The Royal Land Company of Virginia was established in Rockingham County, Virginia, on March 27, 1876, for the purpose of purchasing and developing mineral lands, mines, and manufacturing their products. It purchased, in 1876, from private parties and corporations, the fee simple and leases of numerous tracts of coal, iron, other mineral, and timber lands in Virginia and West Virginia, aggregating .
The company specialised in bituminous and anthracite coals, hematite, specular and magnetic iron ores, copper, asbestos, marl, manganese and other minerals, building stones, and the agricultural, mechanical, timber, and other resources of the country tributary to its railway lines.
The company operated the following railroads: