Powhatan, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Powhatan
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Looking north on Coal Heritage Road in Powhatan
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 Powhatan
Location in West Virginia
Powhatan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | McDowell |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
24877
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| GNIS feature ID | 1555402 |
Powhatan is a small, unincorporated community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, in the United States. It's found about one mile away from another community called Northfork. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's usually governed by the county.
What is Powhatan?
Powhatan is a quiet place in the mountains of West Virginia. It's known for its history connected to the coal industry. Many communities in this part of the state grew because of coal mining.
How Powhatan Got Its Name
The community of Powhatan likely got its name from the local Powhatan Coal Company. This company was probably very important in the area's early days. Many towns and communities in West Virginia were named after the coal companies or mines that operated nearby. This shows how much coal mining shaped the region.
Life in a Coal Town
In the past, places like Powhatan were often called "coal towns." These were communities where most people worked in the coal mines. Life in a coal town was often centered around the mining operations.
- Jobs: Most adults worked for the coal company, either in the mines or supporting the mining operations.
- Housing: Sometimes, the coal company owned the houses where the miners and their families lived.
- Stores: Company stores often provided food and supplies to the residents.
While the coal industry has changed over the years, the history of these towns remains an important part of West Virginia's story.
