Located at the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, Deltaville proudly stands at the the eastern tip of Middlesex County & Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. Surrounded by the waters of the Rappahannock River to the north and the Piankatank River to the south, Deltaville’s position sets the stage for maritime activity. With a rich history in boatbuilding, Deltaville naturally evolved into a sanctuary for boating enthusiasts from far and wide, with many eventually settling in to enjoy the Deltaville life full-time.
Today, Deltaville is a vibrant community anchored in maritime tradition yet always sailing towards the future. Life here is rhythmically paced with the ebb and flow of the seasons. It’s a community where fishing tournaments and sailboat races are as much a part of our culture as the Christmas cruises & baseball games that bring us together.
Once known as “Sandy Bottom”, our village became known as Deltaville in 1909. The name was chosen as homage to the area’s distinctive geographical delta shape, cradled by the Rappahannock River, Chesapeake Bay, and Piankatank River.
In its earlier days, Deltaville thrived as a central hub for the boatbuilding industry, its shores lined with railways launching vessels crafted by families whose names still resonate within the community. This bustling maritime activity also made Deltaville a magnet for merchant sailors seeking safe harbor during storms. Sailing schooners and skipjacks regularly navigated the local waters, ferrying Chesapeake Bay’s bounty and the agricultural produce from its surrounding lands, including oysters, crabs, and watermelons.
In more recent history, Deltaville has transitioned into a community beloved by those who vacation, retire, and raise their families here. A year-round population of approximately 1,100 is infused by countless thousands of visitors throughout the year, with many visitors spending significant time at the numerous river homes, campgrounds, and marinas.
An intriguing chapter in Deltaville’s history involves Captain John Smith during the 17th century. While fishing off a shoal at the tip of Deltaville, Smith suffered a venomous sting from a Cownose Ray, leading him to prepare for his demise. Miraculously, after the application of a “precious oil,” Smith not only survived but also feasted on the ray by evening. This location earned the moniker Stingray Point, commemorating the tale.
Deltaville also is the proud home of Virginia’s oldest all-wooden baseball park, Deltaville Ballpark. Constructed in 1948 by local boatbuilders & craftsmen, the ballpark has stood the test of time thanks to maintenance and renovations performed by the community over the years. The town team, the Deltaville Deltas, play a schedule of Saturday night home games throughout the summer. The ballpark hosts on average more than 70 youth and adult games each year, in addition to other various community events.
For those interested in diving deeper into the stories and historic details of Deltaville, we encourage you to explore more through the following resources:
