Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Liquid Maze

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

1. Liquid Maze Marker-Panel 1

Inscription. More than 100,000 rivers, streams, and creeks flow through the Chesapeake region. This massive web of waterways includes some 11,000 miles of shoreline---more than that of the entire U.S. West Coast.

For centuries, these watercourses comprised the Indians’ primary transportation system. Water routes provided access to food and other resources, and enabled dispersed tribes to trade and communicate with one another. The Warraskoyack living along the Pagan River fished for sturgeon and striped bass near here.

(Inscriptions above the image in the lower left)
Explore the Pagan River-Upper portions of the Pagan River appear much as they did when the Warraskoyack Indians and John Smith traveled here.

You can fish or paddle on two Pagan River tributaries—Jones Creek and Cypress Creek. Jones Creek has a public boat launch.

The mildnesse of the aire…and the situation of the rivers are so propitious to the nature and use of man as no place is more convenient for pleasure, profit and man’s sustenance.”
–Captain John Smith, A Map of Virginia, 1612.

Visit these nearby places along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT:
*The Isle of Wight County Museum’s exhibits include prehistoric fossils, Indian and colonial artifacts, a country store, and the world’s oldest edible cured ham.

Launch Your Journey-Panel 2 image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

2. Launch Your Journey-Panel 2

*Launch your canoe or kayak at Windsor Castle Park to access miles of waterways on Cypress Creek, the Pagan River, and the James.
*Experience Civil War history through reenactments and other special events and programs at Forts Boykin and Huger.

Erected by National Park Service US Department of Interior.

Location. 36° 58.529′ N, 76° 37.302′ W. Marker is in Smithfield, Virginia, in Isle of Wight County. Marker is on Jericho Road. Touch for map. The marker is located in Windsor Castle Park near the Kayak Launch. Marker is in this post office area: Smithfield VA 23430, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Joseph W. Luter, III (approx. 0.3 miles away); Smithfield (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Smithfield (approx. half a mile away); Ivy Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Law & Politics in 18th Century Isle of Wight (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Isle of Wight Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away); Isle of Wight County War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bennett’s Plantation (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithfield.

Categories. • Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers •

Join the Adventure Marker-Panel 3 image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

3. Join the Adventure Marker-Panel 3

Liquid Maze Marker-In the background is the Kayak Launch image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

4. Liquid Maze Marker-In the background is the Kayak Launch

Windsor Castle Park map image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

5. Windsor Castle Park map

Windsor Castle Park-Funding Project image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 20, 2016

6. Windsor Castle Park-Funding Project

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 28, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.