"Yorktown, Williamsburg & Jamestown" Top 5 Page for this destination Yorktown by Ewingjr98

Yorktown Travel Guide: 68 reviews and 160 photos

Yorktown, Williamsburg & Jamestown - Yorktown

Yorktown was authorized in 1634 and established in 1691, primarily as a port along the York River. Yorktown is best known for the famous siege and surrender of British forces to General Washington in 1781 to end the Revolutionary War. It was also the location of a second major siege during the Civil War, as well as a major port for supplying Union armies during campaigns in the region.

Today the town has just 200 residents and nine of the buildings from 1781 still survive. The battlefield surrounding the town has been well-preserved with little development since the American Revolution.

Last visit to Yorktown: Dec 2000
Intro Updated May 2, 2008
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Reviews (6)

Williamsburg on a mural in Old Town Alexandria - Yorktown

Williamsburg (Colonial and otherwise) Things to Do (6)

I have visited Williamsburg two or three times in my life, but I've never been as impressed with the town as so many... more travel advice

Yorktown Victory Monument Things to Do (6)

Construction began in 1881 in honor of the 1781 French and American victory, and the monument was completed in 1884. It... more travel advice

Surrender Field Things to Do (6)

On 17 October 1781 at 9am, a British drummer climbed the British fortifications and played the "long roll" to call the... more travel advice

Yorktown Battlefield Things to Do (6)

On 19 October 1781, five years after the American Revolution began, Lord Cornwallis surrendered his command of over... more travel advice

Comments (2)

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starship Oct 16, 2012 at 6:02 AM

I really do appreciate this page and the history you brought to light. I grew up near Yorktown and Williamsburg so I love this area, the history, and all the sights here. As far as Williamsburg is concerned, it would have been nice to save all of it, but it would have been most unlikely for that to happen. I am grateful for what Rockefeller did do to preserve at least some of it. Williamsburg was a sleepy little town with no money after the civil war and for years afterward.
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SteveOSF Sep 30, 2009 at 5:54 PM

Nice page loaded with some great historical information.