Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

James Fort Site 1607 – 1624

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. James Fort Site 1607 – 1624 Marker

Inscription. You are about to enter the site of 1607 James Fort, the heart of the first, permanent English settlement in North America. The sections of log walls stand above archaeological remains of the original palisades. The walls enclosed about one acre, in a triangular-shaped fortification. Right here, on May 13, 1607, Englishmen planted the roots of what became the United States of America.

Erected by Colonial National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1856.

Location. 37° 12.524′ N, 76° 46.732′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It can be reached from Colonial Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the Old Towne section of the Jamestown National Historical Park,. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Confederate Earthworks (a few steps from this marker); Storehouse & First Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Jamestown’s Churches (within shouting distance of this marker); 1608 Church (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Burial (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain John Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Pocahontas (within shouting distance of this marker); Church Tower (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

More about this marker. The marker is dominated by an “illustration of James Fort based on archaeological evidence.”

Also see . . .
1. Historic Jamestowne. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 14, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. The site is jointly administered by APVA Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. (Submitted on September 14, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker at Historic Jamestowne image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Marker at Historic Jamestowne

Inside James Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

3. Inside James Fort

The marker is on the other side of the stockade walls. Archaeological work is seen on the left.

South Palisade Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

4. South Palisade Wall

Part of the original James Fort has been lost to the James River, the victim of 400 years of erosion. The river can be seen in this photo.

Current Excavation of Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

5. Current Excavation of Fort

Archaeological work continues at the site of the old fort.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,737 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 14, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.