How did King George County get its regal name? Established in 1720, King George County, Virginia, owes its existence to a split from Richmond County. The county is named for King George I of Great Britain. This link to British royalty gives the county a unique historical flair.
King George County played a role in the American Civil War. In May 1861, Confederate forces set up artillery at Mathias Point to blockade the Potomac River. A month later, the Union steamer Thomas Freeborn bombarded the point. Confederate soldiers returned fire. Commander James H. Ward of the Freeborn was fatally wounded. He became the first Union naval officer killed in the Civil War.
After President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, John Wilkes Booth and David Herold fled into King George County. They crossed the Potomac by boat from Maryland on April 21, 1865. Landing at Gambo Creek, they met Confederate agents. These agents guided them to Port Conway. From there, Booth and Herold continued their escape into Caroline County.
Geographically, King George County sits on the Northern Neck of Virginia. It is bordered to the north by the Potomac River and Charles County, Maryland. The Rappahannock River forms its southern boundary, with Caroline and Essex counties on the opposite shore. Westmoreland County lies to the east and Stafford County to the west. The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge also extends into part of King George.
King George County has changed over time. In the early days, tobacco dominated agriculture. Planters relied on indentured servants and enslaved Africans for labor. Over time, enslaved people became the primary workforce. Later, farmers diversified their crops as tobacco depleted the soil.
King George County is home to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. This facility is the largest employer in the county. The county seat is the census-designated place of King George.
The King George Fall Festival began in October 1959. It is held annually on the second weekend of October. The festival includes a parade, carnival, craft fair, car show, dance, and a 5K run.
King George County continues to evolve. It balances its historical roots with modern development. The county treasures its natural beauty, historical resources, and cultural diversity. It aims to be a regional leader in planning and governmental services. King George County remains a proud gateway to Virginia’s historic Northern Neck.