Lenarue, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lenarue, Kentucky
|
|
|---|---|
 Lenarue, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Lenarue, Kentucky
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Harlan |
| Elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CST) |
| GNIS feature ID | 496287 |
Lenarue is a small place in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community and was once a coal town. This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town would. Instead, it's governed by the county. Lenarue's post office is no longer open.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it's not officially a city or town. It doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, the larger county government takes care of services like roads and police.
How Unincorporated Areas Work
People in unincorporated areas still pay taxes. These taxes help fund services provided by the county. Sometimes, these communities are very small, like Lenarue. Other times, they can be quite large.
Lenarue's Coal Town History
Lenarue was once a "coal town." This means its main reason for existing was the nearby coal mines. Many people who lived there worked in the mines.
Life in a Coal Town
Coal towns were often built by mining companies. They provided homes, stores, and sometimes even schools for the miners and their families. When the coal mines closed or slowed down, these towns often became much smaller. This was a common story in places like Harlan County.
Where is Lenarue Located?
Lenarue is found in the southeastern part of Kentucky. This area is known for its beautiful mountains and rich history of coal mining.
Harlan County, Kentucky
Harlan County is part of the Appalachian region. It has a long history tied to the coal industry. Many communities in the county, like Lenarue, grew up around mining operations.
