The City of Williamsburg was founded in 1699 at a settlement previously called Middle Plantation. It was already the home of Bruton Parish Church (1674) and the College of William and Mary (1693) when the capital of the colony of Virginia was moved from Jamestown in that year.
Williamsburg was named for the new British king, William III (William of Orange), who had assumed the throne in 1689 along with his wife, who assumed the title Mary II. The college was named for both of them – William and Mary. The founders of Williamsburg clearly were interested in pleasing their new monarchs when they set up the town, naming the main street for their nephew, William (Duke of Gloucester), who was the son of Mary’s sister Anne (later to become Queen Anne in 1702). William died in 1700 at the age of 11, but the street kept his name.
You can see from the map above that Williamsburg was a planned city, mimicking the baroque city plan popular in Europe at the time. With its strict grid pattern, uniform setbacks, and careful placement of the anchor structures in the city (the College, Bruton Parish church, the Governors’ Palace, and the Capitol Building), this city plan reflects an emerging Enlightenment effort to show how mankind can improve on nature.
Duke of Gloucester Street stretches for one mile between the Capitol on the east and the College on the west. It is a grand avenue – 99 feet wide throughout its length. During the colonial era it housed a commercial district at the east end (near the Capitol) and a residential district at its west end.
Today Duke of Gloucester Street is the main street for Colonial Williamsburg, an outdoor museum whose restored buildings and gardens provide the backdrop for an immersive experience in the 18th century for both tourists and residents.
Over the years, the students at the college have done what students always do – they have figured out a way to “claim” Duke of Gloucester Street by routinely referring to it as “DOG Street.” The DOG Street pub, which occupies a former bank building one block from the college on this street, reflects the degree to which this name has permeated the modern community. Tim’s license plate reads “DOG ST.”
Events in the city often focus on DOG Street. For several years, the local humane society has sponsored an event called “DOG Street Strut,” when local dog owners came to walk their dogs on DOG Street on a specified day to raise money for pet rescuers. Here’s a picture from the starting line on April 13, 2019.
On April 16 of this year (tomorrow), a local running club is sponsoring a series of events in the “13th Annual Run the DOG Street” to benefit Habitat for Humanity. This series of events includes a 5K Run, a 5K Run & Walk, a Students’ Only 5K Run/Walk, a 5K Competitive Walk, a “Two Shilling Mile” event, and a 5K Virtual Run/Walk. In the “Virtual” Run/Walk, the requirement is that you complete the course sometime before the end of the month and submit your time.
Local residents often take leisurely walks on DOG Street just to enjoy the experience. It’s a great place to take your dogs and your children, and visitors often just walk the area to experience a bit of what Williamsburg is like. They don’t have to buy a ticket to do this, although the City Council regularly considers the idea of closing off the streets to anyone except ticket holders. These ideas never go anywhere.
On the College end of DOG Street you’ll find Merchants Square, a modern shopping area dressed up as if it’s the 18th century. Here you’ll find restaurants (both formal and casual) and some boutique shops. This whole area has been closed to vehicular traffic since the 1960s.
Have I mentioned that I love my home town?
Whenever I’m in CW, I imagine seeing Thomas Jefferson striding about. This is a wonderful place to live. I love it, too.