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

Mill Dam

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 21, 2009

1. Mill Dam Marker

Inscription. The mound of earth in front of you was probably part of the dam for William Parks' paper mill. His mill was the first in Virginia for making paper and operated six years or more beginning 1744. Parks established the first permanent press in Virginia at Williamsburg. His paper mill supplied other printers, too, including Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1744.

Location. 37° 15.436′ N, 76° 42.144′ W. Marker is in Williamsburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Colonial National Historic Parkway 0.6 miles north of Virginia Route 199, 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,

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: Great Neck (within shouting distance of this marker); The Palisades (approx. 0.2 miles away); Our Confederate Dead (approx. 0.4 miles away); Princess Anne Port (approx. 0.6 miles away); Eastern State Hospital Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 0.7 miles away); Galt (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Public Hospital of 1773 (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Another marker

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is no longer nearby. Williamsburg Confederate Monument (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Colonial Parkway. Colonial National Historical Park (Submitted on December 24, 2009.)

2. Printing Office. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Submitted on December 24, 2009.)

Mill Dam Marker on the Colonial Parkway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 21, 2009

2. Mill Dam Marker on the Colonial Parkway

Mill Dam (overgrown mound in center) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 21, 2009

3. Mill Dam (overgrown mound in center)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.