This is called Croaker for a reason

Ranger Scott Pearson suggested something for me to research, “John, see if you can find out how (the town) Croaker got its name, other than the obvious.”  I thought Scott was pulling my leg about finding out the history of the community where York River State Park is located. But, a little research did reveal some things that did surprise me.

Croaker attracts many anglers seeking Croaker

A forgotten past

Of course, our unincorporated town was named for the large number of Atlantic Croaker that were abundant on our shores. But, there were a couple of other names attached to it as well. During the colonial period, the town was called “Taskinas Plantation”or “Taskinask” for the nearby creek and plantation. There was a public tobacco warehouse established here in 1730. The area had numerous American Holly trees and was sometimes called “Hollywood.” After the Civil War, Croaker became the more popular name for the community with watermen harvesting untold pounds of the fish in the area.

The iconic Garrett's Grocery is now Croaker General Store

Boom time and bust

At one time, Croaker was a thriving village with several homes and stores, two churches and schools.  The neighboring towns of Toano and Lightfoot enjoyed more growth as they were located on US Route 60. Norge was also on 60 and was the home of Scandinavian immigrants. As commercial fishing declined on the upper York, so did the town of Croaker. In 2013, the family owned Garrett’s Grocery Store closed its doors after over 100 years of service to the community.

A common sight from York River State Park is Watermen with crab pots

Croaker today

But Croaker is far from a ghost town. The Croaker-Norge exit (231 A-B) from Interstate 64 is a convenient stop and destination for tourist and a regular haunt for locals. There is a branch of the Williamsburg-James City County Library and nearby Norge has two major grocery stores. The two local Baptist congregations are still hubs of worship and activity for the community. York River Baptist Church holds its Easter Sunrise Service at our amphitheater. Croaker may never return to the hey-days of its commercial fishing industry. Bu, some watermen put in at Croaker Landing and can be seen from the shoreline of York River State Park harvesting fish and shellfish.

Rangers Alex Krupski and Chris Meadows came to the park as children

The neighborhood state park

Since our opening in 1980 York River State Park has developed into the destination for outdoor recreation for locals and tourist to the Historic Triangle area. Bicyclist and joggers frequently enter our trails from Riverview and Croaker Roads. We have regulars who come here to walk their dogs and ride their horses. Anglers come every season to catch blue catfish in the early spring and croaker in the summer. Families have come to rely on us for school field trips, summer kids programs, and just a chance to get outdoors. We have even had (and still have) staff that grew up here. 

York River State Park has a Williamsburg address but our heart and home is Croaker, Virginia

Directions to York River State Park:  From I-64, take the Croaker Exit 231B. Go north on Route 607 (Croaker Rd.) for one mile, then right on Route 606 (Riverview Rd.) about one and a half miles to the park entrance. Take a left turn into the park.