Haysi, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Haysi is a town in Dickenson County
, Virginia
, United States
. The population was 186 at the 2000 census. The pronunciation of the final syllable is that of "sigh".
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the small town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 186 people, 80 households, and 56 families residing in the town. The population density
was 210.4 people per square mile (81.6/km²). There were 99 housing units at an average density of 112.0 per square mile (43.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.85% White, and 2.15% African American.
There were 80 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 80.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,781, and the median income for a family was $31,750. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,155. About 3.6% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.8% of those sixty five or over.
of Russell Prater Creek, the McClure River, and the Russell Fork River. The area where Haysi is presently located was originally known "The Mouth of McClure". As late as 1911, Haysi was still only sparsely populated and was often referred to as a laurel bed.
The first store was constructed within the present town limits of Haysi by Paris Charles for workers of the Yellow Popular Lumber Company. Haysi began to grow with the construction of the Clinchfield Railroad
between 1912 and 1915 as stores sprang up to serve the railroad workers. The railroad was constructed to export natural resources such as timber and coal from the area and thus later growth of the town centered around workers for the coal mines which began operating around 1916. However, businesses in the town also accommodated travelers as the rail system was a popular form of transportation at the time and Haysi was located on a line of the Clinchfield that linked eastern Kentucky with northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and South Carolina. Notable early businesses included the McClure Bottling Company, Inc. (established 1914) and the Haysi Supply Company (established 1916). By 1920 Haysi businesses included a hotel, bank, hardware store, and various other retail merchants. By 1930 main street was lined with businesses and the town was incorporated on February 17, 1936.
Local folklore says that in the pioneer days, prior to the establishment of bridges, a ferry boat operator named Si (Silas) shuttled people across the water in that area. It is said that when one arrived at the river and found the ferry on the opposite bank, it was common to shout "Hey Si!" to capture his attention and request passage. Thus, the town which grew around the location of this ferry service became known as "Haysi".
The myth concerning the town's origins is popular and widely accepted among area residents, but local historians dispute this explanation. The name Haysi is said to actually originate from a post office established at a general store
owned by Otis L. Sifers and Charles M. Hayter. The owners chose Haysi as a blend
of their own surnames when it was necessary to provide a name to the United States Post Office Department
.
and Sandlick Elementary School in the nearby community of Birchleaf, Virginia
. Haysi is also within commuting distance of the Dickenson Center for Education and Research, Southwest Virginia Community College
, Mountain Empire Community College
, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Appalachian College of Pharmacy, and the Appalachian School of Law
. Transportation to Southwest Virginia Community College is offered by Four County Transit.
Dickenson County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,395 people, 6,732 households, and 4,887 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile . There were 7,684 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 186 at the 2000 census. The pronunciation of the final syllable is that of "sigh".
Geography
Haysi is located at 37°12′20"N 82°17′41"W (37.205639, -82.294615).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the small town has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 186 people, 80 households, and 56 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 210.4 people per square mile (81.6/km²). There were 99 housing units at an average density of 112.0 per square mile (43.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.85% White, and 2.15% African American.
There were 80 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 80.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,781, and the median income for a family was $31,750. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $13,155. About 3.6% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.8% of those sixty five or over.
Origin of the Town and its Name
Haysi is located at the confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of Russell Prater Creek, the McClure River, and the Russell Fork River. The area where Haysi is presently located was originally known "The Mouth of McClure". As late as 1911, Haysi was still only sparsely populated and was often referred to as a laurel bed.
The first store was constructed within the present town limits of Haysi by Paris Charles for workers of the Yellow Popular Lumber Company. Haysi began to grow with the construction of the Clinchfield Railroad
Clinchfield Railroad
The Clinchfield Railroad was an operating and holding company for the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway . The line ran from the coalfields of Virginia and Elkhorn City, Kentucky, to the textile mills of South Carolina...
between 1912 and 1915 as stores sprang up to serve the railroad workers. The railroad was constructed to export natural resources such as timber and coal from the area and thus later growth of the town centered around workers for the coal mines which began operating around 1916. However, businesses in the town also accommodated travelers as the rail system was a popular form of transportation at the time and Haysi was located on a line of the Clinchfield that linked eastern Kentucky with northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and South Carolina. Notable early businesses included the McClure Bottling Company, Inc. (established 1914) and the Haysi Supply Company (established 1916). By 1920 Haysi businesses included a hotel, bank, hardware store, and various other retail merchants. By 1930 main street was lined with businesses and the town was incorporated on February 17, 1936.
