Near Manteo in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Thomas Hariot Trail
A Strange New Land
| | Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 18, 2021
1. Thomas Hariot Trail Marker
In the late 1500s, Roanoke Island and London had very little in common. Imagine what it was like for Thomas Hariot when he first set foot on this strange new land.
New people, new plants, new animalseverything was truly "new". Is this land new to you? Look carefully and listen closely as you walk this trail. What strikes you most about this foreign land?
A Very Costly Venture
Although supported by Queen Elizabeth, the Roanoke Voyages were privately funded. Surely there was wealth and power to be gained in the New World, but how much, and where? Sir Walter Raleigh assigned Thomas Hariot, one of the preeminent scientists of the time, to answer these questions. While here in 1585, Hariot documented the value of the plants, animals, and minerals he found. Returning to England in 1586, Hariot brought good news to Raleigh and his investors, enthusiastically praising both the people and the land of the New World.
...commodities alreadie found or to be raised...as by way of trafficke and exchange with our owne nation of England, will enrich your selves the providers; those that shal deal with you; the enterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne country men...
A briefe and true report of new found land of Virginia
- Thomas Hariot
(captions)
"The
this page online
Portrait of Thomas Hariot
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1585.
Location. 35° 56.304′ N, 75° 42.547′ W. Marker is near Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from Fort Raleigh Road 0.4 miles north of U.S. 64, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manteo NC 27954, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks. 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: Reconstructed Past (a few steps from this marker); Science in the New World (a few steps from this marker); English Explorers' Earthwork (a few steps from this marker); History Comes Alive (within shouting distance of this marker); Exploring the Unknown (within shouting distance of this marker); Cora Mae Basnight (within shouting distance of this marker); Join the Exploration Party (within shouting
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 18, 2021
2. Thomas Hariot Trail Marker
Also see . . .
1. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. National Park Service (Submitted on January 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
2. Thomas Hariot (ca. 15601621). Encyclopedia Virignia (Submitted on January 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,409 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2022, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
