POINT PLEASANT — In the 1770s, George Washington surveyed land comprising Mason County as part of a grant from the king of England to veterans of the French and Indian War. As a former officer in that war, Washington laid claim to part of Mason County and began a settlement there in 1775.

Entering the 20th century, Mason County thrived on industries utilizing its natural resources. River towns dotted the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers; coal mines flourished along the northern River Bend area; salt works and power plants added to the unique characteristic of the townships.

In a new pictorial history book by local author Jason Bolte, over 200 vintage photographs commemorate Mason County’s history, culture, nature and time, all of which etches a unique portrait of a vibrant community.

Jason Bolte is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born and raised there for most of his youth. Upon graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, La., in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, he joined the AmeriCorps/VISTA Program and chose to serve in Mason County.

Bolte lived in Point Pleasant for a year and worked on promoting tourism for all of Mason County. During his tenure at the Mason County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, he wrote his first book for Arcadia Publishing, Images of America: Point Pleasant. All proceeds from that book went directly to Mason County to help promote tourism.

“I devoted a year of my life to helping Mason County change its fortunes,” Bolte said. “It was the best year of my life, and I owe so much to the community. The people of Mason County have given me so much; all I want to do in return is to help them as much as they helped me. I hope that this book will remind the people of Mason County of their rich history, their deep culture, and the history they will make again. This is their story; I just wanted to tell it. I hope the story lasts for as long as Mason County is still around.”

Several highlights from Images of America: Mason County include: Samuel B. Clemens, the grandfather of Mark Twain, lived in Mason County; Daniel Boone started a trading post near the banks of the Kanawha River; the history of the Ohio River in the area; and the river towns and communities on the Kanawha River, which flows through the middle of the county.

Mason County by Jason Bolte will be available at local retailers started Jan. 11, 2010. It also will be available at on-line bookstores or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com. It is part of the Images of America series and will sell for $21.99.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Their mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.