Mineral County was created in 1866 by an Act of the West Virginia Legislature from the existing Hampshire County. Prior to 1738 the present Orange County, VA, 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 and ultimately Hardy County in 1785 and part of Morgan County in 1820 were formed from Hampshire County it was not until after West Virginia became a state in 1863 that the present Mineral County came into existence. The name was selected due to the vast reserves of minerals, especially coal.

The present Mineral County was part of a large land grant, the "Northern Neck" of Virginia, which was owned by Thomas Lord Fairfax. Surveyors passed through the region in l~36 to locate the boundaries of the tract which had been inherited from Lord Culpepper. Following completion of the survey, Lord Fairfax began to develop and make grants in 1752.

While white settlers came to the area around the present town of Ridgeley as far back as the early 1700's, early English possession of the territory that eventually becomes Mineral County is not entirely clear as to dates and circumstances, but some consistency exists among historians as to the chief events.

Apparently, in 1664, Charles II granted the "Northern Neck" to Thomas, Lord Culpepper. In 1688 James II made a new grant that gave Culpepper posession of all the lands between the Rappahanock and Potomac Rivers to their headwaters.

Culpepper's land went to his daughter Catherine and eventually passed on to her son, Thomas, Lord Fairfax who, in 1733, petitioned George I for a survey of the area to determine its boundaries.

In 1736, a commission of six men sent a surveying party under the leadership of Major William Mayo to explore Fairfax's territory.

This first survey of Fairfax's domains provided the first useful map of the region, and Mayo's journal provided most of the knowledge available to settlers who began breaking through the Blue Ridge into western Virginia territory about the same time.

The New Creek area received its name from the Mayo expedition. By traveling up the north side of the Potomac River, which was easier because of the mountainous terrain on the south side, they missed the stream which gives the town its name. On coming back, the explorers discovered the stream and subsequently placed it on the map as a "new creek."

However, the Mayo survey produced the first spark of controversy as the King's commissioners protested that no one man should be allowed to own so much land. Apparently, by Mayo's figures, Fairfax held a claim to over 5,000,000 acres of North America.

As settlement increased, so increased tension between Virginia's (and Fairfax's) claim to the territory that would later become West Virginia's eastern panhandle and Maryland's claim to the same territory. Maryland held the older land grant as it was Charles I who, in 1632, granted Lord Baltimore all the land south of the Pennsylvania border to the Potomac River. Maryland had marked its territory as including all lands north of the Potomac River's South Branch.

In 1746, an expedition of 40 men spent 127 days mapping the region. Included among them was Peter Jefferson, the father of Thomas Jefferson. On October 23, 1746, the party reached the head fountain of the North Branch of the Potomac, which marked the farthest extent of the Fairfax lands. The surveyors then planted the "Fairfax Stone" to mark the point.

However, Maryland continued to dispute the claim. In 1832, the matter was again investigated and the report filed at that time reaffirmed the correctness of the Fairfax survey. Maryland persisted in its claim to the territory--a persistence that resulted in several court sessions and ended up before the United States Supreme Court, which settled in favor of West Virginia in 1910.

Thus, one might say, that Mineral County's free and clear existence as a West Virginia County has only been established for 84 years.

A picturesque farm in Mineral County. (Three farms are recognized as Bicentennial by the National Historical Society.)

In 1748, Lord Fairfax sent another surveying party led by James Genn into the area. Among the surveyors who accompanied Genn was the sixteen year old George Washington, who kept a journal of the expedition. Washington records that his party crossed the South Branch of the Potomac River at Colonel Cresap's (now Cresaptown, Maryland) and traveled to the head of Patterson's Creek. According to Washington, the area under survey was already peopled with white settlers as he noted that the surveyors were followed through the woods by "a great company of people" who "would never speak English, but when spoken to they all spoke Dutch."

The purpose of this expedition was to survey lots for distribution to individuals. In fact, between 1748 and 1751, 300 lots were surveyed, including the Wappacoma (South Branch) Manor containing 55,000 acres and the Patterson Creek manor containing nearly 10,000 acres. Patterson Creek manor would eventually grow into the agricultural community of Burlington.

Throughout the various surveys and the arrival of settlers, the area underwent several name changes and divisions. Prior to 1738, Virginia's Orange County consisted of all the terriroty west of the Blue Ridge. In 1738, this area was divided into the two counties of Augusta and Frederick with Frederick encompassing the area later to become the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. In 1753 Frederick became Hampshire County and 32 years later, Hampshire was divided into two counties with the southernmost half becoming Hardy County. Finally, in 1866, the western half of Hardy County became Grant County and the western half of Hampshire County became Mineral County.

