Onancock, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Onancock, Virginia
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The Town Hall and Police Department of Onancock
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Location in Accomack County and the state of Virginia.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Accomack |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.05 sq mi (2.72 km2) |
| • Land | 1.05 sq mi (2.71 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 1,263 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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1,211 |
| • Density | 1,156.64/sq mi (446.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
23417
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| Area code(s) | 757, 948 |
| FIPS code | 51-59336 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1493376 |
Onancock (pronounced oh-NAN-kok) is a small town located in Accomack County, Virginia, in the United States. It's a place with a rich history and a friendly community. In 2010, about 1,263 people lived there.
Contents
History of Onancock
Onancock was founded a very long time ago, in 1680. This makes it one of the older towns in the area. A courthouse was built there later, and during the American Revolutionary War, soldiers had barracks in the town.
The Battle of Kedges Strait
About a year after the British surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, a naval battle happened near Onancock. In November 1782, Commodore Zedechiah Whaley needed help. He was fighting British ships that were bothering farms along the Chesapeake Bay.
Whaley sailed his ship, the Protector, up Onancock Creek. He asked for help from Lt. Colonel John Cropper. Cropper gathered 25 local men to join the fight. These brave men boarded Whaley's ship to help him fight the British fleet.
On November 30, 1782, the Battle of Kedges Strait took place. Three of Whaley's four ships turned back because the British fire was too heavy. This left the Protector to fight alone. The Protector was greatly outnumbered. Many men were killed or hurt, and many were captured. Only 11 men managed to escape.
Commodore Whaley had to surrender. This was the very last naval battle of the American Revolution. It happened on the same day that the Treaty of Paris was being written. This treaty would officially end the war between the two nations. However, it took another year and a half for the treaty to be fully signed and become effective.
Important Places and People
A special sign near Onancock tells us that the home of Henry A. Wise is nearby. He was the governor of Virginia from 1856 to 1860.
In the mid-1800s, Onancock was an important stop for stagecoaches. These were horse-drawn carriages that carried people and mail between cities like Wilmington, Delaware and Eastville, Virginia.
Several historic places in Onancock are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history of the country. These places include:
- Onancock Historic District
- Cokesbury Church
- Hopkins and Brother Store
- Ker Place
Geography of Onancock
Onancock is a small town in terms of size. It covers about 1.0 square mile (2.7 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the town's official area.
The town is located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It sits at an elevation of about 16 feet (5 meters) above sea level.
Population of Onancock
The number of people living in Onancock has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 938 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,001 | 6.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,074 | 7.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,245 | 15.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,283 | 3.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,353 | 5.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,759 | 30.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,614 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,461 | −9.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,434 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,525 | 6.3% | |
| 2010 | 1,263 | −17.2% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 1,211 | −4.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,525 people living in Onancock. By 2010, the population was 1,263.
Transportation
Major Roads
The main road that goes through Onancock is Route 179. This road helps connect the town to other areas.
Public Transport
If you need to get around without a car, STAR Transit offers public transportation services. These services link Onancock with nearby towns like Onley and other communities in Accomack and Northampton counties on the Eastern Shore.
Notable People
Some well-known people have connections to Onancock:
- Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard - She was the mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania.
- Josh Nolz - A professional soccer player.
- Nick Boddie Williams - He was the editor of the Los Angeles Times newspaper for many years.
- George D. Wise - He was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.
See also
In Spanish: Onancock (Virginia) para niños
