Tangier Island is located in a part of
the Chesapeake Bay called the Lower Eastern Shore [identified by the red mark on the map below]. It is made up of
many small islands 
divided by
marshes and small tidal streams. The islands are connected by wooden bridges.
The main island has three ridges, called Main Ridge, Canton, and West Ridge by
the inhabitants. North of Tangier Island is an island which was abandoned after
the stream between the two islands (Oyster creek) became too wide to build a
bridge over. This northernmost area is called Uppards, and originally had a neighborhood
called Canaan. The only structures left on Uppards are duck hunting lodges from
1928. A few of the homes on Main Ridge were moved from Uppards before flooding
became a major problem.
Because of its distance from the mainland,
Tangier Island is very isolated, its nearest neighbors being other islands such
as Smith Island. The only methods of transportation off the island are boats
and airplane. There is a small airport, open from dawn to dusk. There are two
boats that travel regularly from Crisfield, Maryland across Tangier Sound to
Tangier Island. Passengers and the mail are carried on these boats. The
Courtney Thomas leaves Tangier Island at 8:00 am, and leaves Crisfield at 12:30
pm. The Steven Thomas, a 300-passenger cruise boat, leaves Crisfield, at 12:30
pm during the summer season from Memorial Day weekend through mid October;
departs Tangier Island at 4:00 pm. In the summer season, The Chesapeake Breeze
travels daily from Reedville, Virginia on the Western Shore, leaving there at
10:00 am, and leaving Tangier Island at 2:00 pm.
With these means of
transportation, residents have regular ways of staying in touch with the
mainland, and the addition of cable television keeps them in touch with the
rest of the world. There is still a calm, peaceful atmosphere on the island,
with only one pay phone, four or five small gift shops, a few restaurants, and
a hardware store as the only retail establishments. There are no arcades, no
drug stores or department stores, no traffic lights, and violent crime is
non-existent. There are three Tangier Island
Bed and Breakfasts for overnight guests, and a wild
beach without a boardwalk or concessions. Cell phone service is limited to
analog service at best. Visitors will
need to bring cash since there are no ATMs on the island. Most of the gift
shops, eating establishments, and overnight accommodations have begun to accept
credit and debit cards. Attractions include a small museum in the back of
Sandy's gift shop and a soft shell crab exhibit next to Wanda's gift shop.
Tangier Island is known for its seafood dishes, especially its soft shell crab
sandwiches as well as its unique corn pudding. These can be found at its
restaurants including the Waterfront Restaurant.
One of the more unusual
attractions is hearing the unusual and old accent of the watermen. Because of
the centuries of isolation, the islanders still speak in a unique island way
that is similar to the speech spoken when Tangier Island was settled in 1686.
It is still strong enough some people may not be able to understand everything
that is said.
Bed and Breakfast
http://www.gotangierisland.com/
Guide
http://www.tangierisland-va.com/
History
http://tangierisland-va.com/history/
Information
http://www.tangierisland-va.com/water_trail_brochure/water_trail.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangier_Island
http://www.chesapeakelifemag.com/index.php/cl/travel_article/ht_tangier/
Restaurants
http://tangierisland-va.com/restaurants/
http://fishermanscornerrestaurant.com/baycrabs/
Travel Logs
http://www.ferrandi.org/20080224_Travel_Tangier_Island.htm
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