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Gap Mills, West Virginia facts for kids

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Gap Mills, West Virginia
School
School
Gap Mills, West Virginia is located in West Virginia
Gap Mills, West Virginia
Gap Mills, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Gap Mills, West Virginia is located in the United States
Gap Mills, West Virginia
Gap Mills, West Virginia
Location in the United States
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Monroe
Elevation
2,342 ft (714 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
24941
Area code(s) 304 & 681
GNIS feature ID 1551203

Gap Mills is a small, unincorporated community located in Monroe County, West Virginia, in the United States. It was founded way back in 1775. You can find Gap Mills on West Virginia Route 3, just east of a town called Union. This community even has its own post office with the ZIP code 24941.

Exploring Gap Mills, West Virginia

Gap Mills is a quiet place that doesn't have its own official town government. It's part of a larger county, which means the county government helps manage things like roads and services. It's a bit like a neighborhood that's grown up on its own.

A Look at History

The first recorded English explorers to visit this area arrived in 1671. These explorers were sent by Abraham Wood. He was a commander at Fort Henry (Virginia), an important fort in Virginia at the time. Their journey helped map out and understand this part of the land.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The name "Gap Mills" is quite interesting! It's a combination of two things that were important to the area.

First, there's a natural pass, or "gap," in the nearby Gap Mountain. A gap is like a low point or opening in a mountain range that makes it easier to travel through.

Second, there were once two grist mills located in the community. Grist mills are places where grain, like corn or wheat, is ground into flour. These mills were very important for people living in the area to make food. So, the name "Gap Mills" tells us about both the geography and the history of this unique place!

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