As one of the original counties established by the English in 1634, Isle of Wight County has long been an epicenter of agriculture and trade.
With its strategic position near the James River, Smithfield developed into a thriving port which today is a charming small town with a flourishing ham industry, a deep sense of history, and lots to see and do. The nearby smaller towns of Windsor and Carrollton each have their own personality, and our rural areas include local farms, parks and beautiful open spaces.
We welcome you to come for a day, stay a weekend, or visit for a long relaxing trip where you can do as much or as little as you’d like. Wander along Smithfield’s quaint Main St., visit our independent shops and restaurants, explore our history, or just disconnect from the hustle of city life. Welcome!
History
The Native Americans knew this area as Warascoyak, meaning “point of land.” The area was first colonized by the British in 1634 as Warascoyak Shire, and it was renamed Isle of Wight County in 1637. It was one of the original 8 shires that would eventually become the United States, and was home of one of the first post offices established by Ben Franklin in 1775.
Arthur Smith IV inherited a significant tract of land in 1742 and petitioned the General Assembly to establish Smithfield – a town which he named after his family. The town was officially incorporated in 1752: four streets, 72 lots, a wharf and a courthouse. Smithfield thrived as a colonial seaport and continued to prosper after the signing of the Declaration of Independence only 24 years after the town’s establishment.
The area soon became synonymous with peanut farming and later, ham and meat processing. Due to the area’s location near the James River strategically located between Williamsburg and Richmond, it played a key role in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Here, visitors can see the oldest brick church in Virginia, the original courthouse dating from 1750, and two historic forts that later were turned into parks. The Smithfield Historic District also contains a myriad of breathtaking original architecture throughout the ages including Colonial, Georgian, Federal and Victorian.
Smithfield Ham
Pigs were brought to the area during colonial times because they were excellent travelers, would eat anything, and provided food. Pigs were kept on islands in the James River which became known as “Hog Islands” and their diet included leaf mulch, acorns, and other plant material native to those sites. As a result, the meat had a distinctly sweeter flavor. This – combined with smoking techniques learned from Native Americans – made Virginia ham prized worldwide.
In 1779, a Smithfield local named Mallory Todd began shipping Virginia hams and the area became a hub of pork production. Today the area is home to the worldwide headquarters of Smithfield Foods, the largest pork producer in the world.
On your visit, stop by the Isle of Wight County Museum where you can learn more about the process and history with a smokehouse replica, plus visit the World’s Oldest Ham and Peanut on display. Be sure eat at one of our many restaurants that serve pork in the way that only we know how, including Taste of Smithfield, which prominently features Smithfield Foods’ products on their menu. Visit Darden’s County Store, a family farm and shop that has been making their own ham since 1952. Enjoy ham biscuits (country ham served on a sweet potato biscuit or potato roll, and a staple in our area) at so many places that you’ll start to demand them everywhere!