Mason

Formed January 2, 1804 (15^th county)

Mason County (25,448), Point Pleasant (4,075)

The concrete Modern structure was built in 1956.  It replaced a nicer 1857 version.  It is at the intersection of Viand and 6^th streets.  West Virginia State Highway 2 is Viand Street.  Harry Ray Nay is the architect.  It features a working clock and veteran memorials on the grounds.  The county was formed on January 2, 1804 from Kanawha County as the 15^th county with Point Pleasant as the only county seat.  The county is named for Virginia Statesman George Mason.  Point Pleasant was named for a local geographical point. 

Mason County government consists of a sheriff and 3 Commissioners.  Three Circuit Court Judges serve Mason, Calhoun, Jackson, and Roane counties and Two Family Court Judges and Two Magistrate Court Judges serve Mason, Jackson, and Wirt counties.  The county is on the western border with Ohio.  Charleston, West Virginia is southeast and Cincinnati, Ohio is west of the county.  The county center is 9.3 miles Southeast of Point Pleasant nearer Leon.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Ohio and Jackson, Putnam, and Cabell counties.  The county shape could be described as a jet flying southeast. 

The area of the county is 432 square miles.  It is 25 out of 55 in the state.  It ranks 23 out of 55 in population in the state.  It has a density of 58.9 persons per square mile making it 24 out of 55 in the state.  Mason County has 28.6% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 35 comes from the northwest, Ohio, and goes to the southeast, Putnam County.  Point Pleasant is located on the western border of the county.  Point Pleasant is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 16.0% of the county population.  This county is in the Point Pleasant Micropolitan Statistical Area.