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Charleston, West Virginia

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Not to be confused with Charles Town, West Virginia.

City of Charleston, West Virginia
Seal
Nickname: "Home of Hospitality", " The most northern city of the South and the most southern city of the North", "Chemical Valley", "The Capitol City" "Chucktown" "Charly West"
Location of Charleston in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Coordinates: 38°20′50″N 81°37′60″W / 38.34722, -81.63333
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Kanawha
Government
- Mayor	Danny Jones
Area
- City	32.7 sq mi (84.7 km²)
- Land	31.6 sq mi (81.9 km²)
- Water	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Elevation	597 ft (182 m)
Population (2000)
- City	53,421
- Density	1,690.5/sq mi (652.7/km²)
- Urban	212,991 _
- Metro	309,632
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	304
FIPS code	54-14600[1]
GNIS feature ID	1558347[2]
Website: http://www.cityofcharleston.org

Charleston is the capital of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 53,421, with its urban area having a population of 212,991, and its metropolitan area 309,632. However, the 2006 Census Estimate has Charleston with a population of 50,846[1], and a 2007 estimated metro area population of 303,950. Charleston is the largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.

Early industry important to Charleston included salt and the first natural gas well.[2] Later, coal became central to economic prosperity in the city and the surrounding area. Today, trade, utilities, government, medicine and education play the central role in the city's economy.

The first permanent settlement, Ft. Lee, was built in 1788. In 1791, Daniel Boone was a member of the Kanawha County Assembly.

Charleston is the home of the West Virginia Power (formerly the Charleston Alley Cats) minor league baseball team, the West Virginia Wild minor league basketball team, and the annual 15-mile (24 km) Charleston Distance Run. Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are also located in the city.

It is also home to the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard.

The city also holds public parks, such as Cato Park and Coonskin Park. It also is home to Kanawha State Forest, a large public state park that sustains a pool, camping sites, several biking/walking trails, picnic areas, as well as several shelters provided for recreational use.

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[edit] History

The West Virginia State Capitol

Zero Milestone.

Charleston Town Center Mall

Capitol Street in downtown Charleston

[edit] Beginnings

After the American Revolutionary War, pioneers began making their way out from the early settlements. Many slowly migrated into the western part of Virginia. Capitalizing on its many resources made Charleston an important part of Virginia and West Virginia history. Today, Charleston is the largest city in the state and the state capital.

Charleston's history goes back to the eighteenth century. The Bullitt family was deeded 1,250 acres (5 km²) of land near the mouth of the Elk River in 1774. The land was later sold to Col. George Clendenin in 1786. The first permanent settlement, Fort Lee, was built in 1788 by Col. Clendenin and his company of Virginia Rangers. This structure occupied the area that is now the intersection of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard. Historical conjecture indicates that Charleston is named after Col. Clendenin's father, Charles. Charles Town was later shortened to Charleston to avoid confusion with another Charles Town in present day West Virginia.

Six years later, the Virginia General Assembly officially established Charleston. On the 40 acres that made up the town in 1794, 35 people inhabited seven houses.

Charleston is part of Kanawha County. The origin of the word Kanawha (pronounced "KA-NAW-A") comes from a West Indian Arawak word for dugout. In fact, a two-story jail was the first county structure ever built, with the first floor literally dug into the bank of the Kanawha River.

Daniel Boone, who was commissioned a lieutenant colonel of the Kanawha County militia, was elected to serve in 1791 in the Virginia House of Delegates. As told in historical accounts, Boone walked all the way to Richmond.

[edit] Industrial growth

By the early 1800s, salt brines were discovered along the Kanawha River and the first salt well was drilled in 1806. This created a prosperous time and great economic growth for the area. By 1808, 1,250 pounds of salt were being produced a day. An area adjacent to Charleston, Kanawha Salines, now Malden, would become the top salt producer in the world. In 1818, Kanawha Salt Company, first trust in United States, went into operation.

