Charles City County, Virginia is a rural county located in the central part of the state, south of Richmond and north of Hampton Roads. It is bordered by James City County to the north, Surry County to the south and Prince George County to the east. The county has an estimated population of 7,346 people as of 2019, making it one of the least populous counties in Virginia.
According to definitionexplorer.com, Charles City County was founded in 1634 and was named after Charles I, King of England at the time. The county has long been known for its agricultural industry with tobacco being one of its major crops. In addition to agriculture, Charles City County also boasts some of Virginia’s oldest plantations such as Berkeley Plantation and Shirley Plantation which were both established in 1613 and 1638 respectively.
Charles City County is home to a number of attractions including Sherwood Forest Plantation which was once home to President John Tyler and still stands today as a museum open for tours. Visitors can also explore Westover Church which dates back to 1730 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places or visit Evelynton Plantation which offers tours that take visitors back in time with its original slave quarters still intact.
Famous people from Charles City County include former President John Tyler who served from 1841-1845, General Robert E. Lee who was born at Stratford Hall plantation in 1807 and William Henry Harrison who served from 1841-1841 before dying from pneumonia shortly after his inauguration. Other notable figures include author and poet Edgar Allan Poe who lived briefly at Berkeley Plantation when he was a young boy as well as actress Katherine Hepburn whose family owned property near Charles City Courthouse for many years before selling it off in 1912.
Charles City County is an interesting place full of history and culture that offers visitors plenty to see and do while exploring this unique area. With numerous historic sites, plantations, museums and outdoor activities there’s something here for everyone.
Climate and weather in Charles City County, Virginia
According to liuxers.com, Charles City County, Virginia is located in the southeastern corner of the state. It has a humid subtropical climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters. The average annual temperature is 67.5°F (19.7°C).
The summer season in Charles City County typically starts in May and lasts until September or October. During this time, temperatures can range from the mid-80s to the low 90s Fahrenheit (27–33°C). It is usually quite humid and rainfall is common, occurring about every 3-4 days throughout the summer months.
The winter season in Charles City County begins in November and ends in March or April. Temperatures during this time of year range from the high 30s to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (2–13°C). Snowfall is rare but not unheard of, averaging about 1 inch per year (2 cm).
Spring and fall are both relatively mild seasons in Charles City County with temperatures ranging between the high 40s and low 70s Fahrenheit (9–21°C) on average. Rainfall occurs more frequently during these months than during summer or winter, usually every 2-3 days.
Charles City County experiences four distinct seasons with hot humid summers, cool winters, mild springs and pleasant falls. Despite its location on the coast of Virginia, it does not experience any hurricanes due to its inland position away from major bodies of water such as the Atlantic Ocean.
Transportation in Charles City County, Virginia
Charles City County, Virginia is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is accessible by a variety of transportation options.
The county is served by two major highways: Interstate 64 and US Route 5. I-64 runs east-west through the county, connecting it to Richmond, Norfolk and Charlottesville. US Route 5 runs north-south through the county, connecting it to Williamsburg and Petersburg.
Public transportation in Charles City County is provided by GRTC Bus service. This service offers routes throughout the county as well as connections to other areas in Virginia and nearby states. There are also several taxi services that operate within Charles City County, providing an easy way to get around without having to drive your own car.
For those who prefer to travel by train, Amtrak provides service from Richmond to Newport News with a stop in Charles City County. The Amtrak station is located in downtown Charles City and offers connections to other cities throughout Virginia and beyond.
For those who want to travel by air, there are two airports located near Charles City County: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Richmond International Airport (RIC). PHF is the closest airport at just over 30 miles away while RIC is approximately 45 miles away from Charles City County. Both airports offer flights within Virginia as well as domestic and international flights.
Charles City County offers a variety of transportation options for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick trip or an extended stay, you can easily get around this beautiful area using public transportation, cars or planes.
Cities and towns in Charles City County, Virginia
Charles City County, Virginia is located in the southeastern corner of the state and is home to a variety of cities and towns. The county seat is Charles City, which is situated along the James River and is home to a number of historic sites. Other cities and towns in Charles City County include New Kent, Providence Forge, Cumberland, Barhamsville, Ettrick, and Skiffes Creek. See popular cities in Virginia.
Charles City is the oldest town in Charles City County and has been around since 1619. It was an important port city during colonial times and still has a number of historic sites to explore such as Berkeley Plantation, Westover Plantation, Shirley Plantation and Bacon’s Castle. The town also boasts a number of shops, restaurants and other attractions for visitors to enjoy.
New Kent is located in the northern part of Charles City County just outside Richmond. It was founded in 1654 by William Claiborne as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. Today, it’s known for its wineries such as New Kent Winery & Vineyard which offers tours and tastings for visitors.
Providence Forge is located along US Route 5 in central Charles City County. It was originally named after the local iron forge that operated there from 1750-1850 but today it’s known for its outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing on the Chickahominy River or exploring one of its many parks like Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden or Henricus Historical Park.
Cumberland lies near US Route 5 at the northern end of Charles City County near Richmond International Airport (RIC). It was established in 1748 by English settlers who named it after William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland who had recently defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden Moor during the Jacobite Rebellion. Today, it’s known for its numerous parks such as Sandy Bottom Nature Park which offers trails for hiking or biking as well as picnic areas with grills and playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
Barhamsville is located on US Route 60 in central Charles City County near Williamsburg National Historic Park (WNHP). It was originally part of James Barham’s land grant from King George II but today it’s best known for its annual Barhamsville Day Festival which celebrates local history with live music, food vendors and activities like hay rides or a petting zoo for kids.
Ettrick lies along US Route 5 at the southern end of Charles City County near Petersburg National Battlefield (PNB). It was founded by English settlers in 1714 but today it’s best known for its historic buildings including Ettrick Manor House which dates back to 1853 or Ettrick Presbyterian Church which was built in 1887.
Finally, Skiffes Creek lies along US Route 60 at the eastern edge of Charles City County near Jamestown Settlement (JS). It was founded by English colonist Alexander Skiffe in 1620 but today it’s mostly known for its marinas where visitors can rent boats to explore nearby waterways or take part in fishing tournaments held throughout the year.