Parksley is a former rail town and one Eastern Shore's largest towns
Founded in 1885 as a railroad town, Parksley is a community frozen in time. “Parksley was definitely a railroad town; there’s actually a railroad museum there,” says Shaun Sterling, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. who has sold dozens of properties in the area. “It was historically a substantial-sized town – nothing like Virginia Beach, but it still has a downtown center and is big for the Eastern Shore.” Historic storefronts line its downtown streets, while an industrial tradition centered around the railroad is now powered by chicken production. Scenic surroundings, whether on land or along Parksley’s waterways, continue to appeal to homebuyers looking for rural seclusion.
Downtown and rural recreation in Parksley
Though Parksley takes its name from a railroad magnate, its outdoorsy name hints at an abundance of recreation opportunities. The town’s downtown area is home to Parksley Town Park, with a playground, tennis courts and a street hockey court. The Eastern Shore Railway Museum showcases old railcars, an indoor train set and other pieces of Parksley history.
Nature lovers can immerse themselves in a waterfowl habitat at the Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve. Here, hiking trails take visitors along the shores of Gargathy Bay and offer views of the Eastern Shore’s oceanfront barrier islands. As many homes in the surrounding communities include boat ramps in their backyards, boaters can set out on natural adventures from their own homes. Hunting Creek and several other Chesapeake tributaries provide peaceful venues for fishing and kayaking.
Historic downtown properties share a community with rural ranch-style homes
Parksley and its surrounding communities feature a diverse assortment of housing styles reflecting this town’s rich history. Victorian houses sit alongside bungalows and ranch-style homes in downtown Parksley, where properties tend to sell for between $120,000 and $360,000. Homes in Parksley’s outskirts, many of them located along the area's creeks, can cost between $225,000 and $425,000. While Parksley’s downtown area was largely built from the 1920s to 1990s, its outskirts are full of houses built from the 1970s to 2000s.
Parksley's historic downtown is home to a small but diverse retail scene
This community is centered around a small but historic downtown area where false-front stores tell the story of a town with Gilded Age roots. “It’s got a hardware store, a restaurant or two, a bridal and formal shop and other businesses like that,” Sterling says. “There are also some old commercial buildings, and there’s also a new library.” Off the Rails, a restaurant named to reference the former railroad, serves diner staples from noon to midnight. Nearby, the small El Sol Restaurant specializes in Mexican and Central American dishes. Jaxon’s Hardware, in business since the 1950s, has everything from tools to household items to clothing. In addition to the local Dollar General, residents can also shop for groceries at Taste of Eden Produce, which sells fresh flowers, eggs, fruits and vegetables. Parksley is also a 7-mile drive from Onley’s Food Lion.
Public education includes dual enrollment opportunities at Arcadia High
Students can start their education at Parksley’s own Metompkin Elementary School, which receives a C rating from Niche, before attending the C-plus rated Arcadia Middle School and the B-minus-rated Arcadia High School. Arcadia High helps its students get collegiate and career head-starts through diverse technical programs as well as dual enrollment opportunities.
Highway access connects Parksley to nearby conveniences
Parksley sits along Greenbush Road, which connects it to Onley’s shopping and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital 7 miles to the south. The nearest city, Onancock, is a 9-mile drive down that same road.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
