This view from space in July 1996 shows portions of each of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which generally surround the harbor area of Hampton Roads, which framed by the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel visible to the east (right), the Virginia Peninsula subregion to the north (top), and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel to the west (left) and the 3 branches of the Elizabeth River which drain into the harbor from the south (bottom), running through many communities of the South Hampton Roads subregion. The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT is the 46 mile-long (7 The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. To the west of the harbor, are the mouths of the James River (upper left) and the Nansemond River (lower left). The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source The Nansemond River is a tributary of the James River in the U Crossing the James River, the 4-mile (6 km)-long James River Bridge is also clearly visible, connecting Newport News with Isle of Wight County. The James River Bridge is a four-lane Divided highway Lift bridge across the James River in the U Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River For other uses of the term Isle of Wight, please see Isle of Wight (disambiguation Isle of Wight is an unincorporated community NASA photograph

Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water and the region of land areas which surround it in southeastern Virginia in the USA. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Hampton Roads is notable for its year-round ice-free harbor, for U.S. Navy, Air Force, NASA, Marine, and Army facilities, shipyards, coal piers, and hundreds of miles of waterfront property and beaches, all of which contribute to the diversity and stability of the region's economy. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. A coal pier is a Transloading facility designed for the transfer of Coal between rail and ship

The water area known as Hampton Roads (informally known locally as "the harbor") is one of the world's biggest natural harbors, and incorporates the mouths of the Elizabeth River and James River with several smaller rivers and itself empties into the Chesapeake Bay near its mouth leading to the Atlantic Ocean. A harbor or harbour (see spelling differences) or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the Weather or are stored The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source The Chesapeake Bay is the largest Estuary in the United States.

The land area includes dozens of cities, counties and towns on the Virginia Peninsula and in South Hampton Roads. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. Some of the more outlying areas from the harbor may or may not be included as part of "Hampton Roads", depending upon the organization or purpose. For a commonly used example, as defined for federal economic purposes, the Hampton Roads metropolitan statistical area (MSA) additionally includes one county in northeastern North Carolina and two counties in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula. Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|Table of United States Core Based Statistical AreasIn the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB has produced Currituck County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States The Middle Peninsula is as its name implies the middle of three major Peninsulas on the western shore of Officially, the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA) has a population of about 1. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA is a US Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget 7 million, the 33rd-largest metropolitan area in the United States.

The area is steeped in 400 years of American history, and hundreds of historical sites and attractions in the area draw visitors from around the world each year. The harbor was the key to the Hampton Roads area's growth, both on land and in water-related activities and events. Ironically, the harbor and its tributary waterways were (and still are) both important transportation conduits and obstacles to other land-based commerce and travel. Creating and maintaining adequate infrastructure has long been a major challenge. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMBT) are major harbor crossings of the Hampton Roads Beltway which links each of the largest Seven Cities of Hampton Roads. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT is the 46 mile-long (7 The Hampton Roads Beltway is a loop of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664, which links the communities of the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States In 2007, the new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) was formed under a controversial state law to levy various additional taxes to generate funding for major regional transportation projects, including a long-sought and costly third crossing of the harbor of Hampton Roads, which claims to be "America's First Region. Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA is a Political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States that has the responsibility "

History

The harbor area of Hampton Roads, from official state map of pre-civil war Virginia circa 1858. image from the Library of Virginia

1607: the English colonists chose Jamestown

The first colonists arrived in 1607 when English Captain Christopher Newport's three ships, his flagship Susan Constant, the smaller Godspeed, and even smaller Discovery landed in April 1607 at Cape Henry along the Atlantic Coast in today's City of Virginia Beach, an event now known as the "First Landing. Christopher Newport (c 1561&ndash1618 was an English sailor and Privateer. flagship is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels a designation given on account of being either the largest fastest newest most heavily armed or for publicity purposes the most well Susan Constant, at 120 tons, was the largest of three ships of the English Virginia Company that were led by Captain Christopher Newport on the See also Ship replica (including a list of ship replicas The ship carried 17 male passagers Cape Henry is a cape on the Atlantic shore of Virginia in the Independent city of Virginia Beach. " However, they moved on, under orders from the Virginia Company of London, the crews and new colonists sought a more sheltered area up one of the rivers. The London Company (also called the Charter of the Virginia Company of London) was an English Joint stock company established by royal charter by Their major concern was other European competitors such as the Spanish, who had earlier discovered the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia's rivers, and had even in 1570 begun a small settlement on the Virginia Peninsula known as the Ajacan Mission, which had failed. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest Estuary in the United States. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake The Ajacán Mission (a xa 'kan was a failed attempt in the 16th century by Spanish Jesuit priests to Christianize the Native

During 18 days of exploring the area, they surely saw the enormous harbor of Hampton Roads, and some of the party must have appreciated its possibilities. However, after exploring the James River west at least as far as present-day Hopewell, they agreed upon Jamestown Island, where they established the first English speaking settlement to survive in the New World on May 14, 1607. The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source Hopewell is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the

Despite the defensive advantages of that location against Spanish attacks, the low and marshy site at Jamestown proved a very poor choice in many other ways. More than five years of fragile existence and high mortality rates followed including the Starving Time of 1609-10 when over 80% of the 500 colonists perished before the future of the Virginia Colony began to appear more promising. The Starving Time at Jamestown in the English Colony of Virginia killed all but 60 of 500 colonists during the winter of 1609 – 1610 The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony The change came about with the just-in-time arrival of a new Governor, Lord Delaware, and a new colonist with a successful business idea named John Rolfe. Thomas West 3rd (or 12th Baron De La Warr ( July 9, 1577 &ndash June 7, 1618) was the Englishman after whom the bay, John Rolfe (c 1585 &ndash 1622 was one of the early English settlers of North America.

Main article: Jamestown, Virginia

Source of the name "Hampton Roads"

The term "Hampton Roads" is a centuries-old designation that originated when the region was a struggling English outpost nearly four hundred years ago. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 The name is believed to originated from the combination of two separate words.

