Kiah Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiah Creek |
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Kiah Creek, near the mouth of Trough Fork Queens Ridge, West Virginia
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| Other name(s) | Hezekiah's Creek, Carr's Creek |
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Lincoln and Wayne |
| Cities | Queens Ridge, West Virginia, Kiahsville, West Virginia, Cove Gap, West Virginia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Trough Fork Bryant Ridge, Harts Creek District, Lincoln County, West Virginia, United States |
| River mouth | East Fork of Twelvepole Creek Kiahsville, West Virginia, Stonewall District, Wayne County, WV, United States 38°04′12″N 82°18′00″W / 38.07000°N 82.30000°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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Kiah Creek, sometimes called "Hezekiah's Creek," is an important stream in West Virginia. It flows through Lincoln and Wayne counties. Kiah Creek is a major branch of the East Fork of Twelvepole Creek.
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Geography of Kiah Creek
Kiah Creek begins in Lincoln County. Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into it. Some of the biggest ones are Francis Fork, Rollem Fork, Trough Fork, Big Laurel Fork, and Cove Fork. While the creek starts in Lincoln County, its lower parts flow into Wayne County.
History Along Kiah Creek
People from Europe began settling along Kiah Creek before 1820. Some of the first families to live there were the Wileys, Maynards, and Queens.
Kiah Creek During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, a small battle took place near Big Laurel Fork, a part of Kiah Creek. On February 15, 1864, Union soldiers led by Colonel George W. Gallup fought Confederate soldiers led by Colonel Milton J. Ferguson. The Union troops surprised the Confederates and won the fight. They captured Colonel Ferguson and many of his soldiers. They also freed 16 Union prisoners.
Post Offices Near Kiah Creek
Over the years, several post offices have been located near Kiah Creek.
- The Cove Creek Post Office opened in 1869 but closed in 1912.
- The Cove Gap Post Office opened in 1877 and closed after 1921.
- The Kiahsville Post Office opened in 1884 and is still open today.
- The Queens Ridge Post Office also opened in 1884 but closed after 1917.
Economy Around Kiah Creek
For a long time, cutting down trees, known as timbering, was the main business along Kiah Creek. After the Civil War, large-scale timbering became very common. Since the 1900s, coal mining has also been a major activity in the Kiah Creek area.
Religion and Churches
Several churches have been important to the communities along Kiah Creek.
- The New Salem Old Regular Baptist Church is located on Big Laurel Fork.
- The Kiah's Creek United Baptist Church was founded in 1848. It helped start two other church groups, the Zion Association and the Bethlehem Association. This church grew to over 200 members by the 1970s. Today, it has about 30 members. The church building moved to Lincoln County when the East Lynn Lake was built. Many churches in the area, often named after the creek, have been active for over a hundred years.
Recreation at Kiah Creek
The lower part of Kiah Creek is now part of East Lynn Lake. This lake offers opportunities for outdoor activities and fun.
