Abandoned by Coal: Inside Appalachia, West Virginia - WTF?

Coal built these towns — and when it left, everything changed. In this video, I travel through forgotten West Virginia coal and lumber towns, starting in Grafton and Lumberport, places that once thrived on industry and hard work. I walk the streets, talk with locals who lived through the decline, and explore what’s left behind — including an abandoned house frozen in time. Halfway through the trip, a snowstorm shuts everything down. Roads close, plans fall apart, and I’m forced to reroute and end the journey in Fairmont — a reminder of how unpredictable life (and travel in Appalachia) can be. This isn’t a tourist trip. It’s a look at what happens after the jobs leave. In this video: -The rise and fall of West Virginia coal & lumber towns -Conversations with locals still holding on -Exploring an abandoned house -Getting snowed out and cutting the trip short -Ending the journey in Fairmont If you enjoy real, unfiltered stories from places most people pass by, hit like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. #WestVirginia #Appalachia #AfterCoal #GhostTowns #AbandonedPlaces #RustBelt #SmallTownAmerica