Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Nick's Seafood Pavilion
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013
1. Nick's Seafood Pavilion Marker
Nick’s welcomed many dignitaries and entertainers. Among others, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Fred McMurray, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Randy Travis, the 1980 Winter Olympic torch relay runners, and two Russian military defectors dined at Nick’s. The couple openly expressed their love of America and Yorktown and generously supported many projects and causes, including donating land for the development of the Yorktown Victory Center. That generosity also extended to military members in uniform, who always ate free-of-charge at Nick’s.
In 1983, “Miss Mary” was chosen to sponsor the USS Yorktown (CG48), becoming the first immigrant to christen a U.S. Navy ship. “Mr. Nick” passed away, unexpectedly, on the way to the christening ceremony. Mary died in September 1998. The Mathews and the restaurant are fondly remembered, however, the restaurant was severely damaged in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel and was subsequently demolished.
(captions)
Photo courtesy of Jim Krikales.
Photo courtesy of York County.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1998.
Location. 37° 14.348′ N, 76° 30.516′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It can be reached from Water Street west of Buckner 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: N.S. Savannah (here, next to this marker); The Olympic Flame (a few steps from this marker); Admiral de Grasse, the French Navy and American Independence (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); George P. Coleman Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown's Tea Party (within shouting distance of this marker); General Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); Converging on Yorktown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher
2. Yorktown's Riverwalk
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023
3. Nick's Seafood Pavilion Location
The pavilion used to occupy the space now consumed by the Main Street Parking Deck. This photograph shows the center of the parking deck staircase and its various memorial plaques.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023
4. USS Yorktown (CG-48) Exhibit in York Hall
Included in the exhibit is a photograph of Mary Matthews christening the ship, shown here at center right just below the ship model.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,010 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
