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

Samuel H. Yonge, Civil Engineer (1843-1935)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. Samuel H. Yonge, Civil Engineer (1843-1935) Marker

Inscription. Near this location in 1901, Samuel H. Yonge, a civil engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spearheaded the design and construction of a seawall/revetment that halted the rapid erosion and loss into the James River of the most-historic part of Jamestown Island. His efforts saved large portions of the island including Jamestown Fort, making possible continued significant archaeological finds at Jamestown. Yonge located, unearthed, and published many of his findings on the island. Another one of his achievements included the dredging of the James River from Richmond to Norfolk. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-440.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 37° 13.813′ N, 76° 46.791′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

County. It is on Jamestown Road (Virginia Route 31), on the right when traveling east. 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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Pocahontas (a few steps from this marker); Jamestown Road (within shouting distance of this marker); First Germans at Jamestown (within shouting distance of this marker); First Africans In Jamestown (within shouting distance of this marker); First Africans in English America (within

Marker on Jamestown Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Marker on Jamestown Road

"Samuel H. Yonge, Civil Engineer (1843-1935)" is in a cluster of six markers.

shouting distance of this marker); Jamestown (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Poles Arrive (about 300 feet away); Angelo (fl. 1619-1625) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Jamestown Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

3. Jamestown Island

Much of Yongee's work significantly impacted Jamestown Island, located a few miles west of the marker.

Excavation at James Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

4. Excavation at James Fort

Excavation at James Fort, begun by Yonge, continues today, as seen in this photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,337 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on April 1, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.