About Boone County
Although Boone County was named for the great American
frontiersman, it was another explorer, John Peter Salley, who had a more
significant impact on what was to become Boone County. In 1742, while on an
exploring trip, Salley and companions discovered coal near the present day
community of Peytona. The discovery of coal has played a vital role in fueling
the steel mills and power plants of the United States, and remains the backbone
of Boone County's economy. In pioneer days, a small log courthouse was
constructed when the county seat was known as Ballardsville. That name source
was St. Clair Ballard, a Virginia legislator. It was through his efforts that
the county was named for Daniel Boone. Boone had rescued Ballard's mother from
the Indians and reared her as his own child. Ballardsville was torched by Union
soldiers during the Civil War but citizens rebuilt it near the old site. In
1865, a courthouse was constructed from brick. That structure was condemned in
1913, and the foundation of the present courthouse was begun a year later. The
present courthouse, constructed of Indiana limestone, was completed in 1921. The
exterior is very impressive and the edifice is on the National Register of
Historic Places.
On June 20, 1863, when a new state was born out of the Civil War, Boone County
Virginia, became Boone County, West Virginia.
In 1906, Madison was incorporated as the county seat. Madison derived its name
from Colonel William Madison Peyton, who led the movement for the formation of
Boone County. Peyton was instrumental in developing the Coal River Valley. There
are three other municipalities in Boone County--Danville, Whitesville, and
Sylvester.