I like how you showed everything up close . And explained the history behind it. Very professional.

My daddy grew up here - House #1. Its a 4 room house and there was 7 in the family. My grandpa mined at #31 and I remember the whistle going off when we'd visit. (My grandpa mined for 50 years!) Some of my dearest memories are from hot sticky summers here. The coal trains coming thru, trying to count all the cars, walking the tracks to my grandpa Isaacs' garden, and driving over to Virginia to see the rest of the family. Miss this place. Thank you for the memories. (I fell in Looney Creek when I was 4, my daddy rescued me.)

Thank you for this video. My grandmother was born in Lynch. I'm Canadian. It's great to see where my great grandfather worked. My grandmother is still alive. She is 97

My family are from Harlan, Hazard, Pineville, Bailey Switch, Barboursville. I was born in Louisville. Teagues,' Stewarts', McKennas' Ballards', Skaggs', etc They're all over the Appalachian mountains. It's nice to see people covering this history.

The building next to the Catholic Church was the old Notre Dame Hospital. My father was born there.

my home town.. born and raised in Lynch.. great place to grow up in the 60's, 70's.. thanks for keeping the memory of Lynch alive. as they say " You can take the boy out of mountains, but you cant take the mountains out of the boy" something like that LOL :-)

I can't get enough of your videos. There's so much culture in Appalachia that needs to be shared. Sharing the love from Canada

You have really upped the game of late. I really like how this one begins, with the historical photos.

Thank you so much for your presentation! It made me proud to be from Harlan County. Just last week I was speaking to a coworker about Lynch and it's beginnings! Thank you.

After over a decade of operation Portal 31 is undergoing a needed rehabilitation starting in January 2022 with a grant from the Kentucky AMLER program. Like any structure there is necessary maintenance and upgrades in exhibit technology. Also, a couple of other projects that will add to the Lynch experience. Get in touch and we can help arrange a tour to show everyone what improvements will be coming and tell a little more about the history of the area!

I could watch these all day every day!

Father grew up in BlackStar in a coal mining camp in Harlan. Went there some years back, nothing left now. It is beautiful to look at. A must see if you're in the area.

One of my favorite places on the earth n most important places as well !! Thanks to the men n women of Lynch we enjoy our freedom of today !!

Fantastic and educational video, just love that scenery ❤❤❤🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

My home town! ❤️

My parents, daughter and I visited Portal 31 in the late 1990's on a very hot day in July. We couldn't go into it but we stood outside and enjoyed the cool natural air conditioning coming from the opening!

They say time travel isn't possible but I sware when I see these old towns they take me back .....back when America 🇺🇸 was America.......oh and baaahaaa nice save 👌 if you no what I mean

You two do a great job together smiles are great.😊😊😊😊😊😊

My grandpa came to lynch from Italy in the 1920s as a child, with his family. His dad was a stone Mason and he worked for us steel building all the stone buildings.

I was with an AMERC group, in the early 2000's. We visited there and ate a boxed lunch in the dining room of a beautiful building across the street from the museum. We were shown the coal mine and I bought a company chit from the museum store. I never knew coal mines were so low that the miners could not fully stand up. That is such a beautiful area.

Hello, Thank you so much for your well presented, informative adventure into the many coal mine towns and mine sites. I am originally from St. Louis and Louisville Kentucky. I have lived here in Pikeville Ky.for over 30 years. Your presentations have shown me a whole new world and I have come to greatly respect, admire, and honor. Your many interesting bits of information along the way really add so much more than just facts. In so much appreciate everything and everywhere you go. Thank you so much!

I was born there, I am a coal miners daughter, ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Hello Melody & Shane, For more than a year, I’ve loved your videos-but I most enjoy Melody’s bright smile and narration.

That used to be a bustling town, but as coal faded away, so did these coal company boomtowns. Kayford, WVa, at the base of Kayford Mountain, once had a population that exceeded 100,000, which was more than the population of Charleston. Today there are probably no more than a few hundred at best that live there. My favorite version of Never Leave Harlan was Patty Lovelace's on her first "Mountain Soul" album. That looked like a pretty nice place to live back in that era. Thanks for taking a tour of this town and providing an overview of its history. Happy New Year to you both.

My father is 92. He was a miner in Bell County on the left fork of Straight Creek. He and my mother lived with her parents in the Coal Camp that was in Simms Fork. He talks about walking over a mountain to work then walking back over it to get home. He and my mom's father worked opposite shifts and would pass each other on the mountain. My dad says one day he sat down and fell asleeo he was so tired and my grandfather came along and woke him up. I saw a photo of dad at that time and he was gaunt. He looked like he was a refuge. He lives in Knox County- you should go talk to him. :) He is going blind but has excellent recall. He has some fabulous stories and during quarantine I heard them all.

Thank you folks for the tour ! Lynch would have been a top of the line " Coal City " back in the 1920's with good jobs , homes , electricity , schools and hospital . Sad to see times change but that's part of life I reckon . I really like some of the older home styles in the town , noticed several 1-1/2 story " Gambrel Roof " homes like at 20:42 .

