Beautiful old Ghost Town, I love looking at old buildings seeing what inside and the craftsmanship that was put into them back when people had pride in what they built, thank you for this awesome find.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Nancy, for watching! And how ironic that you happened to comment on this particular video today. I was planning to return there today but the rain kept me home. Union Level was, for the most part, razed to the ground about a week ago and I was going to video document whatever is left. Very sad to see it go but I understand from a local friend there that the place was falling in on itself, and had become very dangerous.

"The Racine" Johnson & Field Mfg. Co. was a Fanning Mill made in Racine Wisconsin. A Fanning Mill was a hand cranked device used on farms to separate grain from the "Chaff".

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I found a little bit of info online, but not much. Appreciate you watching the video, and I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you for a step back into my youth. My grandparents were Thurman and Julia Gill (His brother was William Gill that owned much of the land around the area, that Matt Wells purchased when William died of cancer).... she managed the store that you defined as the the last building built.... I would spend my summer days in the early to mid 70's walking the streets of this small town and in that store. I would fill my mini bike up for a quarter and ride the trials with it all day long. I would find old soda bottles in the ditches and turn them in for the deposit and use the money to buy models that I'd build.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

11 ай бұрын

I'm glad you were able to watch and enjoy some good memories! I used to spend my growing-up summers in Maine playing in the woods, finding old forgotten cemeteries, and turning in soda bottles for lots of nickels and dimes! (Great memories!) I have heard from a friend who lives about 1/2 mile from Union Level that the entire town is on the verge of being plowed under. I'm glad I was able to get this video for future generations to see.

@dianadamcknight9902

7 ай бұрын

That is such a nice memory! I am from Virginia but I've never heard of this area before.

@kdeh21803

7 ай бұрын

@@dianadamcknight9902 Union Level is just outside of South Hill

I've lived in Union Level for over 20 years. Up until recently Matt Wells had an antique shop still open here in what I think was the old church building. I bought property here from Matt. I remember when the post office was still open. And where the dumpsters are now is where the old depot used to be, if I'm not mistaken. The old railroad track ran behind the stores. In one of the buildings is an old bank vault.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching today! Yes, we found the old bank vault (and iron door), and also took a short walk up the old railroad bed. The whole town was super interesting to look through, and finding some magazines from the 50s and 60s that were in great condition was pretty wild.

@kdeh21803

7 ай бұрын

My grandfather's brother (William Gill) owned much of the land, and when William died Matt bought up much of the land.

It's known as the Detroit of the South, yet it's suburbs are still thriving.

My son and I were there today 12-26-2022 -- we live about 25 miles from this town. It all looks about the exact same as in your video.. Very interesting and yes we heard a couple of ghost creeking the floors.. You did a nice video, thanks for sharing.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

Great that you got to see the place today... I understand from a friend who lives roughly 1/2 mile from the town that it's on the verge of being flattened very soon. Thanks for stopping in today, and please subscribe if you haven't already. I've got lots of good stuff coming!

I lived there in 1960-61 it was a thriving beautiful and friendly little town and I just loved it. Thank you 😊

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for stopping in to watch the video! I'm glad it brought back some good memories for you!

@dragonli7106

2 жыл бұрын

So why became a ghost town?

@good1day726

2 жыл бұрын

@@dragonli7106 many small towns started steep decline in the 70s when railroads got diverted/stopped. There were nice buildings and nice houses in these towns. No real ability to restore rejuvenate then as people had to move for jobs to keep feeding their families. Now we have ugly suburbia.

@sandra.george93

Жыл бұрын

My father and grandfather were born there.

Love to see the buildings and town brought back to it glory, but sadly I never see that happening, not there.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

It is my understanding that talks are currently underway to have the entire place bulldozed. Thank you for watching!

@brendahall2094

Жыл бұрын

@@ExploringHistoryTogether sadly that don't surprise me, my parents where born in that area, I lived in that area, still have family in that area, and don't see saving this town important to that area. so sad but it would take lot of time, and money and even if they brought back to glory , not enough around there to keep it going. Thank you for the video

@kdeh21803

7 ай бұрын

@@brendahall2094 My mom (and grandparents) lived there and I spent many days of youth walking the roads, in the forests, and exploring in this place.

