Virginia Capital Trail

Virginia Capital Trail is bicycle and pedestrian trail between Williamsburg, Jamestown and Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It is 54 miles (87 km) in length and largely parallels a highway, Virginia Route 5, a National Scenic Byway.

The trail ranges in width between eight and ten feet (2.4 to 3.0 m), and will be paved throughout its entire length to accommodate all modes of non-motorized land transportation. Trail users will share the new $33.6 million Judith Stewart Dresser Bridge over the Chickahominy River with Route 5 motorists, but will use a specially-designed area physically separated from motor vehicles. Portions of the Virginia Capital Trail opened beginning in 2006 and most are planned for completion by 2012.

A unique trail

The name derives from the fact that the trail links the three capitals of the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia after independence, for a total of over 400 years.

Unlike many rail trail projects which utilize former railroad rights-of-way, no railroad was ever built along this corridor. Instead, the Virginia Capital Trail essentially parallels the north shore of the James River and Virginia Route 5 approximately 54 miles between the two cities, from the Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg through portions of James City County, Charles City County, and Henrico County to the current Virginia State Capitol in Richmond. [ http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/newcaptrail_welcome.asp ]

The trail will utilize the new Judith Stewart Dresser Bridge which crosses the Chickahominy River at the 1634 border of James City and Charles City counties. The $33.6 million fixed span bridge is a replacement for an older movable swing-span bridge. It was specifically designed to include a 10-foot shared-use path (separated from the main roadway by a divider) for the Virginia Capital Trail's users. [ http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/rt._5_bridge_over_the_chickahominy_river.asp ]

ponsoring agencies

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF) is a public-private partnership whose mission is to support and promote the construction, public use and ongoing enhancement of the Virginia Capital Trail. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), a state agency, describes their relationship as "working partners on this unique project."

ections and schedule for completion

As of July 2008, the Virginia Capital Trail was partially completed and in use. All additional segments were slated for completion by 2012 except two short sections in the Richmond Riverfront area which were still in planning stages.

*Colonial Parkway Phase (open in Williamsburg and along Colonial Parkway)
*Greensprings Phase (3 miles) opened in 2006
*Chickahominy Phase (5 miles) opened in 2007
*Sherwood Forest Phase (13.5 miles) – Completion in early 2010
*Charles City Courthouse Phase (7 miles) – Under construction. Completion in late 2009
*Randolph Landing Phase (7 miles) – Completion in 2010
*New Market Heights Phase (12 miles) – Completion in 2012
*Varina Phase (6-7 miles) – Completion in 2010
*Richmond Riverfront Phase III (1 mile – TBD; Rockett's section: 2010
*Richmond Riverfront Phase II (1 mile) – TBD
*Richmond Riverfront Phase I (1 mile) – Completion in 2009

