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Charleston, West Virginia

Located in Kanawha County, West Virginia, Charleston was founded in 1788. The 2014 Elk River chemical spill left 300,000 people without safe drinking water for days. Charleston competed with Wheeling for decades before becoming West Virginia's permanent capital in 1885.
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Founded 1788 | Population 48,006 | Peak 48,006 (2024) | County Kanawha County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Charleston, West Virginia

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1788Fort Lee Established: Settlement at confluence of Elk and Kanawha rivers.
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1861Battle of Charleston: Civil War battle; West Virginia breaks from Virginia.
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1885State Capital Established: Charleston becomes permanent West Virginia capital after competition with Wheeling.
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1920Chemical Industry Boom: Chemical Valley along Kanawha River becomes major industrial corridor.
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1949Coal Industry Peak: West Virginia coal production at peak; Charleston is industry's financial center.
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2014Elk River Chemical Spill: MCHM spill contaminates water supply for 300,000 people.
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2020Coal Decline Continues: Ongoing loss of coal jobs reshapes the regional economy.
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Latest News in Charleston

Feb 20, 2026
Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price
A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…

Complete Historical Timeline

1788 Culture
Fort Lee Established
1861 Disaster
Battle of Charleston
1885 Government
State Capital Established
1920 Industry
Chemical Industry Boom
1949 Industry
Coal Industry Peak
2014 Disaster
Elk River Chemical Spill
2020 Business
Coal Decline Continues

Did You Know?

1
The 2014 Elk River chemical spill left 300,000 people without safe drinking water for days.
2
Charleston competed with Wheeling for decades before becoming West Virginia's permanent capital in 1885.
3
Chemical Valley along the Kanawha River was one of the most concentrated chemical manufacturing zones in the world.
4
Charleston is located in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
5
Charleston was founded in 1788.

Famous People from Charleston, West Virginia

GM
George Armitage Miller
Psychologist, University Teacher · Born Feb 3, 1920 · Died Jul 22, 2012 (age 92)
CF
Conchata Ferrell
Actor, Stage Actor · Born Mar 28, 1943 · Died Oct 12, 2020 (age 77)
JJ
Jim Justice
Businessperson, Politician · Born Apr 27, 1951 · Age 74
GC
George Crumb
Composer, University Teacher · Born Oct 24, 1929 · Died Feb 6, 2022 (age 92)
RB
Randy Barnes
Athletics Competitor · Born Jun 16, 1966 · Age 59
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