Chesapeake Bank’s roots stretch deep into the sandy soil of Virginia’s Northern Neck and reach back to the dawn of the twentieth century. Originally charted as Lancaster National Bank on April 13, 1900, we’ve been focused on our community from the very beginning. The bank’s first clients were watermen, farmers and small business owners.
Our only branch was in Irvington, a secluded steamboat port off the Rappahannock River. Those were the days before bridges – much less highways – linked the Northern Neck to urban centers. The bank played an essential role in the local economy, and we knew it. So, when the Great Irvington Fire of 1917 destroyed our offices, we set up shop in a tent. In 1933, the region was not only rocked by the Great Depression, but also by the worst storm in years. It wiped out the remaining steamboat wharves and many businesses. But we survived and helped our community rebuild. We continued to demonstrate that same staying power through the years. And we grew along with the area as it emerged as a popular vacation and retirement location. We merged with Chesapeake Banking Co. of Lively in 1968 to become Chesapeake National Bank. Always responsive to local needs, we launched the nation’s first floating boat bank (to better serve the workers at the oyster packing plant in Irvington) and added the trust department two years later. We dropped the “National” from our name in 1994 and became Chesapeake Bank. Today we operate thirteen offices; four in the Northern Neck, three in the Middle Peninsula, five in Williamsburg and one in Richmond. And we’ve remained on the forefront of community banking while keeping our local flavor and commitment to personal, innovative service. 
If you owned a home in the late 1800s, you lived in mortal fear of fire. Without firetrucks or running water, a stray spark or lightning strike could destroy your home and bankrupt your family.
In 1896, the people of Irvington recognized that the devastating risk posed by fire didn’t have to be borne alone. A group of 37 homeowners banded together to form the Northern Neck Mutual Fire Association of Virginia. By pooling their resources, these original members gained the ability to rebuild a home leveled by fire. In the century that followed, membership in the Association expanded statewide, providing coverage for thousands of homes throughout the Commonwealth. In 1987, we changed our name to Northern Neck Insurance Company to reflect a growing list of insurance services. For all of our success, we’re still a small company by the standards of today’s insurance industry. We are Virginia-only by choice. So when we say we are protecting our neighbors, friends and family – that’s exactly what we mean. We are still a mutual insurer, which means every policyholder is a part owner of the company. Instead of passing profits to shareholders, we invest them back into the company to create better products and keep premiums low for our members. |
First settled in the mid 1600s, Kilmarnock was originally known as “The Crossroads”. Kilmarnock probably had its beginnings at the intersection of Indian paths which later became the locations of Routes 3 and 200. It was in the early 1700’s that William Steptoe began to operate a storehouse and ordinary at the crossroads so that the crossroads came to be called “Steptoe’s Ordinary.” In 1764, Robert Gilmour, an agent for a mercantile firm based in Glasgow, Scotland, is thought to have been involved in giving the name of “Kilmarnock” to the crossroads location using the name of Kilmarnock, Scotland, where he apparently also owned land. The earliest known record referenced to “Kilmarnock, Virginia,” can be found in a deed recorded in 1778. It was incorporated as the “Town of Kilmarnock” by an act of the General Assembly in 1930..
In 1930, Bank of Lancaster opened its doors at the crossroads of the Northern Neck. Our founders were well aware that earning the trust of their friends and neighbors had to be their first priority. And they met the challenge head-on. Friendly, personal service, a safe haven for savings and investments, a sound line of financial products and services to help people build and buy homes, establish businesses and improve the quality of their lives ... That's the formula that worked in 1930, and it's a formula that has stood the test of time.
We have never lost sight of our original mission - to treat customers like friends and neighbors. Today, when you walk through our doors, you will find that commitment alive and well. "Respect the Individual - Value the Relationship." That's the way we do business. Today, as always, you can look to Bank of Lancaster for all of your financial needs. Whether you're in the market for a traditional checking account, an equity line, a safe deposit box, or 24-hour banking, we have it! But people look to us today for more than just checking, savings and loans. They want to make the most of their assets through tax-conscious investing, charitable giving, estate planning and other long-range planning services. Our affiliate, Bay Trust Company, formerly Bank of Lancaster's Trust Department, is located within the Bank's corporate headquarters in Kilmarnock. We know that the management of your assets is a lifetime relationship. The folks at Bay Trust have the caliber of expertise and the years of experience to help you grow, preserve and protect your assets. |
You may have decided it is time to seek a more worry-free lifestyle but want to consider your options carefully before making a decision about moving. Here are some of the reasons why Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury makes sense for you:
Maintenance-free living: You leave chores such as cutting grass, painting the porch, or changing a light bulb to us. Your monthly fee covers all home repairs and services, inside and outside, leaving you free to spend your days the way you wish, or to travel extensively, knowing your home is secure and well cared for in your absence. Location: The rural 165-acre campus gets you away from the stress of city life while still being close enough to travel to places such as Richmond, the Tidewater region, and Washington, DC. History buffs, golfers, boating enthusiasts, and those who enjoy small-town charm and hours spent outdoors will find Virginia’s Northern Neck the ideal place to relax and pursue lifelong passions or explore new interests. Lifestyle: You will find yourself among friendly neighbors with similar interests. Of course, you will find plenty to do close to your new home, because RWC offers an extensive variety of campus activities almost every day. Continuing care: You have a wide range of choices for living, from apartments, cottages, and free-standing homes to suites and private rooms throughout the continuum of care. |
Since 1977, Rappahannock General Hospital has been bringing quality healthcare services to the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
We offer quality, state-of-the-art health care in a convenient, friendly setting, a fact that is proven time and time again by our high patient satisfaction scores. Today, RGH provides a wide array of inpatient services, including acute care and long-term care along with many outpatient programs such as oncology services, physical therapy and more. We also offer a dedicated 10 bed unit for acute psychiatric treatment and stabilization. RGH is recognized by The Joint Commission as having Primary Stroke Center Certification, which gives us the opportunity to highlight the exceptional stroke care we provide for our patients, and helps us improve care overall for our community. The hospital’s employees, physicians, and volunteers work together to fulfill our mission of providing excellence in the delivery of health care. |
