Cape Henry is the site where in 1607 the Jamestown colonists first landed in search of a site to settle. Here, they gave thanks for their safe arrival to Virgina. The settlers erected a large wooden cross at the site. Today, a stone cross stands as a memorial.

Off these shores in 1781, the French Admiral deGrasse was able to hold off the British from resupplying Lord Cornwallis. This successful naval action by the French ultimately led to the Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown, effectively ending the American Revolution.