Cobham, Surry County, Virginia facts for kids

Cobham was the name of two different places in Virginia, United States. One was an old town that no longer exists, located in Surry County, Virginia. The other is a small community found in Albemarle County, Virginia.

What Was the Old Cobham Town?

The first Cobham was a small town in Surry County, Virginia. It was created a very long time ago, in 1691. Back then, the government of the Virginia Colony (which was like a part of England) passed a law. This law said that every county had to set aside about 50 acres (200,000 m²) of land to build a town.

Why Was Cobham Built?

The main reason for creating towns like Cobham was for trade. The law said that special buildings called storehouses needed to be built. These storehouses were for keeping goods that were brought into the colony and for storing products like tobacco that were sent out. The county also sold small pieces of land, about half an acre each, so people could build homes and live in the town.

Cobham was located in a good spot for trade. It was right where Gray's Creek met the James River. It was also very close to Jamestown, which was an important early settlement. People think the town was named after a place called Cobham in Surrey, England.

What Happened to the Old Town?

Cobham was a busy place during the 1700s and early 1800s. But over time, it slowly faded away. It became one of the many towns that no longer exist today.

The Surry County Historical Society says that you can barely see any signs of the old town now. The land where Cobham once stood is mostly farmland. However, farmers who plow their fields sometimes find interesting things. They have come across old building foundations, as well as items like old locks, broken dishes, and even old pistols! These finds are like clues from the past, showing where the town once was.

Another Cobham: In Albemarle County

There is also another place named Cobham in eastern Albemarle County, Virginia. This Cobham is not a town, but an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are not part of an official town or city government.

This Cobham is located at the crossing of Route 22 (also known as Louisa Road) and Route 640 (St. John's Road / Cobham Station Lane). It's about halfway between the cities of Charlottesville and Louisa.

What Is Modern Cobham Like?

Today, the Cobham in Albemarle County is known for its horse farms and homes. It used to have a train station, but that closed down in the early 1900s. One building still stands near the train tracks, which people believe was once a feed store. The original train station building itself was moved to a different spot and is now used as a house.

An old general store, which was originally a one-story building near the tracks, was also moved. It was taken about 200 feet up to Route 22. In 1936, a second story was added to it. This building served as the Cobham General Store and Post Office until the mid-1990s. After that, it was used for other things, like a store for horse supplies and an internet business. In 2002, the building was changed into a home.