Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cape Charles

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011

1. Cape Charles Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 37° 16.089′ N, 76° 0.481′

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. Marker is on Randolph Avenue (Virginia Route 84), on the left when traveling west. Located at the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cape Charles Colored School (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Eastern Shore Railroad (approx. half a mile away); Veterans War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cape Charles to Little Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cape Charles Ice & Lumber Co. (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Changing Way of Life... (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rails Overlooking the Chesapeake Bay (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.

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

Cape Charles Marker, looking west along Randolph Avenue image. Click for full size.

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

. ...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 county families were attracted to the Town and built their homes among those of the railroad employees. (Submitted on October 30, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Cape Charles Marker, looking east image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011

3. Cape Charles Marker, looking east

Cape Charles Light, rises above the cotton fields, typical of this area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011

4. Cape Charles Light, rises above the cotton fields, typical of this area

Cape Charles Veterans' Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud

5. Cape Charles Veterans' Memorial

Cape Charles, home to the Bay Coast Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 15, 2011

6. Cape Charles, home to the Bay Coast Railroad

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 3, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.