Location: Historic Jamestown, Colonial NHP, Jamestown, VA 23185

Visited: July 4, 2009, 1:55pm

Transcription of marker: Although councilman Colonel Thomas Swann resided across the James River at his Swann Point plantation, he also leased a Jamestown tavern that provided accommodations to colonists who attended the assembly and courts, or had business in town.

Documents and excavation of a large brick foundation identify this structure as possible Col. Swann’s tavern. The elongated four-room ground floor was typical of such establishments. An abundance of bottle glass and a brass spigot from casks of beer or cider stored in the cellar, provide additional evidence of such use.

Because Col. Swann, nicknamed “ye greate toad,” advised the rebel Nathaniel Bacon, his Swann’s Point plantation remained undamaged during Bacon’s Rebellion. Charred timbers here, however, suggest that his tavern burned during the sack of Jamestown. Repaired by 1679, the tavern continued to operate along with the dozen others in the town.

My impressions: The first thing that started ringing bells from this marker for me is the name Nathaniel Bacon, because at about the time I was starting to snarf landmarks and log them on Markeroni (and later on this blog), my wife and I drove to a church retreat a couple of hours away. And on the way, we passed numerous historical markers. On the way home, I counted about a dozen. But because of distance, time, and the fact that we were driving another member of our congregation with us, we didn’t stop for any of them, but I definitely remember the odd-sounding title of Bacon’s Castle. So, while I expect I’ll learn more when we make our next trip that way and I’m able to read the marker, I also know what name to research should I want to learn more in the interim.

The other thing, related to that, is to think about the influence of being an insider. From the retelling on this marker, Swann was able to use his insider’s “pull” to keep his lands across the river safe from Bacon and his rebellion. But it also shows that the pull has limits, as the tavern here apparently burned. Some things seem to be with us forever, and insider influence seems to be one of them!

Location: Historic Jametowne, Colonial NHP, Jamestown, VA 23185

Visited: July 4, 2009, 1:55pm

Transcription of marker: The remains of Jamestown now lie buried beneath the ground. Archeologists have unearthed some of the known town site, but the original foundations of structures would erode quickly if left exposed to wind, weather, and acid rain. The foundations have been reburied. The bricks you see here today are modern reproductions of the original foundations underneath.

My impressions: This is another case of good placement. The marker is as you are entering the park, so you learn this as you’re going in. In one sense, it’s disappointing not to be seeing the actual structures that were originally built there. But by explaining that upfront, I understood why that’s the case and was able to enjoy the site without the frustration that would have come if I’d found out later.

I also raise my eyebrow a bit at the specification of “acid rain.” I can understand that it would make rain more of a hazard than “plain old rain,” I found it a little distracting, especially when paired with wind and weather: natural phenomena. Because what I want to take away from this is a reminder that one has to be careful with irreplaceable historical artifacts. There’s the stereotypical image of somebody in an archives wearing gloves and gingerly handling old books and papers, but even the building materials here would disappear if re-exposed to nature’s whims. Although I guess “plain old rain” would be included under “weather,” making acid rain a different hazard…perhaps.

Wildcard Markers
History of Thalia

Location: Thalia Station Dr, just S of Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Visited: June 27, 2009, 7:25pm

Transcription of marker:

HISTORY OF THALIA

The word “Thalia” is derived from the Greek “thallein”, meaning to flourish and bloom. The community of Thalia is generally bounded on the west by Thalia Creek, on the east by Lynn Shores Road, on the north by the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River and on the south by the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Thalia is a part of the Edward H. Mosley estate known as “Summerville Plantation”, and appears in the official deed of record book at the Princess Anne County (now Virginia Beach) Courthouse dated 1807. Thalia was a scheduled stop for the Norfolk, Albemarle and Atlantic Railroad. During World War II, Camp Ashby, (aka Camp Thalia) the German Prisoner of War Camp, was located on what is now the site of The City of Virginia Beach Central Library and the property adjoining it.

AUNT PENNY’S PARK

This private park is to honor John J. and Paula L. “Aunt Penny” Collins for their unique contributions to the community of Thalia. They established one of the very first commercial businesses in Thalia, pre-1950. Their “Cabins-in-the-Pines”, at 4145 Virginia Beach Blvd., encompassed a restaurant, tourist court, hardware store and an Amoco gas station They were devoted to the community of Thalia and gave unselfishly of their time in public service. Among other contributions, they played a leading role in establishing the first all-volunteer fire department in the City of Virginia Beach (formerly Princess Anne County) at Thalia in 1952. In 1990, Aunt Penny realized her lifetime dream with the development of Collins Square Shopping Center.

