CAPE CHARLES, Va. — For more than a century, the railroad overpass known locally as “the Hump” has loomed over Cape Charles, a physical reminder of the town’s industrial origins and its once-bustling rail economy.
Built in 1912, the overpass was designed to allow trains to pass beloe local streets, connecting the harbor and rail yard that helped make the town a major shipping hub on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Today, the structure stands largely unused — and increasingly controversial.
The adjacent rail yard is owned by the Canonie Atlantic Company, a private company jointly owned by Accomack and Northampton counties that formerly operated the Eastern Shore Railroad. Rail service was discontinued several years ago, and approximately 49.1 miles of track were removed, including the rail lines beneath the overpass and throughout the surrounding yard.
With trains long gone, some newer residents have begun questioning whether the massive concrete structure still serves a purpose. Calls to remove the Hump have grown louder, especially during the so-called harbor planning sessions , with critics arguing that it is outdated, dangerous, visually unappealing, and incompatible with the town’s evolving tourism-focused character.
Real Locals strongly disagree.
Longtime residents and preservation advocates say the push to tear down the overpass represents an effort to erase Cape Charles’ working-waterfront history. To them, the Hump is not an eyesore, but a landmark — one that symbolizes the town’s role as a railroad terminus and maritime gateway.
“Once you remove structures like this, you can never bring that history back,” one resident told the Mirror. “It’s part of who Cape Charles was, and in my mind, still is.”
Supporters of preservation also argue that opposition to the structure reflects a broader cultural divide, with fears that the town’s historic character could be replaced by what some describe as a “plastic aesthetic” more typical of suburban developments than a historic port community.
Despite the debate, removal of the Hump is not expected anytime soon.
Any demolition would require approval from the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with significant state funding. No such approvals or funding allocations are currently in place, town officials have said.
For now, the century-old overpass remains — towering quietly above the former rail corridor — as Cape Charles continues to wrestle with how to balance growth, change, and preservation of its past.
About the Author
I welcome any of you who actually care and want to preserve and #SaveTheHump to come sign the petition. Anyone is welcome. You don’t have to be from here. You can be a come here. Help us save our history and save our memory. Too much has already been destroyed or taken away. Don’t let them take The Hump too. You can find a QR code online in a few groups or contact me on facebook if you cannot find it. Or ask your friends for it. I’m sure they’ve signed it.
As of 02/01/2025 we have 256 signatures and still counting. Also please take a moment to go to the top of The Hump and take some group pictures and selfies with your favorite view. Gather everyone you know and share your memories. You can share them on the “Shoreborn” page and on “Growing Up On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia”. Use the hashtag #SaveTheHump when sharing. If you can’t find the QR code text SaveHumphrey to (757)709-8419 and you’ll receive it shortly. Thank you for all your love and support for The Hump and God Bless you all.
I am one of the “Hump” supporters. It’s a part of history. I think they should have left some of the railroad and refurbished some of the trains and promoted train rides in and out of town. The town was literally built on the railroad and now it’s gone. It’s very sad.
You are not a Real Local so stop writing like you know what one is. Stay in your lane.
Who isn’t a “real local?
Anyone that was not born and raised on The Eastern Shore of Virginia.
I was asking Raymond Byrd. But he obviously can’t answer. And you’re only half right.
Regardless , why keep something that has no useful purpose. Using tax money to keep it in working order is also not necessary if there is no reason for its existence .
Is there a reason for your existence?
Regardless , why keep something that has no useful purpose. Using tax money to keep it in working order is also not necessary if there is no reason for its existence .
The only reason to leave the hump is that it is too expensive to raze. If a structure is beautiful and functional the it may be worth renovating. It is silly to hang on to something as ugly and unnecessary as the hump because of history.
Have you ever driven over the hump even once or crossed it in any way? If so, then it is functional. You’re just one person who thinks it isn’t beautiful. There’s more people that thinks it is than isn’t. You appear to be just another person who wants to change or erase history. And if you want it gone because of history then there’s only two reasons why? You either hate trains and the working people or you hate black people. So which is it? Answer honestly.
The Hump provides an opportunity to reduce golf carts and automobiles sharing the same roads. We should explore a pathway for golf carts only that would parallel the new pedestrian and biking path that goes under the hump towards town. This would allow golf carts to ingress and egress to town and stay off the main road. Parking behind the stores and near the Shanty would bring welcome relief for less golf carts on main roads, more vehicle parking and most of all ….Safety.
Leave it alone if they’re worried about pedestrians/golf cart safety build a cart path across field. Best view of town and bay .
Rugbydog
Don’t need a golf cart path across the field. They already took the road to the shanty over with golf carts and prohibited other vehicles. Heck we don’t need the golf carts. Lazy people need to learn how to walk sometimes. Less bars and less golf carts I say.
Some of you, and you know who I’m talking about, only come on here to run you’re mouth because it’s the only place you can hide your face and say what you want. But you can’t say it to my face. You don’t know how to have a decent adult conversation. Instead you hide behind secret identities, behind your phones and computers. Some of you just want to be oppositional defiant. You say things to try to hurt others or to make them feel bad or take away from others to make yourself feel better. Or to feel like you have something. To have done something meaningful in your life just to make yourself feel better. You lie, you cheat, and you steal. And it shows. But you won’t take from me and you won’t say it to my face.
I have been a “Come Here” for about 60 years and have never seen any of this expensive Hump maintenance; ever.
I also enjoy the beautiful view when I drive over it.
I look left and right after stopping at the “Deadly” stop sign and am still alive
I would gue$$ that some of our Greedy Developer$ stand to make a profit from the Humps removal.
The only maintenance they ever really did was paint over all the graffiti that was underneath it. That graffiti never hurt anyone. It wasn’t gang related and it wasn’t vulgar. They covered it just for spite. Not that im complaining about them covering it. It could still be destruction of property or defacing for the graffiti. For me that graffiti could have stayed or went. No biggie.
I would have to agree with you Elvis…..It’s a splendid little hump, and I appreciate a good hump as much as the next guy. It’s the only one I have ever had….most of the others have been eights or nines.