Cooperative Living July 2019 - 33

Sheriff Lt. Francis Williams, who has been
on the job for 37 years, says the character of
Eastville hasn't changed much, but " we've
lost a lot of jobs in Northampton County
since I first started with the department. I
see a lot of hardship and know it's hard to
find jobs that allow young people to stay
on the Shore. "
This Northampton courthouse complex was built in 2006 and houses the oldest
continuous county court records in the United States, dating from 1632.
for 25 years, still visits the insurance agency
almost daily. Not only has a Sturgis been the
mayor of Eastville for more than 60 years,
Jim Sturgis' maternal grandfather was
once the mayor as well.
A lifelong resident of the town, Jim
Sturgis notes that Northampton County
was known in the late 1800s and early 1900s
as having the highest income per capita in
the United States. " The railroad brought
the ability to ship to major cities in the north,
farmers were able to double crop their fields,
and barrel making was a million-dollar
business. Farmers shipped their produce
in wooden barrels, and several factories in
the area produced the barrels, " he says.
Today, Northampton ranks in the bottom
Eastville Mayor Jim Sturgis with Julia
Belle, a rescue bloodhound, at his side.
half of Virginia counties in per capita income.
The population of the Eastern Shore also
has an above-average rate of diabetes,
hypertension and other health risks. Adding
to the woes of both issues for Northampton
County was the February 2017 move of
Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital to
Accomack County. The hospital was
Northampton's largest employer and its
departure also left a void for immediate
access to health care. Helping to fill that
gap is the planned opening of the
$11.7 million Eastern Shore
Rural Health medical and
dental facility in late 2019
or early 2020 in Eastville.
The state-of-the-art
facility, under
Edgar Sturgis was the town's mayor for
40 years and the fire chief for 25.
co-opliving.com
construction within
town limits on Route
13, will provide
expanded hours to
include 10-hour days
and Saturday hours,
digital X-ray,
expanded lab
services and
hours, potential
telemedicine, and
additional providers
and staff.
Northampton
County Deputy
Mayor would like more retail ventures
According to Mayor Sturgis, the town
would like more retail ventures. Numerous
law offices are adjacent to the courthouse
green and a few county agencies are located
in Eastville, but there's only one eatery in
the town limits. Among the patrons recently
at Yuk Yuk and Joe's were Northampton
County Sheriff David Doughty and one of
his deputies, Patrol Sgt. Chad Kellam. Locals
gather at this unassuming place known for
its cheesesteak sandwiches and reasonable
prices. At night, Yuk Yuk and Joe's is a popular
watering hole with a pool table where people
gather for good times and lively music.
Kitchen Sync, located at the Historic
Eastville Inn, built in 1724, does mostly
catering and special events. Yiannis Market
and Deli, located just outside the town limits
near U.S. 13, offers a variety of sandwiches
and subs and an assortment of groceries.
Shore Stop, a convenience store, is located
along the highway.
Police Chief Dave Eder is a jack-of-alltrades
for the town. Heading its three-member
police force - that also includes Rob Stubbs
and J.K. Brady - for the past 10 years, Eder
was the town's volunteer fire chief for 23
years, only recently stepping down to deputy
Cessford, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the
Union headquarters during the Civil War and the residence of Gen.
Henry Lockwood.
July 2019 | Cooperative Living | 31
JAY DIEM PHOTO
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Cooperative Living July 2019

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