Colonial Heights, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Oak Hill

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 1, 2025

1. Oak Hill Marker

Inscription.
First land patent by J. [Illegible] 1638. Home of Jerman Baker, Esq., 1777, friend of Thos. Jefferson. House rebuilt in 1825 by Thos. Dunn.

Virginia Historic Landmark
National Reg. of Historic Places

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1638.

Location. 37° 14.228′ N, 77° 24.559′ W. Marker is in Colonial Heights, Virginia. It is on Carroll Avenue 0.1 miles north of Hillside Lane, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 Carroll Ave, Colonial Heights VA 23834, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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.

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Box Hedge (within shouting distance of this marker); Concrete Bunker (approx. 0.3 miles away); Peter Jones Trading Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Peter Jones Trading Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tavern Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Peter Jones Trading Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Major Peter Jones (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lafayette's Headquarters (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Heights.

Other markers no longer nearby. Rock Garden (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Petersburg’s Role In Trade (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker hangs on a signpost along the sidewalk in front of the house "Oak Hill," also called "Chesterfield House" in county historic site literature. The house itself is private.

Regarding Oak Hill. Oak Hill as a geographic place is notable for spawning the name of Colonial Heights (the independent

Oak Hill (alternately Chesterfield House) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 1, 2025

2. Oak Hill (alternately Chesterfield House)

The 1825 (private) residence that the marker refers to.

city in which it now resides). In May 1781, after the British occupied Petersburg across the Appomattox River at the base of the hill, Lafayette's artillery fired on the British from this ridge. This action gave rise to the British declaration of "Colonials on the Heights." The neighborhood that arose around the hill's crest was named Colonial Heights in the early 20th century, and the neighborhood name was then applied to the town when it was incorporated in 1926.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These markers all commemorate the 10 May 1781 artillery action and its landmarks, including Oak Hill.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.