Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Crittenden and Eclipse

By Devry Becker Jones, February 6, 2021

1. Crittenden and Eclipse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The villages of Crittenden and Eclipse emerged here just as Virginia's commercial oyster industry was expanding in the latter part of the 19th century. Early residents included watermen and boatbuilders from the North who were attracted by the rich oyster beds of the lower James River. In the 1890s, Lepron Johnson established the Johnson Marine Railway, one of many boatbuilding yards employing skilled craftsmen. Watermen harvested oysters, fish, crabs, and clams. Oysters, sold directly to "buyboats," were transported to processing houses and marketed across North America. The oyster trade began to decline in the 1950s, but the tradition of oystering and crabbing survives.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K 155.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 36° 54.487′ N, 76° 29.842′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Bridge Road and Bridge Road

By Devry Becker Jones, February 6, 2021

2. Crittenden and Eclipse Marker

(U.S. 17), on the right when traveling east on Bridge Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Bridge Rd, Suffolk VA 23433, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. African American Oystermen (approx. 1.3 miles away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (approx. 4 miles away); James River (approx. 4.1 miles away); Josiah Parker (approx. 4.4 miles away); Huntersville Rosenwald School (approx. 4½ miles away); St. John's Church (approx. 5 miles away); 1954 Nike-Ajax Missile Site N-75L (approx. 5.1 miles away); Missile Magazine and Launch Operations (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.