Port Royal, Virginia
| Port Royal, Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Port Royal
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 Location of Port Royal, Virginia |
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| Coordinates: 38°10′11″N 77°11′27″W / 38.16972°N 77.19083°WCoordinates: 38°10′11″N 77°11′27″W / 38.16972°N 77.19083°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Caroline |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2) |
| • Land | 0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 126 |
| • Density | 1,202/sq mi (464.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 22535 |
| Area code(s) | 804 |
| FIPS code | 51-63928 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1499899 |
Port Royal is an incorporated town in Caroline County, Virginia, United States. 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.
Port Royal is one of the area's more historic towns. It was first established in 1652 as a port at the head of sea-going navigation on the Rappahannock River during an era when waterways were the fastest and easiest method of transportation of people and property in the British colony of Virginia. It was an important point for export of tobacco, Virginia's cash crop.
Local tradition holds that Port Royal was named after the Roy family. Dorothy Roy and her husband John owned a warehouse chartered by the crown, a ferry service across the Rappahannock River to King George County, and a tavern. In the 21st century, the chimneys of the Roy house are preserved landmarks in the town.
Port Royal was incorporated as a town in 1744. The "town green", upon which stands today the Town Hall and the firehouse, was forever reserved "for public and civic use".
Shipping of property from the port began to decline after completion of railroads which began in Virginia in the 1830s. The last scheduled passenger ship service ended in 1932, supplanted by highways. However, Port Royal was served by the new highways which became U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 301, with their crossroads at Port Royal.
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