Virginia is home to a treasure trove of islands, from barrier islands along the Eastern Shore to those that have formed relatively recently along the rivers. One such example is Jamestown Island, which wasn't technically an island when the colonists arrived in 1607. Today, visitors are encouraged to drive, bike, and even walk to this beautiful section of land containing marshes, history, and rugged beauty.
Jamestown Island is a breathtaking island located in the James River. Measuring 1,500 acres, this beautiful land mass is home to a bounty of marshlands, wildlife, and of course, loaded with history.
When the colonists arrived in 1607, what was then still a peninsula was the site of Fort James, the first English settlement in America. The colonists cleared many of the trees to allow for farming and further settlement.
By the early 1900s, the small strip of land connecting the island to the mainland had disappeared. Today, visitors are invited to take the Historic Jamestowne Island Drive, which offers beautiful views of the regenerating forest, marshlands, and the James River.
Thanks to the Jamestown Rediscovery Program, which launched in 1994, archeologists were able to confirm the site of James Fort. Until this point, this important settlement was considered to be lost in the river.
You can even walk this route, which will allow for a closer look at the unique landscape.
The ability to experience Jamestown Island will offer you insight as to what the settlers first saw when they arrived at the continent. Of course, the history of the island long predates the arrival of colonists. The area was first home to the Paspahegh people, or Virginia Algonquians.
Today, there are still signposts and visual markers to explain the landscape's rich history and diverse ecosystem. To learn more about noteworthy sites you'll want to see along the way, you can visit the official National Parks Service guide here.
Have you experienced Jamestown Island before? We'd love to hear about your adventure! For more information about accessing the island, click here. For other unique island adventures here in the Old Dominion, you'll love reading about these 6 Islands In Virginia That Are An Absolute Must-Visit.
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