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Raines Tavern, Virginia facts for kids

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Raines Tavern is a small community located in Cumberland County, Virginia in the U.S. state of Virginia. It's found on Virginia State Route 45, just north of a town called Farmville, Virginia. This place was once an important stop for trains.

What is Raines Tavern?

Raines Tavern is a community that isn't an official town. It's a quiet spot in Cumberland County, Virginia. For many years, it played a role in the history of railroads and coal mining in the area.

A Hub for Railroads

From 1884 to 1905, Raines Tavern was a stop on the Farmville and Powhatan Railroad. This railroad helped people and goods travel across Virginia. Later, from 1905 to 1917, it became a stop on the Tidewater and Western Railroad. These train lines were very important for moving things like coal from mines to other places.

The Story of Coal Mining

Coal is a type of rock that can be burned for energy. It was a very important resource a long time ago. The story of Raines Tavern is connected to coal mining.

The Farmville Coal and Iron Company

In 1860, a company called the Piedmont Coal Company was officially started by John Dalby. However, the coal mines didn't do much for a while. Then, in 1891, a new company stepped in. This was the Farmville Coal and Iron Company. They started renting land, selling parts of their company (called stock), and reopened the old Piedmont mines.

Quick facts for kids
Farmville Coal and Iron Company
Private
Industry Coal
Founded (1881 (1881))
Headquarters Farmville, Virginia
Area served
Farmville

Connecting Mines to Markets

To get the coal from the mines to other places, the Farmville Coal and Iron Company built a special, short railroad track. This track was about one and a half miles long. It connected their mine at Raines Tavern to the main Farmville and Powhatan Railroad. From there, the coal could travel all the way to docks in a place called Bermuda Hundred. This area is near the coast, and from there, the coal could be shipped even further away.

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