The English Explorer Captain John Smith came ashore in what is now Fort Monroe in 1607. Just two years later a small group of settlers built a wooden structure that would hold 7 mounted cannon. We can appreciate how very early on this site was valued for its strategic defensive location. By 1619 the area had become a landing place for slaves arriving from Africa. This location is steeped in some of the most significant events of our nation's history. The fort was named in honor of President James Monroe.

If you were to visit the National Park Service website dedicated to Fort Monroe you would see an aerial photograph of the 7 sided star stone fort.  It is the largest stone fort built in the United States.  The moat still surrounds the ston… — If you were to visit the National Park Service website dedicated to Fort Monroe you would see an aerial photograph of the 7 sided star stone fort. It is the largest stone fort built in the United States. The moat still surrounds the stone structure.

The National Monument includes 565 acres that, in addition to the actual Fort, include beautiful homes, bike and hiking paths, an elegant senior living 'hotel', a marina and more.

These historic homes were once occupied by Admirals and Generals.  Now they are most often privately owned.  The flags were out in force on this July 4th. — These historic homes were once occupied by Admirals and Generals. Now they are most often privately owned. The flags were out in force on this July 4th.

We have seen many, many instances where two flags are flown at equal height.  This is the only one that included a British flag.  Usually we see the United States and the Confederate flags flying together. — We have seen many, many instances where two flags are flown at equal height. This is the only one that included a British flag. Usually we see the United States and the Confederate flags flying together.

One of the real advantages of our current nomadic lifestyle is that we often are presented with new information that we simply do not understand. An example of this is the very common representation of both the United States flag and the Confederate flag flying side by side. We sought to understand what it meant. The best I can offer comes from a collection of explanations I have gotten. For one thing it represents the importance of history to a people that live in this state, especially in rural areas where families have owned their land since before the Confederate War. They are proud of their heritage, whether they supported succession or not. Secondly, this is a very conservative area of the country and people believe strongly in preserving, recognizing, and honoring their past, a past that includes for many families, a horrific Civil War. Much more could be said, but suffice it to write that the two flags, as they fly them, do not represent defiance or an act of treason.

Owen, my nephew, and I wanted to step out and get a shot of this building.  We could not tell from the back what the building was used for but we thought it would make a cool black and white image.  It did!  Black coal, white steam, o… — Owen, my nephew, and I wanted to step out and get a shot of this building. We could not tell from the back what the building was used for but we thought it would make a cool black and white image. It did! Black coal, white steam, overcast sky, a repetitive geometry in the fence, reflections off the water . . . We had a lot of fun talking about contrast and its importance in black and white images.

The barracks part of the fort (inside the stone walls) is really seeing the effects of time and neglect.  A few areas are slowly being restored, but for now it offers a stark contrast to the beautiful homes, some of them just across the street. — The barracks part of the fort (inside the stone walls) is really seeing the effects of time and neglect. A few areas are slowly being restored, but for now it offers a stark contrast to the beautiful homes, some of them just across the street.

Another candidate for some black and white photography.

These are not the old cannons!  At one time Fort Monroe was the site of the US Artillery School. — These are not the old cannons! At one time Fort Monroe was the site of the US Artillery School.

This is the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse, built in 1802.

At one time the building in the back was an elegant hotel.  It now houses very upscale senior living accommodations. — At one time the building in the back was an elegant hotel. It now houses very upscale senior living accommodations.

From the well traveled walkway one can look across the bay and see Navy ships.  This aircraft carrier is one of three in the harbor at this time.  We were told that it is not typical to have so many in port.  This photograph was taken… — From the well traveled walkway one can look across the bay and see Navy ships. This aircraft carrier is one of three in the harbor at this time. We were told that it is not typical to have so many in port. This photograph was taken through strong haze across the bay.

We saw this Coast Guard Vessel several times as it patrolled up and down the port.  Ordinary citizens can use the harbor but there are some restrictions on how close they can get to the Navy ships. — We saw this Coast Guard Vessel several times as it patrolled up and down the port. Ordinary citizens can use the harbor but there are some restrictions on how close they can get to the Navy ships.

A very interesting old ship moored along the road out of Fort Monroe.