Hampton

The word "Hampton" honors one of the founders of the Virginia Company of London and a great supporter of the colonization of Virginia, Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton. The London Company (also called the Charter of the Virginia Company of London) was an English Joint stock company established by royal charter by Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (Wriothesley is pronounced "Risly" ( October 6, 1573 &ndash November 10, 1624) one In the easternmost part of the new colony, downstream from Jamestown, the early administrative center was known as Elizabeth Cittie [sic], named for Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of King James I, and formally designated by the Virginia Company in 1619. Elizabeth City (or cittie as it was then called was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor the Virginia Company. Elisabeth Electress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia (born Princess Elizabeth Stuart of Scotland; 19 August 1596 &ndash 13 February 1662 (The Elizabeth River was also named for the princess). The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the

The town at the center of Elizabeth Cittie became known as simply "Hampton", and a nearby waterway was designated Hampton Creek (also known as Hampton River). The town (and later city) of Hampton was the county seat of Elizabeth City County for over 300 years, until they were politically consolidated into the current large independent city known as Hampton, Virginia in 1952. A county seat is a term for an Administrative center for a County, primarily used in the United States. Elizabeth City County was a County in southeastern Virginia from 1634 to 1952 An independent city is a City that does not form part of another general-purpose Local government entity Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county The City of Hampton thus became one of the large Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, of which four others also grew to the larger sizes by consolidating with neighboring jurisdictions such as counties and towns in the mid-twentieth century. The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States

A land area to the north across the bay in what is now called "the Eastern Shore" became known as Northampton. Northampton County is a county located in the US state &mdash officially " Commonwealth " &mdash of Virginia. Another area south of the James River became Southampton. Southampton County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As with Hampton, both of these names also remain in use in modern times.

Roads

The term "Roads" as applied to a water channel ^[1] is used elsewhere. Examples include Castle Roads, in another of the Virginia Company's settlements, Bermuda, and Lahaina Roads, in Hawaii. ' Castle Roads' is the primary channel by which vessels enter Castle Harbour, Bermuda, from the Atlantic Ocean. The London Company (also called the Charter of the Virginia Company of London) was an English Joint stock company established by royal charter by Ba (officially The Bermuda Islands or The Somers Isles) is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Lahaina Roads is a waterway in Hawaii. The surrounding islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai make it a sheltered anchorage The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the Signifying the safety of a port, the word "roads" (also called roadstead) in nautical terminology of the day meant "a place less sheltered than a harbor where ships may ride at anchor. A roadstead is a place outside a Harbor where a Ship can lie at Anchor. "

Hampton Roads

The combination of the words as "Hampton Roads" was recorded as the channel linking the James, Elizabeth, and Nansemond rivers with the Chesapeake Bay in an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1755. The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia. ^[2] Perhaps by definition, the label "harbor" is technically incorrect. However, Hampton Roads has become well-known as the "world's greatest harbor. " This is partially because it is the northernmost major East Coast port of the United States which is normally ice-free year round. The latter status is claimed with the notable exception of extraordinary cold winter of 1917, which was the entire U.S.'s coldest year on record. See also List of extreme weather events Extreme weather includes Weather phenomena that are at the extremes of the historical distribution especially

Although the designation initially applied to the water area, the region has also come to be known as "Hampton Roads", a label more specific than the term "Tidewater Virginia", which could by implication, include other areas of tidal lands in eastern Virginia. The U.S. Postal Service changed its postmark from "Tidewater Virginia" to "Hampton Roads, Virginia" beginning in 1983. ^[3]

Values of the harbor: commerce, military control

For centuries, the harbor and rivers of Hampton Roads have been ideal locations for both commerce and for many major shipyards. Some were established as early as the late 17th century such as the Gosport Navy Yard in what is now the City of Portsmouth. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY is a U Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia.

The harbor was also a key point for military control of the region. Even the earliest settlers created fortifications at Old Point Comfort by 1610 against potential attacks by ships of Spanish or other unfriendly European forces. Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of

American Revolutionary War

Important conflicts of the American Revolutionary War involved Norfolk and Craney Island (at the mouth of the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth). In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Craney Island is the name of an uninhabited island in the United States: Craney Island (Virginia Craney Island is an historical The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the It was at Norfolk where the last Royal Governor of the Virginia Colony, Lord Dunmore, departed mainland Virginia for the last time. Earl of Dunmore is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1686 for Lord Charles Murray second son of John Murray 1st Marquess of Atholl.

Main article: American Revolutionary War

War of 1812

The first naval action of the War of 1812 took place on 8 July 1812, when the Bermuda sloop, HMS Whiting, its crew oblivious to the US declaration of war, lowered anchor in Hampton Roads. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1812 ( MDCCCXII) a leap year started on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Bermuda sloop is a type of fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel developed on the islands of Bermuda in the 17th century As its captain was being rowed ashore, the Royal Naval vessel was seized by the American privateer Dash, which happened to be leaving port. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service)

Main article: War of 1812

United States

Under the new United States government, by the 1830s, the entrance from Chesapeake Bay was defended by Fort Monroe, built by the U. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies The Chesapeake Bay is the largest Estuary in the United States. Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the S. Army beginning in 1819 on Old Point Comfort, and by Fort Wool, built as Fort Calhoun in 1829, on a small island called the Rip Raps near the middle of the channel (and now adjacent to one of the manmade islands of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel). Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats Rip Raps is a small 15 acre (60000 m² artificial Island at the mouth of the harbor area known as Hampton Roads in the independent city of Hampton in The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U Much work in the building of these fortresses in the early 19th century was done by a 24-year old engineer in the U. S. Army, a Lieutenant named Robert E. Lee

Main article: Fort Monroe

American Civil War, emancipation and education of former slaves

Main article: Battle of Hampton Roads

During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the famous Battle of Hampton Roads between the first American ironclad warships, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) took place off Sewell's Point, on March 8-9, 1862. Robert Edward Lee (January 19 1807 &ndash October 12 1870 was a career United States Army officer, an Engineer, and among the most celebrated Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a An ironclad was a steam-propelled Warship of the later 19th century protected by Iron or Steel armor plates Design Monitor was one of three ironclad warships ordered by the U USS Merrimack becomes CSS Virginia When the Commonwealth of Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861 one of the important federal military bases threatened Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water That battle was inconclusive, but later in 1862, Union forces took control of Hampton Roads, Norfolk, and the lower James River. However, their efforts to take the Confederate capital of Richmond via the James River with their vastly superior Navy were thwarted by a strong Confederate battery position high above a bend in the river about 8 miles (13 km) below Richmond at Drewry's Bluff. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Drewry's Bluff is located in northeastern Chesterfield County Virginia in the United States.

