Mathews, Virginia
Mathews | |
|---|---|
 Houses along the water's edge in Mathews | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Mathews |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Mathews is an unincorporated community in and the county seat of Mathews County, Virginia, United States. The small town which is located at the county seat is also known as Mathews Court House. The County of Mathews is the second smallest county in Virginia and had a reported population of 8,984 during the 2009 census. Template:GR
History
A portion of Gloucester County during Virginia's Colonial Era, the small town at Mathews Court House (also known as simply "Mathews") was originally named Westville, and was established around 1700. In 1691, the Virginia General Assembly had directed that each county designate an official port-of-entry. Westville was located along Put-in Creek, a waterway which is a tidal tributary of Virginia's East River, feeding into Mobjack Bay, itself a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. [1]
In 1791, Westville was designated the county seat when the area which became Mathews County was separated from Gloucester County by an Act of the Virginia General Assembly. The county was named for a prominent American Revolutionary War officer, Major Thomas Mathews of Norfolk. At the time, Major Mathews was the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates who sponsored the enabling legislation. [2]
Geography, economics
Mathews County has remained a very rural county, perhaps best known for its miles of waterfront sites, as well as it's prominent location on the Chesapeake Bay. Surrounded almost completely by water, it is bordered by Middlesex County to the north, separated by the Piankatank River and Gloucester County to the west. The southern side of the county borders Mobjack Bay. Tourism, leisure, and fishing industries are the major sources of employment. The county is reputed to be one of the few remaining in Virginia with no traffic lights, although State Route 14 does feature a small drawbridge. [3]
Prominent among Mathews County tourism and leisure locations is Gwynn's Island, a popular spot for recreational boating and sailing. It is located where the Piankatank River feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. [4] Nearby is the off-shore location of the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse.
Sports, events
Mathews County hosts the annual Tour De Chesapeake, (due to its lack of hills except for the north section of the county near the Mathews-Gloucester border). The bicycling event is a benefit for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. [5] The community also sponsors Mathews Market Days, featuring local artists such as P. Buckley Moss.
Despite lackluster football and basketball teams, Mathews High School is known for success in several sports including Boy's and Girl's Crew Teams, Boys Cross Country, Volleyball, Wrestling, Softball, and Track and Field. The wrestling team won the 1990 and 1991 state championships, boys track won the 1969 and 1986 state championships, and baseball won the state title in 2004.[6]
References
- ^ http://www.dailypress.com/news/gloucester-county/dp-nws-gloucester-mathews-20101002,0,1160200.story
- ^ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vamathew/
- ^ http://www.dailypress.com/news/gloucester-county/dp-nws-gloucester-mathews-20101002,0,1160200.story
- ^ http://www.gwynnsislandmuseum.org/
- ^ http://www.bikechesapeake.org/
- ^ http://www.visitmathews.com/MIMS/online.htm
Municipalities and communities of Mathews County, Virginia, United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities |
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