Awesome story. God do I ever remember the Government Cheese and all the other free food provided by the gov. I remember it seemed like every time my high school played Cawood there was a knife fight. Eastern Kentucky isnt for everybody, it isnt even for a lot of the people who live here their whole life. Grew up in Loyall. We got segregation in those years, and I never knew the difference, we all got along. I am an outlander from Bell County and so enjoyed reading this! I have got too much time and information invested in my research to keep up with to just ignore my research. I made another U turn and started back toward Harlan at a much slower pace and was directed to take the Loyall turn off. Stalwarts, outlanders, pretenders, loathers you left one group out. Why? We were poor and I will say very poor. I have more memories of the younger Brittons that are closer to my age. Life in the mountains is easy or hardvery little in between. Bloody Harlan is just badass. I also have those wonderful memories, of making grilled cheese sandwiches in the evening, after supper when we as children, never seem to be really full. I am now in Knoxville tn, happy as a proud old grandpa can be, and thankful the good Lord saw fit to bring me through times i cant tell about. No matter where Ive traveled in this great country, I never fail to meet someone that is either from Harlan, or knows someone that lives there!! That is where my husband grew up. He was 85 when he starred in this movie. No as in stop, do not, negative, etc and nothin slang for nothing not anything; no single thing; having no prospect of progress; of no value; not at all. You hit the nail on the head ~ Love this! No complaining here though. Ruby did you know a family named Clark? My Mom then joined the WAC. Ill say Im from Harlan, but dont get confused. Jenny, I worked in Harlan Co. in the 90s on the railroad and worked with a Saylor but cant remember his first name. BTW until barrack obama declared war on our coal mines,a fact, there were more millionaires in Harlan, Pike,Perry Counties, per capita than in our largest cities. I live in Lexington now as well have since 1990. They didnt know what to do with me! The road to lexington did get better tho. I was born and raised in Leslie County. We have corresponded back and forth for several years about our Leonard connections. I graduated in 71 from JACHS. We currently have a lot of re-fencing to do, interested :). The field is backdropped by some beautiful mountains, right at Tunnel Hill. Well, I have rambled enough. The people of Harlan are among the nicest people I have ever met and I have traveled all over the country. His first feature film was Harlan County U.S.A. (1976, as Himself - mine foreman). WebLearn about Basil Collins: his birthday, age, zodiac sign, his family, and more. We always found lots of mutual interest things to gab about. Good memories there. I was mostly raised In Floyd Co. KY & did live in Grundy , Va. at one time. When we heard a car coming we knew we were having company.we usually hid to see who it was. My Mother, Reba Campbell, was born in Liggett. One can argue that its always been over-populated what with the chronic high unemployment and high poverty rate. Barbara Kopple Discusses 'Harlan County USA' - The It is good to hear from you and I hope to hear from you again. Everywhere I go here in Ohio I run into people from Harlan or people who have relatives from there and some still living there. Much later in life we got married and we were on vacation going south to visit her sister who lived back home. Maybe 700 or so now. JACHS did not open until the 66 67 school year. Ive got a few more Harlan County memories. My mother drove through Brookside to go to work every day, so I also know the strike was real.