Cape Henry in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Virginia Company
Establishing Jamestown
— First Landing State Park —
America was a capitalist venture from the start, the first permanent English settlement was not funded by the English government but by a private company. The Virginia Company was a stock holding company where a person could purchase a share for 12 pounds and 10 shillings, which at that time was more than six months wages for a common working man. Looking to make a profit, the Virginia Company summed up its reasoning for colonizing Virginia as God, Glory, and Gold!
The adventurers of the Virginia Company left London December 20, 1606 and arrived at Cape henry April 26, 1607, taking 144 days and traversing more than 6,000 miles on their journey across the Atlantic. 104 settlers made that first voyage to found Jamestown, which became the first permanent English settlement in North America.
[Sidebar:]
Why Didn't the Settlers Stay at Cape Henry?
Orders from the Virginia Company mandated that the settlement be at a location upriver from the mouth of the bay, on a point of land where a three sided fort could be built with two sides along the water, in order to provide a defendable position. In addition to those requirements, the water near the fort had to be deep enough to safely moor the ships.
Erected by Virginia State
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1607.
Location. 36° 55.114′ N, 76° 3.212′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Cape Henry. Marker can be reached from Shore Drive (U.S. 60) west of Virginia Route 343, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Landing State Park (here, next to this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1371 (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Ho! (within shouting distance of this marker); Seashore State Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Discovery (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Kendall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chesapeake Indians (approx. 1˝ miles away); Meeting of Three Commanders (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
