Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Charleston
Kanawha County, West Virginia
ZipCodes
25301, 25304, 25311, 25312, 25314
Motto
"The Capital City"
Page Contents for Charleston, West Virginia
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Community news
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Statistics & Facts
The West Virginia state capital is Charleston.
The population of Charleston is approximately 51,685 (2004), 51400 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 28,111 (1990), 23453 (2010).
The amount of land area in Charleston is 76.321 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Charleston is 31.6 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 2.857 sq kilometers.
The distance from Charleston to Washington DC is 264 miles.
The distance to the West Virginia state capital is miles. (as the crow flies)
Charleston is positioned 38.35 degrees north of the equator and 81.63 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Charleston elevation is 606 feet above sea level.
Charleston median income is $ 34,009 (2000).
The Charleston median home price is $ 101,400 (2000).
The average low temperature is (fall) 46, (Winter) 26, (Spring) 43, (Summer) 60 degrees F.
The average high temperature is (Fall) 68, (Winter) 44, (Spring) 66, (Summer) 84 degrees F.
Location
in southwestern West Virginia. Other nearby communities include South Charleston, Dunbar, Coal Fork, Marmet, Jefferson, Belle, Sissonville and Pinch.Return to Index
Climate
seasonal.
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History & History Related Items
The first white settlers to come to this area were Mary Ingles, her children and her sister-in-law, Betty Draper. They were living near Blacksburg, Virginia when they were captured by Shawnee Indians and taken to a place near Cincinnati. Ingles was able to escape and walked the 1,000 miles back to her home. The first permanent structure was Fort Lee, in 1788. The fort was built by Col. George Clendenin and a group of Virginia Rangers. It is said the Charleston was named for the father of Col George Clendenin, Charles.
The town of Charleston was official on December 19, 1794. There were 35 people living in town at that time. The area began to grow around 1800 when salt brine deposits were found along the Kanawha River. West Virginia was officially declared a state by President Abraham Lincoln on June 20, 1863. By the end of the Civil War, the fledgling government was being formed and struggling to come together effectively. The state capital wasn't set, moving between Charleston and Wheeling until voters gave the nod to Charleston in 1877 and eight years later, the first capitol building was opened. The present building was dedicated on 20 June 1932.
Here is a good history page for Charleston.
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Attractions
State Capitol Building
Tours are available Monday-Friday. The building is open to visitors Monday-Sunday. Please call 304-558-4839 or 800-CALL-WVA for details and hours of operation.
This building has the largest state capitol dome in the country. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style and was designed by Cass Gilbert. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. A number of historical statues are scattered throughout the grounds.
Avampato Discovery Museum at the Clay Center.
300 Leon Sullivan Way
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304/561-3575
Interactive science exhibits, an art museum, and the ElectricSky (TM) Theater with large format films, laser shows and planetarium shows. Please call ahead for hours of operation.
Capitol Market
800 Smith Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-344-1905
Toll-free: 1-800-CALL-WVA
Farmer's Market
Craik-Patton House
P.O. Box 175
2809 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25321
Phone: 304-925-5341
Take a step back in time!
Group tours are available by advance appointment.
Governor's Mansion
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: 304-558-3809
Toll-free: 800-CALL-WVA
Call for reservations. 304-558-4839
Tours are available
This 30 room mansion, built in 1924, was designed by Walter F. Martens. It is in the Georgian colonial style with the first floor maintaining meeting and state rooms and the second floor serving as the private residence of the current governor.
Designed by Charleston architect Walter F. Martens and constructed in 1924, the 30-room executive mansion is a traditional Georgian colonial structure with a hospitable, homelike, yet dignified air harmonizing perfectly with the other buildings in the Capitol Complex. The ground floor contains state rooms featuring exquisite antiques and fine detailing while the second floor serves as the governor's private residence. Tours are conducted on Thursday and Friday between 9:30 am-11:30 am.
