Urbanna in Middlesex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Prettyman’s Rolling Road
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 16, 2010
1. Prettyman's Rolling Road Marker
This historical landscape hasn't really changed in the past 250 years. The Factor Store has gone through many transitions from a tobacco inspection facility and general store, to private homes, to the Urbanna Library and, finally, to the museum you see today. The Factor Store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk up to the site and enjoy the view - and discover its history and charm.
More than 200 years ago, Virginia Street was called "Prettyman's Rolling Road." Laborers rolled "hogsheads" - barrels of tobacco - downhill to the merchant ships or uphill from the ships to the inspection office and store.
[Caption:]
Rolling the hogsheads (barrels) was hard work. Do you think any hogsheads got away? How would you stop one?
Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 37° 38.194′ N, 76° 34.38′ W. Marker is in Urbanna, Virginia
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. 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: A Hub For Commerce (a few steps from this marker); Old Tobacco Warehouse (a few steps from this marker); John Mitchell’s Map (a few steps from this marker); Urbanna Museum & Visitors Center (a few steps from this marker); Tobacco Road (a few steps from this marker); The Backyard Garden Was Essential (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco Was Money (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandwich (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbanna.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
2. Prettyman’s Rolling Road Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
3. Prettyman’s Rolling Road
This is now called Old Virginia Street, sloping down from the town to the Rappahannock River where the wharfs used to be. The Old Tobacco Warehouse, or "Factor Store" is on the right. This marker is partially hidden behind the "Tobacco Was Money" marker visible to the left of the telephone pole.
4. The Factor House / Old Tobacco Warehouse
Close-up of illustration on the marker. Front porch must have been a recent addition. Notice the two hogsheads being rolled up Prettyman's Rolling Road at the bottom of the illustration.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,036 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 24, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