Great video, really good tour, it's you and the channel " Ignited Coyote " that are the best ! Greetings, Tom, Belgium.

Great content! I love the history lessons along with the visual tours! Thank you so much

This is my home town. My grandfather was a superintendent at the mine in the 60s.

I like the older buildings and the history was great too! 🙂

Yes. I. Love. It

Solomon's Porch was once the Lynch Hospital.

Hi Melody and Shane - Great Vlog as always. By the way at the end of this Vlog there is a blue and white sign that says “Love my FBC Umatilla”. My wife and I couldn’t believe it. My family home is Cedar Bluff and top of Road Ridge but we live in Mt. Dora Fla and Umatilla is a town just north of us. Small world indeed. You guys are awesome!

Thanks for the tour and I really enjoyed seeing some of the photos. I suggest you read the book “Miracles in the Mountains “ I am sure you will find it fascinating. Lynch is my second home. I love it and the people there.

You Guys rock,thanks

I’m enjoying the tours and thank you both for sharing them. I like to grab an IPAD and do a google maps search to locate these towns while you’re presenting them. Just like to know exactly where they are.

Hi..Melody..loving the hat✔ I remember visiting some relatives in Lynch in the 70's....going up those mountains put a "hurting on my ears"...like flying..lol..lol...but it was a nice place to visit and see the scenic views...btw..I am a coal miner's daughter

Very interesting trip!

Patty loveless does one of the best versions of "you'll never leave Harlan alve!."

My Uncle retired from 31. Both of my Grandfathers were killed in the mines. One in Benham and One in Cumberland.

Love the hat

This was a beautiful area. Loved hearing about the history & really like when y'all insert the old photos of how places looked in days gone by. Was very impressed with how nice the homes looked. Thanks y'all for taking me somewhere I've never been or even heard of. Y'all stay safe and God bless!

Wow, those men really worked hard in the mines day in and day out. There’s a staggering difference in the pictures of the coal miners and “company officials.” Great pictures, thanks. Loved the music too.

Great hat!

Those mine portals were recreated beautifully by creators of Justified...

Thank You for the ride along. The old native stone buildings are still standing solid. Hard to picture what this would have been like for the 'newcomers' here to get a job here,,and see all the latest modern facilities. Quite an undertaking for the company to get this all coordinated, and roads cut etc,, from bare ground. Have a Good New year there M & S! Thanks again.

Interesting video ! Thank you 🧡

Proud to bear the name Trosper!

🎼Where the sun comes up about 10 in the morning and the sun goes down about 3 in the day...🎶🎻🪕

Happy New Year!! We’re so glad y’all went to Lynch, I’ve never been there but would sure love to go , we greatly enjoyed the video!! I loved the sign on the lamp house that said (If you don’t like coal , don’t use electricity)!!!! That’s exactly how I feel also!!! I hope y’all have a wonderful New Year!! Happy birthday Melody on the 30th of December!!! That’s a great day ya know!!! Take and safe travels! Melody why won’t you let Shane SANG? Sang on Shane!!!

Thank You. Sad.

Boy y'all hop around like cricket on a hot skillet, thank y'all.

"Lynch" is my maiden last name lol These coal mine stories are my favorites on ur channel. My parents were also catholics. 7:38 melody says "well I'm not in the listening mood so pipe dwn" LMAO😂😂😂

More singing!

Really enjoyed this video!

Love your videos. I'm enjoying your travels. I'm from Hudson, NC; saw your video of Blowing Rock. Ty

Webster County WV, my daddy was born in a log cabin with a dirt floor in 1947. I live in Missouri now but my grand-dad owned 200 acers of land that he had a coal mine on it. He sold it as house coal at his store. But by the late 50's most of the family had moved to Omaha Nebraska, that's where Ma met Paw. Dad moved back in 1979 with most of his family going back to the east. I spent my summer's growning up on grassy creek WV, Webster Springs is the biggest town. God blessed me to have had a crazy family whom are a blessing to themselves, just go back up yonder and find out. Get that girl a cup of coffee man!

Very good job

Happy new year!! May 2022 bring you lots of adventure and good health

Great video you two. A lot of lost history you guys are bringing to light. I just try to imagine these towns in their hay day. Have a happy and blessed New Year.

Hi Shane and Melody. I loved this video. In fact, I would have to say it is my favorite so far. I come from a coal mining family and still live in a former company house in Idamay, Marion County, WV. Take care and happy new year.

Happy New Year 💕

UMWA killed it

I always download the music from your videos when I can find it! I love going for a drive with you two. She should let you sing

Enjoyed your show cousin and good to see you are joined by pretty Va. lady ... love and God bless you both

WOW! Such a great historic video! I thoroughly enjoyed traveling along with you to Harlan, KY. I live in Shelby County which is a good distance from Harlan. I so enjoy your trips and history. Stay off those thirdary roads. Ha! Happy New Year!!

Wonderful!!

