John Smith Explores the Chesapeake
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historical Trail
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1600s seeking precious metals and a passage to Asia. He traveled the James, Chickahominy, and York rivers in 1607, and led two major expeditions from Jamestown in 1608. Smith and his crew sailed and rowed a primitive 30-foot boat nearly 3,000 miles, reaching as far north as the Susquehanna River.
Although Smith did not discover gold, or a river passage to the Pacific, his precise map and detailed observation of American Indians societies and the abundant natural resources guided future explorers and settlers.
An Abundance of Life
Smith discovered a treasure trove of natural wonders in the Chesapeake region: thick forests of giant pines, oaks and hickories; vast marshlands; huge turtles, 800-pound sturgeon, and great schools of shad and striped bass. Massive flocks of ducks, geese, and swans darkened the sky; and enormous oyster reefs rose above the waters surface.
Native Inhabitants
At the time of Smiths explorations, an estimated 50,000 American Indians dwelled in the Chesapeake region-as their ancestors had for thousands of years. Their sophisticated societies included arts and architecture, systems of government, extensive trade and communication networks, and shared spiritual beliefs. The native peoples hunted, fished, grew crops, and gathered food and raw material from the land and waterways.
Erected by National
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1607.
Location. 39° 12.468′ N, 76° 25.433′ W. Marker is in Sparrows Point, Maryland, in Baltimore County. It is on Old Bay Shore Road. The marker is in North Point State Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sparrows Point MD 21219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hard Travel (here, next to this marker); Join the Adventure (a few steps from this marker); Dreaded Alarm (about 700 feet away); About This Fountain (about
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Trolley Station at Bayshore Park (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 463 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
