Town Crier Articles

 

New Town is built on land which was mostly owned by the Casey family. The largest portion of it was covered in woods, but it was or had also been the home to a pecan grove, an apple orchard of more than 300 trees and farmland on which with such crops as corn, wheat, oats and soybeans were grown.

 

When Williamsburg and James City County had to find a location for a new courthouse, they settled on the Casey property provided that the courthouse would not be located in the woods or in the middle of a field, but in a new pedestrian friendly community with both residential and business spaces. What a perfect idea! From plenty of planning, including nationwide contests in search of a designer for New Town and an architect for the courthouse, New Town was born. Fun fact: even a firm from Rome entered!

 

Robert Casey, one of the three brothers who then owned the land, reflected on what the family hoped for New Town and what it is today. “When we were growing up in Williamsburg, most of the major businesses and professional offices for the area were concentrated on Duke of Gloucester or Prince George. But with the population growth, space in downtown became too limited. Businesses and professional offices scattered. We hoped that New Town would not only be large enough to conveniently provide most of the amenities for those who live there, but would be large enough to serve the greater community. I believe that we have come close to fulfilling that dream. Most of those who live in New Town are able walk in less than 20 minutes to shop, eat out, go to the theater, etc. And if they are unable to walk, they can easily find parking. And people from all over the area come to New Town to enjoy those same benefits and experiences.”

 

From growing up in Williamsburg, attending Matthew Whaley School, Asbury College, Emory University, being an active United Methodist minister for more than 43 years, married for 65 years with two children and six grandchildren, Casey now enjoys the retired life which includes frequent visits to the restaurants, bookstore, theater and other places in New Town. What a treat to celebrate what New Town has accomplished with the Casey family land!