Eastern Shore of Virginia Water Trail

Wachapreague
The Town is located on the seaside of the Eastern Shore. At one time it was a booming resort with the famous Wachapreague Hotel. This hotel attracted socialites and presidents.

Wachapreague Wachapreague's first inhabitants were the Machipongo Indians and its early documented history began in 1656. The Indian chief named Wachiwampe encouraged his tribesmen to settle there but the English settlers moved in and laid permanent claim in 1663. Over the next few hundred years not much happened in Wachapreague. During the American Revolution, War of 1812 and Civil War the area was garrisoned with American forces. One British Gunboat ventured up the channel but was turned away by the local marksmen. The Raid on Bowman's Folly was conducted by British marines from this gunboat. The village of Locust Mount was established during the early 1800's also. In 1872, George, John and Henry Powell bought up most of the lands In 1882, the community applied for a post office and was going to name the town "Powellton" but a village by that name already existed in Virginia so they settled for the older name Wachapreague in 1884. That year a steamboat began regular travel between New York and Wachapreague. The brothers began to realize the potential for this town and built a small hotel, wharf and stores. This was the beginning of a booming period for Wachapreague and soon became a vacation spot for the elite and upper class. In 1902, A. H. Gordon Mears built the much larger and well known Wachapreague hotel, it was four stories with thirty rooms costing him 30,000 dollars to build. Many people thought he was crazy but Mears advertised his hotel in the north and in sporting magazines, soon people began flocking to the town. That same year the town became incorporated as it was growing quickly. Historic Photo of the Wachapreague Hotel. By 1929, Wachapreague had numerous stores ranging from fishing and oyster plants, restaurants, a movie theatre, pool hall and of course a first class hotel. The population was around 800 in 1929 but the hard years were about to come. It steadily declined with business due to the Great Depression, coastal storms and fires that almost brought the town to its knees. The hotel was the only thing that kept the Town alive, mostly by attracting persons for sporting and recreational purposes. In 1978, the historic hotel burned badly and was demolished, now it is an open field and a park is being planned for the site. Wachapreage still draws visitors, mainly sport fishermen. Today, some refer to Wachapreague as the flounder capital of the world.	Notes: Home Official Trail Guide Web Site The Other Historic Site Guides: Historic Site Guide North Accomack - Chincoteague and Assateague Island Historic Site Guide Northampton - Willis Wharf to Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge
The Trail was developed by the Accomack - Northampton Planning District Commission in cooperation with Accomack County, Northampton County, the Town of Chincoteague, the Town of Wachapreague, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. It is a project of Virginia's Seaside Heritage Program, a multi-year effort to restore living resources and promote sustainable ecotourism on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.