Mississippi born and bred. I’m from this area. This is one of my hometowns. Lived here from 12 years old to freshman or sophomore year in college. Then moved to the next town Marks. The county has been poorly ran since I can remember. The same politicians have been in office all of my life. That’s another story. But yeah. I appreciate my upbringing. It made me appreciate life and the opportunities that have come my way. Thanks for shining a light on a place that had much potential but gets put on the back burner year after year.

@salehalotaibi5171

Жыл бұрын

Lucky for you 💙

@sharonyoung6512

Жыл бұрын

You might know my family the Young and Anderson or Crowders

@joycemineo5101

Жыл бұрын

Ty❤

@tierrayoung926

Жыл бұрын

​@@sharonyoung6512 hey I'm a young have traced some of my roots to Ms.. but not sure where my Young last name comes from.

@haroldbrooks4235

Жыл бұрын

Why would people continue to vote for people that can't run government correctly?

I really appreciate you covering these small, nearly forgotten towns. I have lived in the deep South my entire 50 years and it absolutely never fails to amaze me the vast amount of generational poverty and decay. Heartbreaking when you consider these were vital, thriving, living and breathing towns at one point, not really so long ago. It seems like they degrade to a certain point, and finally the few remaining residents just give up on keeping up the town and their homes. The ones that can afford to, leave and all that is left is a aging population that is unable to afford to keep a town up and are not physically able to do it themselves.

The lack of people is so strange. Where I live, even dying small towns still have people out in the street, gardening, walking dogs, maintaining their homes, etc etc.

@mariesheppard3750

10 ай бұрын

Ya thats what I was wondering where are the kids , people and dogs

@SJ-ni6iy

10 ай бұрын

It looks like it had just rained.

@amberpowell2609

2 ай бұрын

It does in small towns in Mississippi. Not like it used to be but they pick the parts that are damn near abandoned or the time of day. I have seen like 5 and I'm from there. When I go visit there are still people. Obviously not like when I was there. A lot of buisnesses because they can't stay open are closed but there are usually somewhere with convenient stores dollar stores at least some small grocery store.

@pm2886

2 ай бұрын

@@amberpowell2609 So you're basically agreeing that there are at least large areas of these towns, which are effectively abandoned. It still doesn't explain anything. WHERE are the people who live in the towns. If your small city has 20,000 people (for example), they would be very visible. They would be out and about around town. Walking their dogs. Gardening. Shopping. Catching up with friends at cafes. Playing tennis. Working out. Hiking. Riding bikes. Commuting to work. Jogging. Etc etc? All the normal things that normal people do.

@amberpowell2609

2 ай бұрын

@@pm2886 not large and 20,000 is a lot bigger than a little over a 1,000. A huge difference. I would bet money not a single person plays tennis, or even cares to for the large majority. What I meant is that there will be places in the community that obviously you will see people on a pretty day but obviously with that small of a population is going to be very different. No town like that has a "large area" most work will probably not even be in town.

I don't care who you are, when people from that area see you driving down the road, THEY WAVE at you. Some of the friendliest folks in the world. And...I was in a funeral procession in Batesville, and the traffic pulled over and men standing outside their cars with their hats over their hearts....out of sheer respect.....and the young folks are brought up with "Yes Sir, No Maam"...That's the Mississippi Delta I saw, know and love....

@asafaust8869

Жыл бұрын

Good comment. The friendly, humble and respectful people are to be praised.

@ilovemytribe

Жыл бұрын

Interesting what you said about the funeral procession. My grandmother died in rural Southern Alabama in the 90s and I remember the same thing happening with people pulling over their cars...

I am from the ms delta, my mom lives in Tchula, MS, in a little community on horseshoe lake. This brings tears to my eyes because growing up in the delta you don't really see how poverty stricken these places are until you leave. I wish somehow we could revive these places, I love the delta, I miss home.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

I visited Tchula in one of my videos. :)

@jumpsteady656

Жыл бұрын

Maybe a change in leadership and ideals and maybe just maybe investors would come. Until then it's kinda of like a no go zone to people outside of the state and I mean all walks of life people.

@touchdown4951

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I’m from the AR side of the river and it’s no different there.

@billwilson-es5yn

Жыл бұрын

Farmers have been leaving California over the past 30 years over water concerns, regulations and taxes. They should start showing up in the Delta at some point in time.

@terrafoster8715

Жыл бұрын

I will have to look that video up

Sat next to Charlie pride on a plane to Germany. He was going to sing at the NCO clubs for the military. Fell in love with his voice and his wonderful personality. Very humble man.

Two slight corrections, the Muddy Waters song was “Rolling Stone” (not “Like a Rolling Stone” which is Bob Dylan). Second, Muddy didn’t play electric guitar with a band until he moved to Chicago. For bonafides, my band did gigs opening for Muddy and other great blues musicians in the early 70s.

love how he says 'downtown' and there is not one open shop or person to be seen. these videos are amazing. the world is always changing.

