A Short History of Cape Charles, Part 2
In March 1884 the Virginia Hotel was opened by Mr. S. B. Travis and with the exception of two short periods it has been owned and operated by the same family. The first white child born in Cape Charles was born in this Hotel February 18th , 1885. He was Clarence Travis, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Travis. Another hotel was opened in March 1886 at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Pine Street operated by Mr. Jesse Wilson. I attended a big dance there to celebrate the opening.
Houses were built here and there, and in the spring of 1885 Mr. B. F. Kellogg built the first private dwelling in town at the corner of Mason Avenue and Fig Street across from the Ice Plant. The same year Mr. Bill Truitt built a home two doors east of the present Times Building, the only dwelling on the whole avenue. The house still stands. Mrs. Disharoon built a boarding house on Mason Avenue where the A. & P. Store is now located. In the same year a Mr. Jacob had a small confectionery shop near this boarding house. Ten houses known as "Cassatt Row" were built on Tazewell Avenue between Nectarine and Plum Streets in 1885; also Mrs. Peggy Read built a boarding house at the location of the present Presbyterian church. These were the only dwellings on Tazewell Avenue for a number of years.
In 1885 Taylor Jefferson, a colored man, built a grocery store on East Mason Avenue, and it is the only business establishment that has never changed hands. His son, Walter Jefferson, now runs the store.
Albert Morris, colored, opened the first barber shop on railroad property, opposite the Municipal Building. The shack was built of car doors, boxes, etc.
Mr. B. T. Fitchett moved here in November 1885 and started a little dry goods and grocery store and in 1886 moved his business to the Arlington Hotel building. He was the first man who ever conducted a wholesale produce business here. About the same time L. E. Mumford started a small department store and the Simpkins Bros. a dry goods and notion store. Many years later in 1891. W. B. Wilson bought out L. E. Mumford and enlarged the building and stock. This business is now being run by his son, James W. Wilson.
B. T. Ames started the first livery stable in 1885 where Penders Store now operates. In 1886 Jones and Stevenson started a haberdashery on Mason Avenue and operated it very successfully for many years.
In 1886 Messrs. John C. P. Kellam and John J. D. Taylor opened a building supply business on Mason Avenue and Peach Streets, continued it for three years and sold out to Mr. W. B. Wilson. Above this store was the first public hall for entertainment known as Kellam' Hall. Many years later this building was taken down and moved near Shadyside where it now stands.
In 1887 a large ice house was built on the South side of the harbor which was afterwards merged into the Cape Charles Ice and Lumber Company with W. B. Wilson as President.
In 1895 Mr. L. E. Mumford organized the first bank known as L. E. Mumford Banking Company and from this started many branch banks.
The Sterling Brothers, Bill, Ed and Jim, were pioneer business men, having extensive interests in the oyster and fish business and did much in building up the town, the first two having been among the first mayors of Cape Charles.
For many years Mr. J. B. Jones was the largest crab and oyster dealer in this section, which furnished employment for many people.
Mr. C. A. Travis owned the only gas plant ever operated in Cape Charles to sell light for public buildings, lighting several stores on Strawberry Street and the Times Building. This plant was discontinued when electricity was installed.
Marion H. Stevenson was the first rental and insurance agent and built up a very lucrative business. He was also mayor of Cape Charles and Collector of Customs.
The first jeweler to locate in Cape Charles was a Russian Jew in 1887 and he remained about two years, having a small store in the Post Office Building. In September 1891 Mr. George B. Tilghman opened a jewelry store and was joined by his brother, Mr. Oswald Tilghman, in 1896.
The first drug store opened was run by Dr. Wells in 1885, on Strawberry Street and over this store was a hall used by the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the first secret order organized in Cape Charles. The Masonic Lodge was organized in the same hall in March 1888.
Dr. Dan Wilkins was the first physician and located here in 1885, followed by Dr. B. C. Kellam in 1886. I opened the first Dental Office in 1888 over the Post Office. Mr. John T. Daniel, the first attorney, came in 1889 and also had his office over the Post Office.
In 1891 there were seven bar rooms and not for several years had there been a restaurant for white people when one was opened by John Allen where McMath's Drug Store now is.
The first Post Office in 1885 was in the freight office of the railroad with P. W. Savage as Postmaster. In 1886 it was moved to Mason Avenue in a small frame building where the Cape Charles Hardware Company now operates and Mr. Theron Bell of Machipongo was assistant Postmaster. Through the years the Post Office has been moved eight times.
In the latter part of 1885 the Custom House was moved from Eastville to Cape Charles. Capt. George Savage was named Collector of Customs and he appointed his son Charles H. Savage as assistant.
The first jail was built in the fall of 1888 on the corner of Mason Avenue and Nectarine Street; prior to that time all prisoners were taken to Eastville Jail. On July 4, 1888, during a large celebration and much disorder three separate groups of prisoners were carried to Eastville Jail throughout the day; therefore, the necessity of building a jail in Cape Charles. The first prisoner to be placed in this jail was Andy Dupree, a white man, hence the jail was called "Andy Dupree."