We stopped along the way.  I know you are shocked by that!  My high key interpretation.  I kinda liked it!  It was pretty amazing to see how quickly Owen, who is just a beginning photographer at age 10, caught on to how light is … — We stopped along the way. I know you are shocked by that! My high key interpretation. I kinda liked it! It was pretty amazing to see how quickly Owen, who is just a beginning photographer at age 10, caught on to how light is captured and the notion that one needs to watch their histogram for clues about how one metering.

Owen showed he could do it with 'normal' key.  He is going to mature into a great photographer. — Owen showed he could do it with 'normal' key. He is going to mature into a great photographer.

Tom always prefers the darker images.  We had quite the fun time at this stop. — Tom always prefers the darker images. We had quite the fun time at this stop.

Tom was playing around with his fisheye lens.

From the car going over the James River Bridge and looking some distance to the shipyards.

Image captured while driving across the James River Bridge.

Columbia State Historic Park features the largest single collection of existing gold rush-era structures in California. The structures have become a variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, ice cream parlors, candy stores, saloons, and a even a tea house. Volunteer docents are dressed in 1850s era costumes and are strategically stationed to answer questions and watch over the park. We were fortunate to visit on a day when Halloween was being celebrated and the crowd was having fun, kids were trick-or-treating (docents handed out candy) and the weather was perfect.

The map gives you an idea of just how large the park is and the many structures still open.  Parking is ample and free.  Admission is free!  It is easy to spend a full day here. — The map gives you an idea of just how large the park is and the many structures still open. Parking is ample and free. Admission is free! It is easy to spend a full day here.

Photograph taken early before people began showing up.

The blacksmith's shop is a working shop where visitors can watch horseshoes being hammered into shape.

A docent is stationed in the general store to answer any questions.  I spoke to several docents and they love their volunteer opportunity, meet regularly, become experts on the history and significance of early gold mines in California and are … — A docent is stationed in the general store to answer any questions. I spoke to several docents and they love their volunteer opportunity, meet regularly, become experts on the history and significance of early gold mines in California and are happy to see people at the park. This gentleman was proud to dust and keep the store properly arranged. He said he was always looking for the right items to add to the store, changing up the inventory just like the original proprietor would have done.

He played for hours.  The sound of his whistle carried a long way down the main street. — He played for hours. The sound of his whistle carried a long way down the main street.

I believe this image was taken inside the tea house.  There was a significant Chinese population in many mining camps and discrimination against them was common.  Rooms such as this one had interpretive signs to help visitors better unders… — I believe this image was taken inside the tea house. There was a significant Chinese population in many mining camps and discrimination against them was common. Rooms such as this one had interpretive signs to help visitors better understand mining what life might have been like in a mining camp in the 1850s.

A young trick-or-treater waiting in line.

Docents strolling the main street and greeting visitors.

It appears that there is still activity in the theater.

You can go inside, dress up in 1850s period clothing and have your photograph taken.  It was a popular place! — You can go inside, dress up in 1850s period clothing and have your photograph taken. It was a popular place!

You have to admit there is a sense of style going on here!

There were two very old fire engines in town.  One is still being used.  Fires were a real problem in early mining camps and it was not unusual to have a fire devastate a whole mining camp every couple of years.  Getting fire fighting… — There were two very old fire engines in town. One is still being used. Fires were a real problem in early mining camps and it was not unusual to have a fire devastate a whole mining camp every couple of years. Getting fire fighting equipment and building more permanent brick structures was a big step in creating a permanent and stable community.

On the old fire truck.  The fire department is manned by volunteers. — On the old fire truck. The fire department is manned by volunteers.

Inside peek at the blacksmith's working area.

Another view of the interior of the tea house.

I was fascinated by her hat.  She was a docent handing out candy. — I was fascinated by her hat. She was a docent handing out candy.

The road to Columbia was almost a trip of its own. We passed a sign indicating that Mark Twain's cabin was about a half mile up the hill. So, up we went. We are staying just outside of Angels Camp, home of the Calaveras Jumping Frog. Mark Twain's first successful short story was about the Calaveras frog. The cabin was rebuilt on the site and it is surrounded by a fence.

Fort Monroe

Columbia Historic State Park

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