It’s always so creepy in these small towns how you see cars and homes but never see any people 😳

@weirdshibainu

Жыл бұрын

RIght? No kids outside

@Anonymousdal11

Жыл бұрын

True

@tinafoxx4507

Жыл бұрын

Right

@Snarkapotamus

Жыл бұрын

The only living thing seems to be stray dogs...

@weirdshibainu

Жыл бұрын

@@Snarkapotamus Yeah and they're in bad shape. I feel sorry for the dogs

We lived in MS for several years. My husband was a pilot stationed at Keesler AFB in Gulfport after serving two tours in Vietnam (he's since passed long ago). Yet, while living in MS we explored everything we could as we were absolutely fascinated by this state with such amazing rich history. The Delta, indeed, was home to rock and roll...PLUS, jazz. Such as Son House, John Lee Hooker, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, Eddie Boyd, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, Earl Hooker, Lil Green, Big Jack Johnson and the list goes on. Just being able to have had the opportunity to live within this amazing state was an enormous blessing that we could never forget. The people of MS are the best, kindest folks we'd ever met. Just thinking of all those we'd met... I can hardly breathe. We thank God to have had such a wonderful opportunity. Sir, your videos are beyond wonderful. Yet, regarding MS no matter how well it's shown in pictures or videos it doesn't compare to actually being there. My husband was originally from TX...me, from Detroit. MS, from the moment we first got there was etched within our hearts forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing videos. Much Respect to you... 💖😼😼

@dannaharbor8054

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree with you. I'm also from Detroit ,but now have move away. I have been to Mississippi at least 21 to 23 times and the Delta area. I love Mississippi people in Mississippi are really down to earth and respectable like no other place. haven't been to Mississippi in about eight years now boy do I miss it. Lambert and marks Mississippi where's my stomping ground😊

@indycharlie

Жыл бұрын

Firstly , sorry for your loss . I just wanted to tell you . That your husband saved many of our lives while in RVN .. doc Gubs 25th I.D / others ....

@brandirichardson9833

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words. I’ve lived in Tupelo, MS my entire life, except for the five years I lived in Clarksdale. It’s really nice to hear someone speak positively about us Mississippians and our very poor but still so very rich state. We don’t get that often. 😊❤

@thabom9791

Жыл бұрын

"A rich history" of slavery, domination and exploitation.

@rayray4192

Жыл бұрын

Love me some Pinetop Perkins and Sam Cooke. The artists you listed sang from a place of pain. The movie ‘Mississippi Burnimg’ is an accurate description of Mississippi. Jackson Mississippi today is the state capital. They have no clean water to drink because the town is 80 % dark skin folk. Mississippi is a disgusting hell hole to this day. As a military family you did not live like a ordinary citizen. America is a tribalistic nation of consumers. Dark skin citizens are still slaves in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I am from Crowder! Which is one town east of Lambert. I love this place, and it fills my heart with joy to see this while at the same time I am also saddened. I accept it for what it is. It is home to me, and I love and always feel refreshed coming back visiting! Thank you for coming through and visiting!

Very, very interesting. Thanks for presenting these exploratory videos. They give an eye opening view to places many of us have never seen.

I’m proud to be from Mississippi. Taught many of us to work hard and always go get what you want. Mount Olive, MS 🤠💪🏾

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

We stayed in Olive Branch while I filmed this video. Beautiful small city!

@tuforu4

Жыл бұрын

You GENIUS I BET AND WELL TRAVELLED.

@mh2584

Жыл бұрын

Well what happened to Brett farve guess he didn't get that message

Low crime could mean; there is nothing left to steal!

@John-nz6jb

Жыл бұрын

Mykinduvtown❤

@2011e92M3

Жыл бұрын

Then again, whenever I watch shows about homeless encampments and shelters they all worry about theft of the few belongings they do have.

@armeswilli01

Жыл бұрын

Der ist gut !

@peterantonsen3539

Жыл бұрын

😂😂

@dannaharbor8054

Жыл бұрын

Not true I have family that lives in Lambert Mississippi I've been there over 20 times every body knows every body and my cousin is City Council there and she's a nurse and her brother have his own trucking company he owns 3 semi trucks. He did not show the entire Lambert even though it's not that big

Thank you. As always another great video.

great work! keep on the good work. you are showing pictures noone wants to see and which are not covered by the public media. we need people like you!

YAY! Back in rural Mississippi!! Thanks for sharing the rich history of the Delta!!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

I actually love it there. :)

My daughter said it well. The small, really tiny, Delta towns look like the Depression came, but never left.

I like how you give us the break down about each town. I had cancer and can't get out much any more. I am so short winded now. It is so relaxing seeing all the towns. Thanks for all the work you do to bring us these videos. I Sub

@corlisswhite120

Жыл бұрын

My mom left there in 1963 said she would never return our family last name was White so my siblings and I will never know our family there my grandfather was name Luther White grandmother Paralee Williams a whole lost generation

@ianstuart5660

11 ай бұрын

@@corlisswhite120 That's a darn shame!

Thanks for another interesting video, Joe.

