Helpful Williamsburg City Facts & Vacation Information

Jamestown Settlement

James Fort

The buildings and historical interpreters inside re-created James Fort at Jamestown Settlement.

In the 17th century the Jamestown Settlement was established in this remote area of Virginia.  In 1634 the King of England ordered that eight shires be established in the colony of Virginia one of which was James City.  In 1884 Williamsburg became an independent city from James City County and is today the county seat.  In the early 20th century restoration was begun on the history city bringing the buildings back to their original 18th century appearance and Colonial Williamsburg was born.

Williamsburg City Info:

• Land Area: 8.7 sq. miles
• City-owned parks: 2
• Number of local radio stations: 1 AM; 2 FM

Williamsburg Weather and Climate:

• Average daily temperature — Jan: 39?F; July: 74?F
• Average annual rainfall — 45.22 inches
• Average annual snowfall — 7.6 inches

Distances to other Metropolitan Areas from Williamsburg:

• Atlanta, GA — 577 miles
• Charleston, SC — 466 miles
• Charlotte, NC — 337 miles
• Chicago, IL — 844 miles
• Dallas, TX — 1330 miles
• Memphis, TN — 877 miles
• Miami, FL — 993 miles
• Nashville, TN — 665 miles
• New Orleans, LA — 1065 miles
• Raleigh, NC — 208 miles
• Washington, DC - 153 miles

Williamsburg Safety Phone # and Major Hospitals:

• Ambulance: 911
• Police: 911
• Fire: 911
• Eastern Hospital
  Address: 4601 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA, United States, 23188
  Phone: 757-253-5161
• Williamsburg Center
  Address: 1235 Mt Vernon Avenue, Williamsburg, VA, United States, 23185
  Phone: 757-229-4121
• Williamsburg Community Hospital
  Address: 301 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA, United States, 23185
  Phone: 757-259-6000

Williamsburg Top Tourism Draws and Seasons:

• Busch Gardens
• Colonial Williamsburg
• The Williamsburg Winery
• Haunted Dinner Theater
• Jamestown Settlement
• Yorktown Battlefield
• Mystery Dinner Playhouse
• The Mariners' Museum
• Water Country USA

Williamsburg Major Shopping Areas:

• Prime Outlets — 5715 Richmond Road
• The Shops at Carolina — 5425 Richmond Road
• Williamsburg Outlet Mall — Richmond Road at Centerville
• Williamsburg Pottery Factory & Williamsburg Pottery Outlets — Route 60 W, Richmond Road, Lightfoot

Williamsburg Major Dining Areas:

• Richmond Road
• John Tyler Highway
• Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg Famous Landmarks & Historic Places:

• Carter's Grove
• Jamestown Settlement
• Yorktown Battlefield
• Bassett Hall
• James Geddy House
• Governor's Palace
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Presidents Park

Williamsburg Famous Natives and Residents:

• President George Washington
• Martha Washington
• Thomas Jefferson
• Lawrence Taylor (football player)
• Bruce Hornsby (musician)

Notable Moments in Williamsburg History:

• 1607 — Jamestown Settlement established
• 1693 — King William III and Mary II granted charter for the College of William and Mary
• 1699 — Williamsburg becomes the Colonial capital
• 1744 — First Continental Congress met in Williamsburg
• 1752 — Lewis Hallam Theatre Troupe arrived in Williamsburg
• 1780 — Thomas Jefferson became the elected Revolutionary Governor
• 1880 — The C&O Railroad arrived in Williamsburg
• 1924 — 1927 — Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin with John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s support began restoring Williamsburg's 18th century heritage
• 1957 — Queen Elizabeth II toured Colonial Williamsburg
• 1975 — Anheuser-Busch developed Busch Gardens theme park

Interesting facts about Williamsburg:

• Williamsburg is the home of America's first theater.
• President Franklin Roosevelt called Duke of Gloucester Street "the most historic avenue in America."
• Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary.
• George Washington was elected to the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg.
• The Williamsburg Pottery is Virginia's top tourist attraction.
• The Port of Hampton Roads is the world's largest natural deep water harbor.
• British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown in 1781 ending the War for Independence.
• The first permanent English colony in America was at Jamestown.
• Fort Monroe in Hampton is the largest stone fort in the country.
• The College of William and Mary is the second oldest in the country.

Williamsburg Population and Demographics:

• City of Williamsburg Population — 11,998 (as of the 2000 census)
• Male — 5,382 (44.9%)
• Female — 6,616 (55.1%)
• White — 77.9%
• Black — 13.3%
• American Indian and Alaska Native — 0.6%
• Asian — 1.2%
• Other race — 0.8%
• Two or more races — 1.5%
• Hispanic/Latino — 2.5%
• 2000 percent population 18 and over — 90.43%
• 65 and over — 11.7%
• Median age — 22.6
• Median household income - $37,093

Williamsburg Colleges and Universities:

• College of William and Mary
• Christopher Newport University — 21 miles
• Thomas Nelson Community College — 26 miles
• Old Dominion University — 41 miles
• Tidewater Community College — 41 miles
• Norfolk State University — 42 miles
• Virginia State University — 48 miles

Williamsburg Economy & Business — Notable Companies based in Williamsburg:

• EO Systems Inc.
• Busch Gardens

Williamsburg Hispanic Community Media:

• WRJR 1010 AM — Spanish radio
• WVXX 1050 AM — Spanish Radio
• Tidewater Hispanic Newspaper