While early settlers had entered the area encompassed by Mineral County, the French and Indian War served to both disrupt early settlement of the region as well as to provide focal points for the towns that would eventually make up present day Mineral County.

Despite the efforts of Colonel George Washington to provide protection to the area, French and Indian invasions forced many settlers to flee or seek protection within or near the forts the Virginia Regiment had built and garrisoned.

Two important forts for the early settlers of this area were the one built in Frankfort Village and the Blockhouse built in the New Creek Valley. The former of the two was eventually named Ashby's Fort after Colonel John Ashby who was attacked by Indians in 1756, but made "a most remarkable escape to the fort." Colonel Ashby was later put in command of the fort and apparently remained there through the Revolutionary War. The town eventually took its name from the man and the fort he commanded.

While the Blockhouse helped secure the New Creek area for the English, New Creek, and subsequently Keyser, gained importance during the Civil War.

New Creek was an important military base during the Civil War because its fort, located on the site where Potomac State College now stands, commanded roads leading to the South Branch and Shenandoah Valleys.

Fort Ashby, completed in November, 1755 is the only remaining fort out of a chain of 69 established by General George Washington to protect Virginia frontier from Indians.

After the war, New Creek Station became the "railhead" for the commercial interests of a large territory. In order to induce the B & O Railroad to move its facilities to New Creek, the town became incorporated in 1874, changing its name to Keyser in honor of William Keyser, the first vice president of the B & O Railroad.

Thus, Mineral County is a young county. It came into existence only 128 years ago, and even then, its boundaries were not set as Mill Creek township was added to Mineral County in 1868 and then restored to Hampshire County in 1872. The present-day names of Mineral County's communities and their boundaries were not fully established until nearly the twentieth century (Antioch was called Harrison's Mill until 1880). Even the question of Mineral County's existence as a West Virginia or Maryland county was not settled until 1910.

Although Mineral County may sit close to the East Coast and North America's oldest settlements, it still retains the rugged vitality of America's early pioneering spirit.


Keyser

Main Street Keyser Early 1900's

Keyser was originally called Paddy Town after Patrick McCarty, son of one of the original settlers. With the coming of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1852, the destiny of the area changed from a quiet rural community to a thriving industrial center. The name was changed to New Creek Station and then to New Creek. In 1861 the Civil War came rumbling through the valley. Fort Fuller was built on the present site of Potomac State College, and Fort Piano entrenchments were established on New Creek Mountain.

Because of the importance of the railroad, the town changed hands 14 times.

At the time, West Virginia became a state in 1863 there was some contention between Piedmont and New Creek over the location of the county seat. As an inducement to have the county seat located in New Creek, the Davis brothers donated land for the courthouse in 1867 and is still in use.

Mineral County Court House 1874

In 1874, the town was incorporated as ‘Keyser’ to honor William Keyser, Vice President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Supposedly, intended to gain favor with Mr. Keyser and the railroad to ensure that they would move all rail operations from Piedmont to Keyser.

Piedmont

Piedmont is located along the North Branch of the Potomac River at the foot of the Allegheny Mountain. The town was also known as "Mount Carbon" due to the persuasiveness of the officers of the New Creek Company, a corporation chartered to construct canals, build railroads, purchase lands, and to carry on manufacturing. The officials convinced the Baltimore and Ohio, the Burlington and Mount Holly, the Boston and Lowell, and the Long Island Railroad to use coal instead of wood in the firing of their locomotives. The first coal used was mined in the mountains surrounding Piedmont. In 1888, William Luke established the West Virginia Paper Company on fifty acres of land known as "West Piedmont" (now Luke, Maryland). The company remains a major economic factor in the area.

Burlington

The first settlers arrived as early as 1738. About 30 farms were established and were part of Lord Fairfax’s 9,000 acre Patterson Creek Manor. Burlington remains a rural farming community. Burlington has been designated a Historic District with approximately 25 homes and businesses listed on the historic register. Star of Hope Children’s Refuge started in 1913 as an alternative to placing children in the county poor farm, and it operates today under the auspices of the Burlington United Methodist Home for Family and Youth. At Weaver’s Antique Service Station, one can step hack in time to the days of gas pumps and classic cars. Operated until 1985 as a service station, the landmark has become a living museum complete with pedal cars and other service station memorabilia. The freight station of Twin Mountain and Potomac Railroad, which was built in 1911 to haul fruit from the mountain to Keyser, has also served as the post office and currently houses a branch of the Keyser-Mineral County Library.


