Cripple Creek is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
Wythe County
Wythe County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,290. Its county seat is Wytheville.
History
Wythe County was formed from Montgomery County in 1790. It wa ...
,
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
, United States.
The community's post office first opened in 1888 and closed in 2011.
Early iron furnaces were constructed nearby ca.1800.
The area around Cripple Creek includes the creek known as
Cripple Creek and was significant geologically. The Cripple Creek Valley was mined for iron ore and had furnaces and mills. Rail service came in the late 19th century.
It now borders a large park and is used by anglers and hikers. Cripple Creek Road passes through the area. There is debate about whether the folk song "Cripple Creek" is about the area in Virginia or Colorado, both mining areas.
See also
*
Up on Cripple Creek (Song by The Band)
*
Cripple Creek (folk song)
"Cripple Creek" is an Appalachian-style old time tune and folk song, often played on the fiddle or banjo, listed as number 3434 in the Roud Folk Song Index.
The lyrics are probably no older than the year 1900, and the tune is of unknown ori ...
References
Unincorporated communities in Wythe County, Virginia
Unincorporated communities in Virginia
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