Drove through this area last year when tracing the blues trail from NOLA to Memphis. Its was fascinating, inspiring and deeply depressing all at the same time. Such deep roots in culture, but such poverty and so few prospects.

@mitchboswell2445

Жыл бұрын

All states have problems, not just MS has over ONE BILLION DOLLARS + in our treasure. Not many states can claim that. Just look at the slums in all the Nothern states.

@robertjones7565

Жыл бұрын

@@mitchboswell2445 --Compared to rural Russia this looks like Beverly Hills.

@2011e92M3

Жыл бұрын

@@mitchboswell2445 And what does MS plan to do with all of that money? Build indoor volleyball facilities. Jk Anyhow I live in the Northeast but there isn’t anything like this. Even in our most impoverished areas they oddly sit surrounded by some of the most affluent areas. It’s extremely rare to be able to travel to a downtown of a town or city and see complete abandonment like this. I can only speak for the Northeast though, maybe areas like Detroit and some of those regions are a different story.

@DJBenito304

Жыл бұрын

Blame Brett Farve

@odynith9356

Жыл бұрын

The culture is poverty, it always has been.

I was born there but am so happy to have left many years ago. I just feel sad for those that made the decision to stay. I moved North where I received numerous opportunities to earn a good living and gain office experience. Later I graduated junior college which allowed me to earn even more thereby saving for retirement and qualifying for a nice SS check each month. I watched my mom and sister work 25 & 23 years respectively at a nursing home in MS and never earn $9 an hour. That's how the system was designed, to keep the poor, very poor. There are no jobs...just feelings of despair and hopelessness. My nieces and nephews moved to Texas where they found jobs one week after arriving. It has been four years since they moved, and one nephew said "he'd live in a shelter rather than return to MS". This is not a place for young people which is why they leave in large numbers every year.

@1enemyturn

10 ай бұрын

At least, the climate is good in MS

thanks for taking us with you! I've only been to Mississippi once and enjoyed it -- blues music, great southern food, low cost of living...... I think Mississippi has alot to offer and alot of potential but gets overlooked.

My Grandparents were of modest means and mostly lived/worked in Louisiana. The little towns here looked a lot like what I remember visiting them. Thanks for putting this up!

I enjoy your videos so much, and your relaxed and friendly commentary. Thanks so much for sharing these, always so interesting.😊

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, CL!!

Amazing video. I love seeing things like this. Thank you

Thank you for a great tour. 👍 Blessings from South Africa 🇿🇦

I’m from Mound Bayou and Cleveland MS. I was fortunate that my family was instrumental in the delta’s history. Thanks for highlighting this.

A fascinating insight into a part of the world I know very little about. Thanks for all the additional facts, figures and information that makes these trips with you so informative.

My paternal grandparents were born and raised in the rural Mississippi Delta region. They left Mississippi and moved to Milwaukee in the 1940s. They were part of the Great Migration.

@adcdjd55

Жыл бұрын

20% of white people have been running and running down these towns forever and it shows.people live their whole life's not knowing the real beautiful America because of repression.

@rudeinterplanetjanet

Жыл бұрын

My Dad grew up near New Albany, MS and after he was in the military, he moved to Kenosha, WI. He retired to Blue Springs, MS in 1989 and passed in 2003. He worked at AMC in Kenosha. Good pay for sure. A lot of people came North. It was financially a very depressed area. I am 52 and moved there with them my senior year of school. Huge culture shock! I refused to convert to any religion. I was an atheist and they really tried to bring me to jesus! I couldn't wait to leave.

I moved to Clarksdale for retirement after 40 years in Calif. Just went to one of the many blues festivals we have in the area. This was in Helena, Ar, about 30 miles away. We're just 50 miles south of Memphis. We have live music here 7 nights a week and our "Juke Joint Festival" every April. Yes, we are a convenience store nation now and we buy our stuff online which hurts downtown. But the people around here are so friendly. I love it. Everything costs 2/3 less than in Calif. People are poor but they are not depressed with anxiety. Good, salt of the earth folks. Houses are really cheap and utility rates are low. I pay $300 per month rent.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

7 ай бұрын

Awesome! We spent the past two nights in Clarksdale. Had to visit the Ground Zero Club!

@karimmiller5441

7 ай бұрын

​@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Not sure if you know or have mentioned it already but Morgan freeman is the owner of Ground Zero.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

7 ай бұрын

@@karimmiller5441 Yep, you’re right! 😀

I had the same sad experience. We came from Sweden looking for music. Old historic music venues are empty or shuttered and felt like they were in the middle of nowhere. Good thing we started in Nashville! We adored Mississippi though. The people are very relaxed and friendly and can chat all day.

@Zoe-dr5ps

11 ай бұрын

Sweden? All the way here? My god.

@tomf4547

10 ай бұрын

It's just a few hrs. Coming from England next month 4 week tour southern states ❤

@Zoe-dr5ps

10 ай бұрын

@@tomf4547 Cool, suppose it's not that long of a plane journey. I'm Irish so even 7 hours to America seems far to me 😂✈️🍀🇺🇸

Excellent video, great commentary. Keep up the good work !

