Smithfield, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Smithfield is a town
in Isle of Wight County
, in the South Hampton Roads
subregion of the Hampton Roads
region of Virginia
in the United States
. The population was 8,089 at the 2010 census.
The town is most famous for the curing and production of the Smithfield ham
. The Virginia General Assembly
passed a statute defining "Smithfield ham" by law in 1926, with one of the requirements that it be processed within the town limits. Currently, Smithfield Foods
, a Fortune 500
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 and processes 20 million hogs annually.
, not far from Jamestown. The Native Americans knew this area as Warascoyak, also spelled Warrosquoyacke, meaning “point of land.”
The town, established in 1752 by Arthur Smith IV as a seaport. 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, and its life and growth were dependent on the river. “Wharf Hill” was the location of the beginning of the industries of Smithfield, which would evolve into “The Peanut Capital of the World” and “The Ham Capital of the World” on its waterfront. George Purdie, Gent., a County Justice and Postmaster of Smithfield during his lifetime, purchased Lots 4 & 5 of the original plat of the Town of Smithfield in 1763. Purdie's neighbor, Captain Mallory Todd, was building the business of curing and shipping the hams that has made Smithfield world famous. {George Purdie Merchant of Smithfield by Doris Gwaltney, a descendent by marriage}. The peanut industry continued until the fire of 1921 which destroyed its peanut warehouses and its growing peanut businesses. The peanut trade moved to the nearby railroad hub of Suffolk, Virginia
.
There were both Revolutionary and Civil War actions in and around the town mostly, due to its proximity to the James River. Wharf Hill was used as a safe harbor to receive arms and supplies for revolutionary patriots and a vantage point from which Federal cannon fire showered 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," R.S. Thomas (1837–1915)-- restored by Sala Clark in the late 1990s—whose 1889 "urban" Queen Ann style mansion changed the face of Smithfield (colonial and cottage), and whose efforts helped to save a nearby National Landmark, the 1632 St. Luke's Church
. Thomas literally "wrote the book" on St. Luke's Church, “The Old Brick Church Near Smithfield, Virginia” specifically to champion its 1632 date and legacy. He presented it before the Virginia Historical Society on December 22, 1891. “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.”
Today, Smithfield is a small town community striving to preserve its southern charm. Currently Smithfield has a population of 8,100 and is approximately 10.1 square miles (26 km²) in size.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, 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.
As of the census
of 2010, there were 8,089 people, 2,438 households (2000 census), and 1,830 families residing in the town. The population density
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, 30.87% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic 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
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 age 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
for the town was $19,301. About 11.8% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 15.6% of those 65 and older.
Smithfield also offers an array of entertainment and events throughout the year. Family events include the Christmas Parade, the Olde Town Curb market (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.
Nike Park, Cypress Creek Golf Course, and Smithfield Station Restaurant, Waterfront Inn & Marina are just some of the recreational sites of Smithfield. Boating, fishing, hunting, and biking are enjoyed by many citizens of Smithfield. Smithfield also has a local skate park, trails, and campgrounds.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Isle of Wight County
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,270 people, 11,319 households, and 8,670 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 12,066 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
, in the South Hampton Roads
South Hampton Roads
South Hampton Roads is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States, and is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA with a population about 1.7 million....
subregion of the Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
region of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,089 at the 2010 census.
The town is most famous for the curing and production of the Smithfield ham
Smithfield ham
Smithfield ham is a specific form of the country ham, a product which originated in the town of Smithfield in Isle of Wight County in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, USA.-Legal definition:...
. The Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
passed a statute defining "Smithfield ham" by law in 1926, with one of the requirements that it be processed within the town limits. Currently, Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods, Inc. is the world’s largest pork producer and processor. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, it runs facilities in 26 U.S. states, including the world's largest meat-processing plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina, and has operations in Brazil, China, France, Mexico, Poland,...
, a Fortune 500
Fortune 500
The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 U.S. closely held and public corporations as ranked by their gross revenue after adjustments made by Fortune to exclude the impact of excise taxes companies collect. The list includes publicly and...
Company that owns Smithfield Packing Company
Smithfield Packing Company
Smithfield Packing Company was founded in 1936 by Joseph W. Luter and his son Joseph W. Luter, Jr., in the Town of Smithfield along the Pagan River, a tributary of the James River in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, USA, to produce Smithfield hams...
and others, is the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. The company, based in Smithfield, raises 12 million and processes 20 million hogs annually.
