Colonial Beach, Virginia

Colonial Beach (Virginia) is a small town on the western shore of the Potomac in Westmoreland County of the State of Virginia in the USA

Geography

Colonial Beach is located downstream of the U.S. federal capital, Washington, DC. North of town is the birthplace of the founder of the United States, George Washington, today's George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The state border to the north of Virginia located Maryland runs along the high water line of the Potomac.

The city had 2010 3542 inhabitants. Its geographical location is 38 ° 15 ' 14 " N and 76 ° 58' 08" W.

History

Colonial Beach was settled in 1650 on the initiative of Andrew Monroe, the great-grandfather of U.S. President James Monroe first. He gave the community the name Monrovia.

Economy and Tourism

Colonial Beach was until the mid-20th century, a scenic and recreation for the citizens of Washington, DC, which usually arrived by ship. For example, had the family of Alexander Graham Bell here a summer house. With the advent of holiday trips by private car, this type of recreational pleasure has come almost to a standstill.

Since the laws in Maryland in the 1920s, certain gambling allowed, which were banned in Virginia, created in Potomac artificial islands, called piers that were accessible from Virginia and on which games of chance were offered.

Since the mid 19th century, the oyster beds in the Potomac were used, fishermen from Virginia, however, had to pay a special fee to harvest oysters in Maryland are allowed. However, since the fishermen of Colonial Beach wanted to avoid the cost of such a license, they harvested wild in many cases. The conservation police of Maryland made ​​regular hunting of the Black Fisherman, there was even fatalities. Today ( 2012) live only a few of the Watermen of Colonial City of the harvest and the sale of fresh oysters.

In Colonial Beach Dragway is one, on which races are held with dragsters.

In honor of the fifth President of the United States James Monroe, who was born in Westmoreland County, is located in a monument. For the future, the establishment Enines museum is planned to Monroe's memory.

Personalities from Colonial Beach

  • Ed Mirvish - founder of the department store Honest Ed's in Toronto, Canada, theater operator and philanthropist.
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