Micaville, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Micaville
|
|
|---|---|
Micaville sign and Post Office
|
|
 Micaville
Location in North Carolina
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Yancey |
| Elevation | 2,441 ft (744 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28755
|
| GNIS feature ID | 1021421 |
Micaville (pronounced MAYH-kuh-vil) is a small community in Yancey County, North Carolina, United States. It's an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of the larger county. The name Micaville comes from a special mineral called mica that was mined there. This area was once the main place for mining mica in the county.
History and the Railroad
Micaville's history is closely tied to its mining past. In the early 1900s, the Black Mountain Railroad began operating. This railroad later became known as the Yancey Railroad (YAN). It completely changed the local economy. Before the railroad, most people in Micaville worked in farming. But with the railroad, mining became very important. Later, cutting down trees for lumber also became a big part of the economy.
Railroad's Role
The Yancey Railroad was super important for Micaville. It was a main stop for transporting goods. Trains carried valuable minerals like mica and feldspar out of the area. They also brought in important supplies like fertilizer, building materials, food for farm animals, and steel wire.
Storm Damage and Abandoned Engine
Sadly, the railroad faced big challenges. A powerful storm called Hurricane Agnes caused a lot of damage. Heavy floods from this storm and others destroyed most of the railroad's bridges, tracks, and side lines. Because of this damage, the railroad stopped operating. Today, you can still see a piece of this history. Engine number 40, a old train engine, sits abandoned along Highway 19E in Micaville. It's a cool reminder of the area's past.
Education
Kids in Micaville attend Micaville Elementary School. This school is part of the Yancey County Schools System, providing education for the community's younger students.
