Broadwater, Virginia facts for kids
Broadwater was once a small town located on Hog Island, which is one of the Virginia Barrier Islands in Virginia, United States. It was an unincorporated community, meaning it didn't have its own local government but was managed by Northampton County. Broadwater is famous for being the original home of the special Hog Island Sheep.
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What Was Broadwater?
Broadwater was a community on Hog Island, a narrow strip of land off the coast of Virginia. People lived there, fished, and farmed. An "unincorporated community" is a place where people live together, but it's not officially a city or town with its own mayor or town council. Instead, the county government takes care of services like roads and schools.
Hog Island and the Barrier Islands
Hog Island is part of a chain of islands called the Virginia Barrier Islands. These islands act like a natural shield, protecting the mainland from strong ocean storms and waves. They are constantly changing shape because of the wind and water.
The Famous Hog Island Sheep
Broadwater is known as the birthplace of the Hog Island Sheep. This is a special and rare breed of sheep that developed on Hog Island. They are known for being very hardy and able to survive in tough conditions. Today, efforts are made to protect this unique breed.
Why Broadwater Was Abandoned
Life on Hog Island was challenging because of its location right on the coast. In the 1930s, a series of powerful hurricanes hit the area. These storms caused severe shoreline erosion, meaning the land was washed away by the ocean. The island became too unstable and dangerous for people to live there safely.
Moving the Town
Because of the erosion, the people of Broadwater had to leave their homes. Instead of just abandoning everything, many residents decided to save their houses. They carefully loaded their homes and other buildings onto large flat boats called barges. These barges then floated the buildings across the water to the mainland.
Many of these historic buildings were moved to nearby towns like Willis Wharf and Oyster. You can still see some of these old Broadwater houses standing in those towns today! This shows how determined the community was to save their history and homes.
