10 things you’ll understand if you live in West Point, VA

The first thing that goes with being a Pointer is constantly having to correct people. It’s something you’ll have to do at least ten thousand times in your life. We aren’t the West Point as in West Point, New York, but we are the hometown of the famous Marine Chesty Puller!

Where is that exactly?

Surrounded by the triple rivers, beneath the southern sky… you know you’re in the middle of nowhere when your high school’s song has to include a verse to explain where the heck you are. West Point is a tiny little town in King William county, about an hour from Richmond and half an hour from Williamsburg. We sit right on the peninsula with the Mattaponi, Pamunkey and York Rivers surrounding us. After all that description, people still can’t seem to get it. Eventually, you’ll just tell people you’re “around Williamsburg/Richmond.”

Some historical significance…

We’ve had some impact on the world, believe it or not. The town was built on the old Native American Cinquotek village. At the beginning of the last century, we were popular. We had a boardwalk and a hotel for all the travelers that used to come through, but all that was eventually destroyed in a fire. Now, we have the Pamunkey Reservation and the Mattaponi Museum to show off much of our town’s Native American heritage!

What’s that smell?

West Point has a very distinct smell, and anyone who has been there knows it. Some people claim it’s the marsh we’re living on, and others are convinced it’s the paper mill. Either way, there’s very few people that really like the smell. Luckily, you stop noticing it too much when you live there.

Tiny Town Syndrome

This one applies to basically anyone who lives in a small town. You can’t tell one person in town your business, because eventually, the whole population will know. West Point only covers six square miles and has a population of just over 3,300 so everyone knows everyone either personally or through someone else. Example: how many of you know or know of someone with the last name Lawson?

West Point Beach

Of course, we all know that the infamous West Point Beach isn’t much of a beach at all. It’s more like half a plot of land that has a tiny patch of sand on it and a little bit of water. That doesn’t stop us from going swimming in it, though! We also have the reject beach, more commonly known as Rock Beach. There’s a good reason no one really hikes across the railroad tracks to that one.

The great debate: Anna’s vs. Pizza Hut

Who has the best pizza? The world may never know. Pizza Hut is usually reliable but sometimes has too much sauce on their pizza. Anna’s sometimes might mess up your order slightly, but the pizza is heavenly.

You or your kids probably played on either the Tri-Rivers teams or YMCA teams at some point.

You either played baseball or football for Tri-Rivers, or soccer for the Y. You also felt really weird when kids from other schools joined the league and played on your team…

Nick’s is probably your idea of a nice, sit-down restaurant.

Nick’s is that nice, family-owned restaurant about 15 minutes outside of town. And when I say nice, I mean it’s the go-to restaurant for after church or to impress your mom on mother’s day without breaking the bank. Any other day of the week, it’s pretty casual. If you haven’t gone already, I recommend you go as soon as possible. Get the special and ask for the soup of the day!

Crab Carnival

This is probably the greatest part of West Point. Crab Carnival is the first weekend of every October, and it’s the most exciting day of the year. Everyone goes, no excuses. There’s a parade, a concert, lots of cute little booths and plenty of food vendors. It’s basically a mini version of the State Fair and a perfect opportunity to support the local businesses!