Surry in Surry County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

1701 Barn

Bacon’s Castle, circa 1665

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. 1701 Barn Marker

Inscription. This barn is traditionally thought to have been constructed in 1701 by Major Arthur Allen Il. It is also the oldest surviving outbuilding at Bacon's Castle and one of the oldest in Virginia. An inventory of Major Allen's belongings taken at the time of his death in 1711 indicates that the property was extensively farmed at that time and the barn would have been in frequent use. The structural system of the barn, which is now partially exposed, shows how beams were joined to make a strong frame without the extensive use of nails. Prior to the invention of mechanized tools, beams were shaped by hand using a saw or an adze that left the smoothed surface of the beam with slight peaks and depressions.

(caption) In the 1844 survey map of Bacon's Castle, shown to the left, the smokehouse has been circled in red. At that time, many of the buildings currently onsite had not yet been constructed. The smokehouse is a remnant of the first phase of outbuilding construction

Erected by Preservation Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Notable Buildings

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• Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1701.

Location. 37° 6.591′ N, 76° 43.326′ W. Marker is in Surry, Virginia, in Surry County. It can be reached from Bacons Castle Trail half a mile east of Colonial Trail East (U.S. 10), on the left when traveling east. The marker is located on the grounds of Bacon's Castle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 465 Bacons Castle Trail, Surry VA 23883, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Slave & Tenant House

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. 1701 Barn Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Smokehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hog Island (approx. half a mile away); Bacon’s Castle (approx. half a mile away); Lower Surry Church (approx. ¾ mile away); A Final Resting Place for Six Unknown Colonists (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lawne’s Creek Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Quiyoughcohannock Indians (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Surry.

Also see . . .
1. 1701 Barn - a Granary?. (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Bacon’s Castle. Preservation Virginia (Submitted on December 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Bacon’s Castle Entrance Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Bacon’s Castle Entrance Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.