What's in a Name? | Capeville

A trip to the Eastern Shore community of Capeville reveals a tiny post office, rolling fields and a haunted school.

While many folks have visited spots such as Cape Charles, with its shops and restaurants and view of the Chesapeake Bay, they may not have heard of the farming community called Capeville, a place with little to attract the typical tourist.

On a recent fall day, the quiet of its peaceful country roads was interrupted only by a dog barking and a farmer rolling by on a combine at the end of the day.

Capeville is one of 30 areas featured in "Lost Communities of Virginia," a new book by Terri Fisher and Kirsten Sparenborg of the Community Design Assistance Center at Virginia Tech.

Logically, the area would have gotten its name because of its proximity to the cape, said Miles Barnes, a librarian at Eastern Shore Library in Accomac.

"At one time Capeville was a very prospering community" like the rest of the Eastern Shore, he said. "The railroad made it that way."

The red railroad depot stands along U.S. 13, resembling an old barn, with green foliage growing up its side.

"Lost Communities of Virginia" offers a history of the Eastern Shore, including tidbits about Capeville.

In 1835, Capeville had 25 residents, 12 houses, two stores and several mechanical shops.

European immigrants had begun trading with Indians in the area after 1619.

The population by 1920 was at 150 and the area included a bank, auto garage and mill.

Students attended the stately Capeville High School, made of brick and featuring tall, white pillars on its front.

The property is for sale, and looks like a great spot to film a scary movie.

Brush has grown around the back and the brick is deteriorating in some places.

Graffiti inside warns: "This place is haunted!"

Local resident Kemper Goffington III, in an interview for the book, says one of the most scary things to have happened in Capeville for real was a bank robbery when he was a child.

"Had all the kids scared to death," he says in the interview.

The robber walked north along the railroad tracks and was caught.

Goffington predicted more development in the community, because farmers in debt will be willing to sell land to folks who want to live in the quiet, open country.

"I hope you don't see it like Virginia Beach. I don't think you will."

Patrick Wilson, (757) 222-3893, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com