Fort Ashby, Located on Route 46

In 1755, Colonel George Washington gave orders to build a stockade and fort on the East Side of Patterson’s Creek. On Christmas Day, 1755, Captain Charles Lewis of Fredericksburg took command of the fort and a garrison of twenty-one men. He had orders from Colonel

Washington to remain quiet as long as he could and to hold the fort as long as possible, but if necessary rather than surrender, he should burn it and try to escape to Fort Sellars on the east side of mouth of Patterson’s Creek. The only major battle at Fort Ashby occurred in 1756 when Lieutenant Robert Rutherford and his rangers were defeated by a band of French and Indians. During the siege, Colonel John Ashby, who was out of the fort, was attacked by Indians and made a remarkable escape to the fort. It is from this incident that the name was applied. The Daughters of the American Revolution own Fort Ashby.

Claysville Church (located at the intersection of US 50 and Rt. 93)

Claysville Church was built in 1850 under the direction of Daniel Hendrickson and John Fout, local contractor and fund solicitor, as a church of the Virginia Conference of the United Brethren Church. The Union and Confederate soldiers used the church for services during the Civil War. In 1946, the local congregation voted to join the Conference in a merger to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. When the FUB joined the Methodists to form the United Methodist denomination, the Claysville Church disbanded. The church and grounds are owned by the Mineral County Historical Society. The 1954 church Bible, roll hooks from1856-96, and other historic items are preserved.

Log House of Claysville (Route 93)

Nearby on Route 93 sits a 200-year-old log house which has served as a residence and a way station for changing horses carrying the mail from Keyser to Petersburg. The current owners have restored the building and operate an antique and gift shop.

Potomac State College

Potomac State College was created in 1901 by an act of the Legislature at the urging of Mineral County delegate Judge FM. Reynolds. Colonel Thomas B. Davis donated 16 acres of land as a site for the new school. During the Civil War, the college was the site of Fort Fuller. From the time it opened its doors in 1902 as a preparatory school until 1921 when it became a junior college, it was known as ‘Potomac State School." The original Administration Building with a tall clock tower served as classrooms and administrative offices. The school obtained a local hotel to house twenty male students; females were housed in "approved" local homes. The original Administration Building was destroyed by fire in 1917 and was replaced by the current building in 1919. The college is a regional campus of West Virginia University and offers four-year transfer programs as well as two-year career and technical curricula.

At Potomac State College of West Virginia University, you’ll find superior academics, personal attention, expert faculty and an outstanding campus life.

You’ll find associate degrees for transfer to WVU’s main campus or other four-year college, career/technical programs lifelong learning opportunities. You’ll find sports, cultural events, and world class recreation. And, you’ll find the support you need to reach your goals.

Birthplace of Nancy Hanks (Mike’s Run off US Route 50)

Nancy Hanks, mother of President Abraham Lincoln, was born in 1782 on Joseph and Lucy Hanks’ 106 acre farm on Mike’s Run. Dr. Barton, famed Lincoln scholar, came to the area in the mid 1920’s and located the site of the Hanks’ cabin. A memorial maker was erected to commemorate the site, which is located east of the scenic Saddle Mountain.

Old Stone House (Armstrong Street Extended, Keyser)

The Stone house, originally known as "Wind Lea," was built in 1815 by Edward McCarty and his sons and is the oldest building in Keyser. The structure played an important role during the Civil War when it served both as a prison and a hospital. Visible in the background is the Potomac River with Queen’s Point on the Maryland side and Lover’s Leap on the West Virginia side. The home is now divided into private residences.



Books

Alaska Community Club. A History of Frankfort Community, Alaska, Mineral County, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1925. (Online version) Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: F71.

Crites, Margaret L. The Vandivere-Hull-Trout-Clause House. s.l., J & J Printing, 1980. 917.5494 C934 Pam.

Frankfort Sequi-Centennial Commission and Mineral County Historical Society. Sequi- Centennial of Frankfort, Mineral County, West Virginia. s.l., Commission and Historical Society, 1938. 975.494 F829.

