Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston is the capital city of West Virginia in the United States.

It is also the most populous city in the state. The city sits at the confluence of two important waterways. These are the Elk River and the Kanawha River. Charleston serves as the county seat for Kanawha County. The 2020 census recorded a population of 48,864 residents. The larger Charleston metropolitan area holds about 203,000 people.

The city's early history began with pioneers in the Appalachian Mountains. After the American Revolutionary War, people moved into western Virginia. In 1773, William Morris built Fort Morris near Kellys Creek. This was a permanent settlement in the Kanawha Valley. Later, George Clendenin built Fort Lee in 1787. This fort stood at the modern intersection of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard. The name Charleston may come from Clendenin's father, Charles. The Virginia General Assembly officially established the town in 1794.

Natural resources drove the massive economic growth of the 19th century. In 1806, workers drilled the first salt well in the area. They discovered salt brines along the Kanawha River. To make salt, workers heated the brine over open flames. This process evaporated the water to leave salt crystals behind. Much of this difficult labor was performed by enslaved people. Historian Cyrus Forman estimated that 3,000 slaves worked at over 60 salt furnaces. These furnaces operated 24 hours a day.

Other discoveries changed the direction of the local economy. Captain James Wilson struck the first natural gas well in 1815. In 1817, workers discovered coal in the region. Coal eventually became the primary fuel for the salt works. The salt industry declined after 1861. However, World War I created a new demand for chemicals. Salt brine can be used to create chlorine and sodium hydroxide. This led to the rise of chemical manufacturing in Charleston.

Political shifts also shaped the city's identity. During the Civil War, Charleston was divided in loyalty. The Battle of Charleston took place on September 13, 1862. Confederate forces won the battle initially. However, Union soldiers retook the city six weeks later. Charleston remained under Union control for the rest of the war. West Virginia became the 35th state on June 20, 1863. Charleston and Wheeling competed to be the state capital. In 1877, citizens voted for Charleston as the permanent location.

The 20th century brought significant architectural and structural changes. The second state capitol building opened in 1885. It unfortunately burned down in 1921. A new West Virginia State Capitol was later commissioned. Architect Cass Gilbert designed this limestone building. It follows the Italian Renaissance style. The construction cost just under $10 million. Governor William G. Conley dedicated the new capitol in 1932.

Infrastructure and modern development continue to define the city. Yeager Airport was built in 1947. The construction required moving nine million cubic yards of earth. In the 1960s, three major interstates converged in Charleston. These are I-64, I-77, and I-79. The city also features the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences.

This center includes a planetarium and the Avampato Discovery Museum. Residents also enjoy the Capitol Market and various local festivals.