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Jamestown, Virginia

Jamestowne, Williamsburg
Fort (1607) and Town (1619)
A small late-Gothic church with a ruined tower
The ruined tower of the 17th century Jamestown Church; the nave was reconstructed in 1907 on the original foundations
Location in eastern Virginia
Location in eastern Virginia
Jamestown is located in Virginia
Jamestown
Jamestown
Location in Virginia
Coordinates: 37°12′33″N 76°46′39″WCoordinates: 37°12′33″N 76°46′39″W
Present country United States
State Virginia
Historic Country Kingdom of England
Colony Colony of Virginia
EstablishedMay 14, 1607
Abandonedbriefly in 1610; again after 1699
Founded byVirginia Company of London
Named forJames I

The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. It was located on the northeast bank of the James (Powhatan) River about 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of the center of modern Williamsburg. It was established by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 4, 1607 O.S.; (May 14, 1607 N.S.), and was considered permanent after a brief abandonment in 1610. It followed several failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke, established in 1585 on Roanoke Island. Jamestown served as the colonial capital from 1616 until 1699.