They were among the several early Native American cultures who built major earthwork mounds for ceremonial and burial use.

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.

It was created in 1866 by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature from the existing Hampshire County.

The seminal point in the creation of the county was the arrival of the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1842.

[4] 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.

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.

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.

Natural gas is found east of the Allegheny Front as well as iron ore deposits.

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 does not possess home rule per Article 6, Section 39a of the Constitution of West Virginia.

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.

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.

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

CSX lines run along the Potomac River on the northern border of the county.

Larenim Park is also home to the local theater group, McNeill's Rangers.

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.

Owned by Mineral County Schools, MINCO Park's size is 13.5 acres (55,000 m2).

Owned by the State of West Virginia and leased by Mineral County, the campground area is 10 acres (40,000 m2).

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 offers extensive recreational opportunity with its 952 acres (3.85 km2) and more than 13 miles (21 km) of shoreline.

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.