Editing James City County, Virginia (section)

==Communities==
From the establishment of Jamestown in 1607 through the middle of the 20th century, James City County's economy was based largely on an agriculture, with many farms and substantial tracts of undeveloped forests. After the decline of Jamestown in the 18th century, commerce was centered on Williamsburg, which was partially located within the county. Small unincorporated towns and villages were scattered throughout. The end of the Civil War in 1865 saw some of the larger farms divided into smaller tracts as [[freedmen]] established new homesteads. With the arrival of the railroad in 1881, new access to transportation stimulated more growth. In some areas, Americans from other parts of the country relocated to the county attracted by the land prices and access to markets. One such group of Scandinavian heritage founded [[Norge, Virginia|Norge]].

===Williamsburg===
Although it received its [[royal charter]] as a "city incorporate" (actually a borough) in 1722,<ref name=encyva>[https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Cities_of_Virginia Cities of Virginia] at Encyclopedia Virginia</ref> approximately one-half of Williamsburg was located in James City County for many years. The courthouse function was relocated there from Williamsburg, where the newer but historic 1770 Courthouse building was erected on Market Square. It was replaced in 1933 with a newer building nearby, and the 1770 building, substantially restored in 1989, is today part of Colonial Williamsburg's attractions.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/almanack/places/hb/hbcourt.cfm Courthouse<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928042257/http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/almanack/places/hb/hbcourt.cfm |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> Much more recently, another larger facility at 5201 Monticello Avenue, near [[Route 199 (Virginia)|State Route 199]] has become the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse.<ref>{{cite web|title=Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse|url=http://www.williamsburgva.gov/government/facilities/williamsburg-james-city-county-courthouse|publisher=City of Williamsburg|access-date=December 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226150154/http://www.williamsburgva.gov/government/facilities/williamsburg-james-city-county-courthouse|archive-date=December 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Colonial times, and for about 100 years thereafter, [[Duke of Gloucester Street]] actually formed a prominent portion of the James City County border with York County, dividing the city down its primary street.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Although Williamsburg was established literally along the border of the two counties, the [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] of Yorktown along the riverfront area at the [[York River (Virginia)|York River]] has always been the county seat of York County. In 1870, the Virginia General Assembly moved the county line so that Williamsburg was located entirely within James City County.

After a new Virginia state constitution was adopted in 1871, all incorporated cities in the state became [[Independent city (United States)|independent cities]] that were politically independent of counties. Williamsburg was incorporated as a city in 1884, and separated from James City County.<ref name=encyva/>  However, although politically separate entities, Williamsburg has remained the [[county seat]] of James City County. They continue to share many services, including courts, several constitutional officers and a joint public school system.

===Unincorporated communities===
There are no [[incorporated town]]s in the county. [[Unincorporated area|Unincorporated communities]] include:

{{col-begin}}{{col-break}}
* Centerville
* [[Croaker, Virginia|Croaker]]
* Diascund
* [[Ewell, Virginia|Ewell]]
* Five Forks
* [[Grove, Virginia|Grove]]
* Indigo Park
* [[Jamestown, Virginia|Jamestown]]
* Kingspoint
* [[Lightfoot, Virginia|Lightfoot]]
* [[Norge, Virginia|Norge]]
* [[Toano, Virginia|Toano]]
* [[Lanexa, Virginia|Lanexa]]
{{col-end}}

Several areas of the county have Williamsburg mailing addresses.

Gated residential communities in the county<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-news_jcctrash_0117jan18,0,4591313.story|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071113050429/http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-news_jcctrash_0117jan18,0,4591313.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2007|title=Topic Galleries - dailypress.com|website=dailypress.com|access-date=April 4, 2018}}</ref> include:
* Colonial Heritage
* Stonehouse at Millpond<ref>{{cite web |title=Stonehouse “A Toano /Williamsburg Va Neighborhood Spotlight” |url=https://williamsburgsrealestate.com/2009/02/22/williamsburg-va-neighborhoods-stonehouse/ |website=Mr Williamsburg |access-date=September 22, 2024 |language=en |date=February 22, 2009}}</ref>
* Ford's Colony
* [[Kingsmill, Virginia|Kingsmill]]
* Governor's Land