Saunders, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saunders, West Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
 Saunders, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Saunders, West Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Logan |
| Elevation | 1,463 ft (446 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555576 |
Saunders is a small place in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. It is known by a few other names too, like Right Fork, Three Fork, and Three Forks. Saunders is an unincorporated community, which means it's a group of homes and buildings that doesn't have its own official town government.
This community is found along County Highway 16. It is close to a stream called Buffalo Creek. Saunders is about 12 miles (19 km) east-northeast of another town named Man.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community like Saunders is a place where people live, but it's not a city or a town with its own mayor or town council. Instead, it's usually part of a larger county. The county government helps manage things like roads and services for everyone living there.
How Communities Get Their Names
Sometimes, places get their names from important people, local landmarks, or even how they look. Saunders might have been named after a family or a person who lived there long ago. Its other names, "Right Fork" and "Three Forks," suggest it's located where streams or roads split into different directions.
Life in a Coal Town
Saunders is known as a "coal town." This means that in the past, and maybe even today, the main activity in the area was related to coal mining. Coal towns often grew up around mines because people needed to live close to where they worked.
The Importance of Coal
Coal is a type of rock that can be burned for energy. For many years, coal was a very important fuel source in West Virginia. It helped power homes, factories, and trains across the country. Mining coal was a big job that many people in places like Saunders did.
Community Spirit
In coal towns, people often formed strong communities. They worked together and supported each other. Life could be tough, but neighbors helped neighbors. This strong community spirit is a special part of the history of places like Saunders.
Geography of Saunders
Saunders is located in a part of West Virginia known for its beautiful mountains and valleys. The elevation of Saunders is about 1,463 feet (446 meters) above sea level. This means it's quite high up compared to places closer to the coast.
Rivers and Creeks
The community is near Buffalo Creek. Creeks and rivers are important for many reasons. They provide water, and in the past, they were often used for transportation. They also create the valleys where many communities in West Virginia are built.
Saunders Today
Today, Saunders remains a quiet community. While the coal industry might have changed over the years, the history of coal mining is still a big part of the area's heritage. People in Saunders continue to live in a beautiful, natural setting.
Visiting the Area
If you were to visit the area around Saunders, you would see lots of green forests and rolling hills. It's a great place to experience the natural beauty of West Virginia. You might also learn more about the history of coal mining in the region.
