Editing Tappahannock, Virginia

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Tappahannock, Virginia
|official_name            = Town of Tappahannock
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Tappahannock, Virginia.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = The historic district of Tappahannock
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = VAMap-doton-Tappahannock.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in Virginia
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Virginia]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Essex County, Virginia|Essex]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Roy Gladding<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tappahannock-va.gov/about_us/town_council.php|title=Town Council|website=Tappahannock, Virginia|accessdate=16 December 2024}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.75
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.67
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.08

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2375
|population_density_sq_mi = 899.96

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset              = &minus;5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST          = &minus;4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_ft             = 46
|coordinates              = {{Coord|37|55|20|N|76|51|47|W|region:US-VA_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 22560
|area_code                = [[Area code 804|804]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 51-77568<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1498542<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.tappahannock-va.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 2019
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse"/>
|population_est           = 2402
|area_total_km2           = 7.11
|area_land_km2            = 6.91
|area_water_km2           = 0.20
|population_density_km2   = 347.44
}}

'''Tappahannock''' is the oldest town in [[Essex County, Virginia|Essex County]], [[Virginia]], United States. The population was 2,375 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]],<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US5177568| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Tappahannock town, Virginia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=April 8, 2016| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213053903/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US5177568| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> up from 2,068 at the 2000 census. Located on the [[Rappahannock River]], Tappahannock is the [[county seat]] of Essex County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web| url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx| access-date=June 7, 2011| title=Find a County| publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Its name comes from an [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian language]] word ''lappihanne'' (also noted as ''toppehannock''), meaning "Town on the rise and fall of water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows." The Rappahannock is a tidal estuary from above this point and downriver to its mouth on Chesapeake Bay.

In 1608 English explorer [[John Smith (explorer)|John Smith]] landed in Tappahannock and fought with the local [[Rappahannock people]]. After defeating them, he later made peace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginiaplaces.org/settleland/settlerappa.html|title=Early Settlement Up the... Rappahannock?|website=www.virginiaplaces.org|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnsmith400.org/tappahannock.htm|title=John Smith 400|website=www.johnsmith400.org|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/cajo/learn/historyculture/second-voyage.htm|title=Second Voyage - Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)|website=www.nps.gov|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fredmarkers.umwblogs.org/2008/02/27/amoroleck-encounters-john-smith/|title=Amoroleck Encounters John Smith N-38 - Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania Historical Markers|website=fredmarkers.umwblogs.org|date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref>

==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>

==Geography==
Tappahannock is located on the east side of Essex County at {{Coord|37|55|20|N|76|51|47|W|region:US-VA_type:city}} (37.922180, &minus;76.863158), on the southwest bank of the Rappahannock River.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The river is a wide, tidal [[estuary]] here.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town {{convert|6.9|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|6.7|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.2|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 2.84%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 574
|1890= 452
|1900= 554
|1910= 478
|1920= 422                                                                                                                                           
|1930= 427
|1940= 783
|1950= 1011                                                                                                                         
|1960= 1086
|1970= 1111
|1980= 1821
|1990= 1550
|2000= 2068
|2010= 2375
|estyear=2019
|estimate=2402
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 2,068 people, 857 households, and 495 families residing in the town.<ref name="GR2" /> The [[population density]] was 793.6 people per square mile (305.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 946 housing units at an average density of 363.0 per square mile (139.9/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 54.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 41.60% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.10% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.00% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 857 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. Of all households, 35.8% were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,688, and the median income for a family was $41,579. Males had a median income of $28,409 versus $20,431 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,862. About 10.6% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.6% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
[[File:Downing Bridge across the Rappahannock River, Tappahannock VA - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Thomas J. Downing Bridge (US 360) across the Rappahannock River]]

U.S. Routes [[U.S. Route 17 in Virginia|17]] and [[U.S. Route 360 in Virginia|360]] pass through the town. US 17 passes through the center of town as Church Lane, leading northwest {{convert|47|mi}} to [[Fredericksburg, Virginia|Fredericksburg]] and southeast {{convert|70|mi}} to [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]]. US 360 runs through town with US 17 on Church Lane, but turns east on Queen Street and crosses the mile-wide Rappahannock River via the [[Thomas J. Downing Bridge]], continuing east {{convert|39|mi}} to its terminus in [[Reedville, Virginia|Reedville]] near the [[Chesapeake Bay]]. US 360 leads southwest from Tappahannock {{convert|45|mi}} to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], the state capital.

[[File:KXSA airport Tappahannock Virginia - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Tappahannock–Essex County Airport]]

The [[Tappahannock–Essex County Airport]] (KXSA) is located approximately {{convert|4|mi|0}} south of Tappahannock and opened in 2007. Prior to the opening of the new airport, the old [[Tappahannock Municipal Airport]] was located inside town limits.

