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Pennbrook, West Virginia facts for kids

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Pennbrook, West Virginia
Pennbrook, West Virginia is located in West Virginia
Pennbrook, West Virginia
Pennbrook, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Pennbrook, West Virginia is located in the United States
Pennbrook, West Virginia
Pennbrook, West Virginia
Location in the United States
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Fayette
Elevation
1,030 ft (310 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
GNIS ID 1556173

Pennbrook was a small place in Fayette County, West Virginia. It was known as an unincorporated community and a coal town. This means it didn't have its own local government, and its main purpose was connected to coal mining.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own city or town government. Instead, it's usually managed by the larger county it's in. People living there still follow state and county laws.

How Unincorporated Communities Work

  • They don't have a mayor or city council.
  • Services like police or fire protection often come from the county.
  • Decisions about roads or schools are made at the county level.
  • Many small towns start this way before they grow big enough to form their own government.

Discovering Coal Towns in West Virginia

Pennbrook was also a "coal town." These were communities built around coal mines. Most people living there worked in the mines or supported the mining industry.

Life in a Coal Town

  • Coal towns often had houses, a company store, and sometimes a school or church.
  • The mining company usually owned everything in the town.
  • Life revolved around the mine's schedule and operations.
  • When mines closed, many coal towns became much smaller or disappeared.

Pennbrook's Location and History

Pennbrook was located in Fayette County, West Virginia. This area is known for its rich history of coal mining. The community was situated in the Appalachian Mountains.

Geographic Details

  • Its elevation was about 1,030 feet (314 meters) above sea level.
  • The coordinates for Pennbrook are 37°57′57″N 81°1′12″W.
  • It was in the Eastern Time Zone.

Why Pennbrook is Important

Pennbrook represents many small communities that played a big role in West Virginia's history. These towns helped power the United States with coal for many years. Learning about them helps us understand the past of energy and industry.

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