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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

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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.
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