My impressions: I’m not sure I recall ever seeing a marker like this one before. Superficially, the coloring reminds me of the plaques for Canadian national historic sites, but I’m intrigued by what would lead this marker to be placed. I’m guessing (and I could quite easily be wrong) that it was either “Aunt Penny” or her family who placed this marker. And so it’s one that I would take with a grain of salt.  Not only because there wasn’t likely, say, the sort of review procees a state marker or one placed by a city would have, but also because there are some definite leaps to hyperbole or marketing. The last sentence, especially without any explanation of what her “lifetime dream” actually was and how the shopping center development realized it…over the top.

But putting all that aside, I did learn some things about Thalia…I didn’t know there had been a railway station or a POW camp there and the volunteer fire department information was neat to see. Most of all, it was nice to see some private recognition of history in a place that appears turned over to strip malls, traffic, and development. The character of the area may have changed, but the marker is a reminder of earlier days. I just hope that, if the complex ever gets taken over by new owners that the public and visible reminder of the area’s history will remain.

Markeroni status: Logged.

Direct-logged
In Commemoration of the Last Public Appearance of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody at Portsmouth, Virginia on November 11, 1916

Location: Water St, parking lot between High St & Columbia St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Visited: June 23, 2009, 3:10pm

Transcription of marker:

William F. Cody, associated with a Western exhibition titled “Buffalo Bill (Himself) and the 101 Ranch Wild West Combined,” passed by this spot on a route that would take the parade to the intersection of Washington and Lincoln Streets, site of the “Grand Finale.”

The success enjoyed by the Fourth of July celebration known as “The Old Glory Blowout” at North Platte, Nebraska, on July 4, 1882, convinced William F. Cody to organize “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” and tour the United States and parts of Europe. Buffalo Bill was and is a symbol of a glamorous and colorful era in United States history.

He literally crated and shipped samples of the “Wild West” to centers of population around the world, giving millions of Americans and Europeans the opportunity to view first hand a part of American history that had captured the popular imagination.

Dedicated to William F. Cody, an illustrious American, remembered as the “Father of Rodeo,” “The First International Star,” and “America’s Goodwill Ambassador-at-Large”

Sponsored by Backtrailing Buffalo Bill Cody
Presented by the Fletcher Family, November 11, 1987

My impressions: I have to admit to not having much of a clue who Buffalo Bill was. Colorful and showman are about the only impressions I have. I didn’t know of a Portsmouth connection until seeing this marker. I do wonder whether this marker is commemorating his last public appearance or his last public appearance in Portsmouth. I presume it’s the former, though I am not certain on this point.

This marker is interesting to me, because it appears to have been privately sponsored and because it sits in a small area surrounded by parking lots and buildings, which is to say, not in typical historic Portsmouth.

Markeroni status: Direct-logged and awaiting its proper code in the Markeroni database.

Unknown historical marker
Revolutionary War at Portsmouth

Note: This marker is of a similar form to the Virginia state historical markers, but is not numbered and does not appear to list a department and year, as do all state markers I have seen to date. I hope to investigate this side of things further. Hopefully, if it’s a state marker, it will be listed in my copy of A Guidebook to Virginia’s Historical Markers, currently on its way from Amazon. Otherwise, I may try some of my own research into the placement of this marker.

Location: In front of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, High St & Water St, Portsmouth VA 23704

Visited: June 1, 2009, 1:20pm

Transcription of Marker: In October 1775, Virginia’s last royal governor, the Earl of Dunmore, made his headquarters at Gosport, one mile south of here. After his defeat at Great Bridge and the destruction of Norfolk, he entrenched at Hospital Point, one mile north, but was again driven out in May 1776. Portsmouth was again invaded by the British: Sir George Collier in 1779, General Leslie in 1780, the traitor Benedict Arnold and General Phillips in 1781. Here, on this Portsmouth waterfront in August 1781. Lord Cornwallis embarked his 7000 troops and sailed to Yorktown where he surrendered to the victorious American and French forces, 19 October 1781.

My impressions: I think that this is one of those that I’m not qualified to say a whole lot about right now. I know far too little about the American Revolution and thus lack the framework to hang these names and dates on. It doesn’t do much to inspire me to want to learn about it, but I wonder if my reaction would be different if I’d learned about some of this stuff in history class when I was in school.

Markeroni status: This has not yet been submitted to Markeroni, awaiting more information on the source of the marker (if I can find it) as well as a lowering of the “whelm” level.