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Petroleum, West Virginia facts for kids

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Petroleum
Petroleum is located in West Virginia
Petroleum
Petroleum
Location in West Virginia
Petroleum is located in the United States
Petroleum
Petroleum
Location in the United States
Country United States
State West Virginia
County Ritchie
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
26161

Petroleum (sometimes called Rogers) is a small place in Ritchie County, West Virginia, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially part of a town or city. It does not have its own local government.

About Petroleum, West Virginia

Petroleum is located in the state of West Virginia. Its elevation is about 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level. This is like saying it's on a small hill compared to the ocean.

Even though its post office closed in 2002, people in Petroleum still use the ZIP code 26161. A ZIP code helps mail get to the right place.

How Petroleum Got Its Name

The community of Petroleum was named in 1854. It got its name from a nearby creek. This creek had oil that naturally came to the surface. That's why they called the area "Petroleum," which is another word for oil.

A Bit of History

Petroleum was first planned out, or "platted," in 1854. This happened when the railroad was built and reached this spot. The railroad helped the community grow.

The North Bend Rail Trail

A special path called the North Bend Rail Trail goes right through Petroleum. This trail used to be a railroad line. Now, it's a popular place for people to walk, bike, and enjoy nature. It's a great way to explore the area.

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