Straight Creek, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Straight Creek, Kentucky
|
|
|---|---|
 Straight Creek, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Straight Creek, Kentucky
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Carter |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CST) |
| GNIS feature ID | 509144 |
Straight Creek is a small place in Carter County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community and a coal town. This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town might. Instead, it's usually managed by the county.
Contents
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it's not officially a city or town with its own mayor or city council. Think of it as a neighborhood that's part of a larger county. The county government provides services like roads, police, and fire protection for these areas.
How Do These Communities Work?
Because they don't have their own local government, decisions for unincorporated communities are made at the county level. This can sometimes mean fewer local rules or different ways of getting things done compared to a big city. Many small towns and rural areas across the United States are unincorporated.
Straight Creek's Location and Geography
Straight Creek is located in the eastern part of Kentucky. Its exact coordinates are about 38 degrees North and 82 degrees West. This places it in a region known for its hills and natural beauty. The community sits at an elevation of about 630 feet (192 meters) above sea level.
Where is Carter County, Kentucky?
Straight Creek is part of Carter County. This county is in the northeastern part of Kentucky. It's known for its forests, parks, and natural features. Being in Kentucky, Straight Creek is in the Central Time Zone.
Straight Creek as a Coal Town
Straight Creek is also called a coal town. This means that its history and growth were closely connected to the coal mining industry. In the past, many communities in Kentucky grew because of the rich coal deposits found underground.
The History of Coal Towns
Coal towns often developed quickly around mines. People moved there to work, and houses, stores, and schools were built to support the miners and their families. These towns played a big role in providing energy for the country. As the coal industry changed over time, so did many of these communities.
