| | Eastern Shore of Virginia near Bay KIA in Norfolk, VA
The Eastern Shore of Virginia, located near Bay kia in Norfolk, VA, is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is comprised of Accomack County and Northampton County. Situated on the on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia and separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay, it connects to the mainland and metropolitan Norfolk-Virginia Beach via the 23-mile (37 km) long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and U.S. Route 13. The area is very different from the rest of Virginia due to being so geographically removed, its settlement and development heavily steeped in the rich traditions of agriculture, fishing, tourism, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Much of its economy stems from large scale chicken farms and much cotton, soybean, vegetable, and truck farming.
Accomack County, previously Accomac Shire, was established in 1634, making it one of the original eight shires of Virginia. The shire was renamed Northampton in 1642, then was split into 2 counties in 1663: Accomac County and Northampton County. The K in Accomack was added in 1940. Notably, the first Sheriff in the U.S., William Stone, was instated in Accomack County in 1634, and the county was controlled by the U.S. government, not the Confederacy, during the Civil War, unlike most of Virginia. Meanwhile, Northampton County has its own unique history as well. The Chesapeake Bay impact crater was a result of a late Eocene meteor strike, the epicenter of which was Northampton County. Plus, during the era of slavery in the United States, the county was called home by many free blacks, the first of whom having been documented in the area as early as 1662. Today, the Eastern Shore of Virginia hosts a variety of attractions. Many visit the beach community of Chincoteague in order to see its famous wild ponies. Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) is located on the Eastern Shore and is used as a rocket launch site to support science and exploration missions for many U.S. government agencies, including NASA. A popular day tourist destination is Tangier Island, located in Chesapeake Bay off the western shore. Additionally, the region is home to many national protected areas: the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, the Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, the Assateague Island National Seashore (part), the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (part), the Martin National Wildlife Refuge (part, Watts Island portion), and the Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is also home to many famous public figures, all of whom were either born in, lived in, or were otherwise associated with the area. Just a few of these people include United States Congressman from Pennsylvania William Anderson, lawyer and delegate to the Continental Congress James Henry (1731?1804), United States Secretary of the Navy and United States Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, (1790?1844), lawyer and mayor of Philadelphia James Hamilton (c.1710-1783), member of the Virginia state legislature and United States Congressman from Virginia George T. Garrison (1835?1889), and United States Congressman from Virginia Thomas Evans (c.1755-1815). Another notable figure was Henry A. Wise (1806?1876), who wore many hats: United States Congressman, United States Ambassador to Brazil, Governor of Virginia, and Confederate General. All these individuals are associated with Accomack County.
About 33 miles away from Norfolk, VA, the Eastern Shore of Virginia is only a short drive across Chesapeake Bay from Bay KIA, new Kia, new Saab, and used car dealer. If you are interested in acquiring a new Kia, Saab, or used car and want to take a test drive, stop by Bay KIA at 6970 North Military Highway, Norfolk, VA 23518 or give us a call on our sales line at 757-855-5555 today!
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