Main article: Peninsula Campaign

Fort Monroe was the launching place for Union General George McClellan's massive 1862 Peninsula Campaign, a land campaign of many months which began at Fort Monroe and advanced up the Virginia Peninsula, with a Siege at Yorktown and another battle at Williamsburg before the Union Army almost literally reached the gates of Richmond, ending at the Chickahominy River within earshot of the city's church bells, according to the journals of Union soldiers. The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern George Brinton McClellan ( December 3 1826 October 29 1885) was a major general during the American Civil War. The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake For the tribe see Chickahominy (tribe. Chickahominy also known as "the Chick" is a River in the southeastern portion However, the Confederates mounted a credible defense of their capital city, and McClellan's campaign failed to capture Richmond, ending in the Seven Days Battles, during which the Union Army withdrew, effectively extending the War for almost three more years. Start of the Peninsula Campaign Opposing forces See also [[Seven Days Confederate order of battle]] [[Seven Days Union order of battle]] Almost

Main article: Hampton Roads Conference

During the American Civil War (1861~1865), after the efforts of Francis P. Blair (Sr. The Hampton Roads Conference was an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate an end to the American Civil War. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Francis Preston Blair Sr ( April 12, 1791 – October 18, 1876) was an American journalist and politician ), the Confederate president Jefferson Davis sent three Peace Commissioners in an effort to negotiate for peace. Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the This unsuccessful attempt at peace lasted for four hours, and at the end of the Conference, the commissioners returned to Richmond. This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Main article: Grand Contraband Camp

Beginning in 1861, some of the former slaves found refuge near Fort Monroe, which remained in Union hands throughout the War. Grand Contraband Camp was located in Elizabeth City County near Fort Monroe and the downtown section of the present-day Independent city of Hampton As a social-economic system slavery is a legal institution under which a Person (called "a slave" is compelled to work for another Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the There, the commander, Union Army General Benjamin F. Butler, a lawyer by training, declared them to be "Contraband of war". A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person Contraband was a term commonly used in the United States during the American Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped slaves or those who came into the On that legal basis, Union forces refused to return them to Confederate owners as would have been the practice even in many "free states" before Virginia seceded and declared itself a foreign power. Soon, word spread, and many slaves were understandably anxious to become "contraband. "

Although many of the "contraband" men at Hampton and elsewhere during the War volunteered and became part of the United States Colored Troops (USCT), others and the women and children grew in increasing numbers near Fort Monroe in Elizabeth City County. The United States Colored Troops ( USCT) were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were composed of African-American Elizabeth City County was a County in southeastern Virginia from 1634 to 1952 From the wood and materials salvaged from the remains of the Town of Hampton, which had been burned earlier by retreating Confederates, they built the Grand Contraband Camp, near, but outside the protective walls of the Army base. Grand Contraband Camp was located in Elizabeth City County near Fort Monroe and the downtown section of the present-day Independent city of Hampton It was the first self-contained African American community in the United States. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa

Close by, was (and still is) the Emancipation Oak, on the grounds of the school for them which grew to become Hampton University. Emancipation Oak is a historic Tree located on the campus of Hampton University in what is now the City of Hampton Virginia. Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton Virginia, United States. Beginning as a normal school founded to train teachers, Hampton University was established by church groups and former Union Army officers. normal school was a school created to train high school graduates to be teachers During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty-three Early educators of the era included Mary Smith Peake and former Union Army General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, who was himself the son of missionaries, and had commanded a USCT force during the War. Mary Smith (née Kelsey Peake ( 1823 - February 22, 1862) an American Teacher and Humanitarian, is best known for having Samuel Chapman Armstrong ( January 30, 1839 &ndash May 11, 1893) was an American Educator and a Commissioned Among the earlier students was a young former slave named Booker T. Washington, who became a famed African-American educator and was the first head of present-day Tuskegee University. Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5 1856 &ndash November 14 1915 was an American educator orator author and leader of the African-American community African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. The Emancipation Oak is part of the official logo of the modern city of Hampton.

See also: Hampton University and Booker T. Washington

Sewell's Point: Jamestown Exposition and a Navy Base

Main article: Jamestown Exposition

The Jamestown Exposition for the 300th anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown was held at Sewell's Point in a rural section of Norfolk County in 1907. Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton Virginia, United States. Booker Taliaferro Washington (April 5 1856 &ndash November 14 1915 was an American educator orator author and leader of the African-American community The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many World's fairs and Expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many World's fairs and Expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Norfolk County is an extinct county in South Hampton Roads in eastern Virginia in the United States.

President Theodore Roosevelt arrived by water in the harbor of Hampton Roads, as did other notable persons such as Mark Twain and Henry Huttleston Rogers, who both arrived aboard the latter's steam yacht Kanawha. Theodore Roosevelt (ˈroʊzəvɛlt October 27 1858 January 6 1919 also known as T Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30 1835 – April 21 1910 better known by the Pen name Mark Twain, was an American Humorist, satirist Henry Huttleston Rogers ( January 29 1840 &ndash May 19 1909) was a United States capitalist, Businessman Kanawha was a 471-ton steam-powered luxury Yacht initially built in 1899 for millionaire industrialist and financier A major naval display was featured, and the U. S. Great White Fleet made an appearance. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the United States Navy battle fleet that completed a Circumnavigation of the globe from December 16, The leaders of the U. S. Navy apparently did not fail to note the ideal harbor conditions, as was later proved.

Main article: Naval Station Norfolk

Beginning in 1917, as the United States became involved in World War I under President Woodrow Wilson, formerly rural Sewell's Point became the site of what grew to become the largest Naval Base in the world which was established by the U.S. Navy and is now known as the Naval Station Norfolk. Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28 1856—February 3 1924 was the twenty-eighth President of the United States. Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean,

Military use of northern side of the Peninsula

Twice in the 20th century, families of mostly African American heritage were displaced in entire communities when land along the northern side of the Peninsula primarily in York County west of Yorktown was taken in large tracts for military use during World War I and World War II, creating the present-day U. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including S. Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, which includes Cheatham Annex, and a former Seabee base which became Camp Peary. Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is a United States Navy base in York County and James City County in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia The Seabees are the Construction Battalions of the United States Navy. Camp Peary is a military reservation in York County near Williamsburg Virginia.

