Mattox Creek facts for kids

Mattox Creek is a cool waterway that flows into the Potomac River. It's located in Westmoreland County, Virginia, not far from where important historical events happened. This creek is about 13.9 miles (22.4 km) (around 22 kilometers) long. The last 3 miles (5 km) of the creek is deep enough for boats to travel on. It's also very close to the birthplaces of two famous American presidents: George Washington and James Monroe.

Mattox Creek's Early History

Mattox Creek has a long and interesting history. George Washington's great-grandfather, John Washington, arrived in this area in 1656. He came on an English merchant ship that got stuck nearby. After the ship was freed, John Washington decided to stay. He became a guest of Colonel Nathaniel Pope. John Washington fell in love with Colonel Pope's daughter, Anne.

Their son, Lawrence Washington, was born at Mattox Creek in 1659. Lawrence was George Washington's grandfather. The land along Mattox Creek where he was born was a wedding gift to his parents from his grandfather Pope. Lawrence was the first Washington family child born in the American colonies. His family had come to America looking for a new life after a big conflict in England called the English Civil War. John Washington bought a lot of land, about 5,000 acres (20 km²). He also got important jobs in the county and colony. This helped the Washington family become well-known in Virginia.

Mattox Creek During the Civil War

For a long time, Mattox Creek was a busy port. People traded goods like tobacco, fruits, and vegetables here. This was because the land around the creek was very good for farming.

During the American Civil War, soldiers from the Confederate army used the creek. They had a supply base on its right bank. Ships from the Union Navy patrolled the area to stop supplies from getting through.

In March 1865, a battle happened on the creek. Several ships were sunk. A brave sailor named Aaron Anderson became one of the first African Americans to receive the Medal of Honor. This was for his courage during the fight on Mattox Creek that day.

Crossing Mattox Creek

Before bridges were built, people used ferries to cross Mattox Creek. Ferries are like large boats that carry people and vehicles across water. The first bridge, part of Route 205, was built in 1930.

The old bridge needed to be replaced because it was getting old and weak. A new bridge construction project started on July 15, 2014. It was planned to take about two years to finish.

Nature and Fun at Mattox Creek Today

Today, Mattox Creek is a beautiful place for nature and outdoor activities. People enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming here. It's a great spot to see wildlife!

You might spot amazing animals like bald eagles, ospreys, herons, beavers, foxes, deer, and many different kinds of migrating waterfowl. The area is protected and has been improved by the Chesapeake Bay Act. This law helps protect wetlands and the environment in the entire Chesapeake Bay area.