Henrico Town

In 1611, Sir Thomas Dale established the second English settlement in Virginia, called Henrico in honor of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, son of King James I. The town was located four miles southwest on a peninsula of high land on the James River. A ditch was constructed across the neck of land and a fence surrounded the town. "Henricus Citie" contained "three streets of well-framed houses, a handsome church, store houses, a hospital, and watchtowers." After the Anglo-Powhatan War began in 1622 the town was abandoned. Remaining traces of the land associated with the town comprise Henricus Park in Chesterfield County.