Communities including "the Reservation", Halstead's Point, Penniman, Bigler's Mill, and Magruder were all lost and absorbed into the large military bases. Lackey (also known locally in its heyday as "the Reservation" was a small unincorporated community near Yorktown in York County, Virginia Halstead's Point was an unincorporated community in York County Virginia. Penniman was an unincorporated town in northwestern York County, on the south bank of the York River six miles (10 km northeast of Williamsburg Bigler's Mill was a small town in Virginia near Williamsburg in York County which is now extinct Magruder was a small unincorporated town in Virginia near Williamsburg in York County. Lost counties cities and towns of Virginia are those which formerly existed in the English Colony of Virginia, or the Commonwealth of Virginia after it became a state

Although some left the area entirely, many of the displaced families chose to relocate nearby to Grove, an unincorporated town in southeastern James City County where many generations of some of those families now reside. Grove (also known locally as the Grove Community) is an Unincorporated community in the southeastern portion of James City County in the Peninsula James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the From a population estimated at only 37 in 1895, Grove had grown to an estimated 1,100 families by the end of the 20th century. (To its north, Grove actually borders the Naval Weapons Station property and on its extreme east, a portion of the U. S. Army's land at Fort Eustis extends across Skiffe's Creek, although there is no direct access to either base). Fort Eustis is a United States Army military installation located in Newport News Virginia.

See also: Grove, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg

Main article: Colonial Williamsburg

A dream of one Episcopalian priest to save his 18th century church building was to expand to create the world's largest living museum. Grove (also known locally as the Grove Community) is an Unincorporated community in the southeastern portion of James City County in the Peninsula Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. An open air museum is a distinct type of Museum exhibiting its collections out-of-doors Replacing Jamestown and the end of the 17th century, Williamsburg had been capital of the Colony and the new State of Virginia from 1699-1780. Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia After the capital moved to Richmond in 1780, Williamsburg became a quieter and sometimes described as "sleepy" small town. It saw some action during the Battle of Williamsburg of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign during the Civil War. Background When Confederate General Joseph E Johnston unexpectedly withdrew his forces from the Warwick Line at the Battle of Yorktown the night However, it was not located along any major waterway and did not have railroad access until 1881. Perhaps due to the secure inland location originally known as Middle Plantation, for Williamsburg, growth and great expansion of commerce in the 19th century did not occur as rapidly as in many other Virginia cities. Middle Plantation in the Virginia Colony, was an unincorporated town originally established in 1632 The main activities were the College of William and Mary and Eastern State Hospital, each historic institutions in their own right. The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university Eastern State Hospital, located in Williamsburg, Virginia was the first public facility in the United States constructed solely for the care and treatment In addition to the city's historic past, quite a few buildings of antiquity from the 18th century were still extant, although time was taking a toll by the early 20th century.

The Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin of Bruton Parish Church initially had wanted merely to save his historic church building. The Reverend Dr William Archer Rutherfoord Goodwin ( June 18, 1869 &ndash September 7, 1939 Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg Virginia, USA. This he accomplished by 1907. He later served in Rochester, New York for many years. Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Upon returning to Williamsburg in 1923, he began to realize that many of the other colonial-era buildings also remained, but were in deteriorating condition, and their continued longevity was at risk.

Goodwin dreamed of a much larger restoration along the lines of what he had accomplished with his historic church. A cleric of modest means, he sought support and financing from a number of sources before successfully drawing the interests and major financial support of Standard Oil heir and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing transporting refining and marketing company Philanthropy is the act of donating money goods services time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause with a defined objective and with no financial or material John Davison Rockefeller Jr (January 29 1874 &ndash May 11 1960 was a major Philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, ( October 26, 1874 &ndash April 5, 1948) was a prominent socialite and Philanthropist and the second-generation The result of their combined efforts was the creation of Colonial Williamsburg, which included a restoration of the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary and a change of much of the downtown Williamsburg area into a 301-acre (1. Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. Oldest buildings in AmericaThe Wren Building is the signature Building of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university 2 km²) Historic Area of restored and replica buildings and surrounds to celebrate the patriots and the early history of America.

By the 1930s, Colonial Williamsburg had become the centerpiece of the Historic Triangle of Colonial Virginia. The Historic Triangle is located on the Virginia Peninsula of the United States and includes the colonial communities of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg These were, of course, Jamestown, where the colony started, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, where independence from Great Britain was won. Yorktown is a Census-designated place (CDP in York County, Virginia, United States. The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The three points were joined by the U. S. National Park Service's Colonial Parkway, a remarkable accomplishment built over a period of 27 years. The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation Colonial Parkway is a scenic 23-mile (37 km Parkway linking the three popular attractions of Virginia's Historic Triangle of colonial-era communities Jamestown The Historic Triangle area of the Hampton Roads region became one of the largest tourist attractions in the entire world.

In Dr. Goodwin's words: "Williamsburg is Jamestown continued, and Yorktown is Williamsburg vindicated. "

See also: Historic Triangle

Other notable Hampton Roads "firsts"

In 1957, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was the first bridge-tunnel complex in the world, to be followed by the area's much longer Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in 1963. The Historic Triangle is located on the Virginia Peninsula of the United States and includes the colonial communities of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT is a 23-mile (37-km long facility that connects the Delmarva Peninsula with southeastern Virginia in the United States

In the 1960s, the first astronauts of Project Mercury trained at the NASA facility adjacent to Hampton's Langley Air Force Base. An astronaut or cosmonaut (космона́вт) is a person trained The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Langley Air Force Base is located three Nautical miles (6 km) north of the Central business district of the city of Hampton, Virginia Local features including Mercury Boulevard commemorate this fact. Mercury Boulevard in the cities of Hampton and Newport News in the Peninsula region of southeastern Virginia carries U

Land area defined

The land area which constitutes "Hampton Roads" varies depending upon perspective and purpose. Most of the land area of Hampton Roads is geographically divided into 2 smaller regions: the eastern portion of the Virginia Peninsula (the Peninsula) and South Hampton Roads (locally known as "the Southside"), which are separated by the harbor. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. When speaking of communities of Hampton Roads, virtually all sources (including the three discussed in the following paragraphs) include the seven major cities, two smaller ones, and three counties within those two subregions.