@eltsennestle998

Жыл бұрын

@@SSNESS Spoda isn't looking for strays to help. What's your point ?

Have a great day everyone!

@6offdutyninjasN1

Жыл бұрын

You too!?!!!

i was born in Woodstock NY in the 1960s. i learned to snap my fingers while jumping on my sister's bed and listening to her Beatles records. at 14, i ran away from home. not to escape....but to explore. the first day, i went straight to Max Yasgur's farm (the site of the original Woodstock festival) and met Max and his wife. i camped on the hill above where the stage had been. i then headed south. i hitchhiked for ten days before i landed in Corinth Mississppi. the food and music are what i remember the most.

Excellent job man, keep up the good work

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

3 ай бұрын

Thanks, will do! :)

@carnellcoleman5847

3 ай бұрын

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip when will you go to Indianola ms? That's where I was born and raised,

Hello Mr Spoda. Great videos, once again.. And as usual, enjoying your videos, and thank you for providing lots of info about those Mississippi towns. I'm getting to know many places without leaving my home town. Greetings from Montebello, California

Thanks again for another great and informative video

Thanks so much for that music history lesson! I've been an amateur musical historian for much of my life, since high school. I always thought that the birthplace of rock 'n' roll was West Memphis, across the river from Tennessee, in Arkansas. (1947-1952). But it sure makes sense that the Delta would have bred bigger things with the blues. I recall listening to old '78 records as a kid, in my next door neighbor's basement in the early 1960s. Vintage stuff. Worth its weight in gold. Love your videos. Have watched many without commenting much. I am no longer able to ramble because of my health. But your windshield has become a window to a world that fascinates me. I grew up in small and middle sized towns. Those roots still run deep within me - even though I've spent my entire adult life in cities. Much obliged for all your efforts!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

11 ай бұрын

Wow. Thank you for the really kind words. 😀

Again, just love this channel. Feet up, relaxing and cruising America. We'll be touring the southern states next month for 4 weeks. This gives us an idea where we need to keep the doors locked and which motels not to book 😂

Love watching your videos all the way from Serbia!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Awesome!!

Just love your attention to significant detail about the areas you and wife visit. Keep up the good work and your enthusiasm for new adventures. As always safe travels 🚘🐈❤️🗺

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Angie!

@mariongreenhouse7492

Жыл бұрын

❤

Greetings from NYC. I've heard of Mississippi but wasn't sure where it was on the map. Then my job sent me there on a 3-day assignment (attend the funeral of a retiree). I couldn't believe and was astonished by how wonderful the people there were. A sheriff suggested I buy a house near him and his family. Despite being a poor state, they make up for it in character. I'll never say a negative work about Mississippi.

@cynthiamatthews

10 ай бұрын

Yes. No matter how little people have there, they'll do whatever they can to share with others who are struggling. The people of Mississippi are wonderful. There might be a few bad apples, but you'll find that everywhere.

@kswag5759

10 ай бұрын

​@@cynthiamatthewsim glad to read this ...I still want to move to Mississippi

@BessieRiggs

10 ай бұрын

I’m from Brooklyn, MS. Most of the bad stuff I have to say about my home state is about the heat. Eff that noise.

Wow, what a great video joe!

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! :)

If I was a politician from the state of Mississippi, I would be embarrassed. So sad!

@jamesphelps4168

2 күн бұрын

The people that live here should be embarrassed an ashamed.

What I like about your channel, you show us more than the tourist areas and cities. You get to the heart of America.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Aaron!

Love the stats, keep em coming

Thanks for the opportunity to watch this types of towns, I take a kind of trip at another part of US in the news don´t see much times, greetings from Latin America.

How the hell did I just happen to click on a random video and immediately recognized my hometown?! First, there is a lot of rich history that you apparently don’t know. Such as the reason that town went to hell in a hand basket. One of the biggest contributors was when Garan, a large manufacturing plant for Fruit of The Loom or Haynes shut down, and a huge portion of the town became unemployed and a lot less cash in circulation. In the early ‘80’s that town looked a lot like The Sandlot movie. We had baseball games and parades during the summer. Around the early ‘90’s is when it all fell apart. Our grocery store shut down, they removed all the stop lights and replaced them with stop signs. We had to travel to Marks just to get groceries. Main St., or “downtown” as you called it, was a thriving business area until the old man that owned the warehouse on the end was murdered by 3 guys trying to rob the place. After that, the stores on Main just started closing down. The school, Southside, didn’t have air conditioners in the 80’s so our summer vacation would last 4 to 5 months.

@slowcodersloth

Жыл бұрын

Are three guys arrested?

@bshunter9290

Жыл бұрын

@@TheRunningLeopard bro the guy that owned the warehouse WAS killed by the three others, they weren't dead

@iAmTheBrasco

Жыл бұрын

@@slowcodersloth Not certain. I was just a kid when it happened. But that was the beginning of the end for Lambert.

