Chincoteague, Virginia

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www.chincoteague-va.gov/

Chincoteague Island, home of Misty of Chincoteague and annual Chincoteague Pony Swim, and a gateway to Assateague Island National Seashore.

Although little is known about the early history of Chincoteague Island, VA, it is known that the first settlers arrived on April 1st, 1671. Prior to that date, the earliest inhabitants were the Gingo-Teague tribe of Indians which named the island "The Beautiful Land Across the Water". Farming and trading were the predominant industry from the end of the 17th Century to approximately the middle of the 19th Century. The farming included potatoes, strawberries, and corn, while the trading included salt, fish, clams, and oysters. The islanders traded for flour, sugar, and many other foods. During this time, there was no mayor, no law, and no prison. It is rumored that the island was once home to convicts who were forced to settle there. When there was what we today would call a crime, people forgave easily whatever was committed, after taking law into their own hands. Access to the island was only by boat up until 1922, and mail wasn't delivered to the island until 1854, when the first post office was established. The first physician arrived a few years later in 1859.

By the latter half of the 1800s, the island of Chincoteague began to change. The population grew too large and the early settlers could no longer make a living by farming. It was around this time that a steamboat named "Chincoteague" was obtained to carry passengers and freight to and from the island. It departed from the mainland at Franklin City and went to and from Chincoteague during the busy producing season of the summer. Stores, hotels, and wealthy business owners began to appear in Chincoteague. Several churches started to organize, including the Baptist and Methodist denominations. The first true claim to fame for Chincoteague came in 1861, during the Civil War, where a battle was won by Union forces, including many from Chincoteague. In celebration, some 4,000 people were served Chincoteague Oysters and from this point forward, the island became known for its succulent oysters.

In the 20th century, the town continued to flourish, and in 1919 it was decided to build a causeway that would connect the mainland with Chincoteague, thus eliminating the need for steamers and passenger boats to go to and from Chincoteague to Franklin City. Unfortunately, a major fire occurred in 1920, which burned to the ground much of downtown Main Street. With the causeway under construction, fire companies on the mainland were not able to assist the local volunteer fire company of Chincoteague, which had just been formed in 1920. It was feared that the town was threatened with complete destruction because of this fire. However, in 1922, the causeway was opened, increasing traffic and access to the island. This 4.5 mile road, which began as a toll road, entered Chincoteague where the once famous Atlantic Hotel stood. In 1930, the state of Virginia took over ownership and made the causeway free to the public.

Because of the fire in 1920 and also another one with major losses in 1924, about 40 women created an auxiliary to the Volunteer Fire Department of Chincoteague. In their first meeting, they decided they would create an annual affair to raise money to help the men of the Chincoteague Fire Department. The event, the most famous that Chincoteague is known for today, was pony penning. It was decided that it would be the last Thursday in July and would be named Pony Penning Day. On that day, a certain number of ponies (brought over from Assateague on Wednesday) would be sold at auction. On Friday, those not sold would swim back to Assateague. The festival would also include a carnival at which these women, who spent weeks baking goods, would sell them to raise additional funds. Soon after, the festival drew people from all parts of the country.

Chincoteague is now in the 21st century. For an island that is approximately 7 miles long by 2 miles wide, its population has grown to 4,500 people. Its people have survived the likes of many wars, fires, and hurricanes, and today the island attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Whether it is people coming for pony penning, the beach, the seclusion of the island, its well-known seafood, its history, or the wildlife, Chincoteague continues to be a place that many come back to year after year.