About Charles Town, WV:
Welcome to Charles Town! With a rich history and culture, Charles Town offers a growing community in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The seat of Jefferson County, it’s population as of 2015 is an estimated 5,899, which represents a jump in growth since 2000. Located inside the Eastern Gateway of West Virginia, Charles Town is full of wonderful history, beautiful homes, and a high quality of life.
History
Charles Washington, George Washington’s brother, moved to the area in 1780 after inheriting land from his older half-brother, Lawrence. He petitioned for and was granted permission to incorporate the area into a town. At the time it was still in Berkeley County, but when Jefferson County was formed from Berkeley in 1801, Charles Town was named the new county’s seat. As such, Charles Washington’s will indicated that should this happen, the town lots on the town square be used for public buildings. It is a legacy seen today in Charles Town’s wonderful, historic Town Square.
HOMES
There are beautiful homes throughout the area in a range of prices sure to fit your needs. Click below to find a selection of homes for sale now or recently sold to get a feel for what Charles Town has to offer:
SCHOOLS
Charles Town schools are part of the Jefferson County School District. There are approximately 1,250 students enrolled in the area public schools. Students attend P-2, 3-5, middle and high schools, with Jefferson High School serving the area. Find out more about the public and private schools at Great Schools, or School Digger.
DINING AND SHOPPING
Your options for delicious food abound in Charles Town. The Final Cut Steakhouse, located in the Hollywood Casino, serves American classics in a lovely atmosphere. Date night perhaps? For pizza lovers there’s Brother’s Pizza, located just off Route 340. Their pizza and other Italian dishes are local favorites. Take a culinary journey at the Mediterranean Cafe, where foods from Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Lebanon and Morocco await. The Redbook Restuarant at Hillbrook Inn and Spa offers customized dishes tailored to your dietary needs. Each meal that’s been served in the dining room has been recorded, guaranteeing you a unique dining experience with every visit. Hungry after after shopping? Stop by the 1950’s-style Needful Things Cafe and enjoy some post-shopping grub. Fresh pie? Yes, please.
Speaking of shopping, look no further than Needful Things, located in the St. George building. The building dates back to 1850, and has been lovingly restored to resemble a 1906 post card. Full of rare antiquities, collectibles, jewelry and a host of new and used items you simply can’t find elsewhere.
ENTERTAINMENT
One of the biggest draws in the area is the Hollywood Casino and Inn at Charles Town Races. Concerts, casino, racing and lodging all in one place. Artists like Sara Evans, Toni Braxton and Three Dog Night play the venue, and the restored and renovated race track keeps the tradition of horse racing alive. Plans are underway to create a “Washington Heritage Arts & Culture District” which promises to bring exciting changes to the historic downtown Charles Town area.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The City of Charles Town Parks & Recreation Commission was established 2005 and has already made a big impact on the town’s park scene. The town purchased Evitts Run Park from the Jefferson County Parks & Recreation board in 2006, and it’s downtown location has become an oasis in the middle of a busy area. It is accessible on foot via a pedestrian entrance. Charles Town Skate Park opened in 2008, and is the only facility of it’s kind in Jefferson County. Use of the park is free to the public. For more wilderness-themed adventures, Willingham Knolls Park features walking trails and footbridges over Evitts Run.
Jefferson Memorial Park features a swimming pool and other family-friendly recreation opportunities. Visit the downtown historic district, tour the Bloomery Plantation Distillery for an adult adventure, and take in some of the beauty of the area with hiking trails, river adventures and fishing nearby.
Charles Town is a blossoming community with much to offer!