Noteworthy places on trail or nearby

*(listed east to west)
*City of Williamsburg (Capital from 1699-1780)
**Colonial Williamsburg Visitor's Center, all sites
**Williamsburg Transportation Center intermodal Amtrak, Greyhound Lines, Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) local buses, taxicabs, car rental
**Capitol (Colonial Willaimsburg)
**Duke of Gloucester Street (Colonial Williamsburg)
**Bruton Parish Church (Colonial Williamsburg)
**Governor's Palace (Colonial Williamsburg)
**Merchants Square (Colonial Williamsburg)
**College of William and Mary
**Colonial Parkway (built between 1931 and 1957) by the National Park Service, now a portion of Colonial National Historical Park
*James City County (one of the original shires of Virginia)
**Quarterpath Road
**Jamestown (Capital from 1607-1699)
**Historic Jamestowne [sic] (National Park Service)
**Jamestown Settlement (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation)
**Jamestown Ferry (north landing)
**Green Spring Plantation (former site), currently under archaeological study. Historically the home of Virginia's Royal Governor William Berkeley and other famous Virginians until the American Civil War, the site is now owned by the National Park Service. [ http://www.historicgreenspring.org ] [ http://www.nps.gov/colo/grnspg/gs_pg1.html ] [ http://www.wm.edu/oieahc/uncommon/115/greenspring.htm ]
**Judith Stewart Dresser Bridge at Chickahominy River (new replacement structure will be part of trail, estimated completion early 2009) [ http://www.jccegov.com/pdf/bospdfs/bospdfs2006/102406bos/H2_mem.pdf ]
*Charles City County (another of the original shires of Virginia)
**Sherwood Forest Plantation is the home of President of the President John Tyler, the first Vice President to ascend to the presidency. Tyler was twice Governor of Virginia, a U.S. Senator, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Virginia state senator and member of the Virginia House of Delegates. A graduate of The College of William and Mary, he later became Chancellor of that institution. As a supporter of state's rights, he re-entered public service in 1861 as an elected member of the Confederate Congress. He died in 1862. The house and its 1600 acres (6.5 km²) have been continuously owned by his direct descendants. In the mid-1970s, the residence was restored by President Tyler's grandson and his wife, the current owners. The House, circa 1730, is "Virginia Tidewater" in architectural design, and is the longest frame dwelling in America. It was expanded to its present length, 300 feet (90 m), by President Tyler in 1845, when he added the 68 foot (21 m) ballroom designed for dancing the Virginia Reel. Sherwood Forest is a National Historic Landmark, Virginia Historic Landmark, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.sherwoodforest.org ]
**Fort Pocahontas notable for construction by African-American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops under the command of Union Brigadier General Edward Augustus Wild during the American Civil War. [ http://www.fortpocahontas.org ]
**Evelynton Plantation was originally part of William Byrd's expansive Westover Plantation. Named for Byrd's daughter, Evelyn, this site has been home to the Ruffin family since 1847. The 2,500 acre (10 km²) farm is still family owned and operated. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Evelynton.html ]
**North Bend Plantation was built in 1819 by John Minge. In 1853 the home was doubled in size by Thomas Willcox. Architectural detailing from the expansion included Greek Revival detailing reminiscent of the designs of builder/architect Asher Benjamin. During the American Civil War, in 1864, it served as the headquarters of Union General Phillip Sheridan. The home has been in Copland family since 1916. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.northbendplantation.com ]
**Piney Grove at Southall's Plantation was established in the eighteenth century as a seat of the Southall family. During the late eighteenth century the 300-acre plantation was owned by Furneau Southall. The original log portion of Piney Grove was built before 1790 as a corn crib, later converted and enlarged into a general merchandise, and in 1905 enlarged and transformed into a residence. The home survives as a rare and well-preserved example of Early Virginia Log Architecture. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/pin.htm ]
**Edgewood Plantation and Harrison's Mill is a unique surviving example of Gothic Revival architecture along State Route 5 and the James River. Edgewood was once part of Berkeley Plantation and the mill was constructed by Benjamin Harrison V. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/edg.htm ]
**Westover Plantation was built circa 1730 by William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond. It is noteworthy for its secret passages, magnificent gardens, and architectural details. The grounds and garden are open daily, but the house is not open to the public. [ http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/Westover.html ]
**Berkeley Plantation was long the seat of the Harrison family, one of the First Families of Virginia. It was the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, son of the builder, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and three-time Governor of Virginia. His third son, William Henry Harrison, was born at Berkeley. A famous Indian fighter known as "Tippecanoe," William Henry Harrison later became the ninth President of the United States, in 1841, although he died shortly after taking office. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was the 23rd President. On December 4, 1619, early settlers from England came ashore at Berkeley and observed the first official Thanksgiving in America. It was also the site of the first playing of "Taps" at the conclusion of the Peninsula Campaign of 1862 during the American Civil War. [ http://www.berkeleyplantation.com ]
**Charles City Courthouse
**Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge
**Shirley Plantation, settled in 1613, is the oldest plantation in Virginia and the oldest family-owned business in North America, dating back to 1638. Occupied by the Hill family and their descendant's since 1738, the mother of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Anne Hill Carter, was born at Shirley and in 1793, married Light Horse Harry Lee in the mansion’s parlor. Shirley Plantation has been designated a National Historic Landmark. [ http://www.shirleyplantation.com ]
**Belle Air Plantation is a unique surviving example of a wooden house with postmedieval-type exposed interior framing, and is probably the oldest plantation dwelling along State Route 5. The original five-bay portion of Belle Air possesses architectural details characteristic of seventeenth century construction with a floor plan and façade fenestration characteristic of 18th-century design. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [ http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/bel.htm ]
*Henrico County, (another of the original shires of Virginia)
**Curles Neck Plantation, home of Nathaniel Bacon, the leader of 1676's Bacon's Rebellion, still a working farm and not open to public
**Varina Farms, home of John Rolfe and Pocahontas between 1614 and 1616, also still a working farm and not open to public
**Richmond National Battlefield Park (units including Fort Harrison)
*City of Richmond (Capital 1780-present)
**Tobacco Row
**Church Hill
**St. John's Church site of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech
**Shockoe Bottom
**Main Street Station (Amtrak)
**American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar Iron Works
**Virginia State Capitol

References

External links

* [http://www.virginiacapitaltrail.org/index.html Virginia Capital Trail Foundation]
* [http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/newcaptrail_welcome.asp Virginia Department of Transportation - Virginia Capital Trail webpage]