Ohio County, Virginia

Ohio County was created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly in October 1776 from parts of the District of West Augusta (Virginia). It was named in honor of the Ohio River that forms the county's western boundary. The river's name was derived from the Indian word Ohionhiio, meaning great or beautiful river. It was in that part of western Virginia that seceded and gained statehood on 20 June 1863 as West Virginia.