Boomer, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boomer, West Virginia
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Census-designated place (CDP)
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Houses in Boomer in 1975
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 Boomer, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Boomer, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Fayette |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.481 sq mi (3.84 km2) |
| • Land | 1.382 sq mi (3.58 km2) |
| • Water | 0.099 sq mi (0.26 km2) |
| Elevation | 646 ft (197 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 615 |
| • Density | 415.3/sq mi (160.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
25031
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1536227 |
Boomer is a small community in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. It is called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a special area the government uses for counting people. Boomer is located on the north side of the Kanawha River. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Smithers. Boomer has its own post office with the ZIP code 25031. In 2010, about 615 people lived there.
Contents
Boomer's Past: A Look at History
The town of Boomer got its name from a nearby stream called Boomer Branch Creek.
Coal Mining in Boomer
In the early 1900s, the Boomer Coal and Coke Company ran four mines in Boomer Hollow. These mines provided many jobs for local people. Many Italian immigrants also moved to Boomer to work in the mines.
On November 30, 1915, there was a serious accident at Mine Number 2. An explosion happened, and 23 miners sadly lost their lives. However, 27 other miners were able to save themselves. They built a barrier to block off an area with fresh air. Rescuers found them seven hours after the explosion.
Train Accident in 2015
On February 16, 2015, a train accident happened near Boomer. A C&O train carrying crude oil went off its tracks. This caused a large fire. People living in Boomer and a nearby village called Adena had to leave their homes for safety. One house was completely destroyed. Other homes in both areas were also damaged. The oil spilled into the Kanawha River, and the water caught fire for over half a mile.
Who Lives in Boomer?
In 2010, the population of Boomer was 615 people. By 2020, the population had slightly decreased to 599 people.