Some additional localities on the northern, southwestern, and southern edges are included in various definitions. Three entities with varying definitions are described in individual sections below. For example, the federal government defines the Hampton Roads MSA as a metropolitan area for statistical purposes, and even looks beyond a state line for common economic function, including a portion of North Carolina in the MSA for Hampton Roads. Officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA, the Hampton Roads MSA includes Currituck County, NC; Gloucester County, VA; Isle of Wight County, VA; James City County, VA; Mathews County, VA; Surry County, VA; York County, VA; Chesapeake city, VA; Hampton city, VA; Newport News city, VA; Norfolk city, VA; Poquoson city, VA; Portsmouth city, VA; Suffolk city, VA; Virginia Beach city, VA; Williamsburg city, VA. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News VA-NC MSA is a US Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget [1]

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) as defined by Virginia includes most (but not all) of that area, and also does not generally include areas in another state in its activities.

The Hampton Roads Partnership is a regional marketing entity, promoting "America's First Region" and uses a slightly different definition than either of the preceding two.

The Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) is a regional economic development organization that focuses on attracting new businesses to the region and has a slightly different definition than any of the preceding.

To be informative, this article includes information on all of the localities included in any of these three descriptions. By May 2007, the Hampton Roads region had 400 years of rich history. For the detailed histories of the each of various communities which make up today's Hampton Roads region, please refer to the articles on the History of Virginia, Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads subregions, and links which are located in the following sections to the individual articles for each shire, county, town, or city. The recorded History of Virginia began with settlement of the geographic region now known as the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States thousands of years ago The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States.

Statistics: Hampton Roads MSA

The U. S. Federal Government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) definesMetropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for economic purposes. Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|Table of United States Core Based Statistical AreasIn the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB has produced For statistical purposes, the single MSA for Hampton Roads includes the eastern portion of the Peninsula and all of South Hampton Roads. Two counties which are located in Virginia's Middle Peninsula region and a small part of North Carolina are also included in the Hampton Roads MSA definition. The Middle Peninsula is as its name implies the middle of three major Peninsulas on the western shore of North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States

The Hampton Roads MSA has a population of about 1. 7 million and is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern USA between the District of Columbia and Atlanta. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D

See also: List of U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in Virginia

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

Virginia defines regional planning districts by law. Generally, members are independent cities and counties; incorporated towns are located within counties in Virginia. An incorporated town is a Town that is a Municipal corporation. Localities around the state are allowed to belong to more than one Planning District, as their constituents may have interests which crossover individual planning district boundaries.

The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) currently includes 16 cities and counties, all in Virginia, and represents over 1. 6 million people.

The 16 jurisdictions include : the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, and the Counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Southampton, Surry, and York. It is noteworthy that there are incorporated towns located in three of the counties within the district (Isle of Wight, Southampton and Surry). ^[4]

America's First Region

In late 2006, the Hampton Roads Partnership, a non-profit organization representing 17 localities (ten cities, six counties, and one town), all local universities and major military commands as well as leading businesses in southeastern Virginia, commenced a campaign aimed at branding land area of Hampton Roads as "America's First Region".

The new title is based on events in 1607 when English Captain Christopher Newport's three ships - the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery landed at Cape Henry along the Atlantic Coast at Cape Henry in what is today Virginia Beach. Christopher Newport (c 1561&ndash1618 was an English sailor and Privateer. Susan Constant, at 120 tons, was the largest of three ships of the English Virginia Company that were led by Captain Christopher Newport on the See also Ship replica (including a list of ship replicas The ship carried 17 male passagers Cape Henry is a cape on the Atlantic shore of Virginia in the Independent city of Virginia Beach. Cape Henry is a cape on the Atlantic shore of Virginia in the Independent city of Virginia Beach. After 18 days of exploring the area, the ships and their crews arrived at Jamestown Island where they established the first English speaking settlement to survive in the New World on May 14, 1607. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the

Because the region's east-west boundaries (now the City of Virginia Beach and James City County) have not changed since 1607, the Partnership felt justified in labeling Hampton Roads "America's First Region". It unveiled the new brand before 800 people at the annual meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce on December 13, 2006. A video shown that afternoon included endorsements from mayors and county board of supervisors chairs representing Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and James City County as well as the Governor of Virginia, Timothy Kaine. The Governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine (born February 26, 1958) is an American politician and the current Governor of Virginia. ^[5]

Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA)

The mission of Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, non-profit organization, is business attracation--marketing the Hampton Roads region as the preferred location for business investment and expansion. The Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance represents the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and Franklin, as well as the counties of Gloucester, James City, Isle of Wight, York and Southampton County. [2]

Political subdivisions

Each of the following current cities, counties and towns is included by at least one of the three preceding organizations definition of "Hampton Roads"

Independent cities (current)

Hampton is a Hampton Roads community.

• Chesapeake
• Franklin
• Hampton
• Newport News
• Norfolk
• Poquoson
• Portsmouth
• Suffolk
• Virginia Beach
• Williamsburg

Counties (current)

• Currituck (North Carolina)
• Gloucester
• Isle of Wight
• James City
• Mathews
• Southampton
• Surry
• York

Incorporated towns (current)

• Claremont in Surry County
• Courtland in Southampton County
• Dendron in Surry County
• Smithfield in Isle of Wight County
• Surry in Surry County (county seat)
• Windsor in Isle of Wight County

Unincorporated towns and communities not in cities (current)

• Gloucester Courthouse in Gloucester County
• Gloucester Point in Gloucester County
• Isle of Wight Courthouse in Isle of Wight County
• Rushmere in Isle of Wight County
• Rescue in Isle of Wight County
• Carrollton in Isle of Wight County
• Benns Church in Isle of Wight County
• Walters in Isle of Wight County
• Yorktown in York County
• Grafton in York County
• Tabb in York County
• Jamestown in James City County
• Ford's Colony in James City County
• Grove in James City County
• Lightfoot in James City County
• Toano in James City County
• Norge in James City County
• Seaford in York County
• Moyock in Currituck County
• Knotts Island in Currituck County
• Currituck in Currituck County

