Near Dolphin in Brunswick County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Smoky Ordinary
Smoky Ordinary, built ˝ mile northeast of here by 1750, provided lodging, food, and drink to travelers on the north-south stage road. A small community later developed around the ordinary. British raiders under Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton reportedly burned tobacco warehouses here in July 1781. Union forces under Brig. Gens. James Wilson and August Kautz passed here late in June 1864 at the end of a cavalry raid on Confederate supply lines. The ordinary served as a post office (1832-1964) and as a polling place. In Oct. 1867, African American men cast ballots here during the first election in which they had the right to vote in Virginia. The ordinary burned in the 20th century.
Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SN-61.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1864.
Location. 36° 49.707′ N, 77° 44.288′ W. Marker is near
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Virginia, specifically in the Piedmont, and in Southside 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Smoky Ordinary (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reedy Creek Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Lt. Col. John Lyman Whitehead Jr. (1924-1992) (approx. 4.8 miles away);
Other markers no longer nearby. Smoky Ordinary (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Smoky Ordinary (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