Liked the 🎶

I just love everything you guys film keep um coming.

Like the way you give some history before this video and then follow it up with your perspectives. 👍🇺🇸

I enjoy your videos. Dad was born up the road from Lynch in Hiram. Been there many times, but now, all my kin are in the Jonathan Cornett family cemetery.

Some amazing pictures. You did your homework. Thanks. Happy New Year from the state of Georgia

Another thoughtful video that makes you think about the past in beautiful Appalachia. I live in Ohio in the summer and fall, and in Yulee Florida in the winter and spring. In Yulee Fla, they had two high schools. One for the blacks, and one for the whites. It was segregated till the late 1960's. I visited the black high school last year and its now used as a service building. It had a very small gym and was not built very well. The white school was and is still in use and was modern and had a nice gym. Think about that? By the way, Derrick Henry the great running back for the Tennessee Titans is from Yulee. Just food for thought.

Love watch melody and Shane good job enjoy traveling with you guys

I LOVE her voice:)

Beautiful mountains! Some of the homes are so close to the road, I would be afraid a car would plow through my house!

Happy New Year Y'all

I worked on the train depot across from portal 31 when it was remodeled.

Thanks for this video! Really interesting! Love seeing you two and how you interact together while telling us stories of your part of the country! I’ll be watching for more! Happy New Year 2022!!! 😊🌈✌️

Thanks for sharing!

By the way, I also enjoyed the music! Have you thought about visiting Old Washington, KY? It is the sight of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Museum. The small town was where slaves were bought and sold. The slave wall is still standing. However, some of the homes served as "Stations on the Underground Railroad."

Happy New Years!! Awesome Video you two!! Thanks for the mention!! what a great song. I'd give anything for a time machine. I know the exact date and place I would go!! LOL

Hey guys -i could travel with yall all day.but my house work would get outta control.another great journey cya next time

Oh my my, Am I going to have to separate you two? LOL GREAT video, I get to go to places I’ll probably never be able to visit. Thank You!!! Happy New Year 🎊

Meridzo Christian Ministries, Lonnie and Belinda Riley I was summer missionary summer of 99 I think it was. My church went for a week but I was there for the summer. I stayed in the old bathhouse. It was then apartments, don't know what it is now. As I had just weeks before I went lost my mom I think I was in a state of mourning the loss of my mom. It was an experience to be a summer missionary there.

Give some thought to driving the roads of northern Michigan near Hancock and Houghton, Mi. Lots of copper mines and history of copper mining.

Happy New Years guys! Hey Melody for 2022 make a resolution, to buy Shane a Mic! Great video keep them coming, makes for a great year, tagging along with y'all. (Glen).

Great job producing and editing this video. You might want to check out Brushy Mountain Prison in Moragn County, TN sometime. It would make a great video.

I've seen a few other videos on Lynch. It is a horrible name for a town but it has a rich history.

Another great video 😁

Very cool

Can y'all do one on neon ky..it's small but it's my home town.. thanks, Happy New year 🎉🎊

I really enjoy your videos but the audio quality is often quite muddy. When you are speaking between each-other, much of the content is difficult to understand. A dedicated mic would make a tremendous difference and make the experience for the viewers far more rich improving the already good content. Thank you for the hard work and have a Happy New Year.

Like this very well (Driver ran every Stop sign lol)

I don't think I ever got to Lynch, but in the 90s I delivered mine grid to a mine with a Cumberland address. Shortly after traveling S on US119 from Whitesburg, I came upon a traffic light. I was curious what a stop light was doing way out there. I saw there had been a slide and the road was down to one lane. Steel beams had been driven into the ground to keep a house from sliding. Several other places farther down the road showed cracking pavement that looked like they could go anytime. I came upon two teenage boys, one having leg spasms. They tried to get a ride with me, but I could not have passengers. Never knew if he was faking the leg spasms, or if they were real. Went thru part of Cumberland and thru a residential area where there was a sharp 90 degree left turn. I had to slide the tandems on 53' trailer all the way forward to make the turn and still could just barely make it. Some boys in a pickup came along and helped guide me; my front tire was on the edge of a ditch and close to a carport. On the inside of the turn was a house; the owner got mad at the coal buckets dragging across his yard, so he put up a concrete wall. I was almost rubbing it with my trailer tires. Went down a little farther and the same boys showed me the entrance. I had to wait for a train to move before I could enter. Recently, I looked on google earth to try to find where I was, and I can't even locate the mine, or that sharp corner. It was a smaller mine. The miners told me I could go down with them, but I would have to stay the whole shift. I wanted to, but my company would have gotten mad at me for not being able to pick up another load. I still regret not having spent just one day as a coal miner.

👍👍

Love seeing these old pictures, fascinating! And , Shane, you're a great guy, but you're not Patty!

My papaw was born and raised there the Weldon’s my great papaw worked in that mine is the 30’s was born in shack 12 what he called it

Bloody Harlan!

i dont believe your ready to go to nashville for your singing carreer yet shane lol