Lily, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lily, Kentucky
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 Lily, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Lily, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Laurel |
| Elevation | 1,119 ft (341 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (EST) |
| ZIP codes |
40740
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| GNIS feature ID | 513422 |
Lily is a small place in Laurel County, Kentucky, United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community" and used to be a "coal town." This means it's a community without its own local government, and it was once important for coal mining. Lily has had a post office serving its residents since 1881.
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Exploring Lily, Kentucky
Lily is a unique community located in the beautiful state of Kentucky. It's a place with a rich history, especially connected to the coal industry. Understanding Lily helps us learn about different types of communities in the United States.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An "unincorporated community" like Lily is a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own city government. This means it doesn't have a mayor or a city council. Instead, it's usually governed by the county it's in, which for Lily is Laurel County.
- People in unincorporated communities still have public services.
- These services, like roads and police, are managed by the county.
- Many small towns and rural areas across the U.S. are unincorporated.
Lily's Coal Mining Past
Lily is also known as a "coal town." This means that in the past, the main activity and economy of the community revolved around coal mining. Coal towns were very common in regions like Kentucky, where there are large amounts of coal underground.
- Coal mining provided jobs for many people in Lily.
- The community grew because of the mining industry.
- Coal was a very important energy source for a long time.
How Coal Towns Developed
Coal towns often grew quickly around mines. Companies sometimes built houses, stores, and schools for the miners and their families. This created a close-knit community centered on the work of extracting coal.
- Life in a coal town could be challenging but also very community-focused.
- The rise and fall of coal mining affected these towns greatly.
- Many former coal towns now have different industries.
Where is Lily Located?
Lily is found in Laurel County, which is in the southeastern part of Kentucky. Kentucky is a state known for its beautiful landscapes, including mountains, forests, and rivers.
- Laurel County is part of the Appalachian region.
- The area has a rich natural environment.
- Lily is situated in a region with a history of natural resources.
Geographic Features of Lily
The community of Lily is located at an elevation of about 1,119 feet (341 meters) above sea level. Its coordinates are 37°1′28″N 84°4′31″W / 37.02444°N 84.07528°W. This elevation means it's in a somewhat hilly or mountainous area, typical of eastern Kentucky.
- The landscape around Lily is often green and forested.
- It is part of the Eastern Time Zone.
- The local postal code for Lily is 40740.
A Look at Lily's History
One of the earliest recorded facts about Lily is the establishment of its post office. The post office has been serving the community since 1881. This shows that Lily was an established settlement over 140 years ago.
- The post office was a vital link for communication.
- It connected residents to the wider world.
- The year 1881 marks an important point in Lily's development.
Life in Early Lily
In the late 1800s, when the post office opened, life in Lily would have been quite different from today. People likely relied on farming and, increasingly, coal mining for their livelihoods. The community would have been smaller and more isolated.
- Transportation would have been slower, often by horse or on foot.
- News traveled through letters and word of mouth.
- The community worked together to support each other.
Lily, Kentucky, stands as an example of a small American community with a significant past. Its story is tied to the history of coal and the development of rural areas in the United States.
