Oven Fork, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oven Fork, Kentucky
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Former post office
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 Oven Fork, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Oven Fork, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Letcher |
| Elevation | 1,631 ft (497 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 606 |
| GNIS feature ID | 508766 |
Oven Fork is a small, quiet place located in Letcher County, Kentucky. It's known as 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.
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Discovering Oven Fork
Oven Fork is nestled in the beautiful landscape of Kentucky. You can find it along U.S. Route 119 and near the Cumberland River. It's about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) south of a larger town called Whitesburg. This location makes it a peaceful spot, surrounded by nature.
A Look at Its History: Post Offices
Even though Oven Fork is a small community, it has a history that includes its own post offices. A post office is a vital part of any community, helping people send and receive mail.
The First Post Office
The very first post office in Oven Fork opened its doors on February 6, 1879. A person named David M. Collier was the first postmaster, which is like the manager of the post office. We don't know exactly when this first post office closed.
The Second Post Office
Later, in the spring of 1945, a second Oven Fork Post Office was established. This time, Winnie Sumpter became the postmaster. This post office served the community for many years until it finally closed in January 1993.
What's in a Name? The Story of Oven Fork
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? For Oven Fork, there are two interesting ideas about where its unique name came from.
The Brick Oven Theory
One idea is that the community was named after a special brick oven. This oven was used to make bricks. These bricks were then used to build chimneys for the homes in the area. Imagine a big, old oven making bricks for all the houses!
The German Bakers Theory
Another theory connects the name to German people who lived in the area long ago. These German settlers might have baked bread in open ovens. This tradition of baking could have given the community its name. Both stories offer a glimpse into the early days of Oven Fork and the people who lived there.
