Smithfield is a

town A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city. The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...

in Isle of Wight County, in the

South Hampton Roads South Hampton Roads is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia's Tidewater region in the United States with a total population of 1,177,742 as of 2020. It is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA ( M ...

subregion of the

Hampton Roads Hampton Roads is a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond, and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's Point near whe ...

region of

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

, United States. The population was 8,533 at the 2020 census. The town is most famous for the curing and production of the Smithfield ham. The

Virginia General Assembly The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere, and the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. It was established on July 30, ...

passed a statute defining "Smithfield ham" by law in 1926, with one of the requirements that it be processed within the town limits.

Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods, Inc., is an American pork producer and food-processing company based in Smithfield, Virginia. Founded in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company by Joseph W. Luter and his son, the company is the largest pig and pork producer in ...

, a Chinese

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company that owns Smithfield Packing Company and others, is the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. The company, based in Smithfield, raises 12 million hogs and processes 20 million pounds of them annually.

History and industry

The area to later be called Smithfield was first colonized in 1634, is located on the Pagan River, south of Jamestown and on the south side of the James River. The Native Americans knew this area as ''Warascoyak,'' also spelled ''Warrosquoyacke'', meaning "point of land." The Virginia colony officially formed Warrosquyoake Shire (with numerous variant spellings, including Warrascoyack, Warrascocke and "Warwick Squeak") in 1634, but it had already been known as "Warascoyack County" before this. It was renamed as Isle of Wight County in 1637. In 1730, the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730 established "Warricksqueak Bay, in Isle of Wight County" as the site of an official tobacco inspection house. The town was established as a seaport in 1752 by Arthur Smith IV. The original survey and plat of the Town of Smithfield was made by Jordan Thomas, County Surveyor, for "Captain Arthur Smith" in 1750. As a river town, its life and growth were dependent on the river. "Wharf Hill" was the waterfront location of the beginning of the industries of Smithfield. They eventually included peanuts and the raising of pork as commodities, leading to the town claiming the titles of "Peanut Capital of the World" and later "Ham Capital of the World." George Purdie, a County Justice and Postmaster of Smithfield during his lifetime, in 1763 purchased Lots 4 and 5 of the original plat of the Town of Smithfield. Purdie's neighbor, Captain Mallory Todd, developed the business of curing and shipping the hams that has made Smithfield world-famous. The peanut industry continued until the fire of 1921, which destroyed the peanut warehouses. The peanut trade moved to the nearby railroad hub of

Suffolk, Virginia Suffolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in Virginia, United States. As of 2020, the population was 94,324. It is the List of cities in Virginia, 10th-most populous city in Virginia, the largest city in Virginia by bou ...

. Military actions of both the Revolutionary and Civil War took place in and around the town, as it was considered strategic due to its proximity to the James River. Revolutionary Patriots used Wharf Hill as a safe harbor for receiving arms and supplies, and a vantage point for directing Federal cannon fire on Main Street. Its dock has welcomed the fictional drama of the real "Show Boat" (James Adams Floating Theatre). The Mansion on Main was the showplace home of a Victorian-era "Virginian of Virginians", Richard Samuel "R.S." Thomas (1837–1915). It was restored by Sala Clark in the late 1990s. His 1889 "urban" Queen Ann-style mansion changed the face of Smithfield (which had been dominated by colonial and cottage styles). Thomas helped to preserve the 1632 St. Luke's Church, which in the late 20th century was recognized as a

National Historic Landmark A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a National Register of Historic Places property types, building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the Federal government of the United States, United States government f ...

. Thomas literally "wrote the book" on St. Luke's Church, ''The Old Brick Church Near Smithfield, Virginia,'' specifically to champion recognition of its 1632 date of construction and legacy. He presented his work to the Virginia Historical Society on December 22, 1891. He wrote: "It is my object to prove that this Church was built in 1632, and I shall prove it, 1. By the existence at that early date, of such strong, religious sentiment, as demanded a house of worship to the living God; 2. By tradition; 3. By lately existing records; and – 4. By the bricks and mortar of the Church itself." Proceedings of the Virginia Historical Society at its Annual Meeting held in the House of the Society on February 25, 1915", ''Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,'' Vol. 23, xxxi – xxxiii/ref> Today, Smithfield has a population of 8,100. It is approximately in size. The ham production operation was purchased by a Chinese firm in 2014.

Geography

Smithfield is located at (36.978767, -76.618578). According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the town has a total area of 10.4 square miles (27.1 km²), of which 9.5 square miles (24.7 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.4 km²) (8.80%) is water.

Demographics

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 8,089 people, 2,438 households (2000 census), and 1,830 families residing in the town. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

is 851.5 people per square mile (330.2/km²). In 2000 there were 2,552 housing units at an average density of 267.9 per square mile (103.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 67.22%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 30.87%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.35% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.22% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population. There were 2,438 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.95. In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 82.4 males. The median income for a household in the town was $43,224, and the median income for a family was $53,906. Males had a median income of $40,845 versus $24,419 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the town was $19,301. About 11.8% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older.

