Nassawadox is a town between the bay and the sea
Nassawadox is a small town of just over 530 residents in Northampton County. While the town spans just 0.4 square miles, its views of the water seem endless. The name Nassawadox comes from a Native American term meaning “land between two waters,” as the community is tucked between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The area was originally developed due to the steam-powered sawmill in town and gained prominence with the establishment of the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1884, which, despite not stopping in the town, facilitated mail delivery via a unique “mail hook” system. Today, locals are drawn to the area’s peaceful coastal seclusion. “It’s got a rural feel and a slower pace of life,” says Realtor Jessica Bernard with Weirchert Realtors Mason-Davis, who lives in the nearby town of Exmore. “Families stick around and it’s very laid back.”
Brownsville Preserve and coastal outdoor escapes
Brownsville Preserve spans 1,250 acres in the eastern part of Nassawadox. This historic farm features wooded uplands and expansive marshes, where boardwalks and trails wind through. The preserve’s William B. Cummings Birding and Wildlife Trail leads 3 miles along the Virginia coast, with crushed shells on the ground. Visitors may see deer, foxes, blue herons or bald eagles along the way. Due to its location on the Eastern Shore, Nassawadox offers residents waterfront activities. “It’s the best of both worlds with the ocean and bay,” Bernard says. On the seaside, Willis Wharf, about 5 miles away, is known for its clam and oyster fishing, while Morley’s Wharf on the bayside, about 6 miles away, is where folks can launch their boats and anglers can cast their lines from the wooden fishing pier.
Victorian homes downtown and small properties on big plots of land
Because it’s on the Eastern Shore, the land is flat and lush in Nassawadox. Large grassy lots have open green fields between them, and there’s lots of space to spread out. “It’s got a small-town feel,” Bernard says. Closer to the town center, larger Victorian homes sit on sidewalk-lined streets, while farther out, Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes can sit on multi-acre lots. The area’s median single-family home price is about $290,000, and plots of land are also available.
Students zoned for Northampton County Public Schools
The Northampton County Public Schools district serves Nassawadox. The district educates about 1,300 students and gets a C grade from Niche. Its student-teacher ratio is 11-to-1. Students can attend Occohannock Elementary School, which gets a C from Niche, before Northampton Middle and Northampton High, which both receive C-plus scores from Niche. Northampton High School also offers dual enrollment with nearby Eastern Shore Community College.
Dining in town, shopping in nearby Exmore
On Rogers Drive, Little Italy not only serves pizza, pasta, baked ziti and other Italian favorites, but also Mexican cuisine, like fajitas and burritos. A short drive away, The Great Machipongo Clam Shack is a casual seafood eatery and market. In Exmore, about 5 miles south, the Shore Plaza shopping center features a Food Lion grocery store and Ace Hardware. Across the street, there’s a Walgreens and a Dollar Tree.
Cyclists ride through during Between the Waters Bike Tour
Bikers participating in the Between the Waters Bike Tour, an annual cycling event on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, pass through Nassawadox. Cyclists can choose from four route options – 25, 40, 60 or 100 miles – each designed to showcase the area’s natural beauty and featuring flat terrain with minimal traffic. The event usually draws about 1,200 riders. Following the ride, an optional oyster road features fresh oysters and clams as well as live music.
Getting around Nassawadox
Because it’s so remote, Nassawadox is car-dependent; however, there is limited bus service in the area. STAR Transit provides fixed-route services, connecting the area to nearby towns like Cape Charles, Exmore and Onley. U.S. Route 13 runs north-south through the community, leading about 25 miles south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which leads to Virginia Beach, and north toward the Maryland state line.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
