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Greenwood, Fayette County, West Virginia facts for kids

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Greenwood is what people call a ghost town in Fayette County, West Virginia, in the United States. It is located about 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) northwest of a place called Lawton. Greenwood was still shown on maps made by the USGS as late as 1912.

Quick facts for kids
Greenwood, Fayette County,
West Virginia
Greenwood, Fayette County, West Virginia is located in West Virginia
Greenwood, Fayette County, West Virginia
Greenwood, Fayette County, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Fayette
Elevation
2,467 ft (752 m)
GNIS feature ID 1556112

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now it is mostly empty. The buildings might still be there, but very few or no people live in them. These towns become "ghosts" when the main reason people lived there disappears.

Why Towns Become Ghost Towns

Towns often become ghost towns for a few main reasons:

  • Resources run out: Many towns grew up around a mine, a forest, or a factory. When the coal, timber, or jobs disappeared, people moved away to find work elsewhere.
  • New roads or railways: Sometimes, a new road or railway line was built that bypassed a town. This made it harder for businesses to get supplies or for people to travel to the town.
  • Natural disasters: Floods, fires, or other disasters could destroy a town and make it too difficult or expensive to rebuild.
  • Economic changes: Changes in the economy can also cause towns to decline. For example, if a new invention makes an old industry unnecessary, the towns that depended on that industry might empty out.

Greenwood's Location and History

Greenwood is located in Fayette County, which is in the state of West Virginia. West Virginia has many mountains and was once a very important place for mining coal. Many small towns grew up around these coal mines.

Maps and Records

The fact that Greenwood appeared on USGS maps until 1912 tells us a little about its history. The USGS is a science agency of the United States government. They create detailed maps of the country. If a town was on their maps, it means it was a recognized settlement at that time. Its disappearance from later maps suggests that by then, most people had moved away.

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