Brooke County was formed in 1797 from Ohio County and was named for Robert Brooke, governor of Virginia from 1794 to 1796. Here Alexander Campbell founded the Christian Church and established a college, and the first Grimes Golden apple tree was in this county. Ohio County was formed in 1776 from West Augusta and was named for the river, which bears an Indian name meaning "Beautiful River." It was the scene of the last battle of the Revolution in 1782 and was visited by Washington, LaSalle, Celoron, Gist, and later explorers.