A Visit to Tangier Island

Date            May 17-18, 2012                            
Day             324-325
Departure    No travel today
Arrival         Onancock Wharf and Marina, Onancock, VA
 Miles                 0.0     
Cumulative   5265.7

Today we took a ferry ride to Tangier Island.  The ferry dock is just 5 slips down from where we are docked, so it was an easy walk to meet the ferry for the 10 am departure.

We traveled 5 miles down the channel to Tangier Sound and then another 10 miles to the island.  The island encompasses less than two square miles.

Tangier Island (courtesy Wikipedia)

Prior to the arrival of the European colonists to Tangier, it was a summer retreat for the Pocomoke Indians for centuries. Although not much is known about these people, their existence is evidenced by the thousands of stone arrowheads that have been found all over the island.  Almost any morning after gale force winds have been blowing all night, new arrowheads can be found on the beach, uncovered by the blowing away of sand.  The first known European explorer of the island was John Smith.  He named Tangier and the surrounding islands the "Russel Isles" after the doctor on board his ship.   Today many of the inhabitants still have the surname Crockett.  Pruitt, Thomas, Marshall, Charnock, Dise, Shores, and Parks are other common surnames on the island.

By 1900 there were 1064 inhabitants.  The population was 727 at the 2010 census.  The most unusual attraction on Tangier island is hearing the unusual and old accent of the watermen. Because of the centuries of isolation, the islanders still speak in a unique island way that is similar to the speech spoken when Tangier was settled in 1686. It is still strong enough that some people will not be able to understand everything that is said.  Two bed and breakfast inns can accommodate a limited number of overnight guests. There are several restaurants and gift shops for the tourist-trade.

Lunch with Jim and Joy (Jim's Joy), Michelle and Marc (Marc's Ark), Mary Kay and Rich (Native Son) and Bob

Some of the residents outfit golf carts with passenger trailers to sell "historical tours" of the island. The roads on Tangier are only wide enough for two golf carts to pass each other.

Michelle, our tour guide (yellow shirt) and Bob in our golf cart

Few cars are present on the island because they are not able to get over the small wooden bridges. Tourists and islanders all get around on golf carts, boats, mopeds, and bikes.

The main street of Tangier Island

Tangier Island water tower

 We toured the historical museum and walked around the island again.  It was an enjoyable day and I would recommend a stop on this unique island if you have the time.

An interesting trash can

The island is also populated by many cats!

May 18, 2012
Due to the weather, we ended up staying another day in Onancock.  Will see what tomorrow brings;  hopefully we can move on to Crisfield, MD.