Captain James Wilson, while drilling for salt, struck the first natural gas well in 1815. It was drilled at the site that is now the junction of Brooks Street and Kanawha Boulevard (near the present-day state capitol complex.) In 1817, coal was first discovered and gradually became used as the fuel for the salt works. The Kanawha salt industry declined in importance after 1861, until the advent of World War I brought a demand for chemical products. The chemicals needed were chlorine and caustic acid, which could be made from salt brine.

[edit] Political growth

The town continued to grow until the Civil War began in 1861. The state of Virginia seceded from the Union, and Charleston was divided between Union and Confederate loyalty. On September 13, 1862, the Battle of Charleston was fought. Although the Confederate Army was victorious, occupation of the city was short-lived. Union troops returned just six weeks later and stayed through the end of the war.

The Northern hold on Charleston and most of the western part of Virginia created an even larger problem. Virginia already had seceded from the Union, but the western part was under Union control. The issue of statehood was raised. So amid the tumultuous Civil War, West Virginia officially became a state through Presidential Proclamation. Abraham Lincoln declared the northwestern portion of Virginia to be returned to the Union, and on June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state.

While it is often said that West Virginia separated from Virginia because of differing views on slavery, the real driving factor was economics. The heavy industries in the North, particularly the steel business of the upper Ohio River region, were dependent on the coal available from western Virginia mines. Federalized military units were dispatched from Ohio to western Virginia early in the war to secure access to the coal mines and transportation resources.

Although the state now existed, settling on a state capital location proved to be difficult. For several years, the capital of West Virginia intermittently traveled between Wheeling and Charleston. In 1877, however, state citizens voted on the final location of their capital. Charleston was chosen and eight years later, the first capitol building was opened.

After a fire in 1921, a hastily built structure was opened but burned down in 1927. However, a Capitol Building Commission, created by the Legislature in 1921, authorized construction of the present capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the buff Indiana limestone structure, in the Italian Renaissance style, that was to have a final cost of just under $10 million. After the three stages of construction were completed, Governor William G. Conley dedicated the capitol on June 20, 1932.

[edit] Development in the 1900s

Charleston was now the center for state government. Natural resources, such as coal and gas, along with railroad expansion also contributed to growth. New industries, such as chemical, glass, timber and steel migrated to the state, attracted by the area's natural resources. There was a huge amount of new construction in Charleston. A number of those buildings, including churches and office buildings, still stand in the heart of downtown along and bordering Capitol Street.

During World War II, the first and largest synthetic rubber plant in the U.S. opened near Charleston, providing vital products to the war effort. After the war ended, Charleston was on the brink of some significant construction. One of the first during this period was Kanawha Airport (now Yeager Airport, named after General Chuck Yeager), which was perhaps one of the most phenomenal engineering accomplishments of its time. Built in 1947, the construction encompassed clearing 360 acres (1.5 km²) on three mountaintops moving more than nine million cubic yards of earth.

In 1959, the Charleston Civic Center opened its door. It stands today, totally renovated and providing the largest meeting and exhibit space available in the West Virginia.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act. Charleston became part of that system in the 1960s when three major interstate systems—I-64, I-77 and I-79 were constructed, all converging in the heart of Charleston. These roads provide convenient access to Midwestern, Northeastern and Southern cities. Charleston is within a day's drive of 60 percent of the U.S. population.

[edit] Modern development

In 1983, the Charleston Town Center Mall opened its doors. It was the largest urban mall east of the Mississippi River, boasting three stories of shops and eateries. Downtown revitalization began in earnest in the 1980s as well. Funds were set aside for streetscaping and many small businesses began to open. Today, Capitol Street, Hale Street, and other bordering streets are an eclectic mixture of restaurants, shops, businesses and services that many call the centerpiece of downtown.

The new Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, Haddad Riverfront Park and Capitol Market are just a few new developments that have helped growth in the downtown area during the 1990s. Charleston also became known as one of the premiere healthcare spots in the state. Along with ambitious thinking, plans for even new entertainment and business venues kept Charleston moving along at a steady pace.

