Exeter, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Exeter, Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
|
Unincorporated community
|
|
Houses on Ash Street
|
|
 Exeter, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Exeter, Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Wise |
| Elevation | 1,968 ft (600 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
24249
|
| GNIS feature ID | 1492917 |
Exeter is a small place located in Wise County, Virginia, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community and a coal town. This means it's a neighborhood or area that doesn't have its own local government like a city or town usually does. Instead, it's part of the larger Wise County. Being a coal town tells us that coal mining was very important to Exeter's history and how it grew.
Contents
Discover Exeter, Virginia!
Exeter is a unique place in the southwestern part of Virginia. It sits in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, which are famous for their rich natural resources, especially coal. The community's history is closely tied to the coal industry, which shaped many towns in this region.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a group of homes or businesses that are not officially organized as a city or town. They don't have their own mayor or town council. Instead, they are governed by the larger county they are part of. For Exeter, this means Wise County handles things like roads, schools, and public safety.
- No Separate Government: Unlike a city, an unincorporated community doesn't have its own local government.
- County Rules: The county government makes the rules and provides services for the area.
- Common in Rural Areas: Many small communities, especially in rural or less populated areas, are unincorporated.
Life in a Coal Town
Exeter is also known as a coal town. This term refers to communities that grew up around coal mines. In the past, coal mining was a major industry in many parts of Virginia, including Wise County.
How Coal Towns Started
Coal towns often began when mining companies needed places for their workers to live. These companies would build houses, stores, and sometimes even schools and churches for the miners and their families. Life in a coal town was often centered around the mine.
- Company Housing: Miners often lived in houses built by the mining company.
- Company Store: Many towns had a "company store" where miners could buy supplies.
- Community Life: The mine was usually the main employer, and many families had members who worked there.
The Importance of Coal
For many years, coal was a very important source of energy. It was used to power factories, heat homes, and generate electricity. The coal mined in places like Exeter helped build industries across the country.
- Energy Source: Coal provided power for homes and businesses.
- Job Creation: Mining created many jobs for people in the region.
- Economic Impact: The coal industry was a big part of the economy in areas like Wise County.
Geography and Location
Exeter is located in a scenic part of Virginia. Its exact coordinates are 36°52′33″N 82°51′15″W / 36.87583°N 82.85417°W. The elevation of Exeter is about 1,968 feet (600 meters) above sea level. This higher elevation is typical for communities in the Appalachian Mountains.
- Mountainous Region: Exeter is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains.
- Wise County: It is part of Wise County, which is in southwestern Virginia.
- Elevation: The community sits at a relatively high elevation.
Postal Services
Even though Exeter is an unincorporated community, it has its own ZIP code. The postal code for Exeter is 24249. This helps mail and packages get to the right place.
- ZIP Code: Exeter uses the ZIP code 24249.
- Mail Delivery: This code helps the postal service deliver mail efficiently.
Images for kids
-
Houses on Ash Street
