Charleston WV Moving Companies

Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, the capital of West Virginia and seat of Kanawha County, is a regional hub for transportation, finance, retail trade, commerce, government, and health care, and acts as a lively center for the arts and recreation while also serving as West Virginia's state capital. Those moving to Charleston will disocver a vital urban area that also projects a comfortable charm.

History:
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. By 1808, 1,250 pounds of salt were being produced a day. In 1817, coal was first discovered and gradually became used as the fuel for the salt works. The Kanawha salt industry declined in importance after 1861, until the advent of World War I brought a demand for chemical products.

During World War II, the first and largest styrene-butadiene plant in the U.S. opened in nearby Institute, providing a replacement for rubber to the war effort. After the war ended, Charleston was on the brink of some significant construction. One of the first during this period was Kanawha Airport (now Yeager Airport, named after General Chuck Yeager), which was perhaps one of the most phenomenal engineering accomplishments of its time. Built in 1947, the construction encompassed clearing 360 acres on three mountaintops moving more than nine million cubic yards of earth. In 1959, the Charleston Civic Center opened its doors. It stands today, totally renovated and providing the largest meeting and exhibit space available in West Virginia. In 1983, the Charleston Town Center opened its doors downtown. It was the largest urban-based mall east of the Mississippi River, featuring three stories of shops and eateries. Downtown revitalization began in earnest in the late 1980s as well. Funds were set aside for streetscaping as Capitol and Quarrier Streets saw new building facades, trees along the streets, and brick walkways installed. The new Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, Haddad Riverfront Park and Capitol Market are just a few new developments that have helped growth in the downtown area during the 1990s. Charleston also became known as one of the premiere healthcare spots in the state. Along with ambitious thinking, plans for even new entertainment and business venues kept Charleston moving along at a steady pace. In 1983, WV Public Radio launched a live-performance radio program statewide called Mountain Stage. What began as a live, monthly statewide broadcast went on to national distribution in 1986. Now in its 26th season, Mountain Stage with Larry Groce records 26 two-hour programs each year, mostly at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, and is heard on over 100 radio stations through National Public Radio and around the world on the Voice of America satellite service.

Economy:
The Kanawha Valley owes much of its past and future prosperity to its reputation as a transportation and distribution hub. From river port to interstate hub, the sophisticated transportation routes have lured and kept industry in the region when other parts of West Virginia were troubled with the same economic doldrums that affected much of the nation. Insulated from the boom-or-bust coal industry, the Kanawha Valley has relied on its diversity of natural resources and its importance in the eastern and central states' waterways system, moving goods to the Gulf of Mexico via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In recent years, growth in health services and the state banking industry has outpaced that of other sectors. Valley residents have been very supportive of the chemical industry, acknowledging that the industry's first priority has always been safety. Likewise, local governments have been involved and have participated in safety and emergency planning. Other Kanawha Valley industries include heavy steel fabricating, glass manufacturing, and energy development. Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation, headquartered in Charleston, employs almost one-third of its workforce in the Charleston headquarters. Today, Charleston enjoys a diverse economy. An abundant and well-educated workforce is employed in thriving chemical, automotive, telecommunications, healthcare, and professional services sectors. Retail trade and tourism are also thriving economic sectors.

Tourism:
Downtown offers many other one-of-a-kind shops such as The Purple Moon and Ivor’s. Or head to one of the largest urban malls in the East, Charleston Town Center Mall, for three floors of retail therapy, fun and food. From home goods to high fashion to arcade-style fun, take your pick of outdoor shopping centers and restaurants. Whatever your mood, whatever you crave, Charleston has something sure to satisfy, from local classics to familiar chain favorites.

Indulge with an intimate dinner at a cozy, upscale restaurant. Relax with a laid-back, lively meal at a sports bar. Taste the exotic or spicy with Asian, Mexican and Middle-Eastern cuisine. Spend quality time with the kids at family-friendly spots. Experience absolute comfort at the area’s Italian restaurants and pizza places.

Colleges/Universities:

• West Virginia Junior College
• Marshall University
• West Virginia State University
• University of Charleston

Interesting Fact:

• The city’s name derives from the region's Iroquois dialects meaning, "water way" or "Canoe Way" implying the metaphor, "transport way," in the local language.