Mineral County, West Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mineral County
U.S. county
Mineral County Courthouse in Keyser
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of West Virginia
West Virginia's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
Founded	February 1, 1866
Seat	Keyser
Largest city	Keyser
Area
• Total	329 sq mi (850 km2)
• Land	328 sq mi (850 km2)
• Water	1.4 sq mi (4 km2)  0.4%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,938
• Estimate  (2021)	26,857
• Density	81.88/sq mi (31.61/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st

Mineral County is a county in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is part of the Cumberland metropolitan area, together with Cumberland, Maryland. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,938. Its county seat is Keyser. The county was founded in 1866.

History

Ancient history

Indigenous peoples lived throughout the highlands along rivers in this area for thousands of years. Archeologists have identified artifacts of the Adena culture, dating from 1000 BC to 200 BC. They were among the several early Native American cultures who built major earthwork mounds for ceremonial and burial use. Remnants of their culture have been found throughout West Virginia. They were followed by other indigenous peoples.

With the growth of fur trading to the north after European encounter in the coastal areas, the nations of the Haudenosaunee (or Iroquois Confederacy), based in present-day New York, moved into the Ohio Valley in search of new hunting grounds. By the 17th century they had conquered other tribes, pushed them out to the west, and preserved the area for hunting.

1863 to present

It was not until after West Virginia became a state in 1863 that present-day Mineral County was organized. It was created in 1866 by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature from the existing Hampshire County. The name was selected due to its reserves of minerals, especially coal - although coal, a type of sedimentary rock, is not a mineral because it does not have a crystalline structure.

The seminal point in the creation of the county was the arrival of the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1842. The county seat of Keyser was named for an executive of the railroad.

In 1863, West Virginia's counties were divided into civil townships, with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts. After its formation in 1866, Mineral County was divided into seven townships: Cabin Run, Elk, Frankfort, Mill Creek, New Creek, Piedmont, and Welton. Mill Creek Township was returned to Hampshire County in 1871, and in 1872 the six remaining townships became magisterial districts. Except for minor adjustments, they remained relatively unchanged until the 1980s, when they were consolidated into three new districts: District 1, District 2, and District 3.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 329 square miles (850 km²), of which 328 square miles (850 km²) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) (0.4%) is water.

Mountains

The Allegheny Front in West Virginia lies in Mineral County and includes the highest point in the county. Known as "the Pinnacle", it is 3,104 feet (946 m) above sea level. From the abandoned fire tower four states are visible, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The Allegheny Front is the largest mountain in the county; on the north end it is also known as Green Mountain.Prior to 1830, the only medical aid available to the settlers was common sense, home remedies and liberal dosages of prayer. The first resident physician in what is now Mineral County was Dr. John Green, who was born in Bolton, England, in 1799, and immigrated to America in 1828. He lived on a farm, which he called Iceland, located near the ridge of the escarpment about three miles from Sulphur City. The area was later named for his son, Tom Green, and is known as Green Mountain. On top of the Allegheny Plateau is located the town of Sulphur City and Elk Garden, West Virginia in the southwestern portion of the county. The Potomac River Valley lies to west and north of the mountain, and the New Creek Valley lies to the east.

Knobly Mountain lies between the New Creek and Patterson Creek valleys. It is the longest mountain in Mineral County stretching from the Grant County line in the south to the Potomac River in the north at Ridgeley, West Virginia.

To the east of the Patterson Creek Valley lie a series of low hills which form the eastern border of the county with Hampshire County.

Rivers

• North Branch Potomac River is the largest river, though not actually in the county. It forms the northern border of the county and the state border with actual border being the low water mark on the south side. Jennings Randolph Lake is located on this stream.
• New Creek enters the North Branch Potomac River at Keyser with the headwaters starting at Dam Site 14 in Grant County, West Virginia. It is the water supply for the city of Keyser.
• Patterson Creek enters the Potomac River east of Cumberland, Maryland, with headwaters being in Grant County, West Virginia. The Patterson Creek watershed contains two-thirds of Mineral County.

Minerals

Natural gas is found east of the Allegheny Front as well as iron ore deposits. The county no longer produces iron, but several abandoned iron furnaces from the 19th century still exist.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 26,938 people and 10,431 households residing in the county. There were 12,453 housing units in Preston. The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 2.7% African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.15% of the population.

Of the 12,510 households, 50.2% were married couples living together, 27.6% had a female householder with no spouse present, 16.1% had a male householder with no spouse present. The average household and family size was 3.19. The median age in the county was 44.6 years with 20.2% of the population under 18. The median income for a household was $57,345 and the poverty rate was 12.1%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 28,212 people, 11,550 households, and 7,879 families residing in the county. The population density was 86.1 inhabitants per square mile (33.2/km²). There were 13,039 housing units at an average density of 39.8 units per square mile (15.4 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 2.8% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 32.9% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 11.3% were English, and 10.0% were American.

