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.
Steamboats on York River. . 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.
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. Marker 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.
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 510 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.