Historical Records Survey, West Virginia. Inventory of the County Archives of West Virginia: No. 28 Mineral County (Keyser). Charleston, West Virginia, Historical Records Survey, 1941. 016.9754 M664.

Horton, Vicki Bidinger. Abstracts From the South Branch Intelligencer, June 1837-December 1839. Green Spring, West Virginia, Vicki Bidinger Horton, 1992. 929.3 H231no.

Idleman, D. W. History of Mt. Storm Community in Grant and Mineral Counties, West Virginia. Morgantown, West Virginia, Agricultural Extension Division, 1927. (Online version) Xwv 1. Agr 3. 2: I3.

Johnson, Abraham. Johnson Papers, 1778-1848. Ms 79-4.

Land Sketch, Mineral County, West Virginia. s.l. n.p., 1875. MA 1-2.

Reed, Paula S. John Stewart's Tavern/Inn, Short Gap, West Virginia. Frankfort District Historical Society, Hagerstown, Maryland, Preservation Associates, Inc., 1993. 975.494 R325 Pam.

Vaugh, Kay. Mineral County: Almost Heaven. s.l., Mineral County Development Authority, n.d. 917. 5494 M664 Pam.

Sanders, J. "Old Fort Ashby." West Virginia History, Charleston, West Virginia, Archives and History, 1939-40. Arc 1. 4:1.

Wolfe, William W. History of Keyser, West Virginia, 1737-1913. s.l., Key Print, Inc., 1974. 975.494 W855.

Wood, Lenora W. Sequi-Centennial Of Frankfort, Mineral County, West Virginia: 1781-1938. Frankfort, West Virginia, Frankfort Sequi-Centennial, 1938. 975.494 F829.

