During its 350-year history, beginning in 1634 as one of Virginia 's eight original shires, York County has figured prominently in both the political and economic history of the Virginia Peninsula, the Commonwealth, and the Nation.

The port of Yorktown, which remains the seat of government, was the site of the decisive battle of the American Revolution where on October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered his British Army to the combined American-French forces under Washington and Rochambeau.

Today, Yorktown is a living part of a national treasure known as the "Historic Triangle - Jamestown, Williamsburg, & Yorktown" which attracts millions of tourists each year.

After World War II, one of the nation's largest and most diversified military-industrial complexes emerged in the area, spawning numerous small precision machine shops,

metal fabrication and technical research companies. The influence of the early waterman remains active; seafood processing and ship repair are still part of the local economy.

Today, York County successfully blends contemporary life and hopes for the future with its proud past as a community worthy of its heritage.