Famous Shore Towns
ESVA Landmarks
Beaches, Bays, & Islands
Remember When?
Life on the Shore
100
This Eastern Shore town is famous for the annual Pony Swim.
Chincoteague
Posted by Chincoteague.com on Tuesday, April 21, 2026
100
Which museum in Parksley preserves the history of rail travel on Virginia's Eastern Shore?
- Barrier Islands Center
- Cape Charles Museum
- Eastern Shore Railway Museum
- Eastern Shore Railway Museum
100
What famous Chincoteague pony inspired a beloved children's book after being raised by the Beebe family?
- Pepper
- Misty
- Stormy
- Misty
100
Before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel opened in 1964, what service carried cars and passengers between the Eastern Shore and the Norfolk area?
- passenger airplanes
- a floating bridge
- automobile ferries
- automobile ferries
The ferries ran across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay between Little Creek (in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area) and Kiptopeke Beach (on the Eastern Shore in Northampton County).
100
Which animal is a familiar wild mammal of the Eastern Shore's fields and woodlands?
- Moose
- Mountain Goat
- White tailed deer
- White tailed deer
200
Founded in the 1880s, this town is home to the Eastern Shore Railroad Museum and many Victorian homes.
Parksley
200
What is the name of the NASA facility near Chincoteague that is famous for rocket launches?
- Island Flight Center
- Wallops Flight Facility
- Chincoteague Space Station
- Wallops Flight Facility
200
If you wanted to visit the Atlantic Ocean beach near Chincoteague, which island would you go to?
- Smith Island
- Tangier Island
- Assateague Island
- Assateague Island
200
What major change came to the Eastern Shore in 1884 that helped farmers and watermen ship goods to distant markets?
- the opening of the bridge tunnel
- the arrival of the railroad
- the first highway opening
- the arrival of the railroad
200
What seafood is the Chesapeake Bay famous for?
- Blue Crabs
- Salmons
- Lobsters
- Blue Crabs
The Chesapeake Bay is famous for blue crabs because it supplies roughly half of the total U.S. blue crab harvest, forms a cornerstone of the regional economy and culture, and acts as an essential keystone species in the estuary's food web.
300
This town was originally known as Drummondtown before receiving its present name in 1893.
Accomac
It was named Drummond or Drummondtown after Richard Drummond, who owned the land where the town was laid out in 1786. The U.S. Post Office renamed it Accomac in 1893.
300
Which state park near Cape Charles is known for its concrete ships visible offshore?
- Virginia Beach State Park
- Assateague State Park
- Kiptopeke State Park
- Kiptopeke State Park
300
What is the name of the chain of sandy islands running along the Atlantic side of Virginia's Eastern Shore?
- The Virginia Keys
- The Virginia Great Islands
- The Virginia Barrier Islands
- The Virginia Barrier Islands
They stretch approximately from Assateague Island at the Maryland state line down to Fisherman's Island at the southern tip near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Prominent islands in the chain include Smith, Myrtle, Cobb, Parramore, Hog, Cedar, Metompkin, and Assateague.
300
What happened to many communities on Virginia's barrier islands after major hurricanes in the 1930s?
- they relocated to mainland
- they moved to the mountains
- they were connected via a new highway
- they relocated to mainland
After major hurricanes—such as the severe Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane of August 1933—many year-round communities on Virginia's barrier islands were abandoned and largely erased by the sea. Churches emptied, schools closed, and stores ceased to exist. The islands transitioned into uninhabited wild marshlands and dunes, preserved today in places like the Barrier Islands Center which chronicles this lost way of life.
300
Which three things are strongly connected to traditional Eastern Shore life?
- Farming, Mountain Climbing, and Fishing
- Fishing, Skiing, and Horse Racing
- Farming, Fishing, and Seafood
- Farming, Fishing, and Seafood
400
This waterfront town was called the “Gem of the Eastern Shore” by Captain John Smith.
Onancock
Why Visit Onancock This Year? From charming shops and local art to great food, rich culture, and peaceful waterfront views—there’s something for every season. Plan a cozy Valentine’s getaway, enjoy spring blooms, soak up the summer sun, or embrace the autumn leaves. Come for the day or a long weekend. Plan your trip at experienceonancock.com 🎥 @hungryasianrke @jpgagency #smalltownusa #visitvirginia #loveVA #visitesva #onancockva
Posted by Onancock Main Street on Tuesday, January 6, 2026
400
Which historic building in Onancock serves as the headquarters of Shore History and houses a museum about local history?
- Cape Charles Town Hall
- Ker Place
- Eyre Hall
- Ker Place
400
Which island community lies out in the Chesapeake Bay and is known for its watermen and crabbing heritage?
- Tangier Island
- Oyster Island
- Fisherman Island
- Tangier Island
400
What year did the CBBT celebrate its grand opening?
- 1984
- 1964
- 1934
- 1964
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) celebrated its grand opening in 1964 (specifically on April 15, 1964).The 17.6 mile bridge is widely considered one of the modern engineering wonders of the world. It serves as a vital engineering link between Virginia Beach and the Delmarva Peninsula.
400
What is the name for the person who removes the meat from oyster shells?
- Shucker
- Miller
- Weaver
- Shucker
500
This Northampton County town was established in 1886 as a railroad town and grew near the Chesapeake Bay.
Cape Charles
Discovering the small town beach town that is Cape Charles Virginia. Located on the Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. this place has a beach, a small town Main Street, and some delicious food. I checked out the beach, I got some local oysters at the oyster Farm eatery, I had angry clams and a softshell crab BLT at the shanty, and I got some dessert at brown dog ice cream. Pretty successful detour lol. I was not supposed to come here, but I ended up taking what turned out to be like a five hour detour just to check out this place. I didn’t love getting back home at midnight, but looking back it was a great time. #capecharles #easternshore #virginia #smalltown #beachtown
Posted by DMV Adventures on Sunday, August 2, 2026
500
The Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo is located on the grounds of what former institution?
- a military barracks
- an almshouse farm
- a naval hospital
- an almshouse farm
The Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo is located on the grounds of the former Northampton County Almshouse Farm (also known as a county "poorhouse"). The property served as a county almshouse and working farm from 1804 until 1952.
500
Which natural area near Eastville is known for its dunes and quiet, undeveloped beach?
- Brownsville Preserve
- Bay Dunes Preserve
- Savage Neck Dunes Preserve
- Savage Neck Dunes Preserve
500
What was the town of Onley's original name before the railroad helped the community grow?
- Railroad Village
- New Accomac
- Crossroads
Before the arrival of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad transformed the community, Onley's original name was "Crossroads". Prior to the mid-1880s, the village was simply an intersection connecting the neighboring towns of Wachapreague, Onancock, and Accomac. After the rail line opened a ticket office and freight warehouse there in 1884, the town grew into a destination of its own and was renamed Onley, a name derived from "Only," the nearby estate of former Virginia Governor Henry A. Wise.
500
Which local agricultural product helped make the Eastern Shore famous in the early 1900s?
- Oranges
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Potatoes
White potatoes took the lead as the primary crop on Virginia's Eastern Shore in the early 1900s, followed by sweet potatoes, strawberries, and cabbage.