On National Seashore Lane at Stephen Decatur Hwy (Virginia Route 617), on the right when traveling west on National Seashore Lane.
The historic Assateague Lighthouse is one of nearly 450 automated lighthouses maintained today by the U.S. Coast
Guard. First built by the U.S. Treasury Department in 1833 the
original 45-foot tower proved too low and dim to be effective. The . . . — — Map (db m205169) HM
On Main Street just west of Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west.
Boats and then bridges not only formed Chincoteague Island's lifelines to the mainland, they changed the island's way of life.
Beginning around 1881, after several years of irregular service by other boats, the steamboat Widgeon began . . . — — Map (db m165054) HM
Near Main Street at Post Office Street, on the right when traveling west.
First oysters, then bay and sea clams buoyed Chincoteague's economy.
During the second half of the 19th century, Chincoteague's seafood industry relied on the oyster. Each year, from September to April, island watermen gathered Chincoteague's . . . — — Map (db m165063) HM
Captain Timothy Hill House
Built circa 1800 is registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior 2011 — — Map (db m59833) HM
On Main Street at Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
Built in 1887, this Queen Anne style commercial building was originally the O.M. Jones Drug Store. In 1908, the building became Wallace "Tig" Jester's barber shop. For 75 years, Tig offered a shave, haircut, and gathering place for island men. In . . . — — Map (db m165065) HM
On Main Street just west of Post Office Street, on the right when traveling west.
1671
First land purchase from Gingo-Teague Indians recorded on April 1. Oral tradition says the Gingo-Teague called Chincoteague Island "the beautiful land across the water."
1680
Tenant farmer Robert Scott moves to Chincoteague . . . — — Map (db m165061) HM
On Main Street just west of Post Office Street, on the right when traveling west.
Historically, Chincoteague's western waterfront provided the town with its front door.
Many watermen sailed from docks along Chincoteague Channel, "goin' down da Bay" to return with cargoes of oysters, bay clams, mussels, and terrapins.
For . . . — — Map (db m165058) HM
Was established on this island on February 14, 1892 by Joseph B. Lynch, not far from this location. Doctrine is Justification and Sanctification. This building was erected in 1903. Since this beginning churches are established throughout the . . . — — Map (db m59834) HM
On National Seashore Lane at Stephen Decatur Hwy (Virginia Route 611), on the right when traveling west on National Seashore Lane.
Between 1922 and 1967. the white buildings visible in the distance marked the center of lifesaving activities on this end of Assateague Island. The twelve-man crew of the Assateague Beach Coast Guard Station stood ready to aid vessels in distress . . . — — Map (db m205179) HM
On Main Street just west of Post Office Street, on the right when traveling west.
Decoys carved by Chincoteague residents have evolved into a form of art that is highly respected and collected. But decoy carving itself originated in the long tradition of waterfowl hunting.
Ducks and geese have always been a part of life on . . . — — Map (db m165059) HM
On Main Street just west of Post Office Street, on the right when traveling west.
In 1890, fish made the Chincoteague news. Islanders caught so many fin fish that a reporter claimed the take was never so large, or the "fish so fine."
Fish became so plentiful in Chincoteague markets that a local islander wrote in 1922 that . . . — — Map (db m165060) HM
Keeping the Forest Full of Life
Wildlife have the same basic needs humans do—food, water, shelter, and space. To make sure those needs are met, refuge staff carefully manage forest areas. They remove some trees, plant others that are . . . — — Map (db m98827) HM
On Main Street just east of Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west.
Dedicated to the outstanding contribution to children's literature made by Marguerite Henry and Wesley Dennis in memory of Misty
Given to the Town of Chincoteague and the children of the world June 14, 2006 by the Misty of Chincoteague . . . — — Map (db m165040) HM
On Main Street at Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
It started on a September Sunday in 1920. Fanned by a northwest wind, a fire in an ice cream parlor spread quickly to nearby wooden buildings. Volunteer fire fighters rushed to the scene, but their engine failed.
Before the flames died out, . . . — — Map (db m165057) HM
Near Beach Access Road north of Boat Ramp Access Road, on the right when traveling south.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Assateague Island Lighthouse is a striking landmark that attracts many visitors. At the same time, it is an active aid to navigation, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, that gives ships a . . . — — Map (db m98824) HM
On Main Street just west of Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west.
The origin of this building is unknown, but was moved to this location to be used for a Western Union Telegraph office in 1896. Next door is the Boatman Bank and across the street stood the Atlantic Hotel.
Visitors, ferried from the mainland, . . . — — Map (db m165067) HM
On Main Street at Poplar Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street.
In the early 20th century, without street lights or lighted homes to use as reference points, ferry boats from the Delmarva mainland would run aground as they approached Chincoteague Island.
Especially on dark nights, the Watson family would . . . — — Map (db m165071) HM
On Beach Access Road, 0.5 miles south of Wildlife Drive, on the right when traveling south.
Hardy, compact, and spirited—the horses on Assateague Island run freely over a range bounded by ocean and bay. Bands of mares and young led by protective stallions graze on marsh grasses, drink at freshwater ponds, and retreat into island . . . — — Map (db m98826) HM
On National Seashore Lane at Stephen Decatur Hwy (Virginia Route 611), on the right when traveling west on National Seashore Lane.
Since Colonial times, residents of Assateague and Chincoteague Islands have depended on fish and shellfish for food. By the time of the Civil War, islanders were exporting seafood to Northern cities. Toms Cove, or Chincoteaque, oysters . . . — — Map (db m205182) HM
On Main Street just west of Poplar Street, on the left when traveling west.
Built by Robert Watson and his son, David Robert Watson in the Chincoteague architectural style of the later 19th century. Annie Tatum married David Robert Watson and raised nine children in the house, all of whom lived and prospered on Chincoteague . . . — — Map (db m165073) HM
Near Beach Access Road north of Boat Ramp Access Road, on the right when traveling south.
In the 1800s, after the lighthouse was built, a small community grew up not far from here. By the early 1900s, about 225 lived in the village, which included a school, dry goods store, and a church. The residents harvested resources from the sea, . . . — — Map (db m98825) HM
On Main Street just east of Mumford Street, on the right when traveling west.
Storms continually reshape coastal islands and challenge resilience of residents. Chincoteague is no exception. A hurricane, the Great September Gust, "leaped upon the devoted island with a scream" in 1821. A blizzard in January 1922 rammed ice . . . — — Map (db m165049) HM
