Bradshaw, McDowell County, West Virginia

Bradshaw
—  Town  —
Bradshaw
Location within the state of West Virginia
Coordinates:
Country United States
State West Virginia
County McDowell
Area
 • Total 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
 • Land 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km2)
Population (2000)
 • Total 289
 • Density 356.4/sq mi (137.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes
FIPS code
GNIS feature ID

Bradshaw is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 289 at the 2000 census. Bradshaw was incorporated in December 1979 and is named for a man who settled at the mouth of Bradshaw Creek in about 1840. His gravesite overlooks the town. The town was famous for its coal deposits that would play an important part in the steel manufacturing from the '30s onward. The town currently struggles as the loss of coal production jobs has caused widespread unemployment. Located at the convergence of Bradshaw Creek and the Dry Fork River, Bradshaw has played an important part as a hub of coal production and shipping. Due to its location, flooding has occurred many times throughout its history, causing serious damage. The former Bradshaw Elementary School is now the location of the City Hall and various community services. The annual Lions Club sponsored Fall Festival is the highlight of community fun for the fall season when the town's majestic mountains begin the changing of the colors of the leaves for fall.

Bradshaw West Virginia is located in the county of McDowell, the most southern county in the state. Originally McDowell County was part of Tazewell County, Virginia. Bradshaw was originally named after the railroad stop known as Dan along the Dryfork River. Rich in coal deposits and one of the towns that spawned the American steel years, Bradshaw contributed the coal that would build a nation. The J.D. Kennedy family was one of its earliest settlers and one of the original town founders. The town would eventually become incorporated in 1979 and become a jewel of southern West Virginia towns. Today Bradshaw struggles against the loss of the mining industry in southern West Virginia. The people of the town are friendly and good people and always make strangers feel welcome. Some of its most famous people are former Mayor Burl Laxton, Al Carolla, Bradley Gregory, Eddie Payne, Davis and Dawson families.

Contents

Geography

Bradshaw is located at (37.351676, −81.799086)[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land. Bradshaw is a town in McDowell County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 289 at the 2000 census. Bradshaw was incorporated in December 1979 and is named for a man who settled at the mouth of Bradshaw Creek in about 1840. His gravesite overlooks the town. The town was famous for its coal deposits that would play an important part in the steel manufacturing from the '30s onward. The town currently struggles as the loss of coal production jobs has caused widespread unemployment. Located at the convergence of Bradshaw Creek and the Dry Fork River, Bradshaw has played an important part as a hub of coal production and shipping. Due to its location, flooding has occurred many times throughout its history, causing serious damage. The former Bradshaw Elementary School is now the location of the City Hall and various community services. The annual Lions Club sponsored Fall Festival is the highlight of community fun for the fall season when the town's majestic mountains begin the changing of the colors of the leaves for fall.

Bradshaw West Virginia is located in the county of McDowell, the most southern county in the state. Originally McDowell County was part of Tazewell County, Virginia. Bradshaw was originally named after the railroad stop known as Dan along the Dryfork River. Rich in coal deposits and one of the towns that spawned the American steel years, Bradshaw contributed the coal that would build a nation. The J.D. Kennedy family was one of its earliest settlers and one of the original town founders. The town would eventually become incorporated in 1979 and become a jewel of southern West Virginia towns. Today Bradshaw struggles against the loss of the mining industry in southern West Virginia. The people of the town are friendly and good people and always make strangers feel welcome. Some of its most famous people are former Mayor Burl Laxton,Former Police chief Franklin Church, Al Carolla, Bradley Gregory, Eddie Payne, Davis and Dawson families.

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 289 people, 135 households, and 83 families residing in the town. The population density was 362.8 inhabitants per square mile (140.1 /km2). There were 174 housing units at an average density of 218.4 per square mile (84.3 /km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.65% White, and 0.35% from two or more races.

There were 135 households out of which 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $12,083, and the median income for a family was $14,750. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,458. About 43.7% of families and 54.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 87.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 31.0% of those sixty five or over.

References

  1. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links