Pettry, West Virginia facts for kids

Pettry is a small place in Mercer County, West Virginia. It's known as an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

Imagine a neighborhood that doesn't have its own mayor or town council. That's a bit like an unincorporated community. These places are often smaller than official towns. They rely on the county government for services like roads, police, and fire protection. Many unincorporated communities are named after a local landmark, a family, or an important person from their history.

A Look at Pettry's Past

Pettry has a simple but interesting history. Like many small communities, it grew up around the needs of the people living there.

How Pettry Got Its Name

The community of Pettry was named after an important person who lived there a long time ago. His name was C. W. Pettrey. He was an early postmaster, which means he was in charge of the local post office. It was common for communities to be named after people who helped establish them or were well-known in the area.

The Importance of a Post Office

A post office was very important for communities like Pettry, especially in the past. Before phones and the internet, the post office was the main way people sent and received messages, letters, and packages. It connected people to the outside world. The post office in Pettry first opened in 1907. It served the community for many years, helping people communicate and stay connected. It finally closed its doors in 1952, as times changed and new ways of communication became popular.