Mason County began to flourish after the Revolutionary War ended but at a very slow pace. In 1860 the county population was slightly over nine thousand. This beautiful area of extensive and fertile bottomland attracted many early farmers. It was a land rich in natural resources, a few of which are salt brine, clay, gravel, coal, timber, oil, pulpwood and natural gas. But it was not until a modest coal industry began to develop that Mason County started on its way economically. There was an annual production of around 500,000 ton level.

Today, Mason County’s total area is 432½ square miles. The major highways in this county are Route 2, which runs the full length of Mason County along the Ohio River, Route 35, which runs down one side of the Kanawha River, Route 62, which runs along the other side, and Route 33, which connects Interstate 77 to Route 2.

The Kanawha River was the first river ever to be improved at government expense in the United States. The Ohio River contains two dams in the Mason County area. They are the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dams and the Racine Locks and Dams.

Point Pleasant is Mason County’s county seat. This community was incorporated as a town in 1833. It is located where the Kanawha River flows into the Ohio River.

During the 1960s, Point Pleasant became a town of mystery when numerous sightings of unusual, birdlike creatures with human characteristics were reported over the period of a year. This mystery became known as the Mothman mystery.