Norton, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norton, West Virginia
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 Norton, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Norton, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Randolph |
| Elevation | 1,982 ft (604 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 281 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
26285
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1544239 |
Norton is a small community in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
Norton is located about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) west of a larger town called Elkins. You can find it where two roads, County Route 151 and Corridor H, meet.
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History of Norton
Norton has an interesting past as a coal town. From the early 1900s until the late 1950s, it was a busy place because of the coal mining industry. The West Virginia Coal and Coke Company ran the mines and the town itself.
What Was a Coal Town?
A coal town, also called a company town, was a place built and owned by a mining company. The company provided everything for the miners and their families. This included homes, stores, and sometimes even schools and churches. The idea was to keep workers close to the mines and make sure they had what they needed.
Life in Norton's Mining Days
During its time as a coal town, Norton had several important buildings. The company ran a company store where people could buy groceries and other supplies. Often, workers were paid in a special currency or credit that could only be used at this store. There was also a company bank for financial services.
Education was important too, and Norton had its own Grade School for the children. This school helped make sure kids in the mining community could get an education.
The Post Office and Community Church
Norton once had its own post office, which helped connect the community with the outside world. However, this post office closed on November 12, 2011.
Even after the coal mines closed, the Norton Community Church continued to serve the town. This church is not linked to any specific religious group and remains an important gathering place for the people of Norton today.
