Switchback, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Switchback
|
|
|---|---|
James Ellwood Jones House
|
|
 Switchback
Location in West Virginia
Switchback
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | McDowell |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555770 |
Switchback is a small community located in McDowell County, West Virginia, in the United States. It is an "unincorporated community," which means it's a town that doesn't have its own official city government. Switchback is known for its history connected to railroads and coal mining.
Contents
About Switchback
Switchback is a quiet place in the mountains of West Virginia. It's part of McDowell County, which is in the southern part of the state. The community is located in the Eastern Time Zone.
What's in a Name?
The name "Switchback" likely comes from the way the railroad tracks were built nearby. A "switchback" is a special kind of zigzag track. It helps trains climb steep hills by going back and forth. This design allows trains to gain height slowly and safely.
A Look Back: Switchback's History
Switchback had its own high school for many years. The school was open from 1923 until 1953. It served the local students for three decades. This shows how important education was to the community.
Important Places in Switchback
Two important buildings in Switchback are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places that are special because of their history or architecture. Being on this list helps protect them.
The first is the James Ellwood Jones House. This house was built a long time ago. The second is the Pocahontas Fuel Company Store. This store was very important for the coal miners and their families. It was where they bought their supplies. Both buildings were added to the National Register in 1992. They remind us of Switchback's past, especially its connection to coal mining.
