Highsplint, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Highsplint, Kentucky
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 Highsplint, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Highsplint, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Harlan |
| Elevation | 1,434 ft (437 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-04:00 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 512699 |
Highsplint is a small, quiet community located in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. It used to be a busy place known as a "coal town." This means it was built mainly because of the coal mining industry nearby.
Contents
What is a Coal Town?
Life in a Mining Community
A coal town like Highsplint was a special kind of community. These towns were often created by coal companies to house their workers and their families. Imagine a town where almost everyone worked in the same industry! The company would often own the houses, the stores, and even the schools. This made life very different from living in a regular town.
- Company Homes: Miners and their families lived in houses provided by the coal company.
- Company Store: People often bought their groceries and supplies from a "company store."
- Community Spirit: Despite the hard work, these towns often had a strong sense of community. Everyone knew each other, and they shared similar experiences.
Why Coal Towns Existed
Coal was a very important energy source for a long time, powering factories, trains, and homes. To get the coal out of the ground, mining operations needed many workers. Often, coal mines were in remote areas, far from existing towns. So, companies built entire towns right next to the mines to make it easier for workers to live and work.
Highsplint's History
How Highsplint Got Its Name
Highsplint was named after two coal companies: the High Splint Coal Company and the Seagraves Coal Company. These companies operated a coal mine in the area, which led to the creation of the town. It was a common practice for towns to be named after the main industry or the companies that started them.
The Post Office and Its Role
A post office is a very important part of any community. It helps people send and receive letters, packages, and even money. Highsplint's first post office opened on February 7, 1918. Its first postmaster, who was in charge of the post office, was John D. Casey. The post office served the community for many years, helping people stay connected. However, it eventually closed down in 1974. When a post office closes, it often means the community has become much smaller, or people are getting their mail from a nearby town.
Highsplint Today
Today, Highsplint is no longer a bustling coal town. Like many other coal towns, it has changed as the coal industry has changed. While the mines may no longer be active, the community remains a part of Kentucky's rich history, reminding us of a time when coal was king.
