Category: Press

The James River Water Authority is under fire for choosing a historically significant Native American site — as its former capitol, the most significant to the Monacan nation — as the location for a new water pumping station.

Many of us were moved by the op-ed written by Pamela Thompson of the Monacan Indian Nation (“Major Monacan site imperiled by ‘progress,’” The Daily Progress, June 23) about the proposed construction of a water pumping station at the Point of Forks in Fluvanna County.

I am writing in reference to the proposed construction by the James River Water Authority of a water pumping station at Point of Fork, the confluence of the Rivanna and James rivers.

In 1612 when John Smith drew his Map of Virginia, he recorded an Indian town at the fork of the Rivanna and James rivers, called Rassawek. Smith learned that Rassawek was the capital of the Monacan people: All Monacan towns sent their tribute to Rassawek and gathered there for major ceremonies.