Van, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Van, West Virginia
|
|
|---|---|
Houses on WV 85
|
|
 Van, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Van, West Virginia
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Boone |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.614 sq mi (1.59 km2) |
| • Land | 0.598 sq mi (1.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.016 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 211 |
| • Density | 343.6/sq mi (132.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
25206
|
Van is a small community located in Boone County, West Virginia, in the United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for gathering census information. Van is situated along the Pond Fork of the Little Coal River. In 2010, about 211 people lived there. The community's ZIP code is 25206. Van got its name from Van Linville, who started the local post office and was its first postmaster.
Contents
Exploring Van's Location and Features
Van is one of many small towns found along West Virginia Route 85. This road winds through valleys, always staying close to the Little Coal River. Van is mainly a place where people live. It also has some important services and businesses.
You can find a gas station, a pharmacy, and a flower shop in Van. There are also a few churches and a place to get pizza. The community has an elementary school, a junior/senior high school, and a Christian school. For emergencies, there's a volunteer fire department and an ambulance station. A Senior Nutrition Center helps older residents.
The Pond Fork of the Little Coal River flows through Van. This river is special because the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources adds fish to it. They stock fish like trout several times a year, which is great for fishing!
Schools and Sports in Van
Van is home to several schools that serve the community.
Van Junior-Senior High School
Van High School used to be called Crook District High School. It sits on a hill, looking over the town of Van. Both Van Junior-Senior High School and Van Elementary School are located on Bulldog Boulevard.
Athletic Achievements of the Bulldogs
Van High School is very successful in sports. They compete in the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission. Their mascot is a Bulldog, and their school colors are Blue and Gold. The Bulldogs play in Class Single A, which is the smallest of three classes in West Virginia. Van High is one of only three high schools in Boone County.
Baseball Success
The baseball team has won five state championships. These wins happened in 1982 (AA), 1988 (A), 1991 (A), 1992 (A), and 1993 (A). They were also state runner-up six times. These years were 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1996, 2004, and 2007. Since 1981, they have made it to the state tournament a record 19 times. The state tournament includes the top four teams from each class.
Football Playoff Appearances
The football team has been in the state playoffs ten times since 1981. They made it to the final eight teams in 1981, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1993, and 2001. The Bulldogs advanced to the final four teams in 1986 and 1992.
Basketball Highlights
The boys' basketball team has reached the regional finals four times. This is the last game before the state tournament in Charleston. They won sectional finals in 1977 (AA), 1995 (A), 1996 (A), and 2002 (A). In 1991–1992, a new, modern gymnasium was built. It replaced one of the few "domed" gyms in West Virginia.
Girls Basketball Championship
The girls' basketball team won a state championship (A) in 1982. They also made it to the state tournament in 1983.
Famous People from Van
Van has been home to several notable people who have achieved success in different fields.
- Hasil Adkins - A musician known for his unique "Appalachian Rockabilly" style. He was a one-man band who recorded many songs. He also appeared in movies and TV shows. A documentary called "The Wild World Of Hasil Adkins" featured him.
- Robin Davis - She served as a Justice on the West Virginia Supreme Court.
- Jesco White - A famous folk dancer. He has been featured in documentaries, TV shows, and popular songs.
- Tony Gibson - He is a well-known football coach. He was the head football coach for the Marshall Thundering Herd team.
See also
In Spanish: Van (Virginia Occidental) para niños
