Biking on Chincoteague
Looking to rent a bike? Look no further!
First off: pretty much anywhere you can go with a car on Chincoteague, you can go with a bike… and in summer traffic, you may even get there quicker! But not every road on the Island is bike-friendly.
Chincoteague Island Bike Map
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
Looking for places to eat?
Check out Chincoteague’s top-rated restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Historic Points of Interest
A. Frank Matthews House (3860 Main St.)
This home was built in the 1890s and was the home of Chincoteague's first Mayor elected in 1908.
B. U.S. Coast Guard Station (3823 Main St.)
The station was established during World War Il in 1943 as the 6th District Headquarters. In the 1990s, additional land was acquired to enlarge the facility. The station occupies land previously used as a marine railway and ship building facility and lumber yard.
C. "Squealer" Dan Whealton House (3760 Main St.)
Squealer Dan was a sea captain with a high pitched voice who transported cargo on his schooner, "Alberta", up and down the east coast. In 1901 he purportedly saved the crew of a sinking Spanish ship off Winter Quarter Shoal. Dan was one of the Island's well-known characters. While in court on a charge of hunting out of season, Dan, who loved hunting, told the judge "I just couldn't help it."
D. Charlie Gall Store (3747 Main St.)
This building housed one of several neighborhood stores on the Island. The store had groceries and other merchandise. Islanders often said that if Charlie Gall didn't have it, you didn't need it.
William C. Bunting House (3594 Main St.)
Built in 1922, the owner established the WIlliam C. Bunting Oyster Company, which was famous for its Tom Cove brand of salt oysters. The company operated at the dock behind the current Don's Restaurant on Main Street.
Firemen's Carnival Grounds (3645 Main St.)
The current carnival grounds were built in 1945 after the site was moved by the Volunteer Firemen from Mumford Street. The annual carnival is conducted weekends in July and all week during Pony Penning the last week of July. This event is the primary funding source for the Volunteer Fire Department. John W. Bunting House (3608 Main St.) - This home was built in 1901. Rising from a poor background, Mr. Bunting became one of the most prominent citizens of the Island. He made his money in the seafood industry and served as a community leader holding several appointed positions in the town.
Miss Molly's Inn (4141 Main St.)
Built in 1896 by the Rowley family, the building served as a lodging house for the Island. Local historians say that Marguerite Henry wrote the story of Misty of Chincoteague while staying at the Inn in 1946. The building is a bed and breakfast today.
Island Manor House (4160 Main St.)
This building was originally two homes built by brothers-in-law married to two sisters, Dr. Nathaniel Smith and Joseph Kenny.. Dr. Smith first came to the Island as the assistant surgeon on a Union warship during the Civil War. The buildings were joined to form the current structure which serves as a bed and breakfast.
Watson House (4240 Main St.)
This house was built in 1898 by Robert Watson and his son, David. Robert's brother at one time owned most of the land between Maddox Boulevard and Clark Street. Many of the original houses on the these streets were occupied by members of the Watson family. The house is currently a bed and breaklast.
Captain John Dukes House (4356 Main St.)
This house was built in 1893. Captain Dukes was a member of the U.S. Life Saving Service which later was incorporated into the U.S. Coast Guard. Dukes was the officer in charge of several stations on the barrier islands.
Clarence Tarr House (4653 Main St.)
This Victorian era home was preserved in the mid-20th Century by television actress Linda Lavin ("Alice") who moved the house from the east side of the street to its current location overlooking the Chincoteague Bay.
Christ Holy Sanctified Church (5084 Main St.)
This church was formed in 1892 by former members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The building Main, Gtreet O was built in 1950s 1903 and moved to its current location in 2008. Several members of the church left the Island in 1894 to establish congregations across the United States. Some early members of the church are buried in Holy Ridge cemetery behind the church.
Captain Joshua Chandler Gravesite (N. Main turnabout)
Captain Chandler was a watermen who came to Chincoteague from Delaware. He was killed by lightening on his sailboat in 1877. The inscription on his tombstone reads: "Farewell wife and children, dear, I am not dead but sleeping here. As I am, someday you will be also, prepare for death and follow me."
Killock Shoal Light
The Killock Shoal Light was a lighthouse located at the north end of the channel west of Chincoteague, Virginia. This light was erected in 1886. It was unlike other screw-pile structures in the area, with the lantern set at one corner of a small square frame house. It was automated in 1923, and decommissioned in 1939, with the house being replaced by a steel tower. The structure is now unlit.
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