History and industry
Smithfield, first colonized in 1634, is located on the Pagan RiverPagan River
The Pagan River is a tributary of the James River located in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The historic town of Smithfield is located on the banks of this river....
, not far from Jamestown. The Native Americans knew this area as Warascoyak, also spelled Warrosquoyacke, meaning “point of land.”
The town, established in 1752 by Arthur Smith IV as a seaport. 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, and its life and growth were dependent on the river. “Wharf Hill” was the location of the beginning of the industries of Smithfield, which would evolve into “The Peanut Capital of the World” and “The Ham Capital of the World” on its waterfront. George Purdie, Gent., a County Justice and Postmaster of Smithfield during his lifetime, purchased Lots 4 & 5 of the original plat of the Town of Smithfield in 1763. Purdie's neighbor, Captain Mallory Todd, was building the business of curing and shipping the hams that has made Smithfield world famous. {George Purdie Merchant of Smithfield by Doris Gwaltney, a descendent by marriage}. The peanut industry continued until the fire of 1921 which destroyed its peanut warehouses and its growing peanut businesses. The peanut trade moved to the nearby railroad hub of Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk is the largest city by area in Virginia, United States, and is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,585. Its median household income was $57,546.-History:...
.
There were both Revolutionary and Civil War actions in and around the town mostly, due to its proximity to the James River. Wharf Hill was used as a safe harbor to receive arms and supplies for revolutionary patriots and a vantage point from which Federal cannon fire showered 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," R.S. Thomas (1837–1915)-- restored by Sala Clark in the late 1990s—whose 1889 "urban" Queen Ann style mansion changed the face of Smithfield (colonial and cottage), and whose efforts helped to save a nearby National Landmark, the 1632 St. Luke's Church
St. Luke's Church (Smithfield, Virginia)
St. Luke's Church, also known as Old Brick Church, or Newport Parish Church, is a historic American church located in the unincorporated community of Benns Church, near Smithfield in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The present dedication was ascribed in 1820...
. Thomas literally "wrote the book" on St. Luke's Church, “The Old Brick Church Near Smithfield, Virginia” specifically to champion its 1632 date and legacy. He presented it before the Virginia Historical Society on December 22, 1891. “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.”
Today, Smithfield is a small town community striving to preserve its southern charm. Currently Smithfield has a population of 8,100 and is approximately 10.1 square miles (26 km²) in size.
Geography
Smithfield is located at 36°58′44"N 76°37′7"W (36.978767, -76.618578).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, 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
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
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
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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, 30.87% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic 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
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 age 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
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $19,301. About 11.8% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, 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 currently attracts many tourists. Smithfield's Historic District is a major attraction. Historic buildings that lure tourists include the Isle of Wight County Museum, Historic Fort Huger, the Schoolhouse Museum, the Old Courthouse of 1750, and Historic St. Lukes Church located just outside of downtown. Countryside attractions just outside of Smithfield include Boykins Tavern Museum, the Isle of Wight Courthouse of 1800, and Darden's Country Store & Smokehouse. The Jamestown/Scotland Ferry (located in Surry) also allows tourists to visit Williamsburg as well, linking Smithfield to the historic triangle. Smithfield is also a convenient day trip from Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. Smithfield's Historic District includes over 70 buildings of exceptional architectural importance, including residences of the Colonial, Federal, and Victorian periods. Sites of historic interest in Smithfield include the 1750 Court House, the adjacent colonial tavern that is now the Smithfield Inn, the Isle of Wight Museum, the Schoolhouse Museum, and Windsor Castle Park.Smithfield also offers an array of entertainment and events throughout the year. Family events include the Christmas Parade, the Olde Town Curb market (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.
Nike Park, Cypress Creek Golf Course, and Smithfield Station Restaurant, Waterfront Inn & Marina are just some of the recreational sites of Smithfield. Boating, fishing, hunting, and biking are enjoyed by many citizens of Smithfield. Smithfield also has a local skate park, trails, and campgrounds.
Schools
- Westside Elementary School
- Hardy Elementary School
- Smithfield Middle School (Smithfield, Virginia)
- Smithfield High School