Editing Tappahannock, Virginia (section)

==History==
In the mid 1660s, Captain Richard Hobbs had rights to 800 acres south of Gilson's Creek at the Rappahannock River. In 1680, Virginia law required warehouses to be established in port towns, and that year surveyor George Morris created a survey showing Hobbs His Hole Harbour. "Hole" refers to where a ship could drop anchor in a deep part of the water, and thus it was Capt. Hobbs who parked his ship ''Elizabeth and Mary'' here in the vicinity of present-day Tappahannock. This area became known as Hobbs Hole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.essex-virginia.org/ex_hist.htm|title=Essex County Virginia -History of Essex County<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=May 24, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414163712/http://www.essex-virginia.org/ex_hist.htm|archive-date=April 14, 2013|date=April 14, 2013}}</ref>

The settlement was platted for {{convert|50|acre}}, divided into half-acre squares.<ref name="vawterfamily.org">[http://www.vawterfamily.org/Georgine/Bartholomew%201-99.pdf Arrival in the Virginia colony]</ref> The port was established at Hobbs Hole and called New Plymouth,<ref name="vawterfamily.org"/> later changed back to the Native American name Tappahannock. As part of the [[Tobacco Inspection Act|Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730]], public warehouses for inspection and exportation of tobacco, the colony's commodity crop, were established at Hobbs Hole. Ocean-going ships could reach this port.

During the [[War of 1812]], the town was seized by British naval forces under the command of Captain [[Robert Barrie]] on December 2, 1814. The British left the town two days later, after burning down the courthouse and two jails.<ref>[https://wtop.com/news/2014/10/va-towns-sacking-in-war-of-1812-recalled/ Va. town's sacking in War of 1812 recalled], Associated Press (October 16, 2014).</ref>

The [[Tappahannock Historic District]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

During the [[Tornado outbreak of February 23–24, 2016]], the town was hit by an [[EF3]] tornado on February 24, causing massive damage and injuring more than two dozen people.<ref>{{cite web| title=Tappahannock 'a mess' after tornado strike| url=http://www.richmond.com/news/local/article_18525519-c52b-5e7f-84dc-5cf596015695.html| website=www.richmond.com| date=February 25, 2016| access-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McClellan |first1=Matthew |title=‘It scarred the community’: Tappahannock looks back on destructive 2016 tornado |url=https://www.wric.com/news/it-scarred-the-community-tappahannock-looks-back-on-destructive-2016-tornado/ |access-date=2 February 2025 |publisher=WRIC ABC 8News |date=24 February 2017}}</ref>

On July 15, 2022, a fire destroyed many businesses along Prince Street as well as multiple homes in downtown Tappahannock, burning nearly half the town block. The cause of the fire, which started at the back of the Martin-Sale Furniture Company, remains unknown as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/07/14/tappahannock-road-recovery-year-after-massive-fire/|title=Tappahannock on the road to recovery a year after a massive fire|website=[[WWBT]]|first=Jennifer|last=Blake|date=July 14, 2023|accessdate=December 15, 2023}}</ref> No deaths were reported aside from a pet cat belonging to one of the displaced residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/07/15/massive-fire-destroys-multiple-buildings-tappahannock/|title=Massive fire destroys multiple buildings in Tappahannock|website=[[WWBT]]|first=John|last=Hood|date=July 15, 2022|accessdate=December 15, 2023}}</ref> Since that time, the restaurant, furniture store, and art studio have been rebuilt and reopened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Jennifer |date=2023-07-14 |title=Tappahannock on the road to recovery a year after a massive fire |url=https://www.12onyourside.com/2023/07/14/tappahannock-road-recovery-year-after-massive-fire/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.12onyourside.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, 1710 Tavern opened in a building originally constructed in 1710 that is considered the oldest tavern in the state. The historic structure retains many original features, including centuries-old floors, windows, ceilings, and fireplaces. Historically, the building served as an "ordinary"—a combination of a tavern and inn—where travelers could pay for food and lodging with money or trade tobacco. The structure predates the current road network in the area and functioned as a key stop along the main port.

During its restoration, efforts were made to blend historic authenticity with modern updates. The project incorporated elements such as bar floors made from 150-year-old wood salvaged from a former hardware store in Warsaw, Virginia; seating constructed from 125-year-old church pews from Newport, Virginia; and a bar counter fashioned from 300-year-old walnut sourced from Oakalona in Occupacia, Virginia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michelle |date=2025-01-31 |title=1710 Tavern: Fine dining breathes new life into historical landmark |url=https://www.newsontheneck.com/news/1710-tavern-fine-dining-breathes-new-life-into-historical-landmark/article_6c43624a-6855-11ee-b3a4-6711c6065936.html |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=News on the Neck |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2024, the first phase of Tappahannock Central Park was completed, establishing a 2-acre recreational area that includes three pickleball courts, a tennis court, a playground, and a splash pad. The second phase, scheduled to begin in 2025, will expand the park's amenities with the addition of restrooms and entertainment areas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Kyle |date=2024-10-28 |title=Tappahannock Central Park Officially Opens, Phase One Complete |url=https://realradio804.com/tappahannock-central-park-officially-opens-phase-one-complete/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=RealRadio804 |language=en-US}}</ref>