2003 marked the opening of the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences. The center includes The Maier Foundation Performance Hall, The Walker Theatre, The Avampato Discovery Museum and an art museum. Also on site is the The ElectricSky™ Theater, which is a 175 seat combination planetarium and dome-screen cinema. Movies shown at the theatre include educational large format (70 mm) presentations, and are often seen in similar Omnimax theatres. Planetarium shows are staged as a combination of pre-recorded and live presentations.

Many festivals and events were also incorporated into the calendar, including Multifest, Vandalia Festival, a 4th of July celebration with fireworks at Haddad Riverfront Park, and the already popular Sternwheel Regatta, which was founded in 1970, provided a festive atmosphere for residents to enjoy.

Charleston West Virginia has one central agency for its economic development efforts, the Charleston Area Alliance. The Alliance is continuing to work with local leaders and the business community to build the economy of the area and revitalize its downtown. Charleston contains a historic district referred to as the East End.

[edit] Geography and climate

Map of Charleston and vicinity.

Charleston is located at 38°20′58″N, 81°37′60″W (38.349497, -81.633294).^[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.7 square miles (84.7 km²), of which, 31.6 square miles (81.8 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it (3.36%) is water.

The city lies at the intersection of Interstates 79, 77, 64, and also where the Kanawha and Elk Rivers meet. Charleston is about 162 miles (261 km) southeast of Columbus, Ohio, 315 miles (507 km) west of Richmond, Virginia, 228 miles (367 km) southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 247 miles (398 km) east of Louisville, Kentucky, 264 miles (425 km) north of Charlotte, North Carolina, 252 miles (406 km) south of Cleveland, Ohio, and 210 miles (340 km) southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio.

[edit] Suburbs

The following cities are suburbs of Charleston.

Alum Creek Coal Fork Cross Lanes Dunbar Hurricane Institute Clendenin Chesapeake Sissonville

Nitro Poca St. Albans South Charleston Teays Valley Winfield Elkview Marmet Pinch

[edit] Annual climate

Charleston has a yearly climate with four distinct seasons. The city lies on the northern fringes of a humid subtropical climate [3], which is primarily based on differences in elevation. Charleston's average tempearatures are usually warmer than the rest of West Virginia (except Huntington), due to the city being west of the higher elevations. Spring is the most unpredictable season, and spring-like weather usually arrives in late March or early April. From the beginning of March through early May, temperatures can vary considerably and it is not unusual at this time for a warm, sunny, 75 degree day to be followed immediately by a chilly, rainy, 45 degree day. Temperatures warm up considerably in late May, with warm summer-like days. Summer temperatures can be very hot and muggy, with daytime highs above 90 degrees, often reaching 95, along with high humidity. Autumn days are usually warm and dry until late October, however nights will start to get cooler. Winters usually differ from other winters in West Virginia. Along with Huntington, the city is usually the last place in the state to receive any amount of snowfall. Winters tend to be mild in Charleston, with average high temperatures in the 40's throughout the winter months, but an occasional cold snap can see temperatures plummet to below 10 degrees at night. Snowfall can occur anytime from late November to mid-April, with the most amounts falling during January and February. It is very rare for a major snowstorm to hit the area, and it is also rare to have a foot or more of snow at a time in Charleston. Charleston does experience a considerable amount of rain which is spread out over the course of the entire year. Thunderstorms are frequent during the late spring and throughout the summer, and occasionally they can be quite violent. Tornados are rare, but they can occur during these storms. Much of the fall and winter precipitation is in the form of gentle drizzling rains. The dryest period tends to be during the autumn months of September and October.

source

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Avg high (°F)	43	46	56	67	76	83	86	85	78	68	56	46	66
Avg low (°F)	25	27	34	43	52	60	65	63	56	45	36	38	45
Rainfall (in)	3.4	3.2	3.9	3.3	3.9	3.6	4.9	4.0	3.2	2.6	3.3	3.3	42.9
Snowfall (in)	10.1	8.7	5.1	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	2.2	5.1	32.3

