Charles Town, West Virginia (WV), the seat of Jefferson County, was chartered in 1788 and named for Charles Washington, a brother of George Washington, who settled at "Happy Retreat," later renamed "Mordington." Nearby, at "Harewood," the home of Samuel Washington, a young Dolly Payne Todd married James Madison. Charles Town today may best be known as a center for lodging, gaming, and horse racing. The Charles Town Races are held just east of town.
Lodging near Charles Town, West Virginia
Parks & Public Recreation
The following parks and public recreation areas are located near Charles Town.
- Evitts Run Park
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Shannondale Springs Wildlife Management Area
Location
Charles Town is located on expressway US-340 adjacent to Ransom, West Virginia, and approximately 17 miles southeast of Interstate 81 at Martinsburg, West Virginia, and eight miles west of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. (The town is sometimes confused with similarly named Charleston, West Virginia, the West Virginia capital, a drive of more than 300 miles west of Charles Town.) The Charles Town Races are held just east of town at Ranson, West Virginia.
Map of Charles Town, West Virginia
Regional Information
Charles Town is located in the Eastern Panhandle Region in eastern West Virginia.
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