[2] The community of Slanesville was earliest inhabited by generations of the Slain family in the late 18th century and upon its settlement it was known as Cross Roads because of its prime location at the meeting of the Martinsburg (old West Virginia Route 45) and Springfield (West Virginia Secondary Route 3) Grade Roads.

Slanes Knob (1,588 ft), located near Capon Bridge, is also named for the prominent Slain family in the area.

[3] Slanesville differed from its neighboring communities of Bloomery and North River Mills early on because it never became the center of major industry.

Slanesville was predominantly a farming community throughout most of its history and served as a popular stagecoach stop in the early 19th century along the Martinsburg and Springfield Grade Roads.

The only signs of limited industry in Slanesville were two blacksmith shops run by the Hockman family and a cider mill.