About

Walking the narrow streets of Yorktown allows one to become immersed in the 300 years of history the town has to share. The natural beauty of the town and the history that were made here offer a quiet opportunity for relaxation and for reflection upon the events that led to the creation of a great nation.

The York River and the surrounding terrain have guaranteed Yorktown a prominent role in historic events. Yorktown is most remembered as the site where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington, bringing an end to the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. But even before the struggle for independence, the town was a bustling and prosperous eighteenth-century seaport, having been established by the 1691 Act of Ports. Yorktown also witnessed major Civil War activity. Its fortifications held off a Union army attack during the Peninsula campaign in 1862.

Today it is the seat of local government, a position it has maintained since 1691. The town is also home to over 350 people and is a perfect getaway spot for thousands more. The beautiful York River and the quiet historic streets offer opportunities for walking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, touring or simply relaxing.