01 May 23:
We passed by a sign business in downton Suffolk that has an interesting mural painted on a sidewall, depicting the waterfront scene in Suffolk from days past. We spoke to Charlie, the owner of Major Signs and he let us know that a former employee named Glen did the painting 12-15 years ago, but was unsure what resources Glen drew from. Steam power continued into the early 1900s, and hybrid sail-steam craft came 15 miles up the Nansemond River into the mid 1900s. The seaport burned several times and eventually dwindled in size as Newport News and Norfolk shipping grew.
Major Signs, Virginia’s oldest sign company, evolved from Major Bentons small studio that produced display cards for the Chadwick Theater productions in the 1930’s. In 1943 the business moved to its current location at 801 N. Main St. in Suffolk, Va.
Tucked away behind the sign company is the Nansemond River. This would be a fun spot for a boat business to be located next to, we think we saw a dock back there.
Shipyard on the Nansemond. Suffolk was the next major trading town down south of Smithfield, and as colonial expansion continued the town overtook Smithfield in size. The rivers in both towns flow to the James River (formerly Powhatan River).
Pine hoops, barrel staves, poles and shiploads of lumber were major exports from Virginia ports.
Ballast stone from who knows where?
Skipper scared a bear...
...then we found her a stage for her premier Suffolk performance.
The Visitor's Center resides in the old Courthouse on Main Street, a few hundred yards from the riverfront and Constant's Wharf. Skipper had 2 branches of her family trading on the river from the late 1600s - early 1700s, with the Driver's operating businesses along the waterfront and the Jordan's running a ferry to nearby farms.
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