Mineral County was formed from Hampshire in 1866 and was named for its great mineral deposits. Fort Ashby, in Mineral County, is the only standing unit in the chain of frontier forts built in 1755 under Washington's orders. Grant County was formed in 1866 from Hardy and was named for General Grant, later President. At its northwestern corner is the Fairfax Stone, which established the limits of the lands of Lord Fairfax, and the county has many mountain peaks and beautiful scenery.