Winifrede, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winifrede, West Virginia
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 Winifrede, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Winifrede, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Kanawha |
| Elevation | 705 ft (215 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
25214
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| Area code(s) | 304 & 681 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1549250 |
Winifrede is a small, unincorporated community located in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's governed by the county. Winifrede is about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Chesapeake. It has its own post office with the ZIP code 25214.
Contents
Discovering Winifrede, West Virginia
Winifrede is a unique place with a rich history. It's known for its connection to railroads and the coal industry. This community shows how important these industries were to West Virginia's past.
The Big Eagle Railroad: A Long History
One of the most interesting things about Winifrede is the Big Eagle Railroad. This railroad is very old, starting way back in 1850! It's one of the oldest "short-line railroad" operations in the United States. A short-line railroad is a smaller railway that usually connects to a larger, main railway line.
From Winifrede Railroad to Big Eagle
The Big Eagle Railroad has had a few different names over the years. It was first known as the Winifrede Mining and Manufacturing Company. Later, it became the Winifrede Collieries and then the Winifrede Railroad. The Winifrede Railroad was officially started in November 1881 and opened for business in 1882.
The original railroad stopped running in 1988. But it didn't stay closed for long! It reopened around 2000 or 2001, taking on its current name, the Big Eagle Railroad. This shows how important the railroad has been to the community for a very long time.
How Winifrede Got Its Name
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? For Winifrede, there's a special story. According to local tradition, the community was named after a woman from Philadelphia. It's a nice way to remember someone important from the past!
