Gem, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gem, West Virginia
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 Gem, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Gem, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Braxton |
| Elevation | 774 ft (236 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1560647 |
Gem is a small, quiet place in Braxton County, West Virginia, United States. It is known as an "unincorporated community". This means it's a group of homes and businesses that don't have their own local government, like a city or town does. Instead, it's part of the larger Braxton County.
Where is Gem Located?
Gem is easy to find on a map. It sits right on West Virginia Route 5, which is an important road in the area. The CSX Railroad also runs through Gem, showing its history as a place connected by trains. You'll also find Gem next to Saltlick Creek. It's located about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of another community called Burnsville.
How Did Gem Get Its Name?
Like many places, Gem has an interesting story behind its name. In the early days, this community had different names. Some people called it Coger Bluff, and others knew it as Coger Station. The name "Gem" came later. It was named after a pioneer citizen of the area, G. E. McCoy. The first letters of his name, G. E. M., were used to create the name "Gem."
