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

A Hub For Commerce

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 16, 2010

1. A Hub For Commerce Marker

Inscription. As you look toward the water, you are viewing a historical landscape. The houses in front of you weren't here 250 years ago, but the Customs House - the building across the street to your left - would have been. Imagine what this place was like back then - filled with the sounds of men working and discussing the latest news, ships being loaded and unloaded, and hogsheads (barrels) being rolled down the hill. This was a place to share stories, do some trading and spend money.

A Little Store Stocked to the Brim!

This store may look small, but those Scottish merchants knew how to make use of all of the space. An inventory from the 1700's listed over 500 items for sale.

Caption of picture on left hand side of marker

This is probably how the view from here would have looked in the mid-1700's. The rolling road to the left is the same road you travelled today.

Erected by Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era.

Location. 37° 38.193′ N, 76° 34.385′ W. Marker is in Urbanna, Virginia, in Middlesex County.

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It can be reached from Old Virginia Street near Cross Street (Virginia Route 227), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Urbanna VA 23175, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

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: Old Tobacco Warehouse (here, next to this marker); Prettyman’s Rolling Road (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); Tobacco Was Money

Photographed by J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010

2. A Hub For Commerce Marker

"Sandwich" is the name of the house in the background, across the street to the right of the marker. It was built circa 1754.

(a few steps from this marker); The Backyard Garden Was Essential (a few steps from this marker); Sandwich (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Urbanna.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 19, 2010, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 24, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.