@brendahall2094

7 ай бұрын

@@kdeh21803 have lot of family members in that area or was in that area and have moved away. my grandparents one set was in Chase City, other set South Hill, still have cousins and Aunts , Uncle living in the area.

Loved the video.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for watching! Feel free to share it anywhere you like, and check out any of my other videos.

Wow. Watch the mushy floor!

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

Most of those buildings are falling in on themselves. I recently got word from a friend who lives right down the street from Union Level that negotiations are currently underway to plow the whole thing down because it's gotten too dangerous.

I agree! It would be awesome to see someone bring the town back to its former glory. It's a shame that idiots feel the "need" to vandalize old buildings like those.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

I agree 100%... either restore it, or just let the town fade into the sunset. There's no need to vandalize. This was taken only 4 months ago, but I have seen video taken more recently and the dilapidation factor is increasing quickly.

Thanks for sharing! Virginia is for lovers!!! ♥️

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Donna!

Really cool video…amazing that the magazine & newspaper were still in such great shape! Thanks for sharing!

What a cool and quaint little peace of Heaven. I got such a nice vibe from your video. I especially liked how the trees and ferns were growing there. I know, if I had the money I'd buy it all and restore it. Why were the railroad tracks all gone I wonder? And why was it named " Union " being in Virginia? Must of been a Yankee takeover. Thanks for such a pleasant and enjoyable show.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

The railroad stopped going through there a LONG time back, and that's basically why the town dried up. As far as the "Union" in the name, I really don't have any answers there. My friend, and Union Level local historian, Theresa Shabenas might possibly know. I'll ask her to find this comment and share whatever she might know.

Thankyou for showing us.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Sarah!

There must be "owners" of these properties somewhere ,give them the option to repair ,pay back taxes if any owed, if they do neither then compulsory purchase them for a nominal sum of say $5 . When this is done put the properties up for auction but only to those who fully refurbish within 3 years ,if they don`t refurbish they also lose the property .

Thankyou for sharing

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Cecilia!

The last time gas was 36 cents per gallon was in 1970, according to the website, Titlemax.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely before I started driving!

Very cool.

I love these kinds of videos. The pepsi sign painted over was neat. The newspaper was a real gem. There's old garbage pits buried behind the buildings. I always want to dig them up, it's archeology. That was one of your phones playing the flute song at 2:34-2:36 and a few more times later, right? Please say yes. Even if it is just your phones the place is still haunted because of the different voices heard that aren't from you, your friend, nor the people who were across the street. You might not be able ot hear them, most people can't but the loudest voice is at 22:32-22:33 and he excitedly says "Caught him at the door!" as in like a thief or robber. It's creepy lol.

I think those old buildings need lots of renovation. If the State can't afford that, tear them down and use the land to build new buildings. That's a waste of land space.

@ExploringHistoryTogether

Жыл бұрын

I have recently heard that they are on the verge of being bulldozed.

I do believe that piece of Machinery is a washer

@ExploringHistoryTogether

2 жыл бұрын

You could be right! It had an area at the bottom that could possibly have held water for the clothes to go through, as it was cranked around.

Is it legal to visit here?

@ExploringHistoryTogether

18 күн бұрын

Well, it’s my understanding that the entire town was bulldozed into the ground a couple months ago. I suspect it’s just an open field now.

@Blackskull26993

17 күн бұрын

@@ExploringHistoryTogether oh dang it well I guess I missed my chance but I'll do more research to be sure!

@ExploringHistoryTogether

17 күн бұрын

Did you watch this video all the way through? We did a pretty extensive walk through. (I know, not quite the same as seeing it with your own eyes!)

@Blackskull26993

17 күн бұрын

@@ExploringHistoryTogether I don't believe I watched to the end but it was a good video

@Blackskull26993

17 күн бұрын

@@ExploringHistoryTogether and I also subscribed!

Real life Fallout 76 😁