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THESE AMAZING STORIES REALLY SHOULD BE ON AMERICAN TV

I lived in this hotel when i was a young child. Ive probably been in every room in the building. I knew Ms.Gilley who lived there for many years. I actully thought that she had passed way before 2010 because she was on her last leg when i lived there. Ive had family and a many of friends live there also and most are gone now. The story of the theater is the first time ive heard that and very interesting. I was told that when Ms. Gilley moved out she had a hoard of newspapers in her appartment and was told they went back as far as the 1800's. Im not sure if her name was Ruby or not but im assuming it was her. It was a timecapsule basically and the steps and floors creeked when you walked on them. Those were the great days for sure.

I'm a member of the bulls gap railroad museum and the hotel was donated to the museum in 2003 and I love to see the place restored to the way it was when ruby was a little girl

It's sad that we are losing these beautiful stories, I really wish our youth of today would stop and listen we still have much to tell, and as I get older I miss them, because almost all of my family is gone. ❤🍁

Thank you for all the stories that I consider in my backyard. Born and raised northeast Tennessee. I love hearing all of these stories. They mean so much to me. Thank you thank you thank you

JD YOU NEVER EVER FAIL WHAT ANOTHER SUPERB STORY WE LOVE YA MY MAN

I love old architecture, and it's so sad to see old buildings wasting away. The woodwork in Gilley's Hotel is still beautiful after years of neglect. So sad😥

Wonderful story! Wouldn’t it have been nice if Ruby had still been with us to give her account of those bygone days. My grandpa had a sawmill at the house and worked some men there. My granny cooked everyone dinner and after meals the men would sit on the front porch and talk before returning to work. We kids would hide under the porch and listen to their stories sometimes. Funny how you forget little things like that but a certain instance will bring it back so vividly. This video did just that. I could just see Ruby roaming those hotel floors and stairs listening for the next train. What a wonderful life she must have had. Thanks storyteller, you’re awesome! 🙌

What a doggone story, when you see old buildings and so forth...you never know who lived there and the lives they had...

Some memories are forever etched in time. Thanks ,for keeping them alive.

That would be a treasure worth restoring

I love hearing these old stories and hearing about all these people. Without you, these old stories would be forgotten and places would be forgotten. You sure know how to bring these people and places to life!

Beautifully told. Thank you.

What a beautiful story. I pray that someday this building will be restored and running bagain

What an awesome building and story, so much history! Just imagine if those walls could talk!

I love stories like that

I wish I could describe how much I enjoy and appreciate your stories. Unfortunately I don’t have the gift a words like you, but rest assured, you take my mind with you when you are telling one of your stories. I appreciate those few moments when I can temporarily leave myself and see through someone else’s eyes.

All historic need to be restored it's part of all your history no matter where your from ❤❤❤❤

Good morning having coffee while on tour with you this morning ❤️🙏🏔🎄Another fantastic story . I can imagine what it was like back then . You are so right about Sad 😔 to see such beautiful places decaying away 😔❤️🙏 Have a blessed and safe day ❤️🫂😘✝️🎄🏔💕Foothills Gal ❤️🙏to y’all 💕

What a great place for a child to grow up in. Such a beautiful place.

Àbsolutely loved this story. I. Love old buildings and trains.

I accidently found your Wonderful Channel this evening. I have binged on several episodes. You have gotten so many aspects right and I am captivated. Thank you

I ❤ seeing how the was really was. Thank you. 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

I’m afraid I was born after my time…. This history just speaks to me and I live in a time where people my age see no value in history or in preserving it

What a wonderful story. One man created this building's fame. When he died so did the building's future. Places don't run themselves.

I really enjoyed that, thank you. Fantastic story and an amazing building, such a shame it's sitting empty. Would be lovely to see it restored to its former glory. 💜👍🇬🇧

Loved this

Very beautiful

I stayed there when I was a child in early 70's. My momma was born and raised in Bulls Gap so when my parents divorced she took us down there cause I guess she had to touch roots and be with her family during her time when her heart was broken. Maybe get some advice from her elders that still lived there. The hotel has stuck in my mind and heart and when I had a family I took them there too. Though it had closed down still I could walk around and tell my story when I was a child and stayed at Gilly's Hotel.

I would sure like to meet Sherwood Johnson, and listen to the railroad workers play their music and tell the stories. I would sit there as wide eyed as Ruby. Thank you so much for this wonderful historical video and the music you put with it. PS, have you ever thought about putting a book out of all this history and locations? I know I sure would like to have one. Anyways, thanks again.

Fantastic!

Thanks for another wonderful video!

Awesome story..Thanks JD 😊

Thank you for sharing this. I've been keeping track of the Gilley's Hotel for years. Great video. You did a great job capturing it. I'm like you, I figured this beautiful piece of history will never see the light of restoration. It's just sad.

You are a great story teller. I love to hear the stories of times gone by. Thank you so much.

I never saw radiators with elaborate designs on them! What a surprise. Radiator heat is the best! Someone should save those radiators with the designs on them.

I just love your history filled storytelling! Can't say it enough in these comments! I know exactly what you mean when you see these dilapidated old buildings & homes & it just sparks so much curiosity about their bygone days! Heck, one thing I still love to do is just drive through some of these little mountain towns to explore them. Even on these old back roads with their broken down barns & farm houses. It truly is a thing a beauty but it makes your heart sink, wishin somebody would bring them back to life instead of letting them fade with all their memories. Thank you! I find your videos inspiring & it reminds me how lucky we are to be home in the mountains. 😊

Wonderful story! In every one of these, I can imagine being there in the heyday. They're lots of fun!!

