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

Steamboats on York River

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013

1. Steamboats on York River Marker

Inscription. In 1817, the Baltimore Steam Packet Company, or the “Old Bay Line,” began regular steamboat service between Baltimore, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia. The company’s boats transported mail, crops, freight, and people along the length of the Chesapeake Bay. Smaller packets on the rivers connected to the larger craft. The local York River packets stopped in at Yorktown,as well as at Allmond’s Wharf, Cappahosic, and Clay Bank on the Gloucester side,when heading toward West Point, Virginia. The Bay-going steamboats transported travelers to hospitals and stores in the cities as well as on vacation excursions. A trip “on a party of pleasure to York-Town (Va.)” was offered in 1819 by the Old Bay Line.

In addition to sailing vessels, steamboats were the only means of reliable transportation until highways were paved in the twentieth century. The use of steamboats peaked around 1910 and declined as motor cars became more popular.

(captions)
Photo courtesy of Bonnie and Jerry Karwac, Jr.
Image courtesy of Steamboat Era Museum, Irvington, VA.

Erected 2010 by York County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 37°

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14.222′ N, 76° 30.407′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It can be reached from Water Street west of Read Street, on the right when traveling west. Located along Yorktown's Riverwalk. 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: Civil War Hot-Air Balloons (here, next to this marker); Yorktown's Stormy Past (within shouting distance of this marker); TransAmerica Bike Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Fire of 1814 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tobacco Inspection (about 400 feet away); Yorktown Waterfront (about 400 feet away); Kiskiack (about 400 feet away); Grace Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Other markers no longer nearby. USS Yorktown (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Seat of the County of York (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Yorktown's Riverwalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013

2. Yorktown's Riverwalk

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 817 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.