Tappahannock, population 2,000, in eastern Virginia and Rappahannock County, west of the nation's capital, were put on alert by the FBI after intelligence indicated they could be under terrorist threat.

But Tappahannock Mayor Ray Gladding told CNN all was quiet on Christmas Day.

"We got one call yesterday about someone near a bridge," the mayor said. "It was a news crew from Washington taking pictures."

Gladding said he was not sure why the 300-year-old town would be a target for terrorists.

"The FBI just told us they intercepted some chatter," he said. "They just heard the name. Somewhere, in translation, the name Tappahannock, Rappahannock (was heard)-- they weren't really sure."

Gladding said the one concession made to the threat was adding a police officer to the holiday shift.