Local folklore says that in the pioneer days, prior to the establishment of bridges, a ferry boat operator named Si (Silas) shuttled people across the water in that area. It is said that when one arrived at the river and found the ferry on the opposite bank, it was common to shout "Hey Si!" to capture his attention and request passage. Thus, the town which grew around the location of this ferry service became known as "Haysi".
The myth concerning the town's origins is popular and widely accepted among area residents, but local historians dispute this explanation. The name Haysi is said to actually originate from a post office established at a general store
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
owned by Otis L. Sifers and Charles M. Hayter. The owners chose Haysi as a blend
Blend
In linguistics, a blend is a word formed from parts of two or more other words. These parts are sometimes, but not always, morphemes.-Linguistics:...
of their own surnames when it was necessary to provide a name to the United States Post Office Department
United States Post Office Department
The Post Office Department was the name of the United States Postal Service when it was a Cabinet department. It was headed by the Postmaster General....
.
Public transportation
Bus service is provided to various locations in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties by Four County TransitEducation
The Haysi area is served by Haysi High SchoolHaysi High School
Haysi High School is a public high school located in Haysi, Virginia in Dickenson County, Virginia. It is part of the Dickenson County School Division. Athletic teams compete in the Virginia High School League's A Black Diamond District in Region D....
and Sandlick Elementary School in the nearby community of Birchleaf, Virginia
Birchleaf, Virginia
Birchleaf is a community in Dickenson County, Virginia, United States. The population was 761 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Birchleaf is located approximately 5 miles SE of the town of Haysi, Virginia. The Russell Fork of the Levisa River runs through the center of the community...
. Haysi is also within commuting distance of the Dickenson Center for Education and Research, Southwest Virginia Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College is located outside of Richlands, Virginia, on the border of Tazewell and Russell counties, and is one of the 23 schools in the Virginia Community College System. SWCC was opened in 1968 to serve the residents of Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell counties....
, Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire Community College is a two-year college located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and is one of the 23 schools in the Virginia Community College System. The college serves residents of Dickenson, Lee, Scott, and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton. The first classes were offered...
, The University of Virginia's College at Wise, Appalachian College of Pharmacy, and the Appalachian School of Law
Appalachian School of Law
The Appalachian School of Law is a fully accredited private law school on a four building campus in Grundy, Virginia, a small town near the convergence of Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The school offers a three-year Juris Doctor degree, and enrolls approximately 370 full-time students...
. Transportation to Southwest Virginia Community College is offered by Four County Transit.
Restaurants
- Mi Finca - Mexican
- Mountain Art Works (MAW's)
- Pizza Factory
- Pizza Plus
- SubwaySubway (restaurant)Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
Local Tourist Attractions
- Birch Knob
- Breaks Interstate ParkBreaks Interstate ParkBreaks Interstate Park, also referred as the "Grand Canyon of the South", is located in southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia at the northeastern terminus of Pine Mountain...
- John Flannagan Dam & Reservoir
- Russell Fork RiverRussell Fork RiverThe Russell Fork is a tributary of the Levisa Fork in southwestern Virginia and southeastern Kentucky in the United States. Known for its whitewater rafting, it rises in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, in southern Dickenson County, and flows north through the town of Haysi,...
- The Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood
- The Red Caboose Inn
External links
- Town of Haysi, VA
- HaysiForum.com - a collaborative community discussion forum
- Breaks Interstate Park
- John Flannagan Dam & Reservoir
- Russell Fork River
- Birch Knob Photo Gallery
- The Red Caboose Inn
- Four County Transit