Piney Fork, Ohio facts for kids
Piney Fork is a small, quiet place in Ohio, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it's a neighborhood or village that doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Smithfield Township in Jefferson County.
The Piney Fork stream flows right past the community. This stream eventually joins a bigger one called Short Creek, which then flows into the famous Ohio River.
Piney Fork is also considered part of a larger group of towns and cities. This area is known as the Weirton–Steubenville Metropolitan Statistical Area. This just means it's connected to the bigger economic and social life of nearby cities like Weirton, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio.
A Look Back in Time
Piney Fork has a long history. A Presbyterian church was built here way back in 1800. This shows that people lived and gathered in Piney Fork even over 200 years ago!
Later, in 1902, a post office opened in Piney Fork. This was a big deal because it made it easier for people to send and receive letters and packages. The post office served the community for over 100 years, finally closing in 2012.
Life in Old Piney Fork
For many years, Piney Fork was a busy little town. It had important services that people needed every day. There was a dentist to help with teeth and a doctor to help when people were sick. Kids went to a local school, and there were a few churches for people to worship.
The main reason Piney Fork was so lively was because of the local coal mine. Many people worked in the mine, and their jobs supported the businesses in town.
Changes Over Time
Sadly, things changed when the coal mine eventually closed down. When the mine shut, many jobs were lost. Because of this, most of the businesses in Piney Fork also closed. Many people moved away to find work elsewhere. Today, Piney Fork is much quieter than it used to be.
Learning in Piney Fork
Even though Piney Fork is a small community, it still provides public education for its young people. Students living in Piney Fork attend schools that are part of the Buckeye Local School District. This school district serves several communities in Jefferson County.
