History, News and Stories of Charleston, West Virginia, USA

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• 1787 (Charleston, WV) - The first permanent settlement, Fort Lee, was built in 1787 by Col. Savannah Clendenin and his company of Virginia Rangers.
  
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• 1798 and 1799 - Daniel Boone made his last survey of Charleston on September 8, 1798. He left the state in 1799.
  
  www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ west-virginia.html
  
• 1806 - (Charleston, WV) - By the early 19th century, 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.
  
  www.wikipedia.org
  
• 1815 - (Charleston, WV) - Captain James Wilson, while drilling for salt, struck the first natural gas well in 1815.
  
  www.wikipedia.org
  
• 1817 - (Charleston, WV) - In 1817, coal was first discovered and gradually became used as the fuel for the salt works.
  
  www.wikipedia.org
  
• 1854 - Charleston
  Charleston, a handsome post-village, capital of Kanawha county, Virginia, is situated on the Kanawha river, 60 miles from its mouth, and at its... Read MORE...
  
  
• The state of Virginia seceded from the Union, and Charleston was divided between Union and Confederate loyalty.
  On September 13, 1862, the Union and Confederate Armies met in the Battle of Charleston. Although the Confederate States Army was victorious,... Read MORE...
  
  
•   1869 - The West Virginia Legislature has passed a bill removing the capitol from Wheeling to Charleston, the bill to take effect April 1.
  St Joseph Herald
  Saint Joseph, Michigan
  March 6, 1869
  
• 1870 - First brick street in the world was laid in Charleston, West Virginia on October 23, 1870, on Summers Street.
  
  www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ west-virginia.html
  
•   1874 - FIRES.
  Destructive Fire at Charleston, West Va.
  Special Dispatch to the Enquirer.
  CHARLESTON, WEST VA., December 11. — A fire occurred tonight in... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1885 - The first capitol building was opened in Charleston, West Virginia.
  
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•   1891 - FIFTEEN KILLED. IN THE AWFUL DISASTER ON THE KANAWHA AND MICHIGAN ROAD. NEAR CHARLESTON, THIS STATE.
  TWO RAILROAD COACHES FILLED WITH MERRY PLEASURE SEEKERS.
  PLUNGE THROUGH A TRESTLE.
  
  ONLY FOUR ESCAPE WITHOUT INJURY - FIFTY-THREE ARE BADLY... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1895 - Charleston
  Charleston, a city, the capital of West Virginia and of Kanawha co., is situated on Great Kanawha River, at the mouth of Elk River, and on the... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1896 - First rural free mail delivery was started in Charles Town on October 6, 1896, and then spread throughout the United States.
  
  www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ west-virginia.html
  
• 1916
  Charleston, a city, the capital of West Virginia and of Kanawha co., is situated on the Great Kanawha River, at the mouth of the Elk River, and on... Read MORE...
  
  
• 1927 - Capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia destroyed by fire.
  
• Governor William G. Conley dedicated the newly built West Virginia State Capitol building on June 20, 1932 in Charleston, West Virginia.
  
• 1949 - November 15 - WSAZ TV channel 3 in Huntington-Charleston, WV (NBC) 1st broadcast
  
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