Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Cape Charles
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
1. Cape Charles Marker
The Town of Cape Charles was founded in 1884 by Alexander Cassatt and William L. Scott as the southern terminusof the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad. The extension of tracks south from Maryland to Cape Charles opened the Northeastern markets to Eastern Shore seafood and farm produce. Using railcar barges and passenger steamers, the new port established a link to Norfolk. Cape Charles enjoyed rapid growth and soon became the commercial and residential center of Northampton County. The old town historic district, with its many Victorian style residences, is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Places. (Marker Number WY-4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 37° 16.089′ N, 76° 0.481′ W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County.
this page online
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 walking distance of this marker: The Jetty House (within shouting distance of this marker); Highball (within shouting distance of this marker); Bloxom Passenger Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Tank Car (within shouting distance of this marker); Jerry Lewis (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
2. Cape Charles Marker, looking west along Randolph Avenue
Located at the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center
Regarding Cape Charles. National Register of Historic Places:
Cape Charles Historic District ** (added 1991 - - #90002122)
♦ Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
♦ Area of Significance: Transportation, Community Planning And Development, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
♦ Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Education, Government, Industry/Processing/Extraction,
Landscape, Religion
Also see . . . Town of Cape Charles, VA; History of Cape Charles. ...land that became the Town of Cape Charles consisted of farmlands and wetlands. ... Incorporated on March 1, 1886, Cape Charles quickly became the economic focus of Northampton County. Paved streets, electricity, telephones, and a central water and sewage system made the Town more cosmopolitan than other Eastern Shore towns. Members of older
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
3. Cape Charles Marker, looking east
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
4. Cape Charles Light, rises above the cotton fields, typical of this area
Photographed by Mike Stroud
5. Cape Charles Veterans' Memorial
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011
6. Cape Charles, home to the Bay Coast Railroad
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,594 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 3, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
