VAST VIEWS The attraction of the water On the far side of the Rappahannock River, the Northern Neck shimmers on the horizon in aloof solitude, as if the landscape itself is proud of its isolation.   GARDENING Going green in Northumberland Just Gardens is exactly what you think: a garden tour that puts gardens, not houses, in the spotlight. Visiting the Northern Neck gardens on the annual tour -- May 16 and 17 this year -- is like walking around your neighbor's yard.   EARLIEST RESIDENTS Indian roots go back 15,000 years King William County is the unofficial center of Virginia's surviving Indian population. It is the home of the only two Indian reservations in a region where Indians have lived for close to 15,000 years.   RIVERFRONT ACCESS Northern Neck popularity grows Ten years ago, Barbara Jean LeFon, principal broker-owner of Rivah Realty, spent a great deal of time explaining to potential clients where the Northern Neck was in Virginia. Not anymore.   GWYNN'S ISLAND 'A little bit of paradise' for 800 residents With apostrophe or without? That used to be a question for Gwynn's Island. As recently as 30 years ago, signs, maps and nautical charts referred to the island in Mathews County as Gwynn Island.   TIME CAPSULES The war against oyster pirates proved unpopular Spurred on by a keen sense of showmanship, Gov. William E. Cameron enlisted a volunteer militia, procured two steamers and personally led all-out assaults on illegal dredging in and near the mouth of the Rappahannock River during the winters of 1882 and 1883.   REGIONAL CALENDAR Arts, Indians and, of course, oysters Following is a list of events in river country through December. All phone numbers are 804 area codes unless indicated.   ON THE LINKS Why golf in the Northern Neck/Middle Peninsula? While King Carter Golf Club has brought national attention to river country in the Northern Neck, world-renowned accommodations and one of the area's best golf courses are situated alongside a creek.		RIVER COUNTRY TIMELINE 1648 Northumberland County Formed from the Indian District Chicacoan, lying between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. County seat is Heathsville. 1651 Gloucester County Formed from York County. County seat is Gloucester. 1652 Lancaster County Formed from Northumberland and York counties. County seat is Lancaster. 1653 Westmoreland County Formed from Northumberland County. County seat is Montross. 1656 Rappahannock County (extinct) Formed from Lancaster County. Became extinct in 1692 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond counties. 1673 Middlesex County Formed from Lancaster County. County seat is Saluda. 1691 King and Queen County Formed from New Kent County. County seat is King and Queen Courthouse. 1692 Essex County Formed from Rappahannock County. County seat is Tappahannock. 1692 Richmond County Formed from Rappahannock County. County seat is Warsaw. 1702 King William County Formed from King and Queen County. County seat is King William. 1791 Mathews County Formed from Gloucester County. County seat is Mathews.

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