Croaker, Virginia facts for kids
Croaker is a small community in James City County, Virginia, United States. It sits on the south bank of the York River. This river flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Croaker is about 10 miles downstream from West Point. The York River itself is formed by two other rivers, the Mattaponi River and the Pamunkey River.
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Why is it Called Croaker?
The name "Croaker" likely comes from a type of fish. Many Atlantic croaker fish live in the Chesapeake Bay. These fish are known for making a croaking sound. They are common bottom-dwelling fish in the area.
Croaker's Early History
In its early days, Croaker was known by other names. First, it was called Taskinas Plantation. Later, it was named Hollywood. This was because of the many holly trees growing there. In 1730, Taskinas was chosen as an important site. It became a public tobacco warehouse. Local farmers stored their tobacco crops here. From this warehouse, the tobacco was shipped to England.
Life in Early Croaker
By the early 1900s, Croaker was a busy place. It had several stores, two schools, a church, and many houses. The Garrett family were important shopkeepers. Their store, Garrett's Grocery, opened in 1909. Five generations of the family ran this store. It was the oldest store in Croaker. Garrett's Grocery closed on December 31, 2013. A new store, Croaker General Store, opened in the same building in 2015.
Important Places in Croaker Today
Norge Railroad Station's New Home
In 2006, an old train station was moved to Croaker. This was the historic Norge railroad station. It was built around 1908. The station was part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. It was moved about one mile. Now, it sits next to the James City County Branch of the Williamsburg Regional Library.
Exploring York River State Park
York River State Park opened in 1980. It is a large park located right in Croaker. Inside the park, you can find Croaker Landing. This is a historical and archaeological site. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987.
The Giant President Heads
Where are the President Busts?
Croaker is also home to a unique farm. This farm has 20-foot tall busts of former U.S. presidents. A bust is a sculpture of a person's head and shoulders. These giant heads include presidents up to George W. Bush. They are now located at 8212 Croaker Road. This is the site of a local recycling company.
The Journey of the Busts
These large busts were once at a tourist attraction called Presidents Park. That park closed in 2010. Moving the busts to their current location saved them from being destroyed. Cranes were used to lift each bust. This process caused some damage to the sculptures. For example, a hole was made in the top of each head. This allowed the crane to attach to a steel frame inside. Smithsonian Magazine noted that the hole in Abraham Lincoln's head looked like a reminder of his assassination. After being lifted, each president's bust was moved by truck to the field where they now stand.
Visiting the President Heads
For a while, visitors could not see the busts. This was because the site did not have permits for tourists. However, now you can visit them! Organized tours are available at certain times of the year. This allows people to see these unique and giant sculptures up close.
