Alberene, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alberene
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 Alberene
Location in Virginia
Alberene
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Albemarle |
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1492453 |
Alberene is a small place in Albemarle County, Virginia. It's not a big city with its own government, but rather a community where people live. Alberene is especially famous for something called soapstone. This special rock has played a big part in the history and life of the area.
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What is Alberene?
Alberene is known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of a larger county, Albemarle County, but don't have their own separate town government. The county takes care of services like roads and schools for everyone living there.
The Story of Soapstone
Alberene is named after the Alberene Stone Company, which was a very important business in the area. This company was famous for mining and working with soapstone. Soapstone is a type of rock that feels soft and smooth, almost like a bar of soap, which is how it got its name!
What is Soapstone Used For?
Soapstone has been used for many things throughout history. Because it's soft, it's easy to carve into different shapes. Native Americans used it to make bowls, pipes, and other tools. Later, people discovered that soapstone is great at holding heat. This made it perfect for things like fireplace hearths, wood stoves, and even kitchen countertops. It's also very durable and doesn't react with acids, making it useful in laboratories.
How Was Soapstone Mined?
Mining soapstone was a big job. Workers would dig the stone out of the ground in large blocks. Then, they would cut and shape these blocks using special tools. The Alberene Stone Company had a large quarry where they extracted the soapstone. This work provided many jobs for people in the community.
Where is Alberene?
Alberene is located in Albemarle County, in the state of Virginia. It is found in the central part of the state. The community is situated at an elevation of about 522 feet (159 meters) above sea level. Its exact location can be pinpointed using geographic coordinates: 37°53′12″N 78°36′59″W.
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