and had significant crime - around Queens Plaza. Now it is completely changed for the better. Hope you can come out to this part of NYC.
Thank you. My father is from Johnstown.
Thanks for the small tour, i lived in johnstown in the 40's as a child, lived on Bell Alley in Hornerstown, at the entrance to Hienz Co. There was an ice plant behind our house, the smell was bad but we enjoyed living there. My dad had a radio and appliance store on Horner St. Buds Radio and Appliance Repair Shop. Just up the street was Gobb's bakery. I return from time to time and wish it was better there now but it is the same most places, hoping johnstown can grow once again. 78 now and hope i get back again soon.
Remember the old Log Cabin Tavern at the bottom of Hawes Pike??? Lived next door in the gas station. All gone now.
I was born there and enjoyed your video-- keep pushing for Jtown- lots and lots of good people there!
My first time visiting Johnstown on Wednesday, 7/8/20. Excited..
Johnstown is a good place with nice people
It's so cool to find more people that live in the same city as me! :3
I was born and raised in Johnstown PA graduated 1984 from Johnstown Vo-Tech move to Washington DC after graduation
I enjoyed your video. I give it an A+. I was born in Johnstown and lived there during the '77 Flood. In spite of the city's current state, it always brings a smile to my face. A lot if things to do and see there like the Flood Museum, The Incline Plane, The Heritage Discovery Center. I like to indulge in comfort when I get there. Scott's By Dam and The Deli Six Pack have the best subs around. I can't wait to go back as soon as this pandemic passes. I would like to check out the new sports bar there called Fetz's. The same place where the Point Pub and Jerry's Lounge was. I'm happy to see that the city's heart is still beating.
Grew up in Johnstown. Lived in Ferndale. Moved to Dallas in 79 to find work after the steel mills closed. Wish things would have been different. I never would have left.
Same here. We left in 86 due to lack of work. We got tired of constantly stuggling financially. My husband was a manager at A&P and when they closed the Altoona division, he was out of work. We tried for a few more years to hang on, but when my job closed up as well, we had to make the hard choice to leave. We had a cute little starter house on Park Ave. in Moxham. We had dreams of working hard and buying our forever home in a few years and either selling or renting out our little "Moxham Cottage". Now, 35 years on, I see our lovely little cottage is sitting in disrepair and is for sale. So sad. I was considering buying it again as a vacation home for us, but my sister said Moxham is a crime ridden area now and not to do it. That is really sad because we loved living there and would pop into each other's homes for cake and coffee etc. Had a real homey feel there. I do hope she is wrong about Moxham.
I grew up in Ferndale as well! I wish I would’ve had the chance to see Johnstown in its glory days!
I wish I could’ve had the chance to experience Johnstown back in its glory days! All the stories make me feel like a missed something great!
I was born and raised in Johnstown and I had to move when I was 7. I miss it so much. It was beautiful, the people were so nice. I miss it so much. Now I live in Rand, West Virginia. I mainly miss the Sheets xD I don't have any near me. so many memories happened in Johnstown
Abby Mihelic I feel you I was born near Johnstown and I moved to Missouri and I miss sheets so so much!! My grandparents live like 10 minutes walk from where he is. They need to bring this amazing city back that has just died. I don’t want to move back to pa because all my friends are here but I am excited to move back for sheetz, fishing and being able to have land to shoot!!
Love the attitude you have for OUR city. It really has the potential to be great again, just need more people with a positive attitude like you. If you even want any cool shots from up on the hill, let me know. One or 2 really good overlooks.
My aunt worked at Penn Traffic in the 60’s or maybe it was Woolworths. Do you know those stores? My grandma lived there and all my cousins, aunts and uncles. All have left or died. Thanks for the video, keep up the positive attitude!
Cool video; I like your optimism.