Culture and architecture

Known as the ham capital of the world, Smithfield attracts many tourists. Smithfield's Historic District is a major attraction, with more than 70 contributing properties from the Colonial, Federal, and Victorian periods. Historic buildings that lure tourists include the Isle of Wight County Museum, Historic Fort Huger, the Schoolhouse Museum, the Old Courthouse of 1750, and St. Luke's Church, a National Historic Landmark located just outside downtown. Other sites of historic interest include the former colonial tavern, now the Smithfield Inn; the Wentworth-Grinnan House, and Windsor Castle Park. Countryside attractions just outside Smithfield include Boykin's Tavern Museum, the 1800 Isle of Wight Courthouse, and Darden's Country Store & Smokehouse. The Jamestown/Scotland Ferry (located in Surry) allows tourists to visit

Williamsburg, Virginia Williamsburg is an Independent city (United States), independent city in Virginia, United States. It had a population of 15,425 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located on the Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg is in the northern par ...

, as well, linking Smithfield to the historic triangle. Smithfield is a convenient day trip from Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. The Fort Boykin Archaeological Site (44IW20),

Four Square Four square (also called handball, champ, four squares or box ball) is a global sport played on a square court divided by two perpendicular lines into four identical boxes creating four squares labelled 1–4 or A–D. Four square is a popula ...

, P. D. Gwaltney Jr. House, Ivy Hill Cemetery, Col. Josiah Parker Family Cemetery, Poplar Hill, Robert Tynes House, and Wolftrap Farm are listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

. Smithfield offers an array of events throughout the year. Family events include the Christmas Parade, the Smithfield Farmers Market, and Smithfield Olden Days. Local businesses and restaurants also offer entertainment. Jalapeños and Smithfield Station offer live music, while the Smithfield Little Theater offers various selections of plays throughout the year. Windsor Castle Park, Nike Park, Cypress Creek Golf Course, and Smithfield Station Restaurant, Waterfront Inn & Marina are some recreational sites of Smithfield. Boating, fishing, hunting, and biking are enjoyed, and the city has a local skate park, trails, and campgrounds.

Gallery

File:Isle of Wight County Museum 014.jpg, Isle of Wight County Museum File:Smithfield colonial courthouse.JPG, The colonial courthouse on Main Street. File:Smithfield colonial tavern.JPG, The colonial tavern on Main Street, now operated as the Smithfield Inn. File:Smithfield schoolhouse museum.JPG, The Schoolhouse Museum on Main Street. File:Smithfield jordan house.JPG, The Jordan House, a private residence on Main Street. File:Smithfield mansion on main.JPG, The Mansion on Main Street. File:Smithfield gwaltney house.JPG, The Gwaltney House, a private residence on South Church Street. File:Wentworth-Grinnan_House.jpg, The Wentworth-Grinnan House overlooking the Pagan River and wetlands. File:Smithfield smithfield station.JPG, Smithfield Station hotel, restaurant, and marina. File:Smithfield smithfield station from pagan river.JPG, Smithfield Station viewed from the Pagan River. File:Windsor castle smithfield manor house 4.jpg, The manor house at Windsor Castle Park.

Schools

* Carrollton Elementary School (PreK–3rd) * Hardy Elementary School (PreK–4th) * Westside Elementary School (4th–6th) * Smithfield Middle School (7th–8th) * Smithfield High School (9th–12th)

In popular culture

* In the HBO Max original series '' And Just Like That...'' the character of Aidan Shaw (played by John Corbett) resides in Smithfield, VA with his sons.

Notable people

* William K. Barlow (1936–2022) – Virginia state politician * Mary Batten (b. 1937) – science writer * Lewis C. Bidamon (1806–1891) – Illinois militia leader * Brian Blount –

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a historically Reformed Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders, known as "presbyters". Though other Reformed churches are structurally similar, the word ''Pr ...

minister,

New Testament The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...

scholar and former president of the

Union Presbyterian Seminary Union Presbyterian Seminary is a Presbyterian seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, offering graduate theological education in multiple modalities: in-person, hybrid, and online. History As a result of efforts underta ...

* Robert Butler (1784–1853) – Virginia state adjutant general and

state treasurer In the state and territorial governments of the United States, 54 of the 56 states and territories have the executive position of treasurer. New York abolished the office of New York State Treasurer in 1926, in which the duties were transfer ...

* Cynthia Clarey (b. 1949) –

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

tic singer and educator * Cliff Daniels (b. 1988) –

NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in ...

crew chief * Aaron De Groft (b. 1966) – museum director, author, and art curator * Willie Drew (b. 2000) – professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player * Ernest A. Finney Jr. (1931–2017) – Chief Justice of South Carolina * Robert H. Hodsden (1806–1864) – Tennessee state politician * Joseph W. Luter III (b. 1939) – chairman of

* Otelia B. Mahone (1835–1911) – nurse during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

and wife of Confederate Major General

William Mahone William Mahone (December 1, 1826October 8, 1895) was a Confederate States Army general, civil engineer, railroad executive, prominent Virginia Readjuster Party, Readjuster and ardent supporter of former slaves. He later represented Virginia in th ...

* Parke S. Rouse Jr. (1915–1995) – journalist, writer, and historian * Arthur Smith (1785–1853) –

U.S. Representative The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...

for Virginia * Arthur Smith IV (1680–1755) – British colonial landowner, politician, and captain who incorporated Smithfield * Allie Edward Stakes Stephens (1900–1973) –

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia The lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The lieutenant governor is elected every four years along with the governor and attorney general. The office is currently held ...

* Chris Taliaferro (b. 1965) –

Chicago City Council The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the Law and government of Chicago, government of the Chicago, City of Chicago in Illinois. It consists of 50 alderpersons elected from 50 Wards of the United States, wards to serve four-year t ...

member * F. Palmer Weber (1914–1986) – activist and politician

References

External links

Official Website of Smithfield
{{authority control Towns in Isle of Wight County, Virginia Populated places on the James River (Virginia)