Hampton Roads, the James and Pagan River and numerous creeks created access to the thriving seaport of Smithfield until the mid 1900s, when roads became the preferred method of transportation. The purpose of this blog is to document the maritime history of the area through analysis of physical artifacts and recorded personal histories.
A disastrous fire in 1921 destroyed the warehouse waterfront. Driving through modern day Smithfield it may be hard to imagine the hustle and bustle of the waterfront, where large schooners brought in trade items from other Colonial and European seaports. then departed with cargo holds full of lumber, ham, peanuts, produce and other materials. Many inhabitants of the town were mariners, but very few today practice the trade or make their living from the water.
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