Defunct shires, counties, cities, towns

Main article: Lost counties, cities and towns of Virginia

As the current communities in the Hampton Roads region were formed and grew from the Colonial period to statehood and modern times, the political structure of many areas in Virginia changed. Chesapeake is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads portion of the Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the Franklin is an Independent city in Virginia. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Franklin with Southampton county for statistical Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Poquoson (pəˈkoʊsən is an Independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula, in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia. Suffolk is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area of eastern Virginia. Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia Currituck County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. Gloucester is a county of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. Isle of Wight County is a county located in the South Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Mathews County is a County located on the Middle Peninsula in the U Southampton County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Surry County is a county located in the South Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia Claremont is an Incorporated town in Surry County, Virginia, United States. Courtland is an Incorporated town in Southampton County, Virginia, United States. Dendron is a town in Surry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 297 at the 2000 census Smithfield is an Incorporated town in Isle of Wight County, in the South Hampton Roads subregion of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia Surry (formerly Cross Roads, McIntosh's Cross Roads, McIntoshs Cross Roads, Scuffletown, Smithville, Surry Court House, Windsor is an Incorporated town in Isle of Wight County in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States. Gloucester Courthouse is a Census-designated place (CDP in and the County seat of Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. Gloucester Point is a Census-designated place (CDP in Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. Rushmere is a Census-designated place (CDP in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. Carrollton is an unincorporated community in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. Benns Church is an unincorporated community in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. Walters is an unincorporated community in Isle of Wight County in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States Yorktown is a Census-designated place (CDP in York County, Virginia, United States. Grafton is an community in York County, Virginia, United States, on the Virginia Peninsula. Tabb is an unincorporated community in York County, Virginia, United States, on the Virginia Peninsula. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 Grove (also known locally as the Grove Community) is an Unincorporated community in the southeastern portion of James City County in the Peninsula Lightfoot is an unincorporated community which straddles the James City - York county border west of Williamsburg, in the U Toano is an unincorporated community in James City County, Virginia, United States. Norge is an unincorporated community in James City County, Virginia, United States. Seaford is an Unincorporated community in York County, Virginia, United States, on the Virginia Peninsula. Moyock (moʊjɒk is an Unincorporated community in Currituck County North Carolina. Currituck is an Unincorporated community in extreme northeastern North Carolina, USA. Lost counties cities and towns of Virginia are those which formerly existed in the English Colony of Virginia, or the Commonwealth of Virginia after it became a state The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Between 1952 and 1976, a wave of consolidations of local governments led to almost the entire southeastern portion of Virginia consisting of a group of adjoining independent cities, eventually numbering eight. An independent city is a City that does not form part of another general-purpose Local government entity (joining the Seven major cities of Hampton Roads was the comparatively tiny City of Poquoson, which had formerly been an incorporated town in York County). The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States Poquoson (pəˈkoʊsən is an Independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula, in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. An incorporated town is a Town that is a Municipal corporation. York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Many incorporated (formally constituted) localities became legally defunct, though mostly not abandoned by their citizens, with the notable exception of Jamestown. For search of genealogical, land, and other historical records, it may be necessary to find these old names.

The following is a partial listing of defunct political subdivisions in the Hampton Roads area with approximate formation and dissolution dates. Note: Former towns which grew to became cities of the same name are not listed separately, nor are unincorporated towns. More information about dates and dispositions may be found in most individual articles by following the links.

In order of date founded:

• Jamestown, Virginia (1607) largely abandoned as a Town after 1699
• Kecoughtan, Virginia (1610), became part of Town and City of Hampton
• James Cittie (sic) (1619-1624)
• Elizabeth Cittie (sic) (1619-1624)
• Middle Plantation (1632-1699), (changed name to Williamsburg in 1699, chartered as city in 1722)
• Elizabeth River Shire (1634-1643)
• Warwick River Shire (1634-1643)
• Charles River Shire (1634-1643)
• James City Shire (1634-1643)
• Warrosquyoake Shire (1634-1637)
• New Norfolk County (1636-1637)
• Lower Norfolk County (1637-1691)
• Upper Norfolk County (1637-1646)
• Norfolk County, Virginia (1691-1963)
• Princess Anne County (1691-1963)
• Elizabeth City County (1643-1952)
• Nansemond County (1646-1972)
• Warwick County (aka Warwick River County) (1643-1952)
• City of South Norfolk (1922-1963)
• Town of Berkley incorporated town until 1906 when annexed by City of Norfolk
• Town of Phoebus(1900-1952) (earlier known as unincorporated towns of Millwood, Roseland Farms and Chesapeake City)
• City of Warwick (1952-1958)
• City of Nansemond (1972-1974)

Geography

The water area known as Hampton Roads is a wide channel through which the waters of the James River, Nansemond River, and Elizabeth River pass (between Old Point Comfort to the north and Sewell's Point to the south) into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 Kecoughtan in Virginia was originally named Kikotan (also spelled Kiccowtan Kikowtan as well as Kecoughtan presumably a word for the Native Americans living there James City (or cittie as it was then called was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor the Virginia Company. Elizabeth City (or cittie as it was then called was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor the Virginia Company. Middle Plantation in the Virginia Colony, was an unincorporated town originally established in 1632 Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia Elizabeth City Shire was one of eight shires created in colonial Virginia in 1634. Warwick River Shire was one of eight shires created in colonial Virginia in 1634. Charles River Shire was one of eight Shires of Virginia created in the Virginia Colony in 1634. James City Shire was formed in the British colony of Virginia in 1634. Warroysoyaoke Shire was formed in 1634 in the Virginia colony New Norfolk County is a long-extinct county which was located in colonial Virginia from 1636 until 1637. Lower Norfolk County is a long-extinct county which was located in colonial Virginia from 1637 until 1691. Upper Norfolk County is an extinct county which was located in colonial Virginia from 1637 until 1646. Norfolk County is an extinct county in South Hampton Roads in eastern Virginia in the United States. Princess Anne County is an extinct county which was located in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States from Elizabeth City County was a County in southeastern Virginia from 1634 to 1952 Nansemond County is an extinct county which was located in Virginia Colony and the Commonwealth of Virginia (after statehood in the United States, Warwick County was a County in Virginia which was consolidated with the city of Newport News in 1958 South Norfolk was an Independent city in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia and is now a section of the City of Chesapeake, one Berkley was an Incorporated town in Norfolk County Virginia. It was located directly across the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River from the City Phoebus was an Incorporated town located in Elizabeth City County on the Virginia Peninsula in eastern Virginia Warwick is an extinct Independent city which was located in the State of Virginia in the United States from 1952 until 1958 Nansemond is an extinct Independent city which was located in the State of Virginia in the United States from 1972 until 1974 The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source The Nansemond River is a tributary of the James River in the U The Elizabeth River is a short Tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water The Chesapeake Bay is the largest Estuary in the United States.

