Joplin, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joplin, West Virginia
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 Joplin, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Joplin, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Kanawha |
| Elevation | 837 ft (255 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS ID | 1554831 |
Joplin is a small, unincorporated community located in Kanawha County, West Virginia, in the United States. An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's usually governed by the county.
Discovering Joplin, West Virginia
Joplin is a quiet spot in West Virginia. It's known for its connection to nature and early American history. The community sits near the Kanawha River, which is an important waterway in the state.
How Joplin Got Its Name
Joplin was likely named after an early settler named James Jopling. He was one of the first European settlers in Kanawha County. In the early 1800s, James Jopling bought land right next to a creek. This creek later became known as Joplin Branch. It flows into the larger Kanawha River.
Many of James Jopling's children and grandchildren lived near him along this creek. Because so many of his family members settled there, the area became known as Joplin.
James Jopling: A Pioneer's Life
James Jopling was a very interesting person! People described him as a "man of powerful frame." This means he was strong and brave. He loved adventure and spent a lot of time outdoors.
Jopling was known as a skilled trapper, hunter, and even an Indian fighter. He enjoyed telling stories about his close calls and amazing adventures in the wilderness. One famous story says that James Jopling hunted and killed the very last elk in that region. This happened nearby, along the Elk River.