@Cheeseburger.Launch.Sequence

11 ай бұрын

So you didn't have to school for the federally mandated 180 days?

@mmhthree

11 ай бұрын

Yup, when they moved manufacturing out of the USA... this is the result!!

I'm from Clarksdale and went to Ole Miss. Soon after graduating, I moved to Texas. It is depressing to go back home and see all the closed businesses and empty homes. I'm interested as well as to what the area will look like in 20 or 30 years.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

We did a video of Clarksdale. Had a good time there! :)

@cima5878

Жыл бұрын

S/O to Clakrsvegas aka Clakrsdale.

@yvonneplant9434

Жыл бұрын

It may not be there. Immigrants could, possibly, revive some of these places. But, heck, some folks don't want any new immigrants.

@tuforu4

Жыл бұрын

@@yvonneplant9434 SYRIA

@nelsonmcatee3721

Жыл бұрын

Who knows, it might rejuvenate. People get tired of living in the city with all its crime and other drawbacks. They could have a change of heart and decide the small time life is for them. And with the American entrepreneurial spiri, they could create jobs for the small towns. Where there's people that pray, there's a way. And Mississippi people are a praying people.

Just subscribed, after seeing one of your videos by chance a while ago. Really appreciate seeing this part of the U.S.A. as I've always had an interest in out-of-the-way places, followed by the folks who live there. My family migrated to Australia from Germany in 1956 and from then until I turned 17 I lived in a small town there, after which I moved to our state's capital city, Melbourne, to find work, and have been there ever since. Over the years I've seen my home town, and many others like it, shrink in population as businesses shut down and work was harder to come by. Although the population has since stabilized, it will never be the bustling, thriving community it once was. I find that sad. Growing up in a small town is so much better than growing up in a large, impersonal city, from what I can tell. Thank you.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! :)

@lolalucky6373

Жыл бұрын

​@@JoeandNicsRoadTripso sad to see one town after another getting bad so shame on politicians who never talk about that even big cities getting worse full of homeless high in crimes what's going on where the money where is the care😭😭🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

@ianstuart5660

11 ай бұрын

Agreed!

Love Your Video's you do a such good job, explaining about each town's history, record, and stats, you do well with your photography, and you show the good with the bad, and are honest, Thanks for showing us all these interesting towns and places, We love to watch your video's.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Dude, your videos are cool, it would be really interesting if you interviewed some of the locals too

How can there only be 264K of subscribers. I made plans to visit the US from Miami up the East Coast to Chicago and down the middle to New Orleans but now I don’t have. It’s a brilliant channel. Love it. Would like him to interview some of the local inhabitants. Love the architecture and various other commentaries. Really great channel.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, David!

A lot of dogs running free. 😢Our dog is a rescue from Mississippi. I'll be sure to remind her how blessed she is. Her litter was surrendered to a local vet and half had parvo. Prayers for these communities.

Thanks Joe!

I lived in Greenwood and Vicksburg and as a black man, I can see that this is accurate. It’s sad, very sad and depressing. Great video that captures reality.

@neanam

Жыл бұрын

You know Vicksburg Reed?

@quincywilliams8152

Жыл бұрын

I'm from greenwood now living in Seattle Washington. Left in 1999 at the age 17.

Enjoying the videos. I’d like to see inside some of the diners/restaurants you pass by in these towns.

Very good filming 😊

Dad is from Clarksdale and he loves his hometown. He's a true Delta Boy! I love the history and how he speaks about it. It's just not anywhere I could live. I enjoy visiting family though.

Breaks my heart seeing all the stray dogs especially the one running to you :(

Great job LS! These videos are so informative about other parts of the country that most people didn't even realize existed.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jim!

Really interesting, Thank you for uploading . Eastbourne 🇬🇧

I was born in Clarksdale and I spent a good bit of my adolescence growing up in Crowder which is close to Lambert and Marks ( not much different). This video is a blast from the past but it also affirms my decision to make a geographical change was the right decision .

I’ve never been to the Mississippi Delta. Thank you for the tour. Some of these towns appear as if a tragedy occurred and the residents vanished. Some gems in these towns nonetheless.

I have no idea why this is so entertaining. Good content

Wow thank you for sharing this information 🙏🙏

Lord Spoda, in 1988 my brother was in basic training at Ft. Benning, GA. I was in my early 20s. My family from Pennsylvania drove to visit him. We went over to Alabama and ended up in Phenix City. That was the most culture shock I’ve ever experienced in my life. People of color living in wooden shacks with steam from stoves, and clothes hanging from lines. My late g-ma as a teen in the 1930s told me about this same condition then. I couldn’t believe 50 some years later that it still existed.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. I'll be heading to Phenix City this summer.

@williebeamish5879

Жыл бұрын

Seen similar outside of Paducah KY on gravel roads in the 70's. Growing up in the northern MI, had never seen folks living like that before. Stuck with me all these decades.

