Hatfield Island facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Guyandotte River, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°51′06″N 81°59′46″W / 37.8517702°N 81.9962361°W |
| Administration | |
Hatfield Island is a special piece of land found in the Guyandotte River in West Virginia. It's not a typical island surrounded by deep water. Instead, it's a type of landform called a "bar" or "shoal." This means it's a raised area of sand or gravel in the river. Hatfield Island is located right where the Guyandotte River meets another stream called Island Creek. This spot is in the town of Logan.
Hatfield Island is important because it's home to Logan High School. Students have been going to school on this island since the 1957–58 school year.
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About Hatfield Island
Hatfield Island is a unique landform. It's often called a "river bar" or "shoal." This means it's a shallow area in the river where sand, gravel, or silt has built up over time. These bars can sometimes be completely covered by water during floods. However, Hatfield Island is stable enough to have buildings on it.
Location and Rivers
Hatfield Island is located in the southern part of West Virginia. It sits within the town of Logan. The island is positioned at a "confluence," which is the place where two rivers or streams join together. In this case, it's where the larger Guyandotte River meets Island Creek. The Guyandotte River flows through southwestern West Virginia. It eventually joins the Ohio River.
Logan High School's Home
One of the most notable features of Hatfield Island is that it hosts Logan High School. This school has been a central part of the Logan community for many decades. It opened its doors to students in the fall of 1957. The island provides a distinct and memorable location for the school.
History of the Island's Name
Hatfield Island hasn't always been known by its current name. For a period, it was called Midelburg Island.
Ferdinand Midelburg's Connection
The name Midelburg Island came from a local businessman named Ferdinand Midelburg. He was a well-known figure in the Logan area. Mr. Midelburg owned and operated several movie theaters. His theaters were located across West Virginia and even in Kentucky. One of his theaters, the Midelburg Theater, was on Stratton Street in Logan. Because he owned the island at one point, it was named after him. Over time, the name changed to Hatfield Island.
