Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First English Settlement at Jamestown
| | Greensprings Interpretive Trail | |
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026
1. First English Settlement at Jamestown Marker
Since the 1580s, England had been challenging Spain's claim to land in the Western Hemisphere. Although groups of would-be colonists attempted to plant a settlement on Roanoke Island, in what became North Carolina, it was not until 1606 that King James issued a charter to the Virginia Company. This group of investors hoped to tap into the New World's natural resources. There were two subunits of the Virginia Company: The Virginia Company of Plymouth, which was responsible for colonizing North Virginia, the territory that took in New England; and the Virginia Company of London, whose territory lay between 34 and 41 degrees north latitude. The London-based group, whose land lay at a more temperate latitude, hoped to reap large profits from exporting hides, medicinal substances, dyes, timber products, minerals and precious metals. They also wanted to produce saleable commodities. Although the Virginia Company of Plymouth attempted to plant a colony at Sagadahoc, on the coast of what became Maine, it was the Virginia Company of London that succeeded in planting America's first permanent English colony: Jamestown. On May 13,
this page online
Erected by James City County Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 13, 1607.
Location. 37° 14.899′ N, 76° 47.21′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It can be reached from John Tyler Highway (Virginia Route 5) east of Greensprings Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Greensprings Interpretive Trail. The address given is for Jamestown High School, which includes the northern trailhead and parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3751 John Tyler Highway, 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: The New World Beckons (within shouting distance of this marker); Geological Facts (within shouting distance of this marker); The Virginia Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); Arched Tree (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fallen Tree (about 600 feet away); The Powhatan Creek Watershed (about 600 feet away); Ephemeral Streams (about 700 feet away); Wetlands of the Greensprings Greenway (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