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	1,050		—
1860	1,520		44.8%
1870	3,162		108.0%
1880	4,192		32.6%
1890	6,742		60.8%
1900	11,099		64.6%
1910	22,996		107.2%
1920	39,608		72.2%
1930	60,408		52.5%
1940	67,914		12.4%
1950	73,501		8.2%
1960	85,796		16.7%
1970	71,505		-16.7%
1980	63,968		-10.5%
1990	57,287		-10.4%
2000	53,421		-6.7%

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 53,421 people, 24,505 households, and 13,624 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.4 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 27,131 housing units at an average density of 858.5/sq mi (331.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.63% White, 15.07% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The top 5 largest ancestries include: German (12.4%), English (11.6%), American (11.4%), Irish (10.6%), and Italian (3.9%)[4].

There were 24,505 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.82.

The age distribution is 20.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,009, and the median income for a family was $47,975. Males had a median income of $38,257 versus $26,671 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,017. About 12.7% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.5% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public schools

The city of Charleston is host to numerous elementary, middle, junior high and high schools as a part of the Kanawha County school system. The three high schools include Capital High School, located near Yeager Airport and Coonskin Park, George Washington High School, a public school located in the South Hills neighborhood and Charleston Catholic High School, a Catholic school at the eastern edge of the city's downtown.

Middle schools include (all were formerly known as Junior High Schools):

• Stonewall Jackson Middle School (formerly a high school)
• John Adams Middle School
• Horrace Mann Middle School

Elemenatry schools include:

• Piedmont Elementary School
• Ruffner Elementary School
• Kanawha City Elementary School
• Chamberlain Elementary School
• Watts Elementary School
• Glenwood Elementary School
• Ruthlawn Elementary School
• Robins Elementary School

High schools include

• Capital High School
• George Washington High School
• Charleston Catholic School

[edit] Colleges and universities

Charleston hosts a branch campus of West Virginia University which serves as a clinical campus for the university's medical and dental schools. Students at either school must complete their class work at the main campus in Morgantown but can complete their clinical rotations at either Morgantown or Charleston.

The city is also home to a 1,000-student private college, the University of Charleston. The college is located along MacCorkle Avenue along the banks of the Kanawha River. In 2006 the college opened a new school of Pharmacy.

Located within the immediate area are West Virginia State University in Institute and the Marshall University Graduate College, a postgraduate-only branch of Marshall University in South Charleston. The region is also home to the Charleston Branch of the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing, an independent program administered by Marshall University; it provides access to computer numerical control (CNC) equipment for businesses in two states.

Located approximately 30 miles (50 km) from Charleston, West Virginia University Institute of Technology has its campus. West Virginia University Institute of Technology is the largest regional campus of the university which focuses mainly on engineering programs.

The city is also home to West Virginia Junior College's Charleston campus. Located in downtown Charleston at 1000 Virginia Street, WV Junior College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award diplomas and associate degrees in Business Administration, Medical Assisting, Legal Office Assisting and Computer Technology. Part of the Kanawha Valley for almost 115 years, WV Junior College was originially established as Capitol City Commercial College on September 1, 1892. The College was originally established to train students in secretarial and business skills and has undergone changes in location and curriculum through the years to keep up-to-date with the current changing need of office skill training.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Notable companies headquartered in the Charleston area

• Appalachian Power, owned by American Electric Power[5] of Columbus, Ohio
• Charleston Newspapers
• Charleston Stamping and Manufacturing
• Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti (Nitro)
• MATRIC (Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research and Innovation Center) (South Charleston)
• Tudor's Biscuit World (Nitro)
• United Bank of West Virginia, Inc.
• Walker Machinery located in Belle, WV
• West Virginia-American Water Company, owned by RWE AG of Essen, Germany

[edit] Notable companies founded in Charleston

• Shoney's restaurants
• Heck's / L.A. Joe discount department stores

[edit] Culture

[edit] Annual events and fairs

Charleston is home to numerous annual events and fairs that take place throughout the city, from the banks of the Kanawha River to the capitol grounds.

