Charleston, West Virginia, the state capital and the seat of Kanawha County. It is on the Kanawha River in the west-central part of the state. Charleston is primarily a government center and a manufacturing city with large chemical and glass manufacturing facilities. Attractions include the Cultural Center and the Avampato Discovery Museum. The University of Charleston is here; West Virginia State College is nearby. The city grew around Fort Lee, built in 1788. It was incorporated as Charles Town in 1794 with Daniel Boone as its first mayor. The name was changed to Charleston in 1818. It has been the capital of the state since 1870 except during 1875–85, when the capital was Wheeling.
Population: 53,421.
