Varina in Henrico County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 17, 2009

1. First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop Marker

Inscription. In 1611 John Rolfe became the first Englishman to cultivate tobacco nearby at Varina Farm, on the James River. Rolfe planted seeds bred in Varinas, Spain, and experimented with curing methods to produce a tobacco milder than the native variety. The success of tobacco as a cash crop encouraged the Virginia Company of London and renewed the spirit of confidence among the colonists. It supported a wealthy planter class and enriched shippers and merchants. Tobacco thereby contributed to the economic security and survival of the Virginia colony, and thus the nation.

Erected 1992 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1611.

Location. 37° 27.211′ N, 77° 22.178′ W. Marker is in Varina, Virginia, in Henrico County. It is on New Market Road (Route 5) 0.1 miles east of Varina Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2120 New Market Rd, Henrico VA 23231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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

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: Fort Harrison (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Gilmer (approx. ¼ mile away); St. James Hall and Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. James School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Advancing On Richmond (approx. half a mile away); Hopeless Attacks (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named Fort Gilmer (approx. ¾ mile away); Henrico Parish Church (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Varina.

Other markers no longer nearby. Black Troops Attack at Chaffin’s Farm (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Richmond Battlefields (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Virginia Places. Tobacco and Staple Agriculture (Submitted on February 17, 2009.)

First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop Marker on New Market Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 17, 2009

2. First Successful Colonial Tobacco Crop Marker on New Market Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,271 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.