Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Swan Tavern
Historic Yorktown
| — | Colonial National Historical Park | — |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
1. Swan Tavern Marker
”The Taverns are many here, and much frequented, and an unbounded Licentiousness seems to taint the Morals of the young Gentlemen of this Place…amiable Hospitality…seems…to have found no great Footing: Schemes of Gain, or Parties of Gaming and Pleasure, muddy too much their Souls, and banish from amongst them the glorious Prosperity to doing good.” Edward Kimber, “Observations in Several Voyages and Travels in America in the Year 1736”
The most prominent tavern in Yorktown during the 18th century was the Swan Tavern, which opened for business around 1722 under the ownership of Thomas Nelson and Joseph Walker.
Strategically located one block from the town’s thriving waterfront and across the street from the county courthouse, the Swan Tavern provided its customers with drink, food and a place to socialize. The tavern was also the site of public auctions, including one advertised in the Virginia Gazette in 1757, where two cargo ships and their contents of “sugar, rum, indigo, pimento, coffee, ginger, cotton, etc.” were sold “to the highest bidders, for ready Money.”
The tavern closed prior to Civil War, and by 1862, occupying Union forces were storing munitions in the building. On the night of December 16, 1863, a fire destroyed
this page online
In 1935, the National Park Service reconstructed the tavern and outbuildings to help recreate an important element of Yorktown’s colonial history.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is December 16, 1591.
Location. 37° 14.138′ N, 76° 30.532′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Ballard Street (Virginia Route 1020), on the left when traveling west on Main Street. 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: York Hall (a few steps from this marker); York County War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Medical Shop (Reconstructed) (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown (within shouting distance of this marker); West Along Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); East Along Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Mercenary Units (within shouting distance of this marker); Somerwell House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
Also see . . .
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
3. Swan Tavern
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,710 times since then and 230 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 31, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 31, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
