Westbourne, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westbourne, Tennessee
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Country | United States |
State | Tennessee |
County | Campbell |
Elevation | 1,381 ft (421 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
GNIS feature ID | 1314495 |
Westbourne is a small place located in Campbell County, Tennessee. It is known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, the county government takes care of things for Westbourne. It was also once a busy coal town, a place where many people worked in coal mines.
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What is an Unincorporated Community?
An unincorporated community is a group of homes and businesses that are not part of an official city or town. They don't have their own mayor or city council. Instead, the larger county government handles services like roads, police, and fire protection.
Life in a Coal Town
Westbourne was a coal town, meaning its main purpose was to support coal mining. In the past, coal was a very important source of energy. Towns like Westbourne grew up around the mines. People moved there to work, and the town provided homes, stores, and other services for the miners and their families.
The Role of Coal Mining
Coal mining was hard work, but it provided jobs for many people. Miners would go deep underground to dig out the coal. The coal was then transported away to be used in factories, to power trains, or to heat homes. These towns were often close-knit communities where everyone knew each other.
The Post Office Closes
Over time, as the need for coal changed, many coal towns became less active. Westbourne's post office, which was a central part of the community, has now closed. This often happens when a community gets smaller or when people move away to find new jobs.