Black Point Trail on Jamestown Island, Colonial National Historical Park
Black Point Trail
Length: .4 mile, round trip
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: easy
There is only one short trail in the Historic Jamestowne unit of Colonial National Historical Park, the Black Point Trail. It is an out-and-back trail located at the far end of Jamestown Island Drive, making a hike along it most feasible for those with a vehicle or bike because it is a 2.5-mile trip, one way, to the trailhead from the Historic Jamestown Visitor Center. There is a parking area for vehicles at the trailhead. Cyclists must leave their bikes here as well, for this is a foot trail only.
Black Point Trail is short, flat, and easy to hike. It passes through the forest as it heads straight for the James River. There are no side trails on which to make a wrong turn, so you can’t get lost.
Black Point Trail on Jamestown Island, Colonial National Historical Park
There are three graves along the trail that belong to the Travis family, one of two families that owned the entire Jamestown Island shortly after most people left when the capital of Virginia moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg in 1699. The other family was the Amblers, whose mansion lies in ruins at New Town. Both families ran plantations on the island.
Travis cemetery on Jamestown Island, Colonial National Historical Park
Edward Travis is buried in one grave by himself. A second contains the remains of father and son John Champion and John Champion Jr. (Champion was the brother of Elizabeth Champion, wife of Edward Travis). The two men and the boy all died within three months of each other in late 1700. No cause of death is given, but based on the closeness of their deaths, they may have died from a disease.
A third grave holds the wife of Edward Champion Travis, Suzanna, who died in 1761, and three of her children, all of whom died within a few years of being born, anywhere from 1749 to 1759. Suzanna was 33-years-old when she died. Her husband must be another Edward Travis, since she certainly wasn’t married to the Edward Travis who died in 1700. With everyone being named after each other, it is impossible to figure out the exact relationship of those in the three graves.
Grave of John Champion and John Champion Jr. on Jamestown Island, Colonial National Historical Park
The trail ends at the James River at Black Point. You will not see the river at any point on the Jamestown Island Drive, so only those on foot get to see it.
View of the James River from Black Point on Jamestown Island, Colonial National Historical Park
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Last updated on July 9, 2024
