Red House, West Virginia

Red House
Unincorporated community
Red House Location within the state of West Virginia
Coordinates: 38°32′21″N 81°53′48″W / 38.53917°N 81.89667°WCoordinates: 38°32′21″N 81°53′48″W / 38.53917°N 81.89667°W
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Putnam
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	25168
GNIS feature ID	1545453[1]

Red House is a small unincorporated community located in Putnam County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The community is divided into two distinct areas: Red House (Proper) which follows the Kanawha River Valley along WV 62, and Red House Hill along WV 34 which is in the hills just off the Kanawha River Valley. The Red House Post Office is still in service and was founded on September 26, 1840.^[2] Some say the town was named for a red house which stood at the town site, while others believe nearby red rock formations account for the name.^[3]

Geography

Red House is located on WV 62 which generally follows the Kanawha River, between Hometown and Eleanor, and consists primarily of single family homes.

The Red House Hill area is primarily a mix of hilly 20 to 100 acre (8 to 40 hectare) farms (including cattle, horses, limited tobacco production, corn, etc.), and small land plots whose owners are commuters to the Charleston and Huntington metropolitan and surrounding areas.

The closest neighbors to Red House are Confidence, Hometown, Winfield, and Eleanor.

Due to the extremely windy mountain terrain, WV 34 is a very dangerous road for a 21 mile stretch from its junction with WV 62 to Kenna, where it intersects with County Route 21, which provides access to I-77. Because of the windy nature of WV 34 and the proximity to the Putnam County line, the road actually passes through Putnam County, Kanawaha County and finally Jackson County, several times along the 21 mile length.

Education

Public education in the area is served by George Washington Elementary School (located in Eleanor), George Washington Middle School (also located in Eleanor), and Poca High School (located in Poca).

Fire service

Fire service in the area is primarily provided by the Route 34 Volunteer Fire Department & 2nd due, Eleanor Volunteer Fire Department.

Churches

Three churches exist in Red House: the 'United Brethren' church and Riverside Baptist Church which are located in Red House (proper), and the 'Lone Oak Church of God', located on Red House Hill.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Red House, West Virginia
2. http://webpmt.usps.gov/pmt015.cfm
3. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 523.