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Mineral County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is included in the 'Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area'. As of 2000, the population was 27,078. Its county seat is Keyser6. Pre-Colonial History The first native settlers in West Virginia's Potomac Highlands were the Mound Builders, also known as the Adena people. Remnants of the Mound Builder's civilization have been found throughout West Virginia. In 1722 the Iroquois surrendered their claims to land in the eastern panhandle. Colonial Virginia History John Lederer, a German physician and explorer employed by Sir William Berkeley, colonial governor of Virginia, is believed to be the first Englishman to set foot in present-day Mineral County. He explored the area in 1669. The first recorded grants of land in West Virginia are made to Isaac and John Van Meter in 1730. This was in the Frankfort district of Mineral County. In 1749 the first frontier fort, Fort Ohio, is built at Ridgeley. Fort Ashby is constructed in 1755, and is the last standing unit in the chain of forts built under the orders of George Washington. Fort Sellers was built near present day Short Gap, and Fort Cocke near Headsville. In 1750 a frontier Blockhouse, New Creek Blockhouse, was built about 1 mile west of New Creek to protect local settlers. Prior to 1738 the present Orange County, Virginia, situated on the cast side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, included all of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge. In that year, the Virginia Assembly passed an act dividing this territory into two counties: Frederick and Augusta. Hampshire County was formed from those two counties in 1753 Virginia State History 1776 to 1863 Ultimately Hardy County in 1785 and part of Morgan County in 1820 were formed from Hampshire County. West Virginia History 1863 to Present It was not until after West Virginia became a state in 1863 that the present Mineral County came into existence. Mineral County was created in 1866 by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature from the existing Hampshire County. The name was selected due to the vast reserves of minerals, especially coal. Historical sites Notable people from Mineral County See also USS Barr (APD-39) County Commission Mineral County is governed by a three member commission, one member to be elected every two years to a six year term of office. The County Commission, as the governing body, is responsible for the fiscal affairs and general administration of county government. The County Commission does not possess inherent rights of self government but are creations of the State with the authority to carry out those functions specified by the WV Constitution or by legislative enactment. Office of Assessor WV CODE 11-3-10 requires that you report in writing all taxable property owned by you to the Assessor between July 1 to October 1. Failure to file will result in a penalty along with difficulty in obtaining vehicle and boat licenses. Office of Circuit Clerk The Ciruit Clerk is responsible for the following. County Clerk The Clerk is elected to a six year term with the right to succeed himself/herself. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Clerk of the County Commission may be identified as two basic functions: The County Clerk shall have the custody of all deeds and other papers presented for record in their counties and they shall be preserved therein. They shall have jurisdiction in all matters of probate, the appointment and qualification of personal representatives, guardians, committees, curators and the settlement of their accounts. The Clerk shall have custody of all election records, payroll and budgetary accounting, and accounts payable. The legislature sets the recording fees. Hunting & Fishing licenses and Marriage license applications are available in the County Clerk's Office also. Source Mineral County Commission West Virginia House of Delegates|House of Delegates West Virginia Senate|Senate Economic development Mineral County Development Authority, The mission of the Mineral County Development Authority shall be to enhance the welfare of the citizens of Mineral County by promoting and assisting the recruiting, startup, growth and prosperity of responsible business and industry within the County. Contact: Mineral County Development Authority Executive Director Route 3, Box 3048 Keyser, WV 26726 Phone 304-788-3383 Fax 304-788-0481 Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, The mission of the Mineral Country Chamber of Commerce is to stimulate and enhance the business environment and quality of life in Mineral County. Contact: Mineral County Chamber of Commerce 1 Grand Central Park Keyser, West Virginia 26726 Phone (304) 788-2513 Fax (304) 788-3887 Industrial parks Keyser Industrial Park is located next to Keyser, West Virginia Highway access is via WV Route 46 East of Keyser. The park is 18 miles from Interstate 68. Rail service inside the park is provided by CSX. Fort Ashby Business and Technology Park is located near Fort Ashby, West Virginia Highway access is via WV Route 46 West of Fort Ashby. The park is 16 miles from Interstate 68. The park is fully wired for fiber optic communications, along with a 60 foot Wireless Internet Tower. 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. Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College holds classes at Mineral Counties Vocational and Technical School. High schools Frankfort High School located near Short Gap Keyser High School located south of Keyser Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 852 km² (329 mi²). 849 km² (328 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.43%) is water. Major Highways Adjacent Counties Mountains The northern terminus of the Allegheny Front in West Virginia lies in Mineral County, and contains the highest point in the county. Known as the Pinnacle it is 3,104 feet above sea level. From the abandon fire tower you can see 4 states on a clear day, 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. On top of the Allegheny Plateau is located the town of 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 Pattersons Creek Valley lie a series of low hills which form the eastern border of the county with Hampshire County. Rivers Minerals Mineral County is the eastern most West Virginia county with coal deposits. No coal is found east of the Allegheny Front, and coal mining is only found on top of the Allegheny Plateau. Natural gas is found east of the Allegheny Front as well as iron ore deposits. The county no longer produces iron, but several abanodon iron furnaces from the 19th century still exist. Demographics As of the census² of 2000, there were 27,078 people, 10,784 households, and 7,710 families residing in the county. The population density was 32/km² (83/mi²). There were 12,094 housing units at an average density of 14/km² (37/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.16% White, 2.55% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 10,784 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93. In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 25.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $31,149, and the median income for a family was $37,866. Males had a median income of $32,337 versus $20,090 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,384. About 11.50% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over. Incorporated Unincorporated Districts Transportation Parks and public recreational attractions Larenim Park Barnum Whitewater Area MINCO Park Van Myra Campground Dam Site Jennings Randolph Lake West Virginia state lands Open to public hunting; no marked trails, but includes several miles of old logging roads. Size: 4,800 acres. Facilities: none Hunting and fishing licenses are required throughout the state. Non-resident licenses, including short-term licenses for state recreational areas, may be obtained from nearly 800 license agents in the state. Hunting and fishing regulations are available from the Division of Natural Resources, 304-558-2771. License application forms may be obtained by calling 304-558-2758. A special stamp is required to hunt or fish on national forest lands. Golf courses - public Polish Pines - Privately owned, 9 Holes, Club House Mill Creek - Privately owned, 9 Holes, Club House Swimming pools - public City of Keyser - One Pool open to public City of Piedmont - One Pool open to public | |||||||
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