History-Colonial Beach, Virginia

The history of Colonial Beach goes like this. In the 19th Century, a bathing and fishing resort existed in what would later be known as the Town of Colonial Beach. Being easily accessible by boat, the Town’s location on the Potomac River was an asset during a time when cars weren't around and road travel was slow and restrictive.

Most of the visitors came in by boat from Washington, D.C. to fish from boats and piers and bathe at the mile-long sandy beach. Colonial Beach soon became known as the “Playground on the Potomac.”

One of the most important historical events happened twenty-five years after Colonial Beach was founded as a vacation and beach resort. It became an incorporated town, organizing on February 25, 1892. The town flourished as a resort and experienced a building boom of Victorian-era homes, bungalows, summer cottages and grand hotels.

Legalized gambling casinos and travel via automobile to oceanside resorts became increasingly fashionable. Shorter, weekend trips took the place of the extended vacation which formerly kept the big hotels in Colonial Beach filled with guests.

For the past few decades, rapid population growth in the Washington metro has helped Colonial Beach to regain its appeal as a waterfront resort and a favorite vacation destination for many.

HISTORY OF COLONIAL BEACH: A Timeline

Here's a chronological account of the historical events which have taken place in Colonial Beach.

2010

June 9th: Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia is held for the first time in Colonial Beach.

May 15th: Northern Neck Strongman Competition is held at Monroe Field sponsored by Colonial Beach High School and the Virginia National Guard.

2009

2009

March 29th: Virginia Cross Country Racing Series (VXCS) holds a race in Colonial Beach.

March 13th: Colonial Beach High School Drifters basketball team win State Championships.

Northern Neck Rivermen semi-pro football team is formed, based at Colonial Beach High School

2007

June 16th: Jamestown 400 reenactment of Captain John Smith's 1608 expedition up the Chesapeake Bay. His visit back then was an important historical event in Colonial Beach's past.

April: James Monroe Birthplace Monument opens on Rt. 205 just outside of town.

2005

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department purchases its first tanker, which replaces Engine 11.

2004

Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department purchases its first fire boat, a 24-foot Monarch.

Colonial Beach acquires "Golf Cart Town" designation.

2003

2002

April: Colonial Beach Yacht Center suffers major fire damage.

2001

August 26: Watersport Productions holds a Mid-Atlantic Watercross Tour jetski competition

1994

1988

September: "New" Colonial Beach High School opens

1987

September 21: The Bell House Bed and Breakfast is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1984

The Colonial Beach Hotel is reduced to rubble.

1978

The Beach gets written about in Frederick Tilp’s book

1967

Colonial Beach Police gets new headquarters, in the old firehouse.

1964

Football program begins at Colonial Beach High School.

1963

August 11: Devastating fire destroys the Beach's Reno and Monte Carlo casinos.

1962

"Oyster Law" is put into place.

1960

August: Virginia State Firemen's Association convention is held in Colonial Beach.

1959

Maryland and Virginia governors reach a compromise over the Oyster Wars.

1958

Virginia persuades Maryland to pull the plug on offshore gambling.

1954

Category 4 Hurricane Hazel, the worst one of the season hits Colonial Beach.

Sept. 28: King Cotton Hotel is gutted by fire.

1953

Blackistone family sells the Colonial Beach Hotel to Delbert Conner.

1950

Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad is formed.

1949

July 9 & 10 2nd Annual Colonial Beach Regatta.

1948

August: "Field Day" track and field competition held at the high school.

1941

Route 301 Bridge over the Potomac River opens and creates easier access to the Town.

1933

August: Chesapeake and Potomac Hurricane wreaks havoc at Colonial Beach.

1913

1905

The Tides Inn Bed & Breakfast is built, originally called the SACO House.

1898

First School opens.

1894

March: Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department forms.

1893

Colonial Beach Improvement Company forms to establish a steamboat wharf and summer resort.

1892

February 25: CB incorporates and becomes a Town.

1883

The Bell House is constructed.

1882

October 31: Colonial Beach Indenture

1873

Steamboat Wawaset catches fire and sinks on the way to Colonial Beach.

1868

Maryland Oyster Navy is established.

1867

Colonial Beach is founded.

If you have historical events information which is missing from this History of Colonial Beach listing, please let us know so we can include it.

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