York River State Park
Encyclopedia
York River State Park is located near the unincorporated town of Croaker
in James City County, Virginia
on the south bank of the York River
about 10 miles downstream from West Point
.
The York River is formed from the confluence of the Mattaponi River
and the Pamunkey River
at West Point. The York River empties into the Chesapeake Bay
about 30 miles downstream from Croaker Landing.
In the state park, the historical Croaker Landing is an archaeological site listed in the National Register of Historic Places
since 1987. The name "Croaker" is believed to have derived from the abundant quantity of Atlantic croaker
(Micropogonias undulatus), an inshore, bottom-dwelling fish found in the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the York River.
The town of Croaker was known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation. It was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco
warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England.
York River State Park opened in 1980. It is accessed via Exit 231-B of Interstate 64
, which is signed "Croaker-Norge." The old Richmond-Williamsburg Stage Road, now U.S. Highway 60, also is nearby.
Croaker, Virginia
Croaker is an unincorporated community in James City County, Virginia, United States on the south bank of the York River 10 miles downstream from West Point. The York River is formed from the confluence of the Mattaponi River and the Pamunkey River at West Point...
in James City County, Virginia
James City County, Virginia
James City County is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Its population was 67,009 , and it is often associated with Williamsburg, an independent city, and Jamestown which is within the...
on the south bank of the York River
York River (Virginia)
The York River is a navigable estuary, approximately long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. It ranges in width from at its head to near its mouth on the west side of Chesapeake Bay. Its watershed drains an area including portions of 17 counties of the coastal plain of Virginia north...
about 10 miles downstream from West Point
West Point, Virginia
West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,867 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Point is located at...
.
The York River is formed from the confluence of the Mattaponi River
Mattaponi River
The Mattaponi River is a tributary of the York River estuary in eastern Virginia in the United States.It rises as four streams in Spotsylvania County, each of which is given a shorter piece of the Mattaponi's name:...
and the Pamunkey River
Pamunkey River
The Pamunkey River is a tributary of the York River, about long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. Via the York River it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
at West Point. The York River empties into the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
about 30 miles downstream from Croaker Landing.
In the state park, the historical Croaker Landing is an archaeological site listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since 1987. The name "Croaker" is believed to have derived from the abundant quantity of Atlantic croaker
Sciaenidae
Sciaenidae is a family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make...
(Micropogonias undulatus), an inshore, bottom-dwelling fish found in the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the York River.
The town of Croaker was known in its early history as Taskinas Plantation. It was the site of a 17th and 18th century public tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
warehouse where local planters stored their crops to be shipped to England.
York River State Park opened in 1980. It is accessed via Exit 231-B of Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
, which is signed "Croaker-Norge." The old Richmond-Williamsburg Stage Road, now U.S. Highway 60, also is nearby.
External links
- Geographical coordinates: 37°23′48"N 76°45′12"W (click for maps and satellite photos of Croaker, Virginia)
- York River State Park
- Friends of York River State Park