Newspaper Clippings

"200 Year Old Log House to Open Saturday," Mineral Daily News Tribune, 6-16-1995.
"Aged Keyser Citizen Tells Memories of the Past," South Branch Record, 4-8-1937.
"Anchor Gets Extension," News-Tribune, 4-20-1996.
"Anchor Glass Will Close," Daily News Tribune, 2-17-1995.
"Antioch Woolen Mill Equipment Purchased Display at Museum," Mountain Echo, 7-26-1968.
"Antique Log House Open For Business," Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 7-12-1995.
"Antique at Antioch," Charleston Gazette, 7-19-1964.
"Barricks Built Campbell Building," News-Tribune, 5-31-1990.
"Birth of a Village, Bethlehem, WV," Wheeling News Register, 7-21-1996.
"Bright Built Garage in 1894," News-Tribune, 7-25-1990.
"Burner Home to Feature Heirlooms," News-Tribune, 11-21-1994.
"Carpendale Highway Sign Picture," Daily News Tribune, 3-26-1990.
"Carpendale's Council Gets Down to Business," Daily News Tribune, n.d.
"Charles Ryan Entrepreneur of the Year," Cumberland Times News, 6-14-1997.
"Clement's Jewelers Building Built Sometime Around 1860," News-Tribune, 10-11-1989.
"Colonel Carskadon's Keyser Address...DAR," South Branch Record, 1-20-1938.
"Community Mourns Loss of Helen Tetrick," Daily News-Tribune, 8-7-1995.
"Elk Garden Gets Ready," News-Tribune, 5-26-1990.
"F & M Bank Building Now Site of Stray Cat Caf‚," News-Tribune, 11-22-1989.
"Fort Ashby," n.p. n.d.
"George's Creek Was Named for Indian," Piedmont Herald, 9-2-1927.
"Ghost of Claysville to Return," News-Tribune Echo, 10-28-1995.
"Glass Plant, Canadian Firm Buys Anchor Glass," Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 3-5-1997.
"Governor Hails Opening of Fort Ashby Park," Cumberland Times, 5-22-1998.
"Hallie Davis, Native of Piedmont Has Work On Exhibit in NY," Piedmont Herald, 11-2-1928.
"Healy Owns 2-Story Site," News-Tribune, 6-6-1990.
"Historic Shrines in Mineral County," Piedmont Herald, 1937.
"Historic Building, Rotruck's Market," News-Tribune, 9-10-1988.
"Historic Skirmish at Bloomington Bridge Described," Piedmont Herald, n.d.
"Historical Tour to Showcase Valley, Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 9-19-1995.
"Historical Tour to Visit Area Landmarks," News-Tribune, 9-8-1988.
"History of Patterson Creek," Mountain Echo, n.d.
"Howard Boggs Remembers 42 Years at Boggs Supply," News-Tribune, 4-29-1995.
"Karl Myers, State Poet Laureate Once Lived in Piedmont," Piedmont Herald, 6-10-1927.
"Katherine Church Reflects on Life Full of Memories," Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 5-6-1995.
"Keys House Was Popular," Daily News-Tribune, 1-17-1990.
"Keyser Resident Honored With Pearl Buck Award, Mineral Daily News, 7-1-1996.
"Keyser Founder's Day, 1987," News-Tribune, 9-3-1987.
"Keyser Celebration Marks Bi-Centennial Mayo Expedition...," n.p n.d.
"Keyser My Home Town," News-Tribune, 8-10-1965.
"Keyser Founder's Day, 1989," News-Tribune, 9-14-1989.
"Keyser," WV Hillbilly, 8-8-1970.
"Knights Building is Historic," News-Tribune, 6-27-1990.
"Lake To Be Formed by Savage Dam...," n.p. n.d.
"Law Buildings Houses Attorneys," News-Tribune, 5-10-1990.
"Liller Home Has Long History," News-Tribune, 5-16-1990.
"Living Legend, Keyser High Pays Tribute to Tack Clard," News-Tribune, 3-15-1994.
"Location of Paddytown," South Branch Record, n.d.
"Long-time Business Set to Close Doors," Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 2-27-1996.
"Maverick Man," Register Herald, 6-1-1997.
"Mayo Party Surveyed Headwaters Potomac 200 Years Ago," Piedmont Herald, 10-29-1936.
"McCullough's Trail," n.p. n.d.
"Men From Mineral County in the Revolutionary War," n.p. n.d.
"Mineral County Leads State in Trade Income," Charleston Gazette, 3-16-1965.
"Mineral County is Rich in Early History," Piedmont Herald, 4-2-19__.
"Mineral County Soldiers in the French and Indian Wars," News-Tribune, 8-9-1939.
"Mineral County Historic Data," n.p n.d.
"My Home Town, Keyser," Mountain Echo, 8-26-1965.
"National Bank Oldest in Keyser," News-Tribune, 4-18-1990.
"Old Forts Making Last Stand," Clarksburg Exponent, 4-30-1937.
"Paintings, Speaker on Tap for Program, Henry Louis Gates," Parkersburg Sentinel, 2-16-1995.
"Part New Creek Co. Played in Piedmont's Early History," Piedmont Herald, 11-14-1940.
"Peoples Pharmacy Has Long History," New-Tribune, 2-21-1990.
"Picture of Keyser Elementary School, 1913," News-Tribune, 2-28-1969.
"Piedmont Was Flourishing Village of 1200 Population in 1855," Piedmont Herald, 12-11-1941.
"Piedmont Was Metropolis of Mineral County in 1869," Piedmont Herald, 1-19-1933.
"Piedmont's Early Development Linked...New Creek Co.," Piedmont Herald, 1-22-1942.
"Plaque Marks Spot Where Capsule Rests," Mineral Daily News-Tribune, 5-20-1994.
"Reminiscences of Oldest Native Citizen of Piedmont," Piedmont Herald, 7-13-1928.
"Residents Remember Music Hall," Mineral Daily News, 7-3-1996.
"Rocket Boosters," Charleston Gazette, 4-7-1996.
"Short Gap's Early Days Fest Turns Back the Clock," Mineral News-Tribune, 6-24-1994.
"Special Historical Days Edition, Keyser Mineral Co., WV," Keyser Tribune, 6-21-1974.
"Spot Where Indians Killed Wendel Miller," n.p. n.d.
"The Westvaco Story, A Brief History...1888-1988," News-Tribune, 3-1-1988.
"Trades on Patrick Street," News-Tribune, 6-14-1990.
"Van Myra Gets a Facelift," News Tribune & Echo, 9-2-1995.
"Washington Surveyed Lands in Patterson's Creek Valley," n.p. n.d.
"Where Shall the Historic and Scenic Markers Be Placed in Mineral Co.," n.p. n.d.
"Woman Present at Most Births, Deaths in Town," Wheeling News Register, 9-7-1995.
"Youngest Town Getting Water System, Capendale, WV," Dominion Post, 11-25-1994.

