Burton, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Burton
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 Burton
Location in West Virginia
Burton
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Wetzel |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26562
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Burton is a small, unincorporated community located in Wetzel County, West Virginia. It sits among the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains. This community is found where two important roads, WV Route 7 and US Route 250, briefly join together. These roads help people travel to and from Burton, connecting it to larger towns and cities nearby.
Contents
History of Burton
Burton is believed to be named after George Bartrug, who settled in the area around 1812. The slight difference in the name might have happened because railway officials misread his name.
Early Days and the Redman Gang
Because Burton was far from other towns, it had a period of lawlessness in the 1800s. There were problems with stealing and illegal gambling. A group of concerned citizens formed a group called the Redman Gang. They worked to make the area safer and helped reduce crime.
Railroad and Growth
Burton remained a small settlement until the B&O Railroad was built through the town in 1852. The railroad made Burton an important stop. It became a place where supplies were gathered for taking out natural resources from the area.
Transportation and Travel
The train tracks that once ran through Burton are no longer there. The old rail bed is now owned by Consol Coal. This path connects to the East Wetzel Rail Trail in Hundred, West Virginia. It is a popular spot for people who enjoy hiking, biking, and riding ATVs.
Road Connections
Burton is connected to several important places by roads:
- New Martinsville to the west
- Fairmont to the southeast
- Morgantown to the west
- Moundsville to the northeast
Travel to Pennsylvania
WV Route 69 North goes into Pennsylvania. There, it becomes PA Route 18. This road leads towards Waynesburg and eventually to Pittsburgh.
Airports Near Burton
For longer trips, Pittsburgh International Airport is the closest large airport. Burton is also served by a smaller airport, Morgantown Municipal Airport, for regional flights.
Local Environment
The old rail bed runs next to Fish Creek. This is a small waterway that collects water from Burton and other local towns. Fish Creek eventually flows into the Ohio River, which then joins the Mississippi River basin.
Community Services and Businesses
Burton has a few local businesses and services that help the community.
Local Businesses
- Whitehill's Auto Body: This shop can fix most car problems. They also have a self-service car wash and sell used cars.
Community Hubs
- Roadside Park: There is a small park by the road. It has large stone rollers on stands that are interesting to see.
- Community Health Center: The former Burton School building is now The Community Health Center. It is known locally as "The Burton Clinic" and provides health care services.
- Harmony Baptist Church: The town has one church, Harmony Baptist Church. It has been active for over 150 years and has a cemetery next to it.
Hospitals Nearby
For more serious health care needs, residents can go to:
- Wetzel County Hospital
- Mon General Hospital
- Ruby Memorial Hospital
These hospitals are about an hour away.
Economy and Industry
The main industries in Burton involve using natural resources. These include:
Utilities and Connectivity
Burton has several important services that connect it to the outside world.
Phone and Internet
- Cell Phone Service: Most major cell phone companies do not advertise service in Burton. However, some customers might get a weak signal from towers in nearby towns.
- Telephone and Internet: Frontier Communications provides telephone service. They also offer high-speed DSL internet in the area.
Gas and Power
- Natural Gas: Dominion provides natural gas to the community.
- Electricity: Power is supplied by Allegheny Power, which is now part of First Energy Services.
Education
Children in Burton attend local schools:
- Long Drain School: This school serves students from kindergarten through 8th grade. It is located a few miles away on Route 7.
- Hundred High School: This high school is located in the nearby town of Hundred.
See also
In Spanish: Burton (Virginia Occidental) para niños
