The town of Mineral is located in Louisa County, Virginia, just 10 minutes from the county seat of Louisa. As the name suggests, the town of Mineral was originally known as a center of mining activities in Central Virginia. Iron was mined in the area as early as the 1700s. Gold mining began in the 1830s, which lead to the discovery of other mineral deposits such as sulfur, copper, lead, zinc, and pyrite. In 1890, developers and investors started plans for a mining hub along the railroad called Mineral City. While the population wasn’t high enough for it to be considered a “city,” the town of Mineral thrived in the early 20th century, which was when many of the buildings in the Mineral Historic District were constructed. As a result of the sudden expansion, many historic Mineral homes feature large lots and generous backyards, even in the center of town.

Today, Mineral is best known as the gateway to Lake Anna, a 13,000-acre reservoir in Louisa and Spotsylvania counties. Many newer Mineral homes cater to boating, fishing, and watersports enthusiasts who enjoy the close proximity to the lake. Originally constructed to serve as a cooling pond for the North Anna Nuclear Generating Station, the “cool end” of the lake is open to the public and has become a popular recreation spot. Lake Anna State Park has become a destination for swimming, camping, fishing, boating, and watersports throughout the region.