The Historic James and its Tributaries

This stretch of the James River and its tributaries is a prime example of a historic cultural landscape showing the intersection between people and nature. The rivers were home to American Indians long before the arrival of Europeans. This area served as the cradle of the first successful English settlement in North America, as the place of initial long-term interactions between American Indians and English, and as the center point for Captain John Smith's explorations of the Chesapeake Bay. The rivers continue to play an important role in the nation by showcasing historic sites in a riverine environment. The fort is located on land originally patented to Edward Bennett in 1621. Along with other sites, Bennett's Plantation, or Bennett's Welcome, was described as a verie fruitful and pleasant seat. By 1863, the land was known as The Rocks, referring to the great rocks along the shoreline. Between the shore and river channel in this area were hundreds of acres of natural oyster rocks, and an circa 1861 map illustrates the fertile land around the fort.

Virginia · United States