Mineral County is nestled among the Allegheny Mountains in the Potomac Highlands region of West Virginia. Formed out of the western half of Hampshire County in 1866, it is a relatively young county with a modest population of roughly 30,000. Not surprisingly, the county was named for it mineral resources, which include coal, natural gas, and iron ore. Many people looking for homes in West Virginia choose Mineral County real estate.

Despite its youth, Mineral County’s history is as fertile as any in the region. One of its most notable historic attractions is Fort Ashby, the only remaining fort of the many established by George Washington to protect the Virginia frontier. Today, it is owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution and used for a number of special events, including the annual “1775 Christmas” celebration. The birthplace of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, is also located in Mineral County, as are several churches dating back to the 1800s.

Like the rest of the Potomac Highlands, Mineral County real estate sits against natural beauty preserved in the form of parks and other recreational attractions. Larenim Park, which is owned by the Mineral County Commission, includes two pavilions, an amphitheater, an arboretum, and five miles of trails on its 365 acres. Barnum Whitewater Area, which is leased by the Mineral County Commission, covers only 40 acres, but is surrounded by an additional 1200 acres of state lands. It also boasts one mile of riverfront along the North Branch of the Potomac River, which many believe is one of the best trout streams in West Virginia.