The region has extensive natural areas, including 26 miles (42 km) of Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay beaches, the Great Dismal Swamp, picturesque rivers, state parks, wildlife refuges, and botanical gardens. The Great Dismal Swamp is a marshy area on the Coastal Plain of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina between Norfolk Virginia, and Inland from the bay, the region includes Lake Drummond, one of only two natural lakes found in Virginia, and miles of waterfront property along the various rivers and waterways. Lake Drummond is located at the center of the Great Dismal Swamp, a marshy region on the Coastal Plain of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North A lake (from Latin lacus) is a Terrain feature (or Physical feature) a body of Liquid on the surface of a world that is localized to the

The land portion of Hampton Roads is primarily divided into two subregions, the Peninsula, on the north side of the harbor, and South Hampton Roads, on the south side, where the majority of the area's population lives. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States.

In addition, the Middle Peninsula counties of Gloucester and Mathews, while not part of the geographical Hampton Roads area, are included in the vast metropolitan region's population. The Middle Peninsula is as its name implies the middle of three major Peninsulas on the western shore of Also, a small portion of northeastern North Carolina (Currituck County) is included in the region's statistics. Currituck County is a County located in the US state of North Carolina. Due to a peculiarity in the drawing of the Virginia-North Carolina border, Knott's Island in that county is connected to Virginia by land, but is only accessible to other parts of North Carolina across waterways via a ferry system. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and

Transportation

Overview

Historically, from the earliest times, the harbor was the key to the Hampton Roads area's growth, both on land and in water-related activities and events. Ironically, the harbor and its tributary waterways were (and still are) both important transportation conduits and obstacles to other land-based commerce and travel. Yet, the community leaders learned to overcome them.

Many early bridges were constructed and funded privately through the collection of tolls. Later, state-sponsorship was required to fund larger projects. The best example of many was in 1957, when the world's first continuous bridge-tunnel complex was successfully completed across the mouth of the Hampton Roads harbor, innovatively designed and funded with toll revenue bonds. A revenue bond is a special type of Municipal bond distinguished by its guarantee of repayment solely from Revenues generated by a specified revenue-generating entity Soon, another even larger one was built across the entire mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, exceeding many expectations.

In modern times, the region has faced increasing transportation challenges as it has become largely urbanized, with additional traffic needs. In the 21st century, the conflicts between traffic on vital waterways and land-based travel continue to present the area's leaders with extraordinary transportation challenges, both for additional capacity, and as the existing infrastructure, much of it originally built with toll revenues, has aged without an adequate source of funding to repair or build replacements. A toll road, (also known as a tollway, turnpike, pike, or toll highway, especially if it is constructed to Freeway standards The now-closed Kings Highway Bridge in Suffolk and the Jordan Bridge operating with severe traffic weight restrictions in neighboring Chesapeake, each built in the 1920s, are considered locally prime examples of this situation. Kings Highway Bridge is located on the Nansemond River in the Independent city of Suffolk, Virginia, United States. Suffolk is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area of eastern Virginia. Jordan Bridge is a tolled highway Lift bridge which spans the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in the City of Chesapeake in South Chesapeake is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads portion of the Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the

Public opinion polls seem to indicate that many citizens feel the accomplishments with the historic bridge-tunnels across the harbor and nearby Chesapeake Bay and the many other improvements since, such as the completion of the Hampton Roads Beltway and a third bridge-tunnel (second across the harbor) in 1992 are indicative that the region's leaders will be capable of seeking and employing new transportation and funding solutions for the future, and that they will receive the necessary public support to do so. The Hampton Roads Beltway is a loop of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664, which links the communities of the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads

In 2007, the new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA) was formed under a controversial state law to levy various additional taxes to generate funding for major regional transportation projects, including a long-sought and costly third crossing of the harbor of Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads Transportation Authority (HRTA is a Political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States that has the responsibility As of March 2008, although its projects were considered to be needed, the agency's future was in some question while its controversial sources of funding were being reconsidered in light of a Virginia Supreme Court decision.

Highways, bridges, tunnels, bridge-tunnels, ferry system

I-64 on the Hampton Roads Beltway, north of I-264

The Hampton Roads area has an extensive network of Interstate Highways, including the Interstate 64, the major east-west route to and from the area, and its spurs and bypasses of I-264, I-464, I-564, and I-664. The Dwight D Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, commonly called the Interstate Highway System (or simply the Interstate System) Interstate 64 (abbreviated I-64) is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. Interstate 264 (abbreviated I-264) is an Interstate Highway in the U Interstate 464 ( I-464) is an Interstate Highway in the US state of Virginia. Interstate 564 ( I-564) is an Interstate Highway in the US state of Virginia. Interstate 664 ( I-664) is an Interstate Highway in the US state of Virginia, forming part of the Hampton Roads Beltway.

The Hampton Roads Beltway extends 56 miles (90 km) on a long loop through the region, crossing the harbor on two toll-free bridge-tunnel facilities. The Hampton Roads Beltway is a loop of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664, which links the communities of the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads These crossings are the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel between Phoebus in Hampton and Willoughby Spit in Norfolk and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel between Newport News and Suffolk. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT is the -long (56 km Hampton Roads crossing for Interstate 64 and U Phoebus was an Incorporated town located in Elizabeth City County on the Virginia Peninsula in eastern Virginia Willoughby Spit is a peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States. Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel (MMMBT is the 46 mile-long (7 The Beltway connects with another Interstate highway and three arterial U. S. Highways at Bower's Hill near the northeastern edge of the Great Dismal Swamp. Bower's Hill is a community located in the Independent city of Chesapeake Virginia (formerly Norfolk County) in the United States. The Great Dismal Swamp is a marshy area on the Coastal Plain of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina between Norfolk Virginia, and

Other major east-west routes are U.S. Highway 58, U.S. Highway 60, and U.S. Highway 460. US Route 58 is an east-west US Highway that runs for 508 miles (818 km from U For the US Route 60 in the 1925 plan see US Route 66. US Route 60 is an east-west United States highway, running 2670 Miles US Route 460 is a spur of US Route 60. It currently runs for 655 miles (1054 km from Norfolk Virginia at U The major north-south routes are U.S. Highway 13 and U.S. Highway 17. US Route 13 is a north-south US highway established in 1926 that runs for from the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania US Route 17 (also known as the Coastal Highway) is a north-south United States highway.

