Panther, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Panther
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 Panther
Location in West Virginia
Panther
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | McDowell |
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
24872
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555299 |
Panther is a small, quiet place in McDowell County, West Virginia, in the United States. It's what we call an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town does. Instead, it's usually governed by the county. Panther is located right next to the Tug Fork river, about 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometers) west of a town called Iaeger. It even has its own post office with the ZIP code 24872!
Contents
What's in a Name?
How Panther Got Its Name
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? The community of Panther was named after a nearby stream called Panther Creek. It's common for towns and communities to be named after local natural features like rivers, mountains, or creeks. This helps people know where they are and connects the place to its natural surroundings.
Life in Panther
Location and Surroundings
Panther is nestled in the beautiful, rugged landscape of West Virginia. It sits along the Tug Fork river, which is an important waterway in the region. The area around Panther is known for its stunning natural beauty, including rolling hills and dense forests. Being an unincorporated community means that local services, like roads and schools, are managed by McDowell County.
The Role of the Railway
Panther is connected to the wider world by the Norfolk Southern Railway network. This railway was once part of the famous Norfolk and Western Railway. Railways played a huge role in the history of places like Panther, especially in West Virginia. They were essential for transporting goods, particularly coal, which was a major industry in this part of the country. The railway helped communities grow and connect with other towns and cities.
