Richardson, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richardson, West Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
 Richardson, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Richardson, West Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Calhoun |
| Elevation | 689 ft (210 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS ID | 1555474 |
Richardson is a small, unincorporated community located in Calhoun County, West Virginia, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government.
A Look at Richardson's Past
Richardson was founded by a person named Charles H. Richardson. He started the community in 1866. Charles Richardson was an important person in West Virginia. He even served in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1885. This is like being a representative in the state's government. He was also an early postmaster, which meant he ran the local post office.
How Richardson Grew
Around the year 1900, Richardson started to grow very quickly. This fast growth is called a "boom." The boom happened because people discovered oil and natural gas nearby. This discovery brought new jobs and people to the area.
Richardson had many important businesses and services. There was a water mill on the West Fork of the Little Kanawha River. This mill likely helped process grains. The community also had a church, general stores, and even a hotel. For services, there was a barbershop, a shoemaker, and a blacksmith shop. People could also visit a doctor's office and a drug store. A lumber dealer provided materials for building. Many people in the area also raised livestock.
The Oil and Gas Boom
After oil and gas were found, drilling for these resources began. This led to the building of a large gas compressor station. A compressor station helps move natural gas through pipelines. Company houses were also built for the workers. This new activity helped Richardson become busy and active again in the 20th century.