Mineral County Records on Microfilm - Mineral County Court House

Births 1865-1969 Deaths 1865-1969 Marriages 1866-1969 Wills 1866-1969 Deeds 1866-1903 Index to Deeds 1865-1969 Fiduciary Records 1858-1868 Probate Matters 1866-1872, 1883-1928 Inventory & Fiduciary Settlements 1864-1927 Order Book 1860-1902 Discharges 1917-1919

Record of Fiduciaries 1903-1929 Executors Bonds 1904-1974 Guardian Bonds 1904-1978 Enlisted Men WWI 1916-1921 Chancery Orders 1866-1927 Naturalization Petition & Record 1905-1928 Declaration of Intention 1907-1929 Petition of Naturalization 1927-1960 Order Book Petitions Granted 1929-1960 Certifications of Naturalization 1908-1911,   1920-1923

Mineral County Repositories & Societies

Location: Automobile - Garage Museum. Burlington, WV 26710. Contact: Ed Weaver; ph. 304/289-3800. DESCRIPTION: Large miscellaneous antique collection and large automobile artifact collection. ITEMIZED LISTING

Location: Burlington Branch Library. P.O. Box 61, Burlington, WV 26710-0061; ph. & fax 304/289-3690. Attn: Librarian Eleanor Spanburgh. Hours: By appointment. Description: some manuscripts and photographs relating to Mineral County. Scope: 1860-1920: 50%; 1920-present: 50%.

Location: Fort Ashby Museum. Attn: Lucille Welch. P.O. Box 248; Fort Ashby, WV 26719. DESCRIPTION: The only remaining fort from the early western Virginia settling period (French & Indian War). It is owned and maintained by Fort Ashby Chapter NSDAR. ITEMIZED LISTING

Location: Fort Ashby Public Library. P.O. Box 74, Fort Ashby, WV 26719-0074; ph. & fax 304/298-4493. Attn: Librarian Jane Howser.

Location: Keyser-Mineral County Library. 105 North Main Street. Keyser, WV 26726-3218; ph. & fax 304/788-3222. Attn: Librarian Karen Hiser. COLLECTION: (only substantial primary source material is part of the J. C. Sanders Papers, who was Mineral County school superintendent)

1. Genealogy records
2. Newspaper clippings of local and state history
3. Transcription of Revolutionary War records, and local deeds, wills, births, deaths, and marriages
4. Civil War history, including the diary and medical ledger of Dr. John W. Green (1853 - 1870) from Sulphur City near Elk Garden
5. Extracts from book of Hunter McDonald concerning diary of his mother (ca. 1875)

Location: Mineral County Commission. 150 Armstrong Street; Keyser, WV 26726-0250; ph. 304/788-3924. Note: The name "commission" is used instead of the Mineral County Courthouse. BACKGROUND: County formed from Hampshire County in 1866. COLLECTION:

1. Land records: Dating to 1865, contact County Commission Clerk.
2. Naturalization records: none.
3. Vital records: Births, deaths, and marriages dating to 1865, contact County Commission Clerk.
4. Probate records: Wills dating to 1956, contact County Commission Clerk.

SOURCE: Bentley, County Courthouse Book, 1990, p. 373.

Location: Mineral County Historical Society, Inc. 53 Carrol Avenue; Keyser, WV 26726. President: Richard Butler. Secretary: Patricia Bonar. Society has oral histories with various families of the Burlington area, prepared as part of a National Register Nomination. DESCRIPTION: A portion of the collection is kept in the old Twin Mountain and Potomac Railroad depot at Burlington (depot built in 1911 for railroad which operated until 1919). From 1917 to 1968, a section of the depot building served as the Burlington Post Office. The entire town of Burlington appears much as it did in the 1890s, with some buildings dating to the 1830s. There is also a cemetery with slaves buried outside the main fence. ITEMIZED LISTING

Location: Piedmont Public Library. Childs Avenue, Piedmont, WV 26750; ph. & fax 304/355-2757. Attn: Librarian Paula Ann Boggs.

Location: Potomac State College. Mary F. Shipper Library; Mineral County Collection, Keyser, WV 26726; ph. 304/788-6901; fax 304/788-6946. Attn: Librarian Jill Gardner. Hours: school year, M-Th 8-10, F 8-5, Su 7-10; summer, M-F 8-5; closed other days. Copying facilities available. Description: 44 folders, 2 linear feet dating from 1700-1910, relating to history of Mineral County, in the form of land grants, deeds, property titles, wills, and genealogical items on 15 early settlers. WPA history of Mineral County from 1700 to 1850, in 9 folders.