• Home
  • Government
  • Business
  • Discover Tappahannock
  • Town Projects
  • Utility Billing
  • Employment
  • RFPs
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • Government
    • Business
    • Discover Tappahannock
    • Town Projects
    • Utility Billing
    • Employment
    • RFPs
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Government
  • Business
  • Discover Tappahannock
  • Town Projects
  • Utility Billing
  • Employment
  • RFPs
  • Contact Us

Discover Tappahannock

History and Meaning Behind the Name

Tappahannock is older than Richmond , Fredericksburg and even Williamsburg .  Captain John Smith landed here in 1608 but was driven back to his ship by the local Indians.


In 1608, this area was first visited by Captain John Smith. The area was inhabited by Native Americans and when Captain Smith attempted to land here he was fiercely driven back to his ship. It was a Native American village and so he gave both the river and the village Native American names. The river became the Rappahannock, which meant "rise and fall" of water, and the village, set upon it, became Tappahannock, which means "town on the rise and fall of water". 


England desired to establish a port of entry in each county and Benjamin Goodrich sold the crown 50 acres of land for the town site. A trading post was established by Jacob Hobbs. For a few years the area was known as Hobb's His Hole and later as New Plymouth. Eventually, the original name was returned in 1705. On and around the water still remain thirteen homes and buildings from these early days of Tappahannock.


The Town of Tappahannock was established by Act of the Virginia Legislature at James City in 1680. The Town was laid out in half acre squares which still bear the original numbers and its wide and straight streets still retain the original names. To the original 68 lot numbers eight "slip" lots were added to make the Town border on the Rappahannock River. A "Square" bounded by Prince (Main), Church, Queen, and Cross Streets was set aside in 1680 for "the Publick Use" and on this square are located four of the "Landmark" buildings.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Water Trail

 Captain John Smith created the first detailed map of the Chesapeake Region. His masterpiece map of Virginia, published in 1612, remained in active use for seven decades and opened this part of North America to European exploration, settlement, and trade. The geographical accuracy is astounding given that Smith traveled about 2500 miles in a series of short expeditions and had only primitive mapmaking tools to work with. 

Find Out More About the Trail

Visit Tappahannock

Dine

Shop

Dine

Northern Neck Burger (804) 925-6100


Prince Street Cafe (804) 443-2333


Squirrel's Nest (804) 925-6200


Java Jacks Cafe (804) 443-5225


To Do Cafe (804) 443-2002


Roma Ristorante Italiano (804) 443-5240


Los Portales (804) 443-0132


Bubba's Shrimp Shack (804) 925-6022


Bella Pizza & Italian (804) 443-4912


ACME Ice Cream Parlor (804) 925-6471


China King (804) 443-2999


Asia Cafe (804) 445-9991


Taste of Latin America (804) 384-8112


White Oak Nutrition (804) 647-3883

Stay

Shop

Dine

The Essex Inn  (804) 443-9900


Hampton Inn (804) 445-2599


Holiday Inn (804) 445-1200


Days Inn (804) 443-9200


Super 8 (804) 443-3888


Southside Motel (804) 443-3363


Budget Inn (804) 443-3366

Shop

Shop

Shop

Norwood's (804) 925-6496


Crying Shame (804) 443-0070


ACME Antiques (804) 925-6471


T-Town Tack (804) 443-4614


Acor's Country Store (804) 925-6472


Mums and Bubs (804) 443-4170


Martin Sale Furniture (804) 443-2201


Tappahannock Furniture (804) 443-2811


Pammy's Produce (804) 443-2000


Thyme in a Basket (804) 443-4626


Buddy's Home Furnishings (804) 445-2474

Visit

Things To Do

Shop

Tappahannock Art Gallery (804) 925-1011


Essex County Museum (804) 443-4690


Things To Do

Things To Do

Things To Do

The Hanger Vertical Arts  (804) 477-4201


Deva Academy (804) 466-4264

Public Access to the Rappahannock

Use the public boat ramp right in downtown!

429 Dock St, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560, United States

Tappahannock Main Street

Tappahannock became a Designated Main Street Community in Fall of 2020. Connect with the Tappahannock Main Street website to keep up with events happening on Main Street, news regarding Main Street Revitalization and much more.

Find out more

Copyright © 2022 Town of Tappahannock - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

  • Pay Utility Bill