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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Chester in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
Welcome to R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks
Captain John Smith's Adventures on the James
— www.johnsmithtrail.org —
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By Bernard Fisher, November 27, 2009 | |
| | | 1. Welcome to R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks Marker | | |
Inscription. Gabriel Archer wrote about a high rock cliff that projected into the channel of the Appomattox River upstream of its confluence with the James. When exploring the river in 1608, Smith found verdant marshes the likes of which can still be seen here at R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks.
Capt. John Smith’s Trail
John Smith knew the James River by its Algonquian name: Powhatan, the same as the region’s paramount chief. Smith traveled the river many times between 1607 and 1609, trading with Virginia Indians to ensure survival at Jamestown. What he saw of Virginia’s verdant woodlands and pristine waters inspired him to explore the greater Chesapeake Bay, chronicling its natural wonders.
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Trail Walking
This short, well-trod loop passes diverse terrain: hillsides forested in mature hardwoods, the cattail-and-cordgrass marsh along Ashton Creek, and the wide Appomatox River.
Over Looking.
Search for wildlife in the wild rice marsh as you walk along Ashton Creek boardwalk. Virginia Indians relied on these fresh water marshes for some of their food supply.
Bird Watching.
A Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) rests in Arrow Arum (Peltandra virginica). The large rhizome of this plant was dried and grounded by the Virginia | | | | 
By Bernard Fisher, November 27, 2009 | |
| | | 2. Earthworks at Point of Rocks | | Red line indicates Earthworks remaining from the Bermuda Hundred Campaign, April to June 1864. Map courtesy of the Chesterfield County Department of Environmental Engineering. | | |
Indians for making breads and soups.
Snakes.
A Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) is coiled in the grass. Most of the snakes that live in the marsh are not poisonous and serve an important role in maintaining a balanced food chain.
Erected by Captain John Smith’s Trail, James River Association, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. (Marker Number 15.)
Location. 37° 19.31′ N, 77° 21.32′ W. Marker is near Chester, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from Enon Church Road (Virginia Route 746) near Ramblewood Drive. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Enon Church Road, Chester VA 23831, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Fort Wead (approx. 1 miles away); Howlett Line Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); Port Walthall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Point of Rocks (approx. 1.8 miles away); Enon Baptist Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); Colonel Thomas Lygon (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mary Randolph (approx. 2.7 miles away); Bermuda Hundred (approx. 2.7 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Chester.
More about this marker. On the left is a map of the park layout.
On the upper right is a map of Capt. John Smith's Trail with the caption, "Capt John Smith’s Trail on the James is a 40-site water and auto tour for modern explorers."
On the center right is map of Civil War Earthworks in the park.
On the bottom are photos of the park flora and fauna. | | | | 
By Bernard Fisher, November 27, 2009 | |
| | | 3. R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks | | |
Also see . . .
1. R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks. Richmond.com (Submitted on November 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
2. Captain John Smith's Trail. (Submitted on November 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
3. Bermuda Hundred Campaign. Chesterfield Heritage Alliance (Submitted on November 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
4. Point of Rocks (pdf file). National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on December 9, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
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By Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009 | |
| | | 4. Civil War Earthworks at Point of Rocks | | |
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By Bernard Fisher, November 27, 2009 | |
| | | 5. R. Garland Dodd Park at Point of Rocks entrance | | |
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By Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009 | |
| | | 6. Cobbs Hall at Point of Rocks | | Home and burial place of Col. John Bolling, only Great-Grandson of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. Erected by Ft. Henry Chapter 1966 | | |
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By Bernard Fisher, November 29, 2009 | |
| | | 7. Cobbs Hall Cemetery | | Site of the Union army signal tower at Point of Rocks. | | |
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1864 | |
| | | 8. Point of Rocks, Virginia (vicinity). Signal tower | | Library of Congress [LC-B811- 2568]] | | |
| | | | | ![[Point of Rocks, Virginia (vicinity).] View along river. Butler's signal tower in distance Photo, Click for full size](Photos/87/Photo87791.jpg)
circa 1864 | |
| | | 9. [Point of Rocks, Virginia (vicinity).] View along river. Butler's signal tower in distance | | Library of Congress [LC-B811- 2618] | | |
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| Credits. This page originally submitted on November 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 152 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. Submitted on November 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 4. Submitted on November 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 5. Submitted on November 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 6, 7, 8, 9. Submitted on November 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. | | Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print |
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