The West Virginia Dance Festival, held between April 25 and 30, features dance students from across the state that attend classes and workshops in ballet, jazz and modern dance. At the finale, the students perform in the West Virginia State Theatre; these are free to the public. Twice a year, in late April and again in early November, the West Virginia International Film Festival occurs, where many domestic and international films are shown that range from "full-length feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation and student films."

On May 6, the Kanawha Kordsmen Barbershop Chorus performs at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences. The 40-man cappela chorus performs music in a show titled "Songs America Sings." On Memorial Day weekend, the Vandalia Gathering is held on the grounds of the state capitol. Thousands of visitors each year enjoy traditional music, art, dance, stories, crafts and food that stems from the "uniqueness of West Virginia's mountain culture." There is no fee for admission.

Since 2005 FestivALL has provided the Charleston area with a nearly week of cultural and artistic events beginning on June 20th (West Virginia Day) and including dance, theater, and music. FestivALL provides local artists a valuable chance to display their works and help get others interested in, and involved with, the local artistic community. Highlights include an art fair on Capitol Street and local bands playing live music at stages set up throughout downtown, as well as a wine and jazz festival on the campus of the University of Charleston featuring local and nationally known jazz artists and showcasing the products of West Virginia vineyards.

[edit] Historical structures and museums

• Avampato Discovery Museum - (Now part of the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences.)
• Sunrise Museum - (Now part of the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences.)
• West Virginia State Museum
• South Charleston Museum - (Located in South Charleston.)
• St. George Orthodox Cathedral, founded in 1892.

This section requires expansion.

[edit] Parks and outdoor attractions

• Laidley Field - (Used for football, soccer and track.)
• Appalachian Power Park - (Stadium of the West Virginia Power)
• Cato Park - (Charleston's largest municipal park, including a golf course, Olympic-size swimming pool and picnic areas.)
• Coonskin Park - (Includes swimming pool, boathouse, clubhouse with dining facilities, tennis courts, putt putt golf, an 18 hole par 3 golf course and fishing lake. Schoenbaum Soccer Field and Amphitheatre inside the park is the home of the West Virginia Chaos soccer team.)
• Daniel Boone Park - (A four acre park with a boat ramp, fishing and picnic facilities.)
• Kanawha State Forest - (A 9,300-acre (38 km²) forest, including 46 campsites.)
• Little Creek Park - (Used for basketball, tennis courts and soapbox derbies.)
• Magic Island - (An island located inside the Kanawha River, near Kanawha Boulevard.)
• Davis Park
• Haddad Riverfront Park
• Ruffner Park

[edit] Sports

Club	Sport	Founded	League	Venue
West Virginia Power	Baseball	1987	South Atlantic League	Appalachian Power Park
West Virginia Chaos	Soccer	2003	USL Premier Development League	Schoenbaum Field
West Virginia Wonders	Women's football	2008	National Women's Football Association	TBA

This section requires expansion.

[edit] Shopping

Currently there are two shopping malls in the city of Charleston. The largest mall in the city is the Charleston Town Center. Opening in 1983, the Town Center Mall is a three story shopping and dining facility, with 130 specialty stores. Macy's, Sears and J.C. Penney are the mall's current anchor stores. The fourth anchor pad is being renovated by Brickstreet Insurance, the administrators of the West Virginia workers compensation plan, to act as their new headquarters. There are also six major restaurants located on street level and 12 fast food restaurants representing the food court, located on the third floor of the mall.

The other mall in the city is the Kanawha Mall located in the Kanawha City neighborhood of Charleston. This mall is much smaller in size compared to the Town Center Mall, with Elder-Beerman and Gabriel Brothers as its anchor stores.

There are three major shopping plazas located in the Southridge area, divided between Charleston and South Charleston — Southridge Centre, Dudley Farms Plaza and The Shops at Trace Fork.

Major stores:

Southridge Centre include stores such as Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

Dudley Farms Plaza include Kohl's, Goody's Family Clothing, Books-A-Million, Michaels and other stores.

