Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Cedar

— City of Norfolk —

Photographed by Laura Troy, November 4, 2007

1. The Cedar Marker

Inscription.
A cedar tree near this location, then known as Foure Farthing Pointe, was described in the original patent defining the western boundary of the 50 acres that comprised Norfolk Town. In August 1680 John Ferebee, surveyor for Lower Norfolk County, was instructed to survey a town site on the Elizabeth River. This was completed in October 1680, but it was not until August 1682 that the county, through its agents Anthony Lawson and William Robinson, bought the town site from Nicholas Wise, a shipwright. The price was ten thousand pounds of tobacco. The surveyed town site extended eastward from this point along Main Street, formerly Front Street, on a ridge of high land to Dun-in-the-Mire, generally where Harbor Park is now located. The other principal road, “the road that leadeth out of town,” went north from the current intersection of Main Street and St. Paul’s Boulevard. The original town site was laid out with half acre lots for houses and businesses. The lots were priced at 100 pounds of tobacco.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions.

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In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1680.

Location. 36° 50.821′ N, 76° 17.695′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Waterside Drive south of Boush Street, on the right when traveling south. This marker stands near the Nauticus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Waterside Dr, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically 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

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022

2. The Cedar Marker

walking distance of this marker: The “Apprentice” (a few steps from this marker); Surveying the Land & Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Waterfront Revitalization (within shouting distance of this marker); Half Moone Fort, 1673 (within shouting distance of this marker); Armed Forces Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Battleship Wisconsin: A Floating Fortress (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battleship Wisconsin: BB-9 and BB-64 (about 300 feet away); Battleship Wisconsin: Berthed in Norfolk, (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.