Raleigh County was formed in 1850 from Fayette and named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who planted the first English colony in America. Beckley, the county seat, was founded by Alfred Beckley and named for his father, John, the first clerk of the House of Representatives. Wyoming County was formed in 1850 from Logan and named for the Wyoming tribe of Indians. Its first settler was John Cooke, its first permanent settlement was Oceana, it has vast areas of smokeless coal, and its natural features include Castle and Burning Rocks.