The Shops at Trace Fork include Marshall's, PetsMart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Circuit City, Target, Lowe's and Pier 1 Imports.

[edit] People from Charleston

• Actress Jean Carson
• Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers
• Actress Conchata Ferrell
• The classical composer George Crumb was born in Charleston.
• Alias star Jennifer Garner was born in Houston, but moved with her family to Charleston as a young child and grew up there, graduating from the city's George Washington High School.
• Televangelist T. D. Jakes was born and raised in the adjacent city of South Charleston. His ministry was based in the suburban community of Cross Lanes before he moved to Dallas in 1996.
• Soap opera actress Lesli Kay who has appeared on As the World Turns, General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful.
• Former Major League Baseball player and current sportscaster John Kruk was born in Charleston, but grew up in Keyser in the state's Eastern Panhandle.
• Extreme metal band Byzantine formed and still based in Charleston.
• Actress Ann Magnuson
• Country singer Kathy Mattea was born in South Charleston to parents who lived in Cross Lanes. She lived in Cross Lanes throughout her childhood, graduating from Nitro High School.
• NASA astronaut Jon McBride was born in Charleston.^[4]
• Would-be presidential assassin Sara Jane Moore was born in Charleston.
• National Football League player Randy Moss grew up in Rand, adjacent to Malden, graduating from the now-defunct DuPont High School nearby.
• Creator of Droodles and television personality Roger Price.
• Civil rights activist Rev. Leon Sullivan was born in Charleston.
• For a time, Booker T. Washington, the writer, educator, and early civil rights leader, lived in Malden, just upriver from Charleston.
• Jerry West NBA superstar in Chelyan.
• Miami Heat point guard Jason Williams, who grew up in Belle in the same vicinity, was a high-school teammate of Moss.

[edit] Media

[edit] Print

Charleston is home to two major newspapers. The Charleston Gazette is the largest circulation newspaper in West Virginia, published Monday through Friday in the morning. The Charleston Daily Mail is the city's weekday afternoon newspaper, published Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Charleston Gazette and the Daily Mail combine to produce a newspaper titled the Charleston Gazette-Mail.

[edit] Radio

Charleston has a total of 11 radio stations (AM and FM) licensed in the city. Most of the stations are either owned by West Virginia Radio Corporation or Bristol Broadcasting Company.

Call sign	Frequency	Format	Description / Notes
WVPN*	88.5 FM	West Virginia Public Radio
KLOVE	93.3 FM	Religious
WXAF*	90.9 FM	Religious
WZAC	92.5 FM	Classic Country
WZJO	94.5 FM	Alternative [6]	Z Rock 94-5. West Virginia's only Alternative radio station.
WKWS*	96.1 FM	Country [7]	96.1 The Wolf. The station plays mostly Republican country music, but also has a mix of Southern Rock.
WQBE*	97.5 FM	Country [8]	97.5 WQBE. The Charleston MSA's #1 rated radio station, according to Arbitron.
WRVZ	98.7 FM	Rhythmic Top 40 [9]	98.7 The Beat. Despite the station's low ERP, it still competes well with Electric 102.7.
WVAF*	99.9 FM	Adult Contemporary [10]	V-100
WMXE	100.9 FM	Classic Hits [11]	100.9 The Mix
WVSR*	102.7 FM	Top 40 [12]	Electric 102.7
WKLC	105.1 FM	Rock [13]	Rock 105
WAMX	106.3 FM	Rock [14]	X 106.3
WKAZ	107.3 FM	60's 70's Top 40 [15]	Classic Top 40
WCHS*	580 AM	News / Talk [16]	58 WCHS
WCAW*	680 AM	Oldies	The Oldies format was formerly on 107.3.
WVTS*	950 AM	News / Talk [17]	Sepertalk 950
WSWW*	1490 AM	Sports	ESPN 1490

* represents radio stations that are licensed to the city of Charleston.

[edit] Television

The Charleston–Huntington TV market, is the second largest television market (in terms of area) east of the Mississippi River, serving counties in central West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southern Ohio. There are four VHF and ten UHF television stations in the market, even though some of the stations broadcast from Ohio and Kentucky.