@jillspence7227

Жыл бұрын

Clothes hanging from lines is the norm in my country, out of the biggest cities anyway. Always been the best way to dry clothes, still is, I don't own a dryer, but we also don't have extremes of weather.

@pinkywilliams8063

Жыл бұрын

Here it is 2023 in Phenix City, the wooden shacks are still here. All the brothels and pool halls are gone now so that name they gave it " Sin City" doesn't apply these days. And that tree that my uncle (on leave from the Vietnam Era) wrapped our corvair on is still there on S Railroad St. The house my Papa & adopted father built in '65 for us still in use by other folks now

@stratcat4450

Жыл бұрын

​@@jillspence7227 its Saturday, I just took my clothes off the line! Yes I own a dryer, I've used it a couple of times in 5 years. Why run up the gas an electric bill when mother nature will do it better for free?

Dear Lord Spoda. Thanks once more for video. Heartbreaking. That this is possible in the USA. A friend of mine visited Mississippi in the 80s and confirms the poverty was already rife then.

this year marks the 30th anniversary of my journey from Malaysia to Columbus airport, where I began my degree program at Mississippi State University in Starkville, located halfway across the globe. Fondly reminiscing about the charming town that I miss so dearly...

1911 wow beautiful structure great architecture design! Thanks for the informative tour.

As a someone who had lived in Pittsburgh, PA her whole life and relocated to Hattiesburg, MS in 2020. I was in culture shock, and that’s for Hattiesburg. A city that has the best school district in the state and 2 universities. We lived in a nice housing plan, someone broke into my car in my driveway, the police came and told me there are over “385 different gangs in Hattiesburg”. 😳 For as poor as the area is, I was shocked to see the high cost of groceries at the time, and the fees to register your car. Car registration fees in PA are $46 a year! There were also loose dogs always running, all the time. We lived there for 18 months, and decided it was not for us. So we moved back home to PA.

@xavienjones1752

Жыл бұрын

Please stop lying about Hattiesburg Mississippi I been here for 14 years move from the delta. Your car will get broken into everywhere you go ,it’s crime no matter were you go it’s not 300 gangs in Hattiesburg stop lying i love my state don’t ever disrespect it city ppl just don’t get it that’s y we will always out live you guys we know what it mean to struggle and get pass it

@sarahkelly3234

Жыл бұрын

This actually is false info but live where you wish

@johngreen3543

Жыл бұрын

@@xavienjones1752 There are quotes around the gangs comment. It was not hers but from another source.

@suehop1579

Жыл бұрын

Car registration here is $85 for a car, Wisconsin

@nelsonmcatee3721

Жыл бұрын

@@suehop1579 $151 in Illinois.

I'm from Mississippi lived here my whole life it has it good and bad places but to be honest I really like living here

I was born and spent my first 6 years in Mississippi. I loved it. No other place has ever felt like home to me, and I am getting old now. All these small towns that have a much higher % of females - I wonder how many men from these towns are incarcerated. I wonder if that is why there are so many more women. I suspect one reason why so many people don't get married is b/c they can get more government assistance if they are single with kids vs married with kids, and they need the assistance.

i really appreciate your history facts and other data

I live about an hour away, closer to Memphis. I know some people that are moving into delta towns like Lambert because you can buy land or old houses there for practically nothing. My family lived in Crenshaw in the late 60's . At that time it was so busy on Saturday nights the sidewalks downtown were full. The boarded up building at 37:58 was my fathers grocery store. Look to the right behind that Dollar General and that is the bluff where the delta ends.

@dannaharbor8054

Жыл бұрын

I love Lambert Mississippi never live there but I visit at least 21 to 23 times. People are so friendly.

@dg1019

Жыл бұрын

@@dannaharbor8054 Yeah a lot of really good people live in the delta.

@BrokenCompass502

Жыл бұрын

I've always thought that some of these abandoned towns would make a comeback once remote work became more mainstream. You could buy a house for straight cash and just forget about even needing to pay a mortgage payment, would be a great way to save money. On the down side, you'd have to live there, and it doesn't necessarily look like the type of place where you'd want to start a family or invite friends from out of town. But on the plus side, it's essentially a blank canvas and you could create whatever type of life you wanted there without worrying about neighbors getting up in your grill!

@dg1019

Жыл бұрын

@@BrokenCompass502 That's exactly why they bought them. Your just over an hour from Memphis and a major airport. Drive 30 minutes east and house values triple, an hour east is Oxford and Ole Miss and home prices there are crazy. All of them paid cash, no HOA's super cheap property taxes. All of them could afford more but wanted to save money and not be house poor.

@derrick8224

Жыл бұрын

That’s a story. Thanks for sharing

My grandmother lived in Lambert. Rode my bike around town in the 80s. Boy, how things have gone down.

I can’t help but think that these are once beautiful and thriving towns. So sad and what a waste especially the old bldg architectures. I just found you and binge watching your videos. For some of us that cannot explore these cities like you do, this is an eye opener for sure and is greatly appreciated. Thank you for including their statistics as well 👍😁

Great video again thanks 👍😉🇳🇱

Wow, it's sad seeing the decay of once thriving towns and communities. Sadly it appears to be this way all across the country. It's great that you're capturing it in videos.👍

@kiesha86

Жыл бұрын

Same happens all over the world. In less and more extreme ways.