Great story,I’ve seen this hotel many times,and peeked in the windows,and always courious of its history,,,one thing that bothers me,I don’t see any young people showing any interest in our history,I worry that when we’re gone(and I’m 66),all the stories and history will be forgotten.

Gotta love it. Thx!

I love the Pictures, great story 💕🙏 I remember listening to Box Car Willie, not sure where he was from. I grew up on that kind of music 💕

I've listened 2 this story many, many times. I believe it to be your best. Most people believe that this modern age of cell phones & hi-tech gadgets is the best, but I would trade time periods with Ruby any day. Thanks 4 sharing this story. You r a talented story teller.

So much history in that building! Loved Ruby's story.

WoW ur stories and footage just make me feel so good...I don't know quite how to describe it but thank you ✌️🍷🖤

Well again JD. Too wonderful! For eight or 9 minutes, you had me believing I was there in the hustle and bustle of the hotel and town, seeing Ruby alive with the activities of the day. Yikes! My wife has her voice raised again, saying I haven’t heard a word she’s said! Hmmmm? I’m thinking that’s a strange way to start a conversation. Just say’n. I love these pleasant distractions and GREAT stories. Keep up the good work sir. jj

Awesome love these old hotels never heard of the gullys hotel wow a old vintage hotel that's cool I've from Tennessee but haven't been in bulls gap need to though very interesting stories Appalachian stories thanks for sharing love to spend the night at this hotel or check into it back when times were good and better takes me back in time love these and the story of ruby awesome

👍

Since watching this I’ve learned I’m related to Rufus and Ruby. Ruby had a cousin, Patrick ‘Pat’ Gilley, who lived on a farm in St Clair, TN, less than 10 miles from Bulls Gap. Pat Gilley died at age 93 in 2007. He was a third cousin to my grandfather, Paul Lee. Paul was born in Persia in 1897 and lived in White Pine until 1908 when his family moved to Illinois.

What a heartwarming story. Thanks again.

Hi JD - what a great story! Thanks for the history lesson and all your time and work ...

GOSH, that's so sad ! 😢 That big GRAND building and nobody cares enough to save it... Where's the Historical Society when you need them ??? I would LOOOVE to have been in Ruby's shoes back then... What an AMAZING TIME ! ❤ Do you know any thing more about Ruby ? Like, did she ever marry, any children, when did she pass ? I would love to know... THANK YOU for such a GREAT story ! 😘 You really are SOOO GOOD at this ! 😄

Thanks so very much ...i really enjoyed that bit of Tennessee History and about Ruby💗✌️☺️

Enjoyed, RIp Ruby

Another great story and beautiful location

It’s a shame to see those old buildings crumbling. I hate to see those old barns folding in on themselves. I love the smell of an old barn what’s held some corn. Nothing like it.

I'm so happy for your curiosity and love for sharing these interesting times and places from history... Thanks for all the work and time you invest to bring them to life 🤗❤️

A year later, this story of Ruby’s Hotel lives in my head rent free. Ruby wasn’t destined to travel the world, so the world came to her. I like to imagine there’s some ghostly world where her hotel still operates, unbound by time and space, offering shelter and hospitality to those who need it most, and every night music plays and stories are told, as Ruby listens, wide eyed.

Thank you for being such one loving history, especially of the Appalachian people. I , like you hate to see old buildings and structures being neglected and left to ruins. I’m just beginning to follow your channel. Looking forward to catching up . Thank you

Excellent video, I don't recall driving though Bulls Gap except on the highway from Knoxville and used to drive up 66. Thanks 👍

It's comforting to know . The only reason you'd have to carry that bell out there everyday , is because folks would steal it all the time just for fun.

Excellent Production

I agree the old school ways are bout over. Storyteller people like me and you are the last of a dying breed. It’s true deep down you know it to. When we’re gone the old ways will be gone more or less. A friend of mine says It is what it is.

Another great video, thanks

Very few of them places left very few.

🚖 Volunteer Speedway ~ Bulls Gap TN.🏁

I ENJOYED YOUR VIDEO SO MUCH !! THANK YOU !!

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Ahhh yes, I've been waiting for this.

Did Ruby marry,did she ever have children?🤔 Beautiful story and I love the music that you play. Stay safe my friend 🙏

You know, they say that a man, or in this case a woman, does twice. Once when their body gives up the ghost. And a final death when the last living person on Earth who remembers their name joins them in the beyond. I suppose you keep many folks alive, JD. Thank you

so sad.

This country has a very bad reputation for tearing down the old If those walls could talk

Excellent video! Did Ruby pass away in the hotel? I see you noted that she died in 2010...

Hey Storyteller I’m trying to find videos of yours I ain’t watched yet. I’ve bout watched them all but just a few I’m looking for some more I’ll find them

I like Steven Stills song ' Thoroughfare Gap' . Are there any gaps that are untouched by modernisation???

Why doesn’t someone refurbish this house? It is a dream home that someone could make their own.

What is going to happen to all of that beautiful architectural. I would love to buy some things...that door is so beautiful !! Somehow I missed what happened to Ruby

They don’t build em like that no more.. hell Nashville football stadium didn’t even last 30 years 🙄

Wonder if there is any paranormal activity there? Especially, Ruby's.

Funny how those preachers weren't wrong...

so what happened to Ruby after the hotel closed

what ever happened to Ruby

I enjoy traveling through those kinds of towns on motorcycle to look back into those times. Summer of 2020, I traveled through Thurman, WV. Bull's Gap reminds me very much of Thurman, WV.. I would like to recommend that you consider producing videos of that area. I enjoy traveling through Eastern KY, my father's homeplace, and Eastern WV, my mother's..