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Marlinton lies in a natural bowl at the confluence of Knapps Creek and Greenbrier River. It is the location of county government for Pocahontas County.

The area attracts hundreds of hunters every year because deer, black bear, ruffled grouse, wild turkey, and wildcats abound there. In the past some hunters claimed to have shot panthers, but proving it has been impossible.

Stephen Sewell and Jacob Marlin, for whom the town is named, settled here in 1749. They built a cabin and lived there until one day when they got into an argument over infant baptism. Sewell stormed out of the cabin and temporarily lived in a hollow tree. The tree stood as a tourist attraction until 1930.

The tree marked the edge of a 470-acre land grant surveyed from General Andrew Lewis.

The settlement was originally known as Marlin's Bottom until 1887 when it was changed and made the county seat.

Pocahontas County is in the eastern part of West Virginia in the Alleghenies, and is most in the Monongahela National Forest. The county has livestock, dairy and fruit farms, and timber.

Pocahontas County is named for the Indian princess who had an honored place in American history. A large county with some 943 square miles of area, it is known as the "Birthplace of Rivers." Eight rivers have their source within the county. The Battle of Droop Mountain, which was the most extensive battle of the Civil War in West Virginia was fought here in 1863. Numerous points of interest are located in the county, including the Cass Scenic Railroad. Watoga, Seneca, and Bear Town State Parks are here as is the birthplace of Pearl Buck at Hillsboro.

Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan and was said to have saved the life of John Smith. Converted later to Christianity, she married John Rolfe and then went to London where she was received with royal honors. Pocahontas died in England as she was preparing to return to America.