Vinton County, named after US Representative Samuel Finley Vinton, was established in 1850. The county is home to the second largest state forest in Ohio and is also proud to have been the home of Ohio's first female sheriff, Maude Collins (1926). The county’s growth was fueled by the expansion of the railroads and the booming timber industry, which played a significant role in its development. Over the years, Vinton County has evolved from a rugged wilderness into a peaceful and historically rich area, preserving many of its 19th-century landmarks and maintaining a strong sense of local heritage.