Call sign	Channel	Description
WSAZ	3	Huntington (NBC)/(MyNetworkTV on DT2)
WCHS	8	Charleston (ABC)
WVAH	11	Teays Valley (FOX)
WOWK	13	Huntington (CBS)
WOUB	20	Athens, Ohio (PBS)
WOCW-LP	21	Charleston (The CW)
WKPI	22	Pikeville, Kentucky (PBS / KET)
WKAS	25	Ashland, Kentucky (PBS / KET)
WLPX	29	Hurricane (ION)
WQCW	30	Portsmouth, Ohio (The CW)
WPBY	33	Huntington (PBS)
WPBO	42	Portsmouth, Ohio (PBS)
WVCW-LP	45	Huntington (The CW)
WYMT	57	Hazard, Kentucky (CBS) Channel 61
WTSF	61	Ashland, Kentucky (Daystar)

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Tallest buildings

Downtown Charleston as viewed from the south bank of the Kanawha River in 2007.

There are 21 high-rise buildings located in Charleston. The Kanawha Valley Building is the tallest structure.

Tallest buildings

Name	Stories	Height
West Virginia State Capitol	3	292 ft (89 m)
Kanawha Valley Building	23	384 ft (116 m)
Huntington Square	17	207 ft (63 m)
Chase Center	18	225 ft (69 m)
City Center West	13	186 ft (57 m)
United Center	12	177 ft (54 m)
Charleston Marriott Town Center	16	175 ft (53 m)
AT&T Building	15	195 ft (60 m)
405 Capitol Street Building	12	136 ft (41 m)
Union Building	14	183 ft (56 m)
United Center	12	178 ft (55 m)
Imperial Tower	19	? ft (? m)
Laidley Tower	18	? ft (? m)
BB&T Square	18	? ft (? m)
Bank One Center	18	? ft (? m)
AT&T Building	15	? ft (? m)
Carroll Terrace	13	? ft (? m)
Holiday Inn Charleston House	12	? ft (? m)
Columbia Gas Transmission Building	12	? ft (? m)
Boulevard Tower	12	? ft (? m)
Jarrett Terrace	12	? ft (? m)
Security Building	11	? ft (? m)

[edit] Airports

Yeager Airport is West Virginia's largest airport. It is located 2-mile (3 km) north of Interstate 64 and Interstate 77, accessible via WV 114.

[edit] Rail

See also: Charleston, West Virginia (Amtrak station)

Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, provides service to Charleston from the Cardinal route. The Amtrak station is on the south side of the Kanawha River, at 350 MacCorkle Avenue near downtown.

[edit] River

The Elk River near its mouth in Charleston in 2001.

The Kanawha (New) River is the largest and most important river in West Virginia. Its basin comprises about one-third of West Virginia, part of southwestern Virginia, and a small part of North Carolina. The upper part of the river, above the mouth of the Gauley River, is called the New River; below this point it is called the Kanawha River.

Interstate 64 crosses the Kanawha River four times as it passes through the Charleston metropolitan area. The Elk River flows into the Kanawha River in downtown Charleston.

[edit] Roads

Interstate 64 crosses through downtown Charleston on a viaduct.

Main article: Roads of Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston is serviced by Interstate 64, Interstate 77, and Interstate 79. The West Virginia Turnpike's northern terminus is at the southeastern end of the city. Two U.S. routes, US 60, and US 119, cut through the city center, while US 35 begins just to the west near St. Albans. US 21 formerly ran through Charleston.

WV 25, WV 61, WV 62, and WV 114 are all state highways that within Charleston's city limits.

[edit] Mass Transit

Charleston is served by Kanawha Valley Regional Transit Authority.

