Tappahannock, Virginia
Tappahannock, Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Town of Tappahannock | |
The historic district of Tappahannock | |
Location in Virginia | |
| Coordinates: 37°55′20″N 76°51′47″W / 37.92222°N 76.86306°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Essex |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Roy Gladding |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.75 sq mi (7.11 km2) |
| • Land | 2.67 sq mi (6.91 km2) |
| • Water | 0.077 sq mi (0.20 km2) |
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,193 |
• Estimate (2019) | 2,402 |
| • Density | 899.9/sq mi (347.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 22560 |
| Area code | 804 |
| FIPS code | 51-77568 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1498542 |
| Website | www |
Tappahannock is the oldest town in Essex County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Tappahannock had a population of 2,193. Located on the Rappahannock River, Tappahannock is the county seat of Essex County. Its name comes from an Algonquian language word lappihanne (also noted as toppehannock), meaning "Town on the rise and fall of water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows." The Rappahannock is a tidal estuary from above this point and downriver to its mouth on Chesapeake Bay.
In 1608 English explorer John Smith landed in Tappahannock and fought with the local Rappahannock people. After defeating them, he later made peace.