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Assateague Island
Just Traveling Through

Assateague, an island whose name means “A Running Stream Between”, was home to a tribe of Indians under the leadership of Chief Kegotank.  In the late 17^th century, wild horses or “ponies” roamed freely and have been dated back to as early as 1676.  In 1688, the first settlement was made and the Indians began to migrate to the mainland.  Life was hard for these early settlers on Assateague where clean white sand was used as flooring in homes and homes were built for protection from the elements than for comfort.  Clamming at Tom’s Cove was the primary mode of earning money.  Wildlife was abundant on the island of Assateague at this time and throughout the 18^th century.  Ox and sheep roamed freely and many migrated to the island to catch these wild animals and claim land the animals were caught on.  During the spring and summer, the families of Assateague cultivated their land for home gardens.  Wild fruits were collected from the woods, such as blueberries and grapes, and preserved.  “Hog killing” took place in December to provide lard and meat.  Clothing and food was provided also by the sheep.  Hunting of the wildlife such as ducks and geese added to the food supply.  Access to and from Assateague was only by small boats which would go to Chincoteague only.

During the 19^th century, in 1833, the first lighthouse was completed on Assateague but was deemed inefficient for what its intended purpose was, to guide ships.  It was later replaced in 1865 at the end of the Civil War when new construction began and it beamed its first light in 1867.  It was a kerosene lit lighthouse until it became electric in 1993.  In the latter half of the 19^th century, around 1876, a life saving station was built and put into action on Assateague.  These early coast guards walked the beach day and night regardless of the weather conditions and saved many lives and ships because of their quick and dedicated work.  The life saving station can still be seen on a short walk towards Tom’s Cove on Assateague.

Prior to pony penning, dating as early as 1883, the island of Assateague celebrated once a year a “sheep penning” day.  Large crowds would attend and a large feast was prepared to raise money.  This tradition continued until 1914.  The islanders of Assateague also held pony penning beginning around 1902 for the same reasons but this too by 1914 was no longer practiced.

The island of Assateague in 1919 built a Baptist church which marks the only church ever formed on Assateague.  It lasted only until 1922 when it was abandoned and moved to Chincoteague and converted to a small house where it still is seen today on the eastern side of the island.  But it was around 1922 that the village of Assateague saw a complete decline.  This was in part due to Dr. Samuel B. Field, who resided in Baltimore, Maryland.  He acquired most of the land of Assateague within the Virginian border and had his overseer, a Mr. Oliphant, live in a bungalow nearby the old life saving station and refused to permit any villager to cross his property to get to Tom’s Cove where the clamming was done.  With the access now closed, the islanders were forced to move off the Island and onto Chincoteague.  The last recorded census of Assateague was in 1922 with approximately 225 people.

In 1942, Assateague beach was sold from the Field estate to the Fish and Wildlife Service.  It quickly became known as one of the few unspoiled and beautiful locations on the east coast.  In 1962, the bridge was built connecting Chincoteague to Assateague which increased tourism to the white sandy beaches and the wildlife of the island.  In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill providing for the creation of Assateague Island, a National Seashore Park.

Today, the island is most known for its pristine sandy beaches that lure hundreds of thousands of tourists who annually roam the miles and miles of protected ocean front, grab a spot on the sand to soak up the sun’s rays, or take a dip into the ocean’s waters in the summer months.  Many also come for the natural wildlife that Assateague offers such as the vast species of birds and animals that reside on the island.  Even protected birds such as the Bald Eagle and the Piping Plover are spotted annually on the island.  Lastly, in 2003, the Bateman Visitor Center was opened and this new interactive educational center now provides many hands-on exhibits, a gift shop, and an auditorium for presentations and movies about local wildlife and interest.

1848 Island Manor House Bed & Breakfast

4160 Main Street · Chincoteague Island, Virginia  23336

Call Toll Free: 1-800-852-1505

Local Calls: 757-336-5436 · Fax: 757-336-1333

http://www.islandmanor.com