The Town America Didn't Need Anymore (Abandoned When Military Left) Blytheville, AR Documentary

Comments · 772

• CL

  @claytondonnell1543 · 3 months ago

  UNBELIEVABLE!!! I was stationed at Blytheville from 1983 to 1985. We lived at # 1855A (you showed 1857A, our next door neighbor. The street was called Chennault Lane at the time). My son was born in that hospital in 1984. When you mentioned the delivery room sign my wife just about fainted because you showed a small tiled cubicle about 10 feet deep and 4 feet wide and that's where my wife and I waited until they took her into the delivery room. We were watching the Super Bowl and waiting for Kevin to arrive. I also played raquetball just about every weekday and you also found Court #1 which I'm sure I played on. This was amazing but very sad. Thanks.

  563

• LI

  @littlebitoflisa · 3 months ago

  I was born in Blytheville and lived there until my teens.  It is a dangerous town. None of my family lives there anymore. It used to be so beautiful and parts still are.  My dad worked for coca cola when I was born and quite a few more years. I remember going inside the plant. Thanks for the nostalgia. Heartbreaking to see all that. Thanks.

  94

• KE

  @kevinpeck7906 · 3 months ago

  I was 19 years old when I was stationed at Blytheville AFB back in 83-85, I remember it well!  What an experience!  Thanks for sharing your Video, I always wondered what happened to the base.

  133

• RH

  @rhirhix6377 · 2 months ago

  I know josh won't see this, but I wanted to say I am so grateful for him. I have been around watching for a few years  and life took s turn for me, I lost 2 babies, got diagnosed with bpd and being in therapy, and recently been diagnosed with ibs. Throughout all of that your videos have helped me get out of a bad mental state, your videos helped me with my depression and because of that I am still here. I am so appreciative ❤

  31

• MI

  @Mike-u1g5l · 1 month ago

  I saw this happen in my hometown literally overnight. The government doesn't care about the wreckage they leave behind when they close a military base.. 😢😢😢

  4

• IN

  @InnocentCat88 · 1 hour ago

  Your video brings back alot of memories !  I would visit my brother and his family when he was stationed at BAFB as a B52 pilot.  I remember when those stores at the beginning of your video were thriving.  It's a shame that parts of the area is so dilapidated !  I recognized that you were in the base housing area, which is where my brother and his family lived.  Thanks for posting this video :)

• JE

  @jeffmcbride469 · 3 months ago

  Josh, that interview with lady was great! What an amazing way to get the true story of the place, I watched the whole thing!

  61

• RI

  @rick72416 · 2 months ago

  Blytheville, Arkansas, has historically faced high rates of violent crime and property crime compared to national averages. However, local authorities report a significant downward trend. Recent localized crime incidents primarily stem from gang violence, drug trafficking, and firearm disputes.

  3

• MA

  @markallen9302 · 2 months ago

  There is a steel mill in Blytheville, along with the Air Force base being used now to refurbish planes now. I went through Blytheville in February this year and was stationed there from 87 to 89. It is NOT in good shape, but showing ONLY the run down areas doesn't do it justice. There is a big Walmart and Lowe's located across Hwy 55.  The down town area is not good and it is a rough place, but it holds a lot of great memories.

  4

• LI

  @lisaburch7077 · 2 months ago

  This is heartbreaking .  My first husband, was stationed there in the late 80s although we lived off base. We pretty much lived on base. My husband was an air traffic controller..  Some great memories there, It . breaks my heart to see it like this.

  5

• JE

  @jenn_ignite · 2 months ago

  That lady is a super cool human. Enjoyed her stories.

  25

• AT

  @atomichive · 3 months ago (edited)

  I used to embalm at Heath funeral home for 10 years. Blytheville is most definitely a dangerous town.

  95