Carter's Creek

Well, now that we’ve visited the house, let’s walk down towards the creek! Carter’s Creek, formally known as “Carter’s Creek Wharf”, served as a prominent steamboat waterway between the 1890s and early 1900s. While there is still some evidence of the town’s steamboat history, today the creek is home to a historic marine resort known as the Tides Inn, as well as a historic ferry line. The Captain John Quincy Adams’ ferry line, that still operates today, was initially the only way to cross the creek because there was no bridge. The Tides Inn is a opened in 1947 and has played a pivotal role in offering lodgings and relaxation to tourists from all over. On any summer day in the creek, you will find crabbers, jet skis, water sports, and fishing. The creek is relatively small, so visitors must share the water with the local marine life, like stinging nettles.

The creek has many sand bars, beaches, and cliffs that are home to a huge variety of wildlife. One section of cliffs on the creek is known as the Fones Cliffs. Today, the Fones Cliffs are part of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Only one parcel of the cliffs belongs to the Rappahannock Tribe, and the area serves as a part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/the-rappahannock-river-at-carters-wharf-is-rich-with-history-and-wildlife/

https://www.waterwayguide.com/waterway/57/carter-creek-va

https://www.town.irvington.va.us/history