@deehoward2351

Жыл бұрын

Back in the day when cotton was king, these were poor but thriving communities. When people could no longer depend on farming and factory work, they left. Even though there is now extreme blight, the land is very beautiful in the summer when everything is in full bloom. Such an extreme contradiction to the reality of life that most of the people of the communities must be living.

@sayrahmarie501

Жыл бұрын

@@deehoward2351 that’s deep, I like it

@laquellaflowers3868

Жыл бұрын

MS is the poorest in the U.S., for those of you, keep saying this is happening across the country that makes it different already.

@jumpsteady656

Жыл бұрын

Nah not all across the country I beg to differ! We are booming around this part of the south

I came to the USA from England in 1979 and we did a coast to coast drive from New York to Los Angeles via the Deep South. I remember being quite shocked when driving through Mississippi, and how run down a lot of the towns were, compared to the several other states that we had visited. However, your excellent video has shocked me even more. The situation looks terribly depressing, all those abandoned homes and businesses and nobody around. The future looks extremely bleak for the people living there.

@jayedwards4787

Жыл бұрын

Totally stereotypical response .. depends greatly on which towns you went thru …going from NY to LA , you wouldn’t have gone thru any on the interstate

@jayedwards4787

Жыл бұрын

@@cliffwheeler7357 I call BS - you don’t take a cross country trip by going down obscure two lane state highways…it would take forever . You sure got a totally inaccurate perception of MS , I know that …this guy seems to have a perverse view of the world, where he seeks out every problematic venue he can find .

@Marva123

Жыл бұрын

@@jayedwards4787 I live in MS he is not wrong in his documentaries

@jayedwards4787

Жыл бұрын

@@Marva123 I have for over 60 years … it’s not an attempt at accuracy

@jayedwards4787

Жыл бұрын

@@Marva123 so do I, totally misleading

Seeing all this abandoned homes one can only imagine how busy this small towns once were. It's so sad what became of them.

Wow. I just seen your Gary indiana video. I look forward to going with you on your journey. Love the statistics. Interesting.

Found your channel today its very interesting and educational. I subscribed to your channel today 👍

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@johnjwedrall4290

Жыл бұрын

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip you're welcome 😊

Keep up the good work

From Marks...Graduated HS 1957..thriving town of 2500..Great place to grow up in 50's..live @511 oak st..Good homes this area. Show the good areas next time..Enjoyed this.. Brings back memories...

Great work! Thank you for sharing. If I may make a suggestion, there are nice parts of Mississippi as well. Many times only the run down, rural areas of Mississippi are shown. You would really enjoy viewing other towns and cities that have beautiful homes, schools, universities, etc. That would make for a great video as well - to show both sides of Mississippi 👍🏽😊

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

I have visited and done videos of Gulf Port, Biloxi and Tupelo - all beautiful Mississippi cities.Those videos are exactly what you suggested. Check them out, you might like them.

@crystalgrose

Жыл бұрын

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Thanks! I sure will. Love your content 😊

@barryglassner8385

Жыл бұрын

Nice parts😅

@marquezsmith8889

Жыл бұрын

I live in olive branch, MS... Desoto County is amazing, they show this part tho

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

@@marquezsmith8889 We’ve stayed in Olive Branch a couple times on our travels. It’s very nice there.

Hi Mr. Spoda, I've been enjoying your videos for some time now and really like the glimpse of what some of these small towns are like. The statistics of each town are very interesting as well. I was wondering if you ever considered adding some conversations with the locals to your videos. You might be able to go into some of the businesses or Municipal Buildings and strike up a conversation with whoever you might meet. It would be great to get some insight as to how the residents like their town or what they do for a living, hobbies, lifestyle, etc. Thanks!

@andrewward5891

Жыл бұрын

I’d love to know why the remaining residents stay in these dying towns

@mcherylyn

Жыл бұрын

​@Andrew Ward I would guess one reason is that they're poor and can't afford to live elsewhere. Imagine having to go somewhere and pay rent when you own somewhere to live already...dying or not.

@andrewward5891

Жыл бұрын

Cheryl - I agree that’s probably the main reason people stay in these towns- they can’t afford to live anywhere else. But I’m sure a lot of people stay because they were born in the town and that’s all they know. It would be interesting to hear from the residents. When I lived in Maine I was amazed by how many people had never left the state in their lives (not even on vacation).

@ianstuart5660

11 ай бұрын

@@mcherylyn Great point, probably the biggest reason to stay put!

Never been to Mississippi but I was always told about how beautiful the old homes were

The most bizarre thing for me was not seeing a single place where people could meet. Only streets (with no sidewalk), houses and Dollar General. No squares, parks, theaters, libraries or even bars with some kind of outdoors sitting space. It's like these towns were built with no urban planning whatsoever. Or maybe these things existed at some point and local government just stopped maintaining them.

