Charles Town, WV

Real Estate in Charles Town, West Virginia

Charles Town, WV has everything you are looking for in a small town close to the nation's capital. 

Charles Town, West Virginia, is a charming small town located in the outskirts of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. With the short hour’s drive, the residents of Charles Town are able to enjoy the great amenities, history, culture and museums the nation’s capital has to offer. If you love the rural, laid-back lifestyle, with the luxury of having so much history and recreation nearby then Charles Town, WV is the ideal location for you to start your search for homes for sale.

Charles Town, WV named after and founded by Charles Washington, youngest brother of George Washington himself is located along the Appalachian Mountain range, along the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can take a drive through the mountains and head to Harpers Ferry National Park for a day trip hiking or white water rafting to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Other attractions in the area include the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races that draws people for all over the area.

In 1780, George Washington's youngest brother, Charles Washington left his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and moved to the Lower Shenandoah Valley. Charles had inherited land from his older half-brother, Lawrence in what was then Berkeley County, Virginia. He then began construction of Happy Retreat, his home on a rise overlooking Evitts Marsh.

Charles petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for permission to incorporate a town in 1786. The petition was granted and Charles Town, Virginia was founded.

In 1799, at the time of Charles' death, Charles Town was still located in Berkeley County. In 1801, Jefferson County was formed from Berkeley and Charles Town became the new county seat. 

In 1803 the Jefferson County Courthouse became the first public building to occupy the Town Square. A larger courthouse replaced this smaller brick structure in 1836. The new courthouse was the setting for the trials of abolitionist John Brown and six of his followers in 1836. During the Civil War in October 1863, the courthouse was heavily damaged by artillery fire rendering it unusable. The county seat was temporarily located in Shepherdstown following the War. The county seat returned to Charles Town in 1871 and the courthouse was rebuilt.