Wendel, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wendel, West Virginia
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 Wendel, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Wendel, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Taylor |
| Elevation | 1,184 ft (361 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1555939 |
Wendel is a small, unincorporated community located in Taylor County, West Virginia, in the United States. It is found on County Route 11, about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) northeast of the town of Flemington, West Virginia. Wendel is a quiet place today, but it has an interesting history tied to the coal industry in West Virginia.
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Welcome to Wendel
Wendel is a community without its own local government. This means it is not an official city or town with a mayor or city council. Instead, it is part of the larger Taylor County government. Many small places in the United States are unincorporated communities.
What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a place where people live together, but it does not have its own separate local government. It is different from a city or town that has its own mayor and rules. Instead, the county government takes care of services like roads and police for these areas.
People in unincorporated communities still have a strong sense of belonging. They often share local schools, churches, and community events. Wendel is one example of such a place in West Virginia.
A Look Back: Wendel as a Coal Town
Wendel was once a busy "coal town." Many communities in West Virginia grew up around coal mines. These towns were built to house the miners and their families. Coal was a very important resource for energy and industry.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, coal mining was a huge industry in West Virginia. Companies would build entire towns near their mines. They provided homes, stores, and even schools for their workers. Wendel was one of these places.
Life in a Coal Town
Life in a coal town like Wendel was unique. Most people worked for the coal company. The company often owned the houses, the company store, and sometimes even the doctor's office. Miners spent long hours underground, digging for coal.
Families in coal towns often knew each other well. They formed close communities, supporting one another through hard times. Children in these towns would often follow in their parents' footsteps, working in the mines when they grew up.
The End of an Era
Over time, the demand for coal changed. Many mines closed down, and people moved away to find new jobs. This caused many coal towns, including Wendel, to become much smaller. Today, Wendel is a quiet residential area.
While the mining days are mostly over, the history of coal towns like Wendel is an important part of West Virginia's story. It reminds us of the hard work and community spirit that built many parts of the state.
