Whirlwind, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whirlwind, West Virginia
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Whirlwind Historical Sign, 2014
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 Whirlwind, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Whirlwind, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Logan |
| Elevation | 728 ft (222 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS ID | 1742641 |
Whirlwind is a small, unincorporated community in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. It is located along Big Harts Creek. Being "unincorporated" means it's not officially a town or city with its own local government.
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Where is Whirlwind Located?
The community of Whirlwind is found near the start of Big Harts Creek. Several smaller streams flow into Big Harts Creek here. These include Henderson Branch, Lambert Branch, Bulwark Branch, Brier Branch, Tomblin Branch, and Collins Branch.
A Look Back: Whirlwind's History
The first families to settle in the Upper Hart area included the Adams, Blair, Collins, Dalton, Farley, Mullins, Smith, Tomblin, and Workman families. These families helped build the community.
Local stories say that a small fight or "skirmish" happened near Bulwark during the American Civil War. This war took place in the United States from 1861 to 1865.
The Post Office Story
In 1908, a man named L.W. Riddle asked for a post office to be set up in the area. He first suggested the name "Zama." However, in 1909, the name "Whirlwind" was chosen instead.
The first postmaster, L.W. Riddle, started in 1910. Over the years, the post office moved several times. Different postmasters, like Shirley Smith and Pearl Lowe, asked to move it closer to their homes. This made it easier for them to manage the mail.
The Whirlwind Post Office officially closed on January 31, 1952. After that, people in Whirlwind received their mail from the post office in Harts.
What Did People Do for Work?
For a long time, cutting down trees, known as timbering, was the main job in Whirlwind. The community also benefited from being close to Dingess. Dingess was a busy town with a railway.
Even in the 1990s, Whirlwind had a few local businesses. There was a gas station, a grocery store, and even a place to care for pets called a kennel. Today, a butcher shop still operates on Henderson Branch.
Places of Worship
Two churches are important to the Whirlwind community. Hannah United Baptist Church was built in the 1950s. It was named after Hannah (Pack) Tomblin. Hoover Church, which used to be in Hoover Fork, is now also located in Whirlwind.
Learning in Whirlwind
In the past, children in Whirlwind went to one-room schools. Later, a larger, two-story brick school building served the community. Today, students from Whirlwind attend schools in nearby areas. These include Hugh Dingess Elementary School, Chapmanville Middle School, and Chapmanville Regional High School.
Community Services
The Main Harts Volunteer Fire Department helps keep the community safe. It is located near Henderson Branch. Recently, Whirlwind also got "city water," which means homes now have access to a public water supply.
