Early Elementary Camp (preschool thru 2nd grade) June 13-17, 2011.
Charleston is the capital and largest city 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 2010 census , it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County. Early industry important to Charleston included salt and the first natural gas well. 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 minor league baseball team, the West Virginia Wild minor league basketball team, and the annual 15-mile Charleston Distance Run . Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are also located in the city. Charleston is also home to the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard . The city also contains public parks, such as Cato Park and Coonskin Park, and the 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.
History The West Virginia State Capitol Zero Milestone. Charleston Town Center Capitol Street in downtown Charleston Kanawha River in downtown Charleston 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 18th century. Thomas Bullitt was deeded 1,250 acres of land near the mouth of the Elk River in 1773. It was inherited by his brother, Cuthbert Bullitt , upon his death in 1782, and sold to Col. George Clendenin in 1786. The first permanent settlement, Fort Lee, was built in 1787 by Col.