Counties
Gloucester County – Land of the Life Worth Living
The Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia has long been considered the birthplace of Colonial America. This lush geography, surrounded by water, is home to some of the most enduring and history-rich counties in the United States.
Formed in 1651, Gloucester, the northernmost county in Hampton Roads, is home to some of the oldest English settlements in the New World. Gloucester lays claim to an extraordinary collection of colonial and pre-Revolutionary buildings … from private homes, to public buildings in the Court House Historic District, to two of America’s oldest churches.
Gloucester County covers over 200 square miles of luxuriant countryside, bordered on the west by the York River and to the east by Chesapeake Bay. Recreational activities abound, especially on or near the countless rivers, creeks, ponds and streams in the area. Marinas, boat ramps and public landings are plentiful. Swim, sail, fish … or enjoy a spectacular sunset from a spot along the miles of pristine shoreline.
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Mathews County – Hidden Pearl of the Chesapeake
Mathews County, second smallest county in Virginia, is located in the Chesapeake Bay region, on the eastern tip of the Middle Peninsula. With over 80 square miles of easy, scenic back roads and 200 miles of shoreline, Mathews is a favorite destination of cyclists, kayakers, and nature lovers in general.
Like so many Virginia counties, Mathews played a significant role in American history. In 1650 it was home to the first English settlement in the New World. Today, on the historic Court Green a courthouse, sheriff’s office and even a debtor’s jail – all circa 1795 - are still in use. The county also boasts centuries-old estates, gravesites, places of worship, and at least one haunted house!
Main Street Mathews is a destination in itself. At the heart of it is the Dilly Dally Emporium. Housed in a renovated 1930’s service station, the Dilly Dally is Virginia’s largest gift emporium, where shoppers can find everything from souvenir playing cards to priceless antiques. At 1 Main Street is the Mathews Art Group Gallery, home to the original works of over 50 area artisans. Start or finish your tour of Main Street with a stop at Bartlett’s Café, Tea Room and Bakery for a cup of specialty coffee and a delicious home baked treat.
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Southampton County – Traditional Values, Common Bonds
Southampton, the westernmost county in Hampton Roads, is also one of the largest territories. Covering 600 miles of fertile Virginia soil, Southampton has enjoyed a long-thriving economy based in agriculture and forestry.
Like its Hampton Roads sister communities, Southampton boasts a rich American heritage. The county was a focal point during the Civil War … as the scene of Nat Turner’s Southampton Insurrection in 1831, site of the Blackwater Line – the dividing line between Union and Confederate troops from 1862 until the end of the war, and home to two Civil War generals – one from each side.
Southampton County has no shortage of recreational pursuits to enjoy. Bordered on the east by the Blackwater River, on the west by the Meherrin, and with the Nottoway running through its center, water sports abound. The Nottoway River Ranch, 75 miles of wooded acreage adjacent to the river, is a perfect setting for everything from fishing to four-wheeling to an overnight camping adventure.
Dry land in Southampton offers opportunities for hunters of every persuasion, whether keeping an eye out for white tail deer or a fast-climbing Titleist on the back nine of the Cypress Cove Country Club!
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Surry County – Pork, Peanuts and Pine
To the west and south of York County lies Surry County. Like the other counties of Hampton Roads, Surry is rich in early American history and tradition.
A small fleet of ferryboats links the town of Scotland in Surry County with Jamestown, the first permanent settlement in British North America. The quick 15-minute ride across the James River is free of charge and offers present-day passengers an opportunity to view the land much as the colonists did 400 years ago.
The county is made up of the towns of Claremont, Dendron and Surry, and several unincorporated communities including Bacon’s Castle, home of its namesake structure, one of just a handful of still-standing examples of Jacobean architecture in America.
In July 2007, the citizens of Surry County hosted the 32 nd annual Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival at beautiful Chippokes Plantation State Park, amid the crape myrtle trees in full bloom. Throughout its history, Surry County has painstakingly preserved its heritage and the spirit of a rural farming community. Today, the county remains without a single traffic stoplight!
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York County - Honoring America’s Past
Across the river from Gloucester County is the county of York, Virginia. Situated on the Virginia Peninsula between the York and James Rivers, York County is 27 miles long and only 6 miles across at its widest point. The York River supplies its namesake county with 200 miles of coastline.
Rich in history, the county is home to the port of Yorktown, the seat of government and site of the final battle of the American Revolution on October 19, 1781.
These days there’s still plenty to see and do in Historic Yorktown. Take in the galleries and antique shops of Historic Village. Stroll along Riverwalk Landing, and enjoy a steaming cup of espresso or a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream treat along the way. Take a picnic to the beach and enjoy an afternoon swim. Visit the battlefields where America’s history was made.
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