Tarpon, Virginia facts for kids

Tarpon is a small, quiet place located in Dickenson County, Virginia, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county.

History of Tarpon

Tarpon has a simple but interesting history. For many years, it was an important stop for mail.

The Old Post Office

A post office served the community of Tarpon for a long time. It first opened in 1876. This was a very important place for people living in the area. It was where they sent and received letters and packages. The post office stayed open for many decades, helping connect the community to the rest of the world. It finally closed its doors in 1961.

How Tarpon Got Its Name

The name "Tarpon" might sound like a type of fish, but that's not how this community got its name! Instead, it comes from something found right nearby. There was a pond close to the community that had a lot of pine tar on it. Pine tar is a sticky, dark substance that comes from pine trees. People used to collect it for different purposes. Because of this special pond, the community became known as Tarpon.