Whaleyville in Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington Ditch

Photographed by Kathy Richardson, March 31, 2016

1. Washington Ditch Marker

Inscription. Surveyed by George Washington in 1763. A cart road was built first along this 4½ mile ditch and the canal dug alongside by slave labor for transportation. Gresham Nimmo, under the personal direction of George Washington, did the surveying and kept the notes.

Erected by Camp MFG Co.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list.

Location. 36° 39′ N, 76° 33.671′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is in Whaleyville. It can be reached from the intersection of White Marsh Road and Washington Ditch Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3076 White Marsh Road, Suffolk VA 23434, 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,

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dismal Town (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jericho Ditch (approx. 4½ miles away); Nansemond Collegiate Institute (approx. 5.3 miles away); Nansemond Industrial Institute (approx. 5.3 miles away); Mr. Peanut

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 5.4 miles away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. 5½ miles away); President's Days Plaque (approx. 5.6 miles away); Obici-Oderzo Fountain Marker (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. East Suffolk School Complex (was approx. 5.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2016, by Kathy Richardson of Glen Allen, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,626 times since then and 55 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 31, 2016, by Kathy Richardson of Glen Allen, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.