Sunrise Museum
Discover Art, Science, the Universe and Beyond
746 Myrtle Road
Charleston, West Virginia 25314
Phone: (304) 344-8035
Sunrise Museum features a Science Hall with
over 30 hands-on, interactive science exhibits; an Art Museum
displaying several traveling exhibitions throughout the year; and a
Planetarium with shows exploring the wonders of the universe every
weekend, year round. Our new web site is a great way to check out all of the current (and upcoming) exhibits, programs and events
happening at Sunrise Museum. If you need additional information, or
have any questions regarding Sunrise Museum, please contact me at
(304) 344-8035 or email me at sunrise@citynet.net
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0300
Phone: 304-558-4839
The Cultural Center showcases West Virginia's artistic, cultural and historical heritage. Spend hours visiting the three floors of the center. A Museum Shop with works of over 500 West Virginia artists, musicians and writers is available. Festivals and events are held throughout the year. Please call for details.
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Charleston City Government
City of Charleston501 Virginia Street, E.
Charleston, WV 25301 Mayor's Phone: 304-348-8174
Spring Hill Cemetery
1555 Farnsworth Dr
Charleston, WV 25311-1507
Phone: 304-348-8010
Charleston Chamber
Charleston Area Alliance1116 Smith Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-340-4253
Fax: 304-340-4275
Charleston Community News
2006 May 2SideSlip
Acoustic Alternative Rock
Performing a variety of acoustic alternative rock and covering popular bands from Matchbox20, Tonic and Incubus to Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots and Alice-N-Chains and some original music. We also throw in a number of surprises and have something for everyone.
Scott Lavigne pulls his live performing experience of lead vocals and acoustic back up from former bands DownState, Good Question, Driving Blind and Distal.
On guitar, bass and back-up vocals, Steve McConihay brings a multitude of talents from 4 years experience as Sound Factory's sound engineer for national bands Chimaira, Lamb of God, God Forbid, Byzantine, and all of the local bands as well as live performances as an original member of Halogyn, Blue light Karma, Atomic Jo and Identity Crisis along with popular locals Dave "Corncob" McCormick, Taste Like Chicken, The Pharmacy, Turtle Patrol, The Mothman Project, Trout and Doubting Thomas and the True Believers.
SideSlip promises a band to be reckoned with. See our main website at www.myspace.com/sideslip or for additional music and current bookings visit www.myspace.com/sideslip2. We are willing to travel and for bookings we can be reached at (304) 415-6278.
Charleston Organizations
Charleston Area Alliance1116 Smith Street
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-340-4253
Fax: 304-340-4275
Charleston Libraries
Andrew S Thomas Memorial Library2300 Maccorkle Ave SE
Charleston, WV 25304-1045
Phone: 304-357-4780
Elk Valley Branch Library
4636 Pennsylvania Ave
Charleston, WV 25302-4833
Phone: 304-965-3636
Kanawha County Library System
123 Capitol St.
Charleston, WV 25301-2686
Phone: (304) 343-4646
Kanawha Public Library
123 Capitol St
Charleston, WV 25301-2609
Phone: 304-343-4646
Robert C Byrd Health Science Center Library
3110 Maccorkle Ave SE
Charleston, WV 25304-1210
Phone: 304-347-1285
West Virginia Archives and History Library
1900 Kanawha Blvd., E.
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Phone: 304-558-0230
Charleston Schools
Kanawha County School District200 Elizabeth St
Charleston, WV 25311-2119
Phone: 304-348-7770
HIGHER EDUCATION
West Virginia Junior College
1000 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV
Phone: (304) 345-2820
Specialized Associate Degrees in Internet Technology, Computer Information Technology, Legal Office Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Medical Secretarial. Classes start approximately every six weeks. Please call (304) 345-2820 for more information or go to our web site at www.wvjc.com
University of Charleston
2300 MacCorkle Ave. SE
Charleston WV, 25304 Charleston
Miscellany
The population of Charleston was:1990 - 57,287
2000 - 53,421
2004 - 51,685
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