Norfolk, VA – The City of Norfolk and Chesapeake Conservancy will join historians Edward Wright Haile and Connie Lapallo to install and dedicate the latest granite marker in the Chesapeake Conservancy’s John Smith Chesapeake Cross Marker project.

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The 17th century explorer’s journal includes details about crosses—either of brass or as a shape carved in tree bark—that marked the furthest extent of his explorations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With the help of volunteer historians Ed Haile and Connie Lapallo, the Chesapeake Conservancy has been working to pinpoint the locations of these crosses and mark each spot for modern day adventurers to visit using square granite pillars. This installation will be the 17th of the 24 cross marker sites.

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According to historian Ed Haile, on September 4, 1608, Capt. John Smith records that he sailed up the Lafayette River, “… a narrow river to the country of Chesapeack. It hath a good channel, but many shoals about the entrance. By that we had sailed six or seven miles, we saw two or three little garden plots with their houses … not seeing or hearing any people, and the river very narrow, we returned to the great river.”

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WHO:  Ben Kane, Program Manager, City of Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space

Edward Wright Haile, Connie Lapallo, Volunteer Historians

Jody Couser, Director of Communications, Chesapeake Conservancy

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WHAT: John Smith Chesapeake Trail Cross Marker Installation

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WHEN:  March 26, 2018, 1:00 p.m.

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WHERE:  City Park beside the pond behind old Ballentine Elementary School on Ballentine Blvd. The marker placement will be closer to Harrell Ave.

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DIRECTIONS: From I-64, exit 277 south on Tidewater Drive (168), go south 3.3 miles to left on Princess Anne Rd (404/166); go east 1.5 mile to left on Ballentine Blvd; north 0.4 mile. The school is the only building on the left, with plenty of street parking or a small parking lot to the right of the building. The cross will be placed 100 yards behind the building.

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