WELCOME TO
PORT ROYAL
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EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY
Young and old we all love the water . . . and Port Royal offers a municipal pier and public access to the Rappahannock River. Come and shop at one of our three antique stores, each unique in their own way.
EXPERIENCE HERITAGE
Visit the many 18th century homes and churches and enjoy the beauty and splendor of some of the beautiful mature boxwood gardens.
ABOUT THE TOWN
Probably Port Royal’s most notable claim to fame is that John Wilkes Booth was killed about two miles outside town by Sgt. Boston Corbett, part of a contingent of federal troops, at the now obsolete Garrett farmstead on April 26, 1865
THE HISTORY
Port Royal is an incorporated town in Caroline County, Virginia. The population was 126 at the 2010 census.
Port Royal was established in the mid-17th century in the Colony of Virginia primarily as a port at the head of the navigable reach of the Rappahannock River for export of tobacco, Virginia’s cash crop. The town was also set along an early stage road, which brought passengers and freight for embarkation upon the river there. It still remains a crossroads along the busy modern highways of U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 301.
WELCOME
Welcome to Port Royal, Virginia. Founded in 1744, the Town is a great place to live, work, visit and discover history. The Town is the hub intersection of two major highways partially surrounded by the Rappahannock River as its backdrop.
THE FUTURE
If you are looking for a walking tour around one of the most historic towns in all of America, let alone Virginia, Port Royal is your town. Once considered as a possibility for our Nation’s capital, Port Royal sits on the banks of the Rappahannock River and consists primarily of 18th century structures that remain as they were 200 years ago including a home that was a tavern visited by George Washington on several occasions. There is also the remains of Dorothy Roy’s estate, the Roy Chimney’s. Dorothy was the only woman in the colony allowed to operate a tobacco warehouse and who is responsible for the construction of the road which is now Rt. 301. Also available on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm or by prearranged appointment is the Port Royal Museum of American History and the old Port Royal School as well as several other museums that feature portraits of many historical residents and medicine. Be sure to include the Port Royal Harbor, which is found at the end of Kings Street. Here ships sailed carrying tobacco and other wares and ferries transported passengers across the river. Today, the river is a great place to fish from the newly constructed fishing pier or from the pier, you can launch your kayak or canoe and take part in one of the 3 Water Trails. Nothing says history better than antique shops and Port Royal has some of the best. Make one of these a “must do” on your trip. While in town, be sure to visit one of the restaurants including Blue Bar Bakery, Horne’s, etc. for a great bite to eat. From Port Royal you can continue your drive in Caroline County in several different directions. You can choose to turn onto North Rt. 17 at the crossroad with Rt. 301. From here you could turn off onto Rt. 615 in approximately 7 miles to the Pettigrew Wildlife Management Area which offers a variety of activities such as hunting, camping, hiking, etc., or continue a few more miles and visit Snead’s Farm where you can pick your own veggies and fruit during the season.
RESTAURANTS & SHOPPING
Come and shop at our antique stores each individually unique in their own way. Don’t forget to stop at Horne’s Restaurant, an icon of the town that offers dining and a gift shop filled with interesting gifts and old fashioned trinkets to remind you of your visit to Port Royal.