Paddle Round The Island 2024 Chickahominy River Gordons Island Jamestown Williamsburg, VA – Dave The Kayaker

More about this race on PaddleGuru.

The Chickahominy River and Gordon Island are located in the southeastern United States, specifically in the state of Virginia. Here’s a brief history of the area:

Indigenous Peoples and Early Exploration (10,000 BCE – 1600s)

The Chickahominy River has been home to various indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Chickahominy tribe, a subgroup of the Algonquian-speaking Powhatan Confederacy, inhabited the area around the river. The confederacy was a powerful alliance of over 30 tribes that stretched from present-day North Carolina to Maryland.

In the early 16th century, European explorers, including Giovanni da Verrazzano and Sir Francis Drake, began to visit the region. The first English settlement in the area was established at Jamestown in 1607, just north of the Chickahominy River.

Colonial Era and Conflict (1600s – 1700s)

During the early colonial period, the Chickahominy tribe was a key player in the conflicts between the English colonists and the Native American tribes. The Chickahominy were allies of the English, but tensions arose when the English began to encroach on their lands. In 1610, a group of English settlers founded a settlement on Gordon Island, which was later abandoned.

In the late 17th century, the Chickahominy tribe was involved in a series of conflicts with the English, including Bacon’s Rebellion (1676-1677), which was a rebellion against the English government and its policies towards Native Americans.

Gordon Island and the River (1700s – 1800s)

Gordon Island, named after Robert Gordon, an English colonist, was originally settled by Scottish-Irish immigrants in the early 18th century. The island became a significant agricultural and commercial center, with trade connections to Richmond and other parts of Virginia.

The Chickahominy River played a crucial role in the region’s economy, with many plantations and farms relying on its waterways for transportation and trade. The river was also an important fishing ground for local residents.

Civil War and Reconstruction (1800s)

During the American Civil War, Gordon Island was occupied by Union forces in 1862. The island was used as a military base and a site for naval operations on the Chickahominy River. After the war, Gordon Island remained a significant agricultural center, with many former slaves settling on the island.

Oh, and it is a great setting for a modern day kayak/SUP race.