So glad I saw this video. I turned 40 over the weekend, but was born and spent the first ten years of my life as a Johnstown native. I love and miss that town every day. I get back every so often....I always make sure to grab a dog at Coney Island. It's cool to see they are still doing those little houses in Central Park. They were doing those when I was a kid...and then, right behind it, you'd wait anxiously for them to unveil the Christmas Window at Glosser's....and visit Santa at The Richland Mall. *sigh*. I bring friends back for filming/photography days every once in a while. Maybe we can colab some time. Good stuff!
Jim Norcross Yeah lets do it!! I'd love to hear more about your memories.
Great video dude Johnstown has been my home for 55 years I only left once for 2 years but of course I came back home!! We are some good people here in Johnstown yeah we got our share a crap but what city doesn't!? Thanks for sharing your day with us more people need to be as upbeat as you!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New year too! 😊
Dude, I know exactly, like EXACTLY what you mean when you see photo shoot/movie/video opportunities everywhere. Places that have character are always photogenic and interesting in any state of repair.
No kidding I'm from Cambria county too. Fifteen or Twenty minutes north of Johnstown.
Glad you like Johnstown I left in the 80s because of no work available, came back retired and wish I never purchased a house there! The crime is off the hook, it's dirty, if someone breaks into your house don't expect the police to help in anyway if you have insurance on your home it's basically useless when the police won't even show up at the house??? If you're looking for cheap living and want to handle things yourself (hopefully you don't get arrested for doing so) it's a great city. What I see is a pit in the mountains where all the trash collects at the bottom. Sorry but that's my 2 decades of experience of the town. You can put sugar on rotten fruit but it's still rotten underneath.
Opening photo....Market St'?.....many walks in the neighborhood when attending Joe Johns jr. high....1952. Then over the bridge to Johnstown Central. thanks for the memories. Fran in NM since 1966.
I love your energy! ❤ shine bright brother 🙏 I feel the same love for my ever growing city too 🌞
Cambria County in the house!!!
Heck yeah!!!
I'm originally from Clarksburg West Virginia that suffered a similiar industrial decline that was glass instead of steel,it suffered a population decline from a peak of 32,000 to 16,000 in the 2020 census.Johnstown peaked at around 67,000,in the 2020 census it is now 18,500 even more dramatic.Housing is cheap in Johnstown though if you don't want to get tied down on a big mortgage.
Yes so much history here! And housing is some of the lowest I’ve ever seen. Which is definitely good & bad in its own way!
@@ThatManNamedGary Do you know if that's still the case? I've heard with the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, housing prices have been steeply increasing across the country.
Good old Johnstown...Got to love some of the treasures there. Love the record shop downtown :D
Who would dislike this video? Theres one dislike. Whats not to like about this video? Its just him showing us his city. stay positive. Just subscribed :)
The GravityBouncers Thank you so much!!
Keep up the good work bro. I was just in Johnstown installing solar and I can tell it has good people.
Many MANY fond memories of downtown Johnstown. I grew up there. My father had a typewriter company downtown. I hope it comes back too. I miss it.
Corey Wenderoth Me too man.. Me too. Much love!
Just came across this. Jtown is awesome! Was raised here on Benshoff hill (Middle Taylor). Now I'm living downtown. You walked past my apartment on Walnut Street twice! Thanks for the great vid.😁
Months away from moving from Martinsburg, WV to Johnstown, PA with my girlfriend. Sooo excited.
Lol born and raised there as well. You are such a sunny and positive person.
+ShimmeringSeoul Thats so awesome! Thank you so much.
+Gary Joseph Take a stroll around downtown Asheville, NC sometime. You'll never look back at Johnstown.
Home owner in Johnstown; it's a diamond in the rough but has many problems and will sadly keep declining unless something changes.
Agree with your comment. No future for Johnstown. We buy our steel from Korea or China now.
Johnstown is my city too. I live in South Fork, (15 minutes away), but when I get the chances to come to Johnstown, it's REALLY AMAZING!