@RozettaVyper

10 ай бұрын

That's because these towns were either segregated for non-whites or they were decent until segregation ended, new opportunities presented itself, causing many of the families to move and/or the town became so stubborn that when new money making tools came out like brand new technology for example, they refused to learn, thinking their old ways is enough for their little town. It is usually a combo of all of the above. I suspect the town that has 100% black was likely a designated "black only" town way back during segregation. So it never improved.

@Dubbudha

10 ай бұрын

When I first visited the States as a kid I remember having the impression that there were almost no "real villages" compared to Europe. While villages and cities in Europe naturally grew and expanded around a castle, a monastery or a church, those places called downtown in the US appear more like a necessity after settlers had moved there and occupied the land. That lack of centers probably hurts those communities badly as the population shrinks.

@pierrerochon7271

7 ай бұрын

CHECK IT - SAD- DELTA- like the rest of the south- last in health care, education, crumbling infrastructure, - First in DOMESTIC APARTHAID- VOTER SUPPRESSION- VOTE BLUE

@marilaucher9989

7 ай бұрын

In other words soulless

@NadegeMb

7 ай бұрын

​@@RozettaVyper oh a member of the KKK making a comment....😂

Great Mississippi videos. If I may make a suggestion though, why not next time instead of the Delta go south of Vicksburg along the river down to the Port Gibson area. There is much to see including Grand Gulf, The Windsor Ruins and the famous Presbyterian Church in Port Gibson. Other things to see working your way back to Vicksburg would include The Old Sunken Trace (outside Port Gibson) Raymond, The Champion Hill battlefield (where the Civil War was decided) and something really neat. The Mississippi River Basin Scale Model in Clinton, Mississippi. Just a suggestion, there is much more then the Delta in Mississippi. Great videos, enjoy every one of them.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

I will be doing that area soon. Looking forward to it!

I loved seeing those loose dogs everywhere. When I lived down South I'd always keep a little something to toss out the window. Most are looking for any scrap of food they can find.

@miketybring4700

Жыл бұрын

It is funny how two people can think opposite in they same scenario. I was thinking how many of these dogs were dumped on the side of the road because the people either could not afford them or they were not trained and turned into nuisances and people just dumped them. Every dog deserves a home and to be loved, and nice warm dry bed to sleep in. So for me it is sad.

@kerrynight3271

Жыл бұрын

@@miketybring4700 It's possible those dogs have a home to go to to eat and sleep. When I grew up in a small town in the South, our little dog wandered around free all day, but sure knew where home was. I hope that's still the case. I can't stand to think of unhappy animals.

@mikibihon8826

Жыл бұрын

Those stray dogs ,if they get together in a corner, they will attack any stranger whether another dog or human. They did happen every time in Detroit.

@bigrod359

Жыл бұрын

@@kerrynight3271 same I remember being a kid when I wanted to play with my dog I’d step out the door n yell his name and he’d come

@willbass2869

Жыл бұрын

Compound 1080 would be a good choice

I play blues harmonica, so this video got me, full watch thanks brother!!!👍

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Cool!

Thanks for the opportunity to see the real inside part of the good old states of the Mississippi river! I've never been to the US and my vision of the old Mississippi was drawn for the most part from Huck Finns story by Mark Twain. To see the country for yourself is such a brilliant opportunity, especially considering that I am not planning to travel across the Atlantic. Such a contrast to what I had in my imagination! Lost for words

@washubrain

Жыл бұрын

@Dale Gribble I kind of imagined these small towns aging, picturesque and a bit nostalgic ))) I've had no idea about the US rural life (no more than the city life either)

@johnnyespalahento2431

10 ай бұрын

all i know from the south is from movies and youtube i watched, allways tought america was so beautiful although ive never been there and im surprised to see it like this

@washubrain

10 ай бұрын

Same here ))

@pierrerochon7271

7 ай бұрын

DOMESTIC APARTHAID- VOTER SUPPRESSION

I have been watching your videos from up in Canada, very interesting. You should come up here one day.

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

We will be.

Born in Clarksdale, because that's where the only hospital in Cohoma County is. Raised in Jonestown, and on occasion I stayed in Marks with my sister. Very hard life being raised in the Delta. We moved to the coast in 90-91, and it was like being in an entirely different state.

@nelsonmcatee3721

Жыл бұрын

My friends are from Coahoma County. The Taylors, Martins, Towners,and Stuckeys. Coahoma County high had a good basketball team this year, 30-2.

Commentary so easy to follow, really interesting. Worried about our tour soon tho 😅

Love the commentary, and interesting locations! You have earned a sub from me !

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Awesome!

The Rice Bowl Chinese takeaway in Clarksdale had the best Chicken Curry I have ever eaten. I was in Marks for the 2016 Mules and Blues Festival.

@VON92

Жыл бұрын

It's still open and booming 😂😂 everybody love the rice bowl

Thank you for giving credit to the the birth of rock and roll. Great video my friend

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Ken!