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Virginia Beach Virginia

Virgina Beach, Va., is located in the Hampton Roads area. The boardwalk is awesome with its sound of crashing waves, children laughing, music playing in the background, the smell of grilling around the corner, jogging, rollerblading and more. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves and just doing their own thing.

HISTORY

Virginia Beach, Virginia has a long history as home to several First Nations tribes predating the arrival of European explorers in the early 17th century. Among them, the Chesepian and Nansemond ruled what is known as the Woodland Period dating back to around 1000 BCE. The period is characterized by slow technological and social development.

In the late 1500s, the local First Nations residents began facing extermination or relocation at the hands of European settlers. In 1607, Christopher Newport landed at Cape Henry (now part of Northern Virginia Beach), and began exploring inland possibilities for settlements.

In 1622, Adam Thoroughgood settled in the Chesapeake Bay area, and played a prominent role in the development of New Norfolk County. The region encompassed what is now Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.

Thoroughgood built a small home, much of which still remains as it was when built in 1636. The historic home is listed with the National Register of Historic Places, and currently serves as a museum. It is one of the oldest of homes in the region, the other being the Adam Keeling House.

New Norfolk Country was formed out of Elizabeth City County in 1636. One year later, the county divided into Upper (now Nansemond County) and Lower Norfolk County.

In 1775, Kemp’s Landing was founded as a colonial port on the Elizabeth River. The landing grew into Kempsville in 1781, and became the seat of Princess Anne County. The city’s historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church was founded in 1843.

In 1792, the US government authorized the construction of the first lighthouse, now known as Cape Henry Light, marking the marking the entrance to Chesapeake Bay where Captain Christopher Newport first landed. The original lighthouse remains (not to be confused with a more recent though still historic lighthouse erected in 1878), thought slightly modified to accommodate modern visitors, and is considered a National Historic and Civil Engineering Landmark.

Virginia Beach grew through the 1800s, and became known as a resort destination. The resort attracted attention for its pristine beauty and history, and continued to grow over the 19th century. By the end of the 1800s, the national railway arrived, and Virginia Beach began modernizing with such efforts as public electricity.

Historic Princess Anne Hotel opened in 1890.

AS the resort grew, major redevelopment was undertaken. The Virginia Beach Boulevard was developed, now part of US Route 58, connecting Virginia Beach with Norfolk.

In 1916, a military base was established, named Fort Story after General John Story. The base included many natural features ideal for military training, including dunes, swamps and sandy beaches. The site also includes several monuments, including the Cape Henry Memorial, commemorating the arrival of Captain Newport.

By the completion of Virginia Beach Boulevard in 1922, the ocean resort was growing at a rapid rate. The boulevard increased its appeal, and extended its boundaries.

In 1925, the “Sleeping Prophet” Edgar Cayce moved to the city. During the years between his arrival and death in 1945, he opened several clinics for research and enlightenment. The Edgar Cayce Hospital for Research and Enlightenment opened in 1928, which celebrated its 75th year of operation in 2003.

Seashore State Park was developed between 1933 and 1936, to commemorate the first landing of European settlers in 1607. The park, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965, has since been expanded, extending its border to the edge of Fort Story Military Reservation. It also changed its name to First Landing State Park in 1997 as a reminder of Newport’s arrival almost 300 years earlier.

Cape Henry Memorial was established in 1935, celebrating the beginning of what would become “British North America”. The memorial is on the site of the Battle of the Virginia Capes, in which French and American forces prevented British support of General Cornwallis, leading to his surrender in Yorktown in 1781. The park offers a unique souvenir: a National Park Passport Stamp.

In 1906, Virginia Beach incorporated as a town. The resort theme began to attract business interests from amusement parks to casinos.

The town finally became an “independent city” in 1952. Over the next few years, the vity merged with Princess Anne County and Norfolk County, becoming the larger Virginia Beach of today.

In 1962, the Norwegian Lady Monument was unveiled in Virginia Beach to commemorate the rescue of passengers on the Norwegian ship Dictator, which sank off the coast in 1891.

The Virginia Beach Expressway, a then modern toll highway, opened in 1967, as part of State Route 44. The toll was discontinued in 1996, and the roadway became part of I-264.

Towards the end of the 20th century, Virginia Beach began hosting several events and heavily promoting the tourism industry. The annual Greekfest attracted vacationing students, which ultimately led to what became known as the Greekfest Riots of 1989, due to heavy intoxication, racial tension and conflict with law enforcement. The heavily armed National Guard was called in, patrolling the streets with M-16 and 50 caliber machine guns. The events led to massive reforms in peacekeeping and security measures.

In 2003, Virginia Beach was chosen as the location for the trial of Beltway Sniper John Allen Muhammad. Muhammad had shot and killed ten citizens around Washington, DC, using the I-95 beltway for travel. The killings drew international attention, and Virginia Beach was chosen by a court order for a change of venue.

Modern Virginia Beach enjoys a strong tourism industry, supported by its rich history, pristine ocean (with miles of beach) and sub-tropical climate, bringing in nearly one billion dollars annually. Agriculture is growing as well, and is benefited by the strong appeal of Virginia Beach as a resort destination, which provides many new customers for the regions locally grown fruit and vegetables.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Power: 120 V, 60 Hz

Languages: English

Climate: The climate of Virginia Beach is sub-tropical, humid during the summers, often with strong winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean. It rarely snows during the winters, but it does get cold, with a bite that can sink down to the bone, due to the higher humidity. The region experiences a fair amount of rain, mainly during the summer months.

Currency: US Dollar

Time Zone: DST -0400 UTC

There are plenty more things to do in exciting Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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ATTRACTIONS

Free entertainment is available on the 24th, 17th and 7th street stage. You can also enjoy theme performances from June through August along the sidewalks of Atlantic Avenue, between 17th and 25th Streets.

Other beach attractions include the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum, boat trips such as the Coastal Explorer, Dolphin Watch and Ocean Collections, the Oceana Naval Air Station, the Virgina Beach GTE Amphitheater and more.

RESTAURANTS

LODGING

PERSONAL STORIES