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The village
if Irvington, commonly referred to as Carter’s Creek,
came into being in 1891. A busy port on the Norfolk-Baltimore
route, steamboats plied their way into the Creek from 1834
until 1937.
Irvington thrived in the 1890s and early 1900s and was boasted
as the “Venice of the Northern Neck.” The town
bustled in its heyday with its own newspaper, Opera House,
hospital, schools, hotels, roller skate rink, electric company,
fish factory, boat building facilities, bottling company,
tomato canning house, bakery and an assortment of shops selling
everything from cigars to women’s fashions. In addition,
many residents made their living from the water pulling 100,000
bushels of oysters annually from the Creek.
Unfortunately, the Great Fire of Irvington consumed many of
the buildings and businesses in June of 1917. Although several
buildings were rebuilt, the fire and the end of the Steamboat
Era left Irvington without the face it had presented to so
many visitors. Were it not for the founding of The Tides Inn
resort in 1947, the town might have drifted into obscurity.
The Inn revitalized the area and introduced thousands of visitors
to Irvington.
Today, you can see the results. Irvington is once again experiencing
a resurgence of life. Quaint shops, restaurants, Inns and
professional businesses line the streets of this little town. |
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