Charles Town

Charles Town is a county seat in Jefferson County in West Virginia, located in the lower Shenandoah Valley. The center has a traditional street plan with broad avenues and residential neighborhoods arranged around a central square.

The town began in 1786 when Charles Washington divided 80 acres of his land and sold the first lots. In the 19th century, it became an important regional administrative center and has remained the county seat ever since.

The name comes from Charles Washington, who also designed the street grid. Many streets still carry the names of his family members today, recalling the early days of the town.

The town is near several larger places and can be reached easily by car. Visitors can park in the center and explore downtown on foot, as most points of interest are close to one another.

The central square is called George Washington Park and is surrounded by old trees that were planted around the time of the founding. Some of these trees still stand today and provide shade for visitors to the park.

Location: Jefferson County

Elevation above the sea: 164 m

Website: http://charlestownwv.us

GPS coordinates: 39.28417,-77.85611

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:54