Location: Colonial National Historic Pkwy, Yorktown, VA 23691

Visited: July 4, 12:00 noon

Transcription of marker: Known to the Indians as the Pamunkey, the colonists named it first Charles and then York, both in honor of the Duke of York. While only 26 miles in length, the tidal waters of the York River flow over the deepest natural channel of any Chesapeake Bay tributary.

My impressions: There is a lot of overlap in the content of this marker and the “Z marker” for York County we found earlier in the day, in the history of the York River. This marker, though, extends the history back before Europeans arrived and includes the science tidbits about the length and depth of the river. (And my apologies for the quality of the photo; the text is blurrier than I would have liked.)

Location: Just S of the James River Bridge on the E side of US 17/US 258/Carrollton Blvd, Carrollton, VA 23314

Visited: July 4, 2009, 10:15am

Transcription of marker: The James River flows about 340 miles from the junction of the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers in Botetourt County to Hampton Roads at the Chesapeake Bay. In 1607 the first permanent English settlement in the New World was established on its banks at Jamestown. The colonists used the river as a path for exploration. With modern cities and shipyards as well as ancient plantations lining its banks, the James River remains one of Virginia’s most important natural resources.

Department of Historic Resources, 1991

My impressions: On previous trips (which were all southbound), we had seen the marker about the time we flew past it on the other side of the road, so this time, my wife was alert to find it (or, at least, a place to pull off the road before we reached the bridge, heading north). She correctly guessed which signs were pointing to a place to park, and was slowing down even before I spotted the marker.

There is something about the James River. My wife has mentioned to me a few times how, on her visits to my hometown, she found the Ottawa River similar to the James. And now, I think I can see the similarities. Both are fairly wide rivers (though the James, especially at this point, is wider) and it can be miles between crossing opportunities. And, looking at this marker, the Ottawa held an important role in Canada’s exploration at a similar era (in fact, Samuel de Champlain is reputed to have lost his astrolabe near Cobden, ON in 1613).

Notes for future snarfers: This is one marker you have to be prepared for, because you are moving too quickly to stop in time once you’ve seen it (and it’s a long drive if you miss it, heading north and have to cross the whole bridge again). You’ll want to watch for signs for the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries area, called Ragged Island and use its parking lot. The marker is just S of the parking lot entrance.

Markeroni status: Logged.

Location: Elizabeth River, at the High St ferry landing, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Visited: June 23, 2009, 3:20pm

Transcription of marker: The Elizabeth River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, runs between the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk. The river was named “Elizabeth” in honor of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, the eldest daughter of King James I of England.

The river was first called “Chesapeake,” after the tribe of Native Americans who lived on its banks. They were an Algonquin-speaking people who depended on the land and water for existence. When John Smith explored the eastern area in 1608, he saw their “golden plots” and other indications of Native American habitation.

My impressions: I can get all caught up in the differences between Canadian and American history that I can sometimes forget about the similarities. And as I come to the end of the photos from this trip to Portsmouth (a city with a name that would be at home in England), along a river named for Elizabeth (ditto), and prepare to cross back to a city named Norfolk (ditto), this (especially coupled with the photos you’ll see in today’s bonus third post) reminded me that we share a lot of history from before our paths diverged.

Markeroni status: When Path of History data entry is complete, I’ll be logging this visit on Markeroni.