Nice video! I stopped in Johnstown on the way to Hershey, PA once in 2017. I thought it was a neat town. I remember that park and a museum nearby. Also a really old record store.
I have been on the top of that building too. I am from Johnstown and used to go there with my sister a lot. It's great to see you are putting use to the love that exists in this world. I am planning on coming back to Johnstown to rebuild. Learning the skills to bring them home. Send me an email. I'd love to chat about the future and what we can do! PS: Buy a treat / drink / coffee/ tea from Press Bistro downtown and you can charge up there no doubt. ~Chantel
I was born in Johnstown, since then ive lived in tons of other places but I always love going back because like you said, it smells so good! lol the smell alone reminds me of being a little kid.
The one thing you said was "all these people and no one can come up witha business plan?" well its not really that, its the cost to use those buildings is priced outside the range of people willing to use them. Which is a shame that people would rather it be a ghost town than to let SOMEONE use it for SOMETHING.
About 6 years ago I moved to a really small town called Washington NC and I used to walk around exploring like this too. There are some really neat buildings on main st that are just... empty. Like I said, upon further research I realized they were empty because the people that owned them would rather they be empty than to let someone use them for a "discount" shits terrible brother.
I really loved this video man, thank you for making it. I'll make one and show you my town.
Great job brother! This video is awesome! Live in Johnstown/Richland
We are moving to the area and I agree let's bring Johnstown back
How are you going to bring it back?? An old town with no industry. Sad but true to 1000's of cities like Johnstown.
Love your attitude and reactions dude ~ magical , how long have you lived there ?
Yes young man Jesus has saved you and loves your eternal soul.may he guide and protect you always.
Thank you Joe!
This is so Awesome. I am also Johnstown born and raised :)
Love this! You should change the settings so I can show my friends in Italy my beautiful city 😆
Cool video - you seem like you're really positive and have a lot of energy! Hope others in Johnstown heed your advice and get out and about.
Your city is kewl man ...!!
My home town ❤ there were two movies made in J Town, Slap shot with Paul Newman and all the right moves with Tom Cruise.
Do a vlog showing us the filming locations of All the right moves (1983) please!!!
I want to check that garage roof view out
This is crazy seeing someone from my home that's so happy, it'd be dope to talk one day, moved when I was 9 I live in Tampa Florida thank you for showing something I have so much love for
Younger guy myself from Johnstown! Hoping to see the city thrive again as well. We have to many historic buildings on the verge of collapse for another parking lot. I'm glad i'm not the only one who appreciates this town and envisions a thriving revived future.
Bro me too except I want it to burn
home sweet home. lived here my whole life.
Wow where were you when i wen to high school in cambria county 20 years ago...
Hahahaha much love!
Love the video. But you forgot about the tallest building in johnstown. I live in it.
I’m planning on moving to Johnstown, and I’ve seen a lot of people saying not to move there because it’s a dead/dying city. People like you make me excited to get out there. A city only dies when it’s people give up on it, and you don’t seem like the guy who would give up what he loves.
Hey I love hete😂😂 Middle Taylor all the way
Love from Pakistan bro
So happy for you. Love xox
I grew up there and moved out for a job like so many other commenters. Are you part of any sort of organizations trying to revitalize it?
You are so beautiful, inside and out, and so wonderfully optimistic and positive. It was a pleasure watching this video. I wish you sll the lucj and success in the world. Please take care if yourself. You look like someone problematic personalities would love to use and abuse. I hope you develop plenty of life experience with minimal pain and suffering. People like you make the world a truly better place.
Thank you for posting.
Best place
I visited there 4 years ago and I want to go back and spend 6 months to so the summer to New Years Day
trust me....don't...trust me
@@lightsdarkness7714 why do you say that?
Beautiful city ! And slava Ukraine
I’ve been here
dude my grandparents own our sons i lived in Johnstown till i was 13 then i moved to Altoona stay positive man if everyone looked at Johnstown like you do it would be way better off
Heeey! I'm from Johnstown 💚💚