More Than a One Horse Town
Welcome to Chincoteague, Virginia!
The Town of Chincoteague, Virginia rests on Chincoteague Island on the DelMarVa Peninsula. Located in the far northeastern portion of Virginia's Eastern Shore lies this quaint paradise island so beautiful that it draws over one million visitors annually and has become home to around 5,000 residents.
Chincoteague Island in Virginia, which together with Assateague Island in both Virginia and Maryland, is noted for its herd of feral ponies accustomed to the seashore, as described by Marguerite Henry in her children's bestselling story, Misty of Chincoteague. The word "Chincoteague" (pronounced Shink’ a-tig) is said to be an Indian name meaning "beautiful land across the water." The pronunciation and spelling has changed over time. Court records in 1671 indicate a spelling of "Jungoteague" while a reference from the early 1800s indicates a spelling of "Gingoteag".
Written history of the area dates back to the earliest colonial times, when refuge uplands were farmed and wetlands and waters were hunted and fished. In the early 1600's, Captain John Smith described the area that today comprises much of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge as: "...a faire Bay compassed but for the mouth with fruitful and delightsome land... Heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation."
The Town of Chincoteague, Virginia was incorporated in 1908. The incorporated area was small, but at the time most residents lived within a small area. Over the years three annexations of area have made the entire Island part of the Town of Chincoteague.
Today, the two-lane, four-plus-mile causeway leading to the island (itself only seven miles long by one-and-a-half miles wide) careens over serene creeks and emerald marshes. Many folks who visit the island come to see Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (on Assateague, actually), the fourth most heavily visited refuge in the country. Main Street is dotted with quaint storefronts, family-owned hotels, and seafood restaurants. The line of storefronts reveals, hidden behind them, assorted views of Chincoteague Bay.
The popularity of the area is due in large part to the annual Chincoteague Pony Penning. The modern version of the eighteenth-century harnessing ritual, in which ponies swim across the channel to be auctioned off, began in 1925. It was immortalized in Marguerite Henry’s 1947 children’s book, "Misty of Chincoteague," a tale about an actual island pony. In 1960, the movie version was filmed in Chincoteague.
The island’s first settlers arrived in 1671, and Chincoteague and Assateague islands served as free-roaming ranges for their livestock. Many believe that the present day ponies originated from this domestic stock. But the legends are much more colorful, such as the claim that the ponies are descendants of horses that swam ashore from the wreck of a Spanish galleon. By 1831, the population had grown from the original 60 to more than 500. Land for farming and livestock became scarce, so islanders turned to the tides for their livelihoods. By the 1850s, Chincoteague had a school, two churches, a post office, and a doctor. During the Civil War, the island rebelled against the rest of the state and voted to stay in the Union. As the story goes, the government rewarded the act: Chincoteague watermen were issued passes to supply oysters to Northern ports —fish markets of New York City advertised them as “Patriotic Chincoteague Oysters.”
As the century turned, Chincoteague prospered, especially with the coming of the railroad on the mainland opposite the island, at Franklin City, opening up more markets; the island was incorporated in 1908. Fourteen years later, Chincoteague’s isolation ended when the causeway was completed. When devastating fires burned much of the downtown, the town realized it needed to establish a modern fire company. After several more years the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company, along with the annual Pony Penning auction and fundraiser, was born.
In 1962, a major nor'easter winter storm, the Ash Wednesday Storm, struck the coast. The town was completely underwater, and went for days without electricity. Almost all structures on Assateague Island, where development was just beginning, were destroyed. Following this, most of the island was preserved from development as Assateague Island National Seashore in 1965.
Despite its tourist appeal, Chincoteague, Virginia is a place to settle down. Houses on the island are a hodgepodge of traditional island homes, with screened southern porches, simple bungalows, luxuriant marsh-view townhouses, and sprawling waterfront homes and estates.
For more information on activities in and around Chincoteague, Virginia, visit:
(This and more local information is available at or through the above sites.)
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is known for spectacular fishing, clamming and water sports with clean, fertile waters and stunning natural surroundings. Quaint, local restaurants offer steamed seafood in charming dine-on-wharf settings.
There's something alluring about the beauty that is Corbin Hall on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
There are exciting annual events, such as the world-famous penning of the Chincoteague ponies, a tradition going back nearly 80 years, where a herd of wild ponies that live on Assateague Island swim to Chincoteague Island and are auctioned off to the highest bidder.
A stroll through the surrounding towns reveals small art and antique shops, restaurants and cafes all waiting to be explored. And if you’re there on the first Wednesday in May, enjoy the Seafood Festival. A fun, and filling yearly event that welcomes the governor and about 3,000 visitors, all eating steamed clams, oysters on the half-shell, clam fritters; basically all the seafood you can imagine.
It’s not surprising, then, that gated community homes and vacant lots including waterfront, golf course, retirement and other special features properties in and around Chincoteague, Virginia are highly prized and sell quick. Some of the Chincoteague area’s finest luxury and executive homes and frontage properties in a variety of attractive sizes and styles are likely available at the right price right now.
If you’re already picturing yourself owning prestigious Chincoteague, Virginia real property, you’re not alone. With MLG Communities properties, you'll find Chincoteague area homes or lots that are suited to your unique needs and desires. Keep in mind that, as you would expect, Chincoteague real estate is highly valued and available homes and properties go fast.
So, if you’re like many eager home buyers, you can easily understand why the prestige, security, pleasant surroundings and both present and future value of one-of-a-kind residential gated communities make MLG Communities properties especially attractive - and extremely competitive. In short, such real estate gems are likely to be available in the kind of setting and situation that could make you and your family comfortable, cozy and contented for a long time.
Whether your interest is a new family home, recreational land, construction lots, a second home, luxury homes/estates, pristine gated communities or other special-feature properties, you'll find Chincoteague, Virginia area real estate opportunities offered by MLG Communities the right fit, right now. Check out our model homes to see for yourself!
Corbin Hall on Chincoteague Plantation has the expertise to guide you through the home purchasing process painlessly and profitably. We are proud and protective of our earned reputation for knowledgeable advice, enthusiastic service, creative marketing and professional networking. That’s why MLG Communities offers only the finest properties in the most attractive settings so you can feel at ease that your search will produce the right kind of solution for you.
Previous MLG Communities customers would tell you that we provide all of the specialized services you deserve: a strong work ethic, personal real estate expertise to help define your needs, help with selecting and securing standard financing for your purchase, special technology, constant communication throughout the transaction, and more. Our many years of experience in real estate, means we can provide guidance in all aspects of your search, no matter where it may lead - from existing homes for sale, properties for sale, lots, vacant land, new construction, 55-plus, gated and retirement communities, investment properties, waterfront, golf and recreational properties, golf course lots - all the way to luxury villas, estates and executive homes.
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on Chincoteague Plantation the choice of many previous home buyers. That’s because, as a real estate industry leader in the Chincoteague community, we take seriously our opportunity – and obligation – to educate our home-buying clients about the area and to help them conduct their search in complete confidence.
We understand that home buyers can find any real estate firm to handle their business. We think you’ll like the courtesy, professionalism, attention to detail and real estate savvy for which we’re known. Let MLG Communities help you discover your dream home in Chincoteague, Virginia! Contact Corbin Hall
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Welcome to Historic Corbin Hall on Chincoteague Plantation
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About Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a 70-mile long peninsula that separates the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The Eastern Shore is an area boasting a rich history and breath-taking natural surroundings that provide entertainment and activities for any member of the family.
Corbin Hall Lots
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Chincoteague Homes, Properties and Special Feature Real Estate
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