[edit] Utilities

• Electricity in Charleston is provided by Appalachian Power, a division of American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio. Appalachian Power is headquartered in Charleston.
• Suddenlink Communications provides the Charleston area's Cable TV.
• Landline phone service in Charleston is provided by Verizon.
• The City's water supply is provided by Charleston-based West Virginia American Water Company, a subsidiary of American Water of Voorhees Township, New Jersey, which in turn is owned by RWE AG of Essen, Germany.
• Charleston's natural gas is supplied by Mountaineer Gas, a division of Allegheny Energy of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
2. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
3. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
4. ^ SpaceFacts web site, accessed April 6, 2008

[edit] See also

• The General Frank M. Coxe (ship) was built in Charleston in 1922, by the Charles Ward Engineering Works, served as an Army transport vessel and later a cruise ship on San Francisco Bay. It is now preserved as a floating restaurant in Burlingame, California, just south of San Francisco.

[edit] External links

• City of Charleston, WV

• Charleston, West Virginia is at coordinates 38°20′58″N 81°37′60″W / 38.349497, -81.633294 (Charleston, West Virginia)Coordinates: 38°20′58″N 81°37′60″W / 38.349497, -81.633294 (Charleston, West Virginia)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Kanawha County, West Virginia
County seat: Charleston
Cities	Charleston | Dunbar | Marmet | Montgomery‡ | Nitro‡ | St. Albans | Smithers‡ | South Charleston
Towns	Belle | Cedar Grove | Chesapeake | Clendenin | East Bank | Glasgow | Handley | Jefferson | Pratt
CDPs	Alum Creek‡ | Coal Fork | Cross Lanes | Elkview | Pinch | Sissonville | Tornado
Other localities	Aarons | Acme | Acup | Airport Village | Amandaville | Amelia | Annfred | Barren Creek | Big Chimney | Blackhawk | Blakeley | Blount | Blue Creek | Blundon | Bream | Brounland | Burnwell | Cabin Creek | Carbon | Chelyan | Cinco | Coalburg | Coalridge | Coco | Corton | Crede | Crown Hill | Davis Creek | Dawes | Decota | Dial | Diamond | Dickinson | Donwood | Dry Branch | Dungriff | Dupont City | East Nitro | East Side | Edgewood | Elk | Elk Forest | Elk Hills | Emmons‡ | Eskdale | Etowah | Falling Rock | Ferrell | Fivemile | Forest Hills | Forks of Coal | Fort Hill | Frame | Gallagher | Giles | Green Valley | Greencastle | Grippe | Guthrie | Hansford | Hernshaw | Hicumbottom | Highlawn | Hillsdale | Hitop | Holly | Hollygrove | Hollyhurst | Hugheston | Institute | Island Branch | Ivydale | Jarrett | Jarretts Ford | Joplin | Kanawha Estates | Kayford | Kelly Hill | Kendalia | Laing | Leewood | Mink Shoals | Quick | Rand
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

	v • d • e State of West Virginia Charleston (capital)
Topics	Cities | Towns | Villages | Census‑designated places | History | Geography | People | Governors | Colleges and universities
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Major cities	Charleston | Huntington | Parkersburg | Wheeling | Morgantown
Smaller cities	Beckley | Bluefield | Clarksburg | Elkins | Fairmont | Martinsburg | Weirton
Counties	Barbour | Berkeley | Boone | Braxton | Brooke | Cabell | Calhoun | Clay | Doddridge | Fayette | Gilmer | Grant | Greenbrier | Hampshire | Hancock | Hardy | Harrison | Jackson | Jefferson | Kanawha | Lewis | Lincoln | Logan | Marion | Marshall | Mason | McDowell | Mercer | Mineral | Mingo | Monongalia | Monroe | Morgan | Nicholas | Ohio | Pendleton | Pleasants | Pocahontas | Preston | Putnam | Raleigh | Randolph | Ritchie | Roane | Summers | Taylor | Tucker | Tyler | Upshur | Wayne | Webster | Wetzel | Wirt | Wood | Wyoming

v • d • e

United States state capital cities

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Categories: Charleston, West Virginia | Cities in West Virginia | County seats in West Virginia | Kanawha County, West Virginia | Settlements established in 1788 | Charleston, West Virginia metropolitan area

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