Of the 11,550 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.87. The median age was 42.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,571 and the median income for a family was $46,820. Males had a median income of $44,068 versus $25,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,805. About 11.7% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Industrial parks

The Mineral County Development Authority operates industrial parks near Keyser, featuring rail access, and near Fort Ashby, with fiber optics and sitewide wireless Internet Keyser Industrial Park Fort Ashby Business and Technology Park

Education

The school district for Mineral County is Mineral County Schools.

High schools

Mineral County Schools includes two high schools: Frankfort High School located near Short Gap and Keyser High School located south of Keyser.

Colleges

Potomac State College, a two-year school, is located in the county seat of Keyser, West Virginia on the site of Civil War Fort Fuller.

Transportation

Airport

The Greater Cumberland Regional Airport is located in Wiley Ford.

Public transportation

The Potomac Valley Transit Authority provides deviated fixed route and demand response public transportation services to residents.

Rail

CSX lines run along the Potomac River on the northern border of the county. Amtrak service is available in Cumberland, Maryland, just across from Ridgeley, West Virginia. Keyser's railroad station closed in the 1980s.

Major highways

Parks and public recreational attractions

Larenim Park

Owned by Mineral County, the park size is 365 acres (1.48 km²). Includes two pavilions with 10 tables, an amphitheater with seating capacity of 600. One Little League field and one softball field. Fishing Areas; two flood control dams stocked by WVDNR, 5 and 2.5 acres (20,000 and 10,000 m²). All 365 acres (1.48 km²) are open to public hunting by permit. Approximately 5 miles of trails. An arboretum is under construction at Larenim to include a Shale Barrens Conservancy. Larenim Park is also home to the local theater group, McNeill's Rangers.

Barnum Whitewater Area

Owned by Mineral County with size of approximately 40 acres (160,000 m²). Includes four miles (6.4 km) of rail/trail. This area has approximately 1-mile (1.6 km) of river frontage on the North Branch of the Potomac River below Jennings Randolph Lake, along the old Western Maryland Railway right-of-way. It is one of the best trout streams in West Virginia and also provides seven miles (11 km) of whitewater rafting and canoeing for the entire family to enjoy. Public hunting permitted on surrounding state lands.

MINCO Park

Owned by Mineral County Schools, MINCO Park's size is 13.5 acres (55,000 m²). Its facilities include two pavilions with 50 picnic tables, nine cabins, a dining field, a chapel, meeting room, and bath/shower facilities.

Van Myra Campground

Owned by the State of West Virginia and leased by Mineral County, the campground area is 10 acres (40,000 m²). Three picnic tables, four mini-pavilions, and picnic area only comprise this facility.

Dam Site #21

Owned by Mineral County, 178 acres (0.72 km²), with no facilities. Fishing 10 acres (40,000 m²) flood control dam.

Jennings Randolph Lake

Jennings Randolph Lake, named for Senator Jennings Randolph. The lake was originally named Bloomington Lake. The lake was constructed in 1981 on top of the town of Shaw, West Virginia by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is located near Elk Garden. The lake offers extensive recreational opportunity with its 952 acres (3.85 km²) and more than 13 miles (21 km) of shoreline. Howell Run Picnic Area overlooks the lake and contains 40 picnic sites, two pavilions, a playground and vault toilets. The Howell Run Boat Launch consists of a two lane concrete ramp. the Robert W. Craig Campground is situated on a high ridge overlooking the dam site and features 87 campsites, potable water, hot showers, vault toilets and a playground. A 3/4 mile long interpretive trail has been developed in the area. The West Virginia Overlook area contains a two tier Visitor Center. Waffle Rock, a unique natural rock formation, can also be viewed from the Overlook.[1]

Golf courses

• Polish Pines – Privately owned, nine holes, Club House
• Mill Creek – Privately owned, nine holes, Club House

Libraries

Mineral County is home to the Keyser-Mineral County public library. It was a product of the Works Progress Administration and opened in 1937. In 1962 in moved to a larger location, in the building formerly occupied by the Farmers and Merchants bank. The library is funded by the West Virginia Library Commission, Mineral County Court, and Keyser City Council. In addition to the main branch in Keyser, the library also has branches in Burlington and Fort Ashby.

There is also the Piedmont Public Library that is a County United Way agency. The library is funded by County United Way and West Virginia Library Commission.

Communities

City

• Keyser (county seat)

Towns

• Piedmont
• Ridgeley
• Carpendale
• Elk Garden

Magisterial districts

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3

Census-designated places

• Burlington
• Fort Ashby
• Wiley Ford

Unincorporated communities

Historical sites

Saddle Mountain as viewed from Highland Acres Farm

Notable people

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Mineral (Virginia Occidental) para niños