Yorktown in York county, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

York “Under The Hill”

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

1. York "Under The Hill" Marker

Inscription. Initially Yorktown was laid out above the bluffs, but the thin strip of ground here between water and cliff was essential to the town’s commercial life. Port facilities crowded the area – wharves, warehouses and stores as pictured here. These same facilities, and the excellent harbor, prompted Cornwallis to establish his base at Yorktown in the summer of 1781.

Erected by Colonial National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 37° 14.109′ N, 76° 30.308′ W. Marker is in Yorktown in York county, Virginia. It is on Water Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the Yorktown waterfront. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: York Under Siege 1781 (a few steps from this marker); An Archer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Ancestors (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorke Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown’s Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown Waterfront

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(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Fire of 1814 (about 500 feet away); Tobacco Inspection (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Brig Betsy (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Yorktown's Sunken Fleet (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Pirates in Yorktown? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The picture above the marker is the town of Yorktown on the waterfront. Pictured are ships in the harbor and houses at the base of the cliffs.

Also see . . .
1. Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Yorktown. The Patriot Resource website. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. The Battle of Yorktown 1781. A British

Yorktown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

2. Yorktown Marker

perspective of the Battle of Yorktown from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Yorktown Waterfront image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

3. Yorktown Waterfront

Yorktown's deep water harbor was a key reason why Cornwallis selected it as a base of operations. This photo was taken from near the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,990 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.