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

Colonial Highway

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. Colonial Highway Marker

Inscription. The James River was a lifeline. Ships from England brought tools, seeds, cloth, food, more settlers – and hope. The colonists sent back timber, tobacco, pitch, potash, furs, iron ore – and stories. By 1650, wharves reached out to the river channel. An iron weight of 1300 pounds, capable of driving piles for a pier, was found not far from here.

Erected by Colonial National Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1650.

Location. 37° 12.46′ N, 76° 46.632′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It can be reached from Colonial Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the "New Towne" section of the Historic Jamestown unit of Colonial National Historic 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: Interpreting Jamestown (within shouting distance of this marker); A Jamestown Warehouse 1630s-1699 (within shouting distance of this marker); Efforts of a Virginia Tradesman 1670s (within shouting distance of this marker); Backstreet – Jamestown’s Main Street 1620-1699

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Water and Well (about 300 feet away); The Greate Road – An Early Highway pre-1607-1700s (about 300 feet away); East Bulwark (about 300 feet away); Barracks (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Jamestowne. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 16, 2009, 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 March 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Jamestown Marker on the James River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Jamestown Marker on the James River

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

3. James River

This photo of the James River, highway to the ouside world, was taken from in front of the marker.

Colonial Pile Driver image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

4. Colonial Pile Driver

This model of the 1300 pound iron weight used to erect piers in the James River is found in the Visitor Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 994 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.