Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Indians cultivated fertile lands along the James River for centuries before the colonists arrived in 1607. They grew squash, corn, and beans to supplement their diet of native plants, fish, shellfish, and game. When the soils at a house site became depleted, the Indians allowed the area to replenish itself while they established a new dwelling and agricultural plot elsewhere.

English colonists primarily grew tobacco for profit. Introduced at Jamestown in 1612, tobacco quickly exhausted prime croplands and required vast unspoiled acreage. It spurred tremendous changes on the landscape.

(Inscription above the image in the upper right) European colonists learned here to grow tobacco from the Indians.

(Inscription above the image on the lower right) A drawing of a Canadian Algoecquian village, by John White, 1585, home styles and agricultural practices varied regionally, but maize (corn) and tobacco were common products.
Learn more about 17th-century landscapes and industry at these places: *Jamestown Settlement, you can visit the re-created James Fort to see colonial farming practices. *Chippokes Plantation offers canoe trips on most weekends April through Labor Day. Advance reservations are recommended. *At Historic Jamestowne, watch modern artisans produce the glass objects glassblowers in 1608
may have created.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Surry, VA  |  Surry County  |  23883  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Captain John Smith's Adventures on the James Historical
Quiyoughcohannock Indians
Hog Island
Bacon's Castle
Jamestown Ferry
Lawne's Creek Church
Virginia's Vintage
Bowl, Pot, and Pipe
Chippokes Plantation
History on Crouch's Creek

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.