Bloomery, Jefferson County, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bloomery, Jefferson County,
West Virginia |
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 Bloomery, Jefferson County,
West Virginia Location in West Virginia
Bloomery, Jefferson County,
West Virginia Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Jefferson |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1553927 |
Bloomery is a small, unincorporated community located in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. It sits right on the banks of the beautiful Shenandoah River. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Bloomery is a place where people live and work, but it doesn't have its own mayor or town council. Services like roads, police, and fire protection are usually managed by the county government. This is different from a city or town, which has its own local government and often provides these services directly.
Where is Bloomery Located?
Bloomery is found in the eastern part of West Virginia. It's in Jefferson County, which is the easternmost county in the state. The community is right next to the Shenandoah River, a famous river known for its scenic beauty and history. This location makes Bloomery a peaceful spot, surrounded by nature.
The History Behind the Name
The name "Bloomery" comes from a very old way of making iron. A "bloomery" was a type of furnace used centuries ago to turn iron ore into a usable form of metal called "bloom iron." This process was one of the earliest ways humans made iron. It was a very important step in creating tools, weapons, and other metal items.
Early Iron Making
In a bloomery furnace, iron ore was heated with charcoal. The heat and gases from the charcoal would remove oxygen from the iron ore. This process created a spongy mass of iron and slag (waste material). This mass was called a "bloom." Workers would then hammer the hot bloom to squeeze out the slag and make the iron stronger. This method was used long before modern blast furnaces were invented.
It's likely that a bloomery furnace once operated in or near this area, giving the community its unique name. This shows the historical importance of iron production in early American settlements.
See also
In Spanish: Bloomery (condado de Jefferson) para niños
