Like the ominous Bermuda Triangle, Virginia's Historic Triangle has a way of sucking you in. Not into an abyss of unknown danger and trepidation, but into a landscape of fascination and exhilaration.

Statue of John Smith, a key leader of the original Jamestown Settlement of 1607, keeps watch over the calm waters of the James River.

For anyone who has just a scant interest in American history....where it was born, where the Revolutionary War's most strategically important battle was fought, and what important steps were taken to forge a system of government like none ever dreamt of, let alone at the time even created, a visit to Virginia's Historic Triangle is a must. Nestled in southeastern Virginia, the "Triangle" is a jewel of American history where 174 years of some of the most significant moments of our nation's existence come to life. The "Triangle" is just that, a three-sided triangular-shaped piece of geography that links Colonial Williamsburg on the north with Jamestown about 15 miles to the south and from Jamestown to Yorktown 20 miles to the east. Connecting the three sites is the scenic Colonial Parkway, a magnificent three-lane byway built primarily during the 1930s as a roadway designed to allow motorists and passengers the opportunity to absorb the rich beauty of this region along the James and York rivers.

We, as Americans, generally believe that the start of the American "experience' was in Philadelphia on a hot summer day in July 1776. Of course, the ratification and signing of the Declaration of Independence is considered one of the most historically significant acts in world history. By declaring independence, the 13 separate states of America were proclaiming that they were no longer part of England and thus free to govern themselves. It was a revolutionary idea that, while thought of, had never really been put into practice on such a large scale. The idea was also extremely risky. If it failed, not only were those who kindled the flames of revolution doomed, but so was‹for the moment anyway‹the dream of living in a country free and independent from foreign rule.

The fact of the matter, however, is that what happened on July 4, 1776, never would have occurred had it not been for a loosely organized profit-making venture that occurred 169 years earlier. King James I, trying to gain a foothold in the New World created the London Company. Its mission was to establish a permanent English settlement, find gold, discover a route to the South Seas, and to find out what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke, which was England's first real attempt to colonize the New World (to this day no one really knows what happened at Roanoke). So, on May 14, 1607, three ships: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, loaded down with supplies and 104 people, landed on the banks of the James River. The adventurers who arrived in Virginia that May were primarily gentlemen who had no future in England and very little training in farming or hunting. In short, they hadn't a clue what awaited them in these, the far reaches of the world. Left on their own, life was miserable. There were outbreaks of diseases like typhus, there was starvation, lack of water and Indian attacks. Within three years, nearly 90% of the colonists had died. On the verge of collapse, the Jamestown Colony was saved just in the nick of time when more ships, supplies and people arrived. A new crop, tobacco, was introduced to the region bringing to Jamestown a market it could capitalize on and thus make money.

Within 10 years of the Jamestown settlement, colonists began experimenting with an unusual type of government that empowered the people to determine who would represent them in the General Assembly. First meeting in 1619 in Jamestown, the Assembly was comprised of members who were sent there by the people through the election process. The creation of a freely elected General Assembly in Jamestown was the forerunner of what today is known as the U.S. Congress.

A visit to Jamestown today‹the birthplace of America, reveals a stunning blend of indoor museum galleries and an outdoor wooded exhibit area. Jamestown Settlement tells the story of the people who founded Jamestown and the Virginia Indians they encountered. It includes a work-in-progress museum that will eventually consist of 143,000 sq. ft. of space, interesting outdoor living history areas, as well as a triangular-shaped outdoor fort built on the archeological remains of Jamestown's original fort. There's also an Powhatan Indian village and replicas of the three ships that sailed from England in 1606. Visitors are invited to board the ship and experience‹for a moment anyway‹the cramped quarters of those who took the six-month journey from England. Walking trails throughout the Settlement provide plenty of elbow room for sightseers interested in learning how to fire a musket or build the type of house needed for adequate shelter during the harsh winters of early 17th century Virginia.

Just a short distance away is Historic Jamestown, the site of the original colony. There, visitors can learn the art of glassblowing, an early trade that helped bring a form of financial stability to the struggling colony. Visitors can also get a close-up peek at ongoing archeological digs as discoveries continue to be made of structures believed to have been built just a year or two after the first colonists arrived.

From Jamestown, Yorktown, the site of the last great battle of the Revolutionary War, lies just 20 miles due east.

Around the time of the Revolutionary War, Yorktown was a busy seaport of about 4,000 people. It remained a vibrant community until the Civil War.

In 1781, after five years of war with Britain. the question of whether America would remain British or become a new, independent nation, rested on what would occur just outside this small Virginia town along the York River.

As our history books tell us, British General Cornwallis, in need of supplies, moved his army of 8,500 to Yorktown where they could wait for ships to arrive with reinforcements. The French, which had pledged to help the Americans, blockaded the York River preventing English ships from supplying Cornwallis. General George Washington, realizing the opportunity at hand, miraculously moved his army of 11,600 from New York to Yorktown in just 30 days laying siege. A trapped Cornwallis laid out 1-1/2 miles of earthen berm defenses as high as 25-ft. to keep Washington's Army from attacking. Washington, who knew he could not mount a frontal attack, built siege lines enabling him to methodically move closer to Cornwallis' army where his bigger guns lobbed thousands of rounds of cannon day and night for nine days picking off the enemy. A beleaguered Cornwallis had no choice but to wave the white flag on Oct. 17, 1781.

Even though the war continued for another two years, the Battle or Yorktown was the last major battle to be fought as a new Parliament in England, eager for a resolution to the war, took political control. The dye had been cast in favor of the American rebels.

Story continues [>>]

Back to top of page | Journal Home