Saxis in Accomack County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

While Visiting

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2025

1. While Visiting Marker

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While Visiting. . , There are so many ways to enjoy your time in Saxis! ,

. Enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant! Try the oysters! , . Picnic at the pavilion near the harbor. , . Stroll along the beach. Look for sea glass! , . Watch the crab shedding process at a local crab shed. , . Take a scenic walk on the public fishing pier. , . Stop a moment to enjoy a beautiful sunset. , . Visit the Saxis Museum and discover a treasure trove of local island lore, artifacts and history. , . Hire a Certified Virginia Ecotour Guide to make the most of your time!

, The Town of Saxis boat ramp (free) provides access to amazing paddling opportunities. Saxis Wildlife Management Area also offers excellent kayaking and birdwatching opportunities., Learn more at www.VirginiaWaterTrails.org., Saxis Wildlife Management Area , The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owns and maintains the 5,678-acre Saxis (and Guard Shore) Wildlife Management Area (WMA)., Saxis WMA, divided into three peninsulas, is primarily a tidal marsh ecosystem, with beach as well as shrubs and trees. Saxis is one of the region's pristine marshlands and provides critical habitat for many plant and animal species. The marsh area that separates the Town of Saxis from the mainland is known as Free School Marsh. In 1712, Samuel Sanford, who once owned the marsh, established a trust mandating that the rental fees of the marsh be used for the education of the poor children of northern Accomack County. The trust remained until 1875., If a person 17 years or older does not have a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration, they must purchase an access permit before visiting a WMA. Go to https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/ for more information., Relax in Our Native Plant Garden , Relax by our Eastern Shore Native Plants Garden (next to the pavilion). Native plants (labeled) require less pesticides and fertilizers, protecting our water quality. They also provide habitat and food for millions of migratory birds and butterflies! Below are a few of the native plants in the garden. For a guide to plants native to Accomack, go to www.plantvirginianatives.org., Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis . Coastal White-alder or Pepperbush, Clethra alnifolia . Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginia, For your safety and to protect our island environment: , Be clean. Put all litter into trash receptacles. Clean up after your pets., Be courteous. Do not obstruct the boat ramp., Be safe. Do not dive off of the docks or bridge., Obey fishing regulations. A paid license with DGIF is required for all individuals over the age of 16 when fishing in Virginia tidal waters and not on a licensed charter or head boat. Visit www.dgif.virginia.gov/licenses/ or call 1-866-721-6911.

There are so many ways to enjoy your time in Saxis!

• Enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant! Try the oysters!
• Picnic at the pavilion near the harbor.
• Stroll along the beach. Look for sea glass!
• Watch the crab shedding process at a local crab shed.
• Take a scenic walk on the public fishing pier.
• Stop a moment to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
• Visit the Saxis Museum and discover a treasure trove of local island lore, artifacts and history.
• Hire a Certified Virginia Ecotour Guide to make the most of your time!

The Town of Saxis boat ramp (free) provides access to amazing paddling opportunities. Saxis Wildlife Management Area also offers excellent kayaking and birdwatching opportunities.

Learn more at www.VirginiaWaterTrails.org.

Saxis Wildlife Management Area
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owns and maintains the 5,678-acre Saxis (and Guard Shore) Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Saxis WMA, divided into three peninsulas, is primarily a tidal marsh ecosystem, with beach as well as shrubs and trees. Saxis is one of the region's pristine marshlands and provides critical habitat for many plant and animal species. The marsh area that separates the

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Town of Saxis from the mainland is known as Free School Marsh. In 1712, Samuel Sanford, who once owned the marsh, established a trust mandating that the rental fees of the marsh be used for the education of the poor children of northern Accomack County. The trust remained until 1875.

If a person 17 years or older does not have a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration, they must purchase an access permit before visiting a WMA. Go to https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/ for more information.

Relax in Our Native Plant Garden
Relax by our Eastern Shore Native Plants Garden (next to the pavilion). Native plants (labeled) require less pesticides and fertilizers, protecting our water quality. They also provide habitat and food for millions of migratory birds and butterflies! Below are a few of the native plants in the garden. For a guide to plants native to Accomack, go to www.plantvirginianatives.org.

Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis • Coastal White-alder or Pepperbush, Clethra alnifolia • Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginia

For your safety and to protect our island environment:
Be clean. Put all litter into trash receptacles. Clean up after your pets.

Be courteous.

Several markers in front of the comfort station at the docks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 11, 2025

2. Several markers in front of the comfort station at the docks

Do not obstruct the boat ramp.

Be safe. Do not dive off of the docks or bridge.

Obey fishing regulations. A paid license with DGIF is required for all individuals over the age of 16 when fishing in Virginia tidal waters and not on a licensed charter or head boat. Visit www.dgif.virginia.gov/licenses/ or call 1-866-721-6911.

Erected by Town of Saxis, Virginia; Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce; Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Education • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1712.

Location. 37° 55.168′ N, 75° 43.652′ W. Marker is in Saxis, Virginia, in Accomack County. It is on Starling Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9137 Starling Crk Rd, Saxis VA 23427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Saxis Island Culture (here, next to this marker); Severn J. Crockett General Store (approx. 0.3 miles away); This Memorial Pyramid

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(approx. 5.1 miles away); Francis Makemie Monument (approx. 5.1 miles away); Anne Makemie Holden (approx. 5.1 miles away); Makemie Monument Park (approx. 5.2 miles away); Make Peace (approx. 6.8 miles away in Maryland); Ward Brothers Workshop (approx. 7.3 miles away in Maryland). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saxis.

Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This sign serves as a historical marker because it interprets the history of the area, particularly about the origin of Free School Marsh.

— Submitted October 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.