{{clear left}}

==Notable buildings==
* Lowery's, a longtime [[seafood]] restaurant, operated from 1938 to March 2020, affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lowery's Seafood in Tappahannock sinks into bankruptcy |url=https://richmondbizsense.com/2020/09/04/lowerys-seafood-in-tappahannock-sinks-into-bankruptcy/# |website=richmondbizsense|date=September 4, 2020 }}</ref>  In its place, a restaurant originally known as 528 Steak and Seafood opened<ref>{{Cite web |last=|date=2022-11-08 |title=New Restaurant Opens in Former Lowery’s Location - The Rappahannock Times |url=https://www.rapptimes.news/articles/featured-stories/new-restaurant-opens-in-former-lowerys-location/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=The Rappahannock Times -}}</ref> and was later rebranded as 528 Italian American.
* June Parker Marina was a small working marina located on what was originally known as Hobbs His Hole Harbor on Brockenborough Gut. This was the original port of Tappahannock. The town was designed around this harbor to efficiently transport tobacco from Marsh Street. Wagons could make one single left turn onto Water Lane, which ends at Hobbs His Hole Harbor, now June Parker Marina. Thousands of pounds of English ballast stone lies on the bottom of the river there, discarded hundreds of years ago for the export cargo of Essex tobacco.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
* The town is home to [[St. Margaret's School (Virginia)|St. Margaret's School]], a private boarding school.
* The historic [[Debtors' Prison (Tappahannock, Virginia)|Tappahannock Debtors' Prison]] is located here. It was constructed sometime before 1769. It is one of three such structures remaining in Virginia, along with those in [[Debtors' Prison (Accomac, Virginia)|Accomac]]<ref name="dhr2">{{Cite journal|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Debtor's Prison|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Accomack/160-0009_Debtor's_Prison_1976_Final_Nomination.pdf |author=Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission staff |date=June 1976|journal=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}</ref> and [[Debtors' Prison (Worsham, Virginia)|Worsham]].<ref name="dhr3">{{cite web|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/PrinceEdward/073-0007_Debtor's_Prison_1972_Final_Nomination.pdf|title=National Register nomination form|date=July 15, 2008|work=Virginia Department of Historic Resources}}.</ref>  The prison building is part of the [[Tappahannock Historic District]], and as such was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973.<ref name="dhr3"/> Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the historic DAW Theatre, located in the heart of Tappahannock’s historic district. The theater opened in February 1939 and was named after its original owners—E.M. Doar, H.S. Atkinson, and R.B. Wallace. With a 500-seat Art Deco design, the DAW Theatre served as a cultural hub, hosting live variety shows, town meetings, and film screenings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=kylemeyervms |date=2024-08-22 |title=DAW Theatre: Breathing New Life Into a Historic Gem |url=https://virginiamainstreet.com/2024/08/22/daw-theatre-breathing-new-life-into-a-historic-gem/#:~:text=In%20March%202024,%20the%20DAW,its%20journey%20back%20to%20life. |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Virginia Main Street |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2021}}
Notable people who reside or have resided in Tappahannock include:
* [[Chris Brown]], [[Grammy Award]]–winning R&B pop star, actor, songwriter, dancer<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aitkenhead |first=Decca |date=2013-10-04 |title=Chris Brown: 'It was the biggest wake-up call' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/04/chris-brown-rihanna-interview-x |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[Lorenzo Bundy]], [[Major League Baseball]] coach
* [[Bill Dennis]], [[NASCAR]] driver, Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, 1970
* [[Darryl Hammond]], [[Arena Football Hall of Fame]] member
* [[Audrey Long]], actress, attended school in Tappahannock
* [[Catharine Flood McCall]], 19th-century businesswoman and plantation owner<ref name="LVA">{{Cite web |title=A Guide to the William Stewart, Jr., Letters, 1800–1818 |url=https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi00522.xml |access-date=October 20, 2021 |publisher=Archival Records, The Library of Virginia}}</ref>
* [[William Moore (musician)|William "Bill" Moore]], blues musician<ref>"[http://www.rroysters.com/billmoore.htm "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708190738/http://www.rroysters.com/billmoore.htm |date=July 8, 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Stacy Tutt]], former [[New York Jets]] running back<ref>McConnell, Jim. "[http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/052006/05032006/188280 Big Apple beckons for Tutt]". ''[[The Free Lance-Star]]''. May 3, 2006. Retrieved on March 6, 2009.</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|Virginia}}
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.tappahannock-va.gov Town of Tappahannock official website]

{{Virginia towns}}
{{Essex County, Virginia}}
{{Virginia county seats and independent cities}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:County seats in Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1682]]
[[Category:Towns in Essex County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Towns in Virginia]]