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An Oral History of Union Level, Virginia as Told by a Man Who Owns Much of the Abandoned Town
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Abandoned Places History Photography Travel Video Virginia

An Oral History of Union Level, Virginia as Told by a Man Who Owns Much of the Abandoned Town

Keith Dotson
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Jimmy Thompson was raised in Union Level and still lives nearby. In this video, he tells the history of the ghost town as he remembers it.

Seventy-five-year-old James O. (Jimmy) Thompson was raised in the tiny community of Union Level, Virginia. He remembers it as it was when the long row of abandoned storefronts were still alive with activity — before it became known as a ghost town.

His family was a major part of the community in its heyday and he now owns much of it, including three of the iconic abandoned buildings.

In this video, Jimmy tells a vivid and detailed history of the people he knew and the way of life in this small southern former railroad town. He refers to several books in the video. Around South Hill is available on Amazon here.

Video: An Oral History of Union Level with Jimmy Thompson

An oral history of the ghost town at Union Level, Virginia, as told by Jimmy Thompson.

Oral History of Union Level Part Two: Zion Cemetery

In a continuation from part one, Jimmy Thompson walks us through the Zion Cemetery in Union Level, discussing the people he knew and knew about
Jimmy Thompson holding a historic photograph of Union Level pharmacist and drug store owner C.P. Jones, whose name is still visible on the front of his store. On his right arm is his wife. The other two women are unidentified.
Jimmy Thompson holding a historic photograph of Union Level pharmacist and drug store owner C.P. Jones, whose name is still visible on the front of his store. On his right arm is his wife. The other two women are unidentified.
James O. (Jimmy) Thompson holding a 1938 newspaper page with ads and stories about Union Level, Virginia.
James O. (Jimmy) Thompson holding a 1938 newspaper page with ads and stories about Union Level, Virginia.
Close-up look at a page from the April 1938 Mecklenburg Times newspaper with ads and stories about Union Level, Virginia.
Close-up look at a page from the April 1938 Mecklenburg Times newspaper with ads and stories about Union Level, Virginia.

Buy the book Jimmy presented in the video: Around South Hill by John Caknipe Jr.

Images of America: Around South Hill, written by John Caknipe Jr.
Images of America: Around South Hill, written by John Caknipe Jr.

In the video, Jimmy refers frequently to this book: Images of America: Around South Hill, written by John Caknipe Jr. If you’d like a copy, it’s available on Amazon here.

Note: This blog post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.

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