Saxis, Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saxis, Virginia
Town
Location in Accomack County and the state of Virginia.
Country	United States
State	Virginia
County	Accomack
Area
• Total	0.41 sq mi (1.06 km2)
• Land	0.41 sq mi (1.05 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	241
• Estimate  (2019)	231
• Density	571.0/sq mi (220.48/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	23427
Area code(s)	757, 948
FIPS code	51-70576
GNIS feature ID	1500033

Saxis is a small town located in Accomack County, Virginia, in the United States. It is a unique place because it sits on an island that sticks out into Pocomoke Sound. In 2010, about 241 people lived there.

History of Saxis Island

Saxis Island is separated from the rest of Accomack County by a marsh called Freeschool Marsh. The community on the island started as just one farm. Over the 1800s, more people moved there, and Saxis officially became a town in 1959.

Early Days and Native Americans

For thousands of years, even before 8,000 BCE, people visited Saxis Island. These early groups, known as prehistoric populations, likely came to gather plants, shellfish, and hunt animals. The island's rich waters and marshlands provided plenty of food.

The first written record of Saxis comes from Captain John Smith's map of the Chesapeake Bay area. In 1608, during a trip, Smith and his group met the Pocomoke Indians in a village along the sound's south shore.

European Settlers and Island Names

By the 1630s, fur traders from Maryland and Virginia were active along the Eastern Shore. Because Saxis was surrounded by water and marsh, it was known as an island. European settlers started claiming land there in 1661.

In 1666, when land was first officially claimed, Saxis Island was split into two parts. The northern part, 150 acres, belonged to Robert Sikes and was called "Sikes's Island." The southern 200 acres belonged to George Parker, who named his land "St. George's Island." You can still see a drainage ditch along Saxis Road that shows where this old division was.

Saxis During the Civil War

By 1860, Saxis had 169 residents, including 15 free Black people. During the early part of the American Civil War, Pocomoke Sound became a secret route for smuggling supplies. People would sneak goods to the Confederates, who were fighting against the Union. The sound was a good spot because it was the border between Union-controlled Maryland and Confederate Virginia.

To stop the smuggling, the Union Navy sent ships to patrol the waters. On November 16, 1861, the Union Army marched into the Eastern Shore of Virginia and took control without a fight. At the same time, Union sailors came ashore on Saxis to get supplies.

After the Union took over, some local stories say that at least two boats from Saxis helped the Confederates. They supposedly carried supplies across the Chesapeake Bay to Confederate troops in Virginia. Union reports also mention Saxis as a place where they caught smuggling boats from other ports.

Fishing and Seafood Industry

Fishing and oyster dredging became very important businesses on Saxis Island starting in the 1860s. In 1866, a railroad was built to nearby Crisfield, Maryland. This helped the local oyster business grow even more.

The seafood industry in Saxis really took off in the early 1900s. In 1903, a long wharf was built 650 yards offshore, reaching the shipping channel. After the Civil War, steamboats like the "Maggie" and "The Eastern Shore" carried Saxis seafood to big cities in the North. These steamers also brought many visitors to the island.

Fun Things to Do in Saxis

Saxis offers some great spots for outdoor activities and learning about its past.

Saxis Fishing Pier

The Saxis fishing pier was finished in 2002. It stretches 200 feet into Saxis Harbor and has a 100-foot T-shaped end. This pier is a popular spot for public fishing. It is also designed to be easy for people with disabilities to use.

Saxis Wildlife Management Area

Right next to the town is the Saxis Wildlife Management Area. This huge natural area covers 6,177 acres. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries owns and manages it.

Most of this area is tidal marshland, which means it's wet land affected by ocean tides. It's divided into three sections, mostly peninsulas, surrounded by the waters of Beasley Bay, Pocomoke Sound, or Messongo Creek. There are also some smaller freshwater creeks. Higher, forested areas, called hummocks, are found further inland. This area is kept mostly in its natural state, with little human development.

Saxis Island Museum

The town is also home to the Saxis Island Museum. This museum is a non-profit organization that works to save the history of Saxis Island. It also shares the stories of the people who made their living from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Where is Saxis?

Saxis is located at 37°55′33″N 75°43′23″W / 37.92583°N 75.72306°W / 37.92583; -75.72306. It sits about 7 feet above sea level.

Even though water doesn't completely surround Saxis, it's called an island because it's quite isolated. It's separated from the main land by the Freeschool Marsh to the east. Shallow waters surround it on the south (Starling Creek), west (Pocomoke Sound), and north (Robin Hood Bay). The town covers about 0.41 square miles (1.06 square kilometers) of land. Only a tiny bit, about 0.01 square miles (0.01 square kilometers), is water.

Local Economy

The harbor in Saxis is a very important place for the town's economy. The main business here is the seafood industry. This area near the harbor is specially zoned for activities and services related to seafood. This helps support the local fishing community.

Population of Saxis

In 2000, there were 337 people living in Saxis. There were 148 households and 100 families. The town had about 1,020 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Saxis were White.

About 19.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.28 people, and the average family had 2.71 people.

The population was spread out in terms of age. About 16.6% were under 18, and 26.1% were 65 or older. The average age in Saxis was 47 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Saxis (Virginia) para niños