Caretta, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caretta
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 Caretta
Location in West Virginia
Caretta
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | McDowell |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
24821
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| GNIS feature ID | 1554071 |
Caretta is a small community in McDowell County, West Virginia. It is not a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it is an "unincorporated community." This means it is part of a larger county area.
Caretta got its name in a unique way. It was named after Mrs. Etta Carter. Her last name, "Carter," was rearranged to form "Caretta." This community is the only place in the United States with this name.
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Caretta: A West Virginia Community
Caretta has a rich history tied to the coal industry. It started as a "coal town." This means it was built and owned by a coal mining company. The town provided homes and services for miners and their families.
A Town Built on Coal
Over the years, different companies owned Caretta. First, it was owned by The Virginia Pocahontas Coal Company. Then, the Carter Coal Company took over. Finally, the Consolidation Coal Company operated the mines here. These companies played a big role in the town's development.
Caretta's coal mine was connected to another famous mine. This mine was in nearby Coalwood. Coalwood became well-known from the book Rocket Boys. This book tells the story of young men growing up in a coal town.
Helping the Community: Big Creek People in Action
Caretta is home to an important organization called Big Creek People in Action. Citizens of McDowell County started this group in 1990. Their main goal is to make life better for everyone in the area.
This organization works with many partners. They team up with colleges, churches, and other groups. Volunteers from these partners come to Caretta to help. They work on projects that improve the community.
Historic Places in Caretta
Caretta also has a special historic building. The Carter Coal Company Store is one of these places. It was an important part of daily life for the miners and their families.
This store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This means it is recognized as a place important to the history of the United States. It helps us remember the past of coal mining communities.
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