Matewan West Virginia: Massacre, Mine Wars, Hatfields & McCoys

Matewan West Virginia is home to the Matewan Massacre, mine wars, the Hatfields and McCoys, and ATV trails! Mingo County was once known as Bloody Mingo due to the Appalachian labor struggles in the early 1900s, where coal miners seeking to unionize were at odds with coal company operatives and their hired guns. Watch and you'll even see bullets left in the brick walls from the massacre!
The Battle of Matewan isn't the only historical struggle that took place here. The Hatfields and McCoys would also cross the Tug Fork River here at Matewan during their historic family feud.

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#Appalachia #WestVirginia #MatewanMassacre

[MountainRoots]

Thanks for watching! Let us know in the comments where we should explore next!!

[rechtsanwaltewagnerpeisker]

Thanks a lot from Germany, I‘ve been to Matewan as an exchange student for a year and graduated in '93. It was a trip down Memory lane to see the old Magnolia High School, the home of the Tigers, and the football field. The tigers were football state champions in their division back than….

[bradlane]

I drove a delivery truck into Matewan from 1987 to 1992. Haven't been back since even though I live in McDowell County. I hardly recognize it! Thanks for a glance at the "new" Matewan.

[jeffdorr]

I love your WV videos! I want to move there

[johns]

Been here many times from Williamson while riding the trails. Love the locals and the trail system, some of the nicest folks you will ever whole area is steeped in history and interesting places from the past.

[EchoJulez]

My hometown of Martin, KY was also a depot town. Such an rich history with much of it now gone. While I left there many years ago, I still follow its change.

[rayify]

I love the mountains, was there 1968. community named Dingess in Mingo county. good people. i fell in love with the mountains and left part of my heart there,

[Daniel-ruwm]

These are excellent. You do a great job of telling the story without talking too much; you let the pictures tell the story, too. Great job!

[michaelvarble]

In 65 I was with friends and family so we were camping close to Beckley and went to an amphitheatre for a hatfield and mccoy theatre outdoors really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the historical tour of these off the beaten path. I love the mountains and I love history

[JamieJobb]

"Matewan" is a great movie by John Sayles and his book on making that film,  
"Thinking in Pictures", is the best book about independent movie-making yet written.

[deliadeitz]

When I saw the movie about the massacre years ago, it really stuck with me. Hope to visit Mingo County someday. Thank you for this video.👍

[alysonrdiaz]

WOW!!! Crazy how much history comes from that small town in West Virginia! Loved this video, it turned out great!!

[lizinwisconsin]

I'd love to go there in the Autumn. Wish your tour was longer.

[thomasdelegram]

Your videos are the best, thanks. I want to see them all & future ones !

[bstamper]

If you get south of Charleston take a drive up Cabin Creek. My Daddy was born and raised at Kayford he is now 90 and lives in England which is were my mother was from. I shared your videos with him and we both enjoy them very much. Garland Stamper

[ThisOffGridLife]

Nice to see your videos getting the appreciation they deserve!

[Gillespiegrooms]

I’m so glad you’re doing this. I had no idea about a lot of the history in this area. I love your storytelling style. It’s mind blowing you can still see the bullet holes in that building!! Keep em’ coming! These are great!!!

[sandydeel]

A great video. This town and its people have really withstood many hardships. The people in these neck of the woods really have a resilience with all they have suffered and continue to suffer. I love to look at old towns and hear their histoy. Thanks for sharing their story.

[scottthomas]

My grandparents lived in Clay county, Kentucky most of their lives, but had family involved in that union battle.. I remember hearing my grandmother talking about it...

[tylerkelley]

Was in matewan yesterday dropping off supplies for folks effected by the flooding in area. Such a great little town.