All Episodes, Tennessee

Chattanooga Gigabit

Look out Silicon Valley – your grip on the title of technology innovation may be slipping a little. While other communities have been vying for the possibility of being wired by Google, city leaders in Chattanooga, Tennessee have quietly deployed one of the fastest networks available not only in the United States, but around the world. The city that may best be known for a certain famous locomotive is now home to an emerging industry that is leveraging ultra fast Internet speeds to create the next big technology revolution.

In this episode of The Southern Way, Mike Mitchell talks to the people behind Chattanooga’s transformation into the next hot bed of technology innovation. The city is currently recruiting the next generation of technology entrepreneurs to come and play on the nation’s fastest Internet connection. What will they create? At this point, no one knows, but the effort brings the city of Chattanooga full circle from its historical roots as a town fueled by commerce brought first by the mighty Tennessee River, and then trains, to a leading position in the global economy enabled by Internet connection speeds found in very few cities around the globe.

Live in Chattanooga or another city deploying ultra-fast Internet access? Leave us a comment and tell us about it…

All Episodes, Mississippi

The Yazoo City Witch Project

Yazoo City, Mississippi is often called “the gateway to the Delta” – serving as the transition from the state’s eastern bluffs to the mighty Mississippi River to the west. But it is Yazoo City’s terrifying past, made famous by writer Willie Morris, that brings SouthernWayTV.com to the town. According to local legend, a witch wrought the ultimate revenge on the city when, in May 1904, she escaped from her chained tomb and conjured a powerful firestorm that burned most of the community to the ground.

Join SouthernWayTV’s Darrell Lee as he tries to find the abandoned tomb of the Yazoo City Witch in an attempt to find out if the legend is real. What Darrell discovers in the Glenwood Cemetery at night just might shock (and scare) you…

Music from this and every episode posted on SouthernWayTV.com is available to purchase as a digital download at our online music store, www.southernwaymusic.com. Check out SouthernWayMusic.com for original eletronica and dance tunes created by Darrell Lee.

Tell us what you think about The Yazoo City Witch…

All Episodes, Newest, South Carolina

The (Accidental) Nuclear Attack on South Carolina

The serene Southern community of Florence, South Carolina is like most others – tree-lined streets that hang over a historic downtown. Yet, Florence is note-worthy for another reason. This tranquil city about 80 miles east of Columbia is the only place on American soil that has suffered from the dropping of a nuclear bomb.

In this episode, The SouthernWay’s Darrell Lee travels to Florence to find the crater left behind by this nuclear accident. It takes a little detective work, but Darrell finally finds the bomb site deep in the middle of the woods near Florence.

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Were you aware that a nuclear bomb accidently dropped on US soil? Leave us a comment and tell us your thoughts or reactions to this episode…

 

Florida, Newest

UPOs: Unidentified Pensacola Objects

When most people think of Pensacola, FL, they likely think of its miles of peaceful beaches, or the fact that it is the proud home of the military’s Blue Angels. Something strange,however,  is happening over the Pensacola skies. The area is known for an unusually high number of sighting of unidentified objects, what some say are clearly classic UFOs.

In this episode of The Southern Way, Mike Mitchell travels to Pensacola to try to see these UFOs firsthand, especially a glowing red orb that some locals affectionately call “Bubba.” Along the way, Mike finds a home that would make The Jetsons feel right at home.

Have your own experience with UFOs? Leave us a comment and tell us about it…

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

 

All Episodes, Mississippi, Newest

The Secret Gypsy Royalty of Mississippi

Meridian, MS, located near the Mississippi/Alabama state border, is perhaps best known as the hometown of actress Sela Ward.

Yet the town of Meridian holds a little-known secret. Except for the people who live here, few Americans knows that the town is the final resting place for a very colorful queen. In this episode of The Southern Way, Darrell Lee travels back to Mississippi to explore the secrets of the Gypsy Royalty of the state…

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Know of other interesting graveyards in The American South? Leave a comment and tell us about it…

All Episodes, Florida, Newest

The Oldest Building in The Americas

In this episode, The Southern Way explores the fascinating story behind the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere. But, as with most stories told on our website, there’s more to this building than meets the eye.

The Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux boasts a history that spans far behind the friendly North Miami neighborhood that now counts it as a member. Join The Southern Way’s Mike Mitchell as he is details the history of this curious structure, and explains how the powerful media tycoon William Randolph Hearst played an unsuspecting role in this building’s eventual reconstruction in South Florida.

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Any reactions to learning the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere is in South Florida? Leave us a comment and tell us your reaction…

All Episodes, Virginia

Natural Unnatural Virginia

There are, of course, many “roadside attractions” that dot the landscape of our nation. We would argue, however, that there is a 5-mile stretch of Highway 11 in the Commonwealth of Virginia that sports more of them than anywhere else in the country. In this episode, we explore two of the many sites along Highway 11 that await visitors who find themselves in this part of the Shenandoah Valley. Our favorite thing about this 5-mile stretch of highway is that it features sites that are on opposite extremes – the sublime and the ridiculous.

On one extreme, one can enjoy the breath-taking scenery of Virginia’s Natural Bridge. As our episode details, the Natural Bridge has inspired at least two American presidents, as well as author Herman Melville, who used this natural wonder as a mechanism to describe his infamous whale, Moby Dick.

In contrast, Highway 11 also features the delightful Foamhenge, a detailed replica of the original Stonehenge made entirely out of Styrofoam. Trust us, you have to watch this episode to see just how detailed this replica is.

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Visited any of the odd attractions along Highway 11 in Virginia (or anywhere else in the South, for that matter)? Leave us a comment and tell us about it…

All Episodes, North Carolina

Soul City, NC

Floyd McKissick had spent much of his career as a leader of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. All that changed, however, in 1970 after the United States Congress passed a law enabling private real estate developers to use federal support to build innovative “new towns” across the country. McKissick wanted to create one of these “new towns” in his home state of North Carolina.

In this episode, we explore what has become of McKissick’s original vision for a self-sustaining utopia in Warren County, North Carolina, and the unlikely political alliance he made with President Richard Nixon that made it all possible.

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

What do you think caused Soul City to not live up to its original vision? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think…

 

The Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a great collection of audio interviews that capture the rich oral history of the American South. Click here for more audio from Floyd McKissick archived as part of the school’s Southern Oral History Program. We thank the library for granting us permission to use audio excerpts in our episode and are grateful for such a vibrant source of historical information.

All Episodes, Georgia

The Georgia Guidestones

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Near the peaceful community of Elberton, Georgia sits a monument surrounded by controversy. Since its construction over 20 years ago, the Georgia Guidestones have been a source of constant speculation and mystery. No one knows who is responsible for this 20-foot tall granite creation that dominates the rural Georgia landscape around it. Locals speak of a stranger, using the name “R.C. Christian,” who came to town in 1979, left money and blueprints for the monument in a local bank, and then quickly vanished. The good people of Elbert County (often called the “granite capital of the world”) followed the instructions and erected the monument as Mr. Christian had requested.

What is carved into the sides of the Georgia Guidestones, however, has sparked the most debate. The monument lists a set of 10 rules, written in eight languages, for humanity to follow. Some see the guides as a way to usher in an “Age of Reason” for modern society. Others, however, view the guides as a “Satanic 10 Commandments” that set the stage for an ominous New World Order.

Watch our exploration of what has been called the “American Stonehenge,” decide for yourself, and then leave us a comment…

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

All Episodes, Georgia

Etowah Indian Mounds

An online episode from SouthernWayTV.com featuring the historic Etowah Indian Mounds near Cartersville, GA. The mounds are a fascinating site that offers a unique glimpse into the State of Georgia’s past.

You can also learn more about the mound-builders of Etowah by clicking here.

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Why did the Etowah Indians build mounds? Leave us a comment with your ideas and observations…

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