A another major crossing of waterways is the James River Bridge, carrying US 17 US 258, and SR 32 from Newport News to Isle of Wight County. The James River Bridge is a four-lane Divided highway Lift bridge across the James River in the U US Route 17 (also known as the Coastal Highway) is a north-south United States highway. US Highway 258 is a spur of US Highway 58. It currently runs for 217 miles (349 km from Fort Monroe Virginia to Jacksonville North Carolina State Route 32 is a primary State highway in the US state of Virginia, located in the eastern part of the state Isle of Wight County is a county located in the South Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the

There are also two other tunnels in the area, the Midtown Tunnel, and the Downtown Tunnel joining Portsmouth and Norfolk, as well as the 17-mile (27 km)-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a toll facility which links the region with Virginia's Eastern Shore which carries US 13. The Midtown Tunnel crosses the main channel of the Elizabeth River in the South Hampton Roads area The Downtown Tunnel on Interstate 264 crosses the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in the South Hampton Roads area The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT is a 23-mile (37-km long facility that connects the Delmarva Peninsula with southeastern Virginia in the United States The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two Counties ( Accomack and Northampton) on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of US Route 13 is a north-south US highway established in 1926 that runs for from the northeastern suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The original Downtown Tunnel in conjunction with the Berkley Bridge were considered a single bridge and tunnel complex when completed in 1952, perhaps stimulating the innovative bridge-tunnel design using man-made islands when the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was planned, first opening in 1957. An artificial island is an Island that has been constructed by humans rather than formed by natural means

The George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge is a major toll bridge connecting U. The George P Coleman Memorial Bridge (known locally as simply the Coleman Bridge) is a Swing bridge that spans the York River between Gloucester County A toll bridge is a Bridge over which Traffic may pass upon payment of a fee or toll. S. Highway 17 on the Peninsula at Yorktown with Virginia's Middle Peninsula region. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Yorktown is a Census-designated place (CDP in York County, Virginia, United States. The Middle Peninsula is as its name implies the middle of three major Peninsulas on the western shore of

Although earlier ferry services across the Bay, the harbor, and various rivers were eventually supplanted in the 20th century by bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnels, a passenger ferry continues to operate between Norfolk and Portsmouth, and one major automobile ferry service also remains. The Jamestown Ferry (also known as the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry) is an automobile ferry system on the James River connecting Jamestown in James City County with Scotland in Surry County. The Jamestown Ferry (also known as the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry) is an automobile and bus Ferry service across a navigable portion of the James River in See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the Surry County is a county located in the South Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United It carries State Route 31. State Route 31, known as the John Rolfe Highway, is located in the eastern part of the state and connects U Operated by VDOT, it is the only 24-hour state-run ferry operation in Virginia and has over 90 employees. The Virginia Department of Transportation ( VDOT) is the government agency responsible for building maintaining and operating It operates four ferryboats, the Pocahontas, the Williamsburg, the Surry, and the Virginia. The facility is toll-free.

Local public transportation

Local Public transit is provided by an bus network operated by the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) and Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT), both of which are operations of government agencies. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT formed in October 1999 by the merging of PENTRAN ( Peninsula Transportation District Commission) on the Virginia Peninsula and Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT is a governmentally-operated agency which provides Transit bus and Paratransit services in the City of Williamsburg, Several light rail service proposals are under development. For specific light rail systems many of which use the words "light rail" as part of their name see List of light-rail transit systems.

In Virginia, the region is notable in that it has 2 types of public transport services via ferrys. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and A passenger ferry is operated on the Elizabeth River between downtown areas of Norfolk and Portsmouth by HRT. A commuter bus route across the James River between Williamsburg and rural Surry County is provided via the vehicle-carrying Jamestown Ferry system.

Hampton Roads Transit

Main article: Hampton Roads Transit

A regional transit bus system and paratransit services are provided by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), a regional public transport system headquartered in Hampton. Hampton Roads Transit (HRT formed in October 1999 by the merging of PENTRAN ( Peninsula Transportation District Commission) on the Virginia Peninsula and A transit bus (US (also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus) is a Bus used for Public transport purposes Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules Hampton Roads Transit (HRT formed in October 1999 by the merging of PENTRAN ( Peninsula Transportation District Commission) on the Virginia Peninsula and The HRT service area include all of the large Seven Cities of Hampton Roads which are linked to each other by the Hampton Roads Beltway. The Seven Cities of Hampton Roads are seven independent cities located in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia in the United States The Hampton Roads Beltway is a loop of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664, which links the communities of the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads Commuter service is provided through both major bridge-tunnels across the harbor helps reduce congestion in many other high traffic corridors. Many areas in adjoining communities are also served.

As the largest transit operator, Hampton Roads Transit is southeastern Virginia's most reliable mobility source, serving over 17 million annual passengers in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. HRT currently serves 1. 2 million people within its 369-square-mile (960 km²) service area.

Williamsburg Area Transport

Main article: Williamsburg Area Transport

A line of WAT transit buses equipped with 2-way radios, wheelchair lifts and bike racks are seen ready for service at the Williamsburg Bus Facility on U.S. Route 60 in James City County, Virginia. Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT is a governmentally-operated agency which provides Transit bus and Paratransit services in the City of Williamsburg, A transit bus (US (also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus) is a Bus used for Public transport purposes US Route 60 in Virginia runs 312 miles west to east through the central part of the state generally close to and paralleling the Interstate 64 corridor James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the

Williamsburg Transportation Center is an intermodal facility located in a restored Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station located within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, the College of William and Mary, and the downtown area. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O was a Class I railroad formed in 1869 in Virginia from many smaller railroads begun in the 19th century Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university

In the upper (western) Peninsula area known as the Historic Triangle, a transit bus system and paratransit services are provided by Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT), based in the Williamsburg area, which serves Williamsburg, James City County, and a portion of York County. The Historic Triangle is located on the Virginia Peninsula of the United States and includes the colonial communities of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT is a governmentally-operated agency which provides Transit bus and Paratransit services in the City of Williamsburg, The system offers a connection with the much larger Hampton Roads Transit system at Lee Hall, Virginia and at the Williamsburg Transportation Center. Lee Hall is a former unincorporated town (or village long located in the former Warwick County. The Williamsburg Amtrak station is located at 468 North Boundary Street in Williamsburg Virginia in the intermodal Williamsburg Transportation Center.

The Williamsburg Transportation Center is located in a restored building which was formerly a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O was a Class I railroad formed in 1869 in Virginia from many smaller railroads begun in the 19th century Along the railroad line built to connect the Ohio River Valley with the new city of Newport News and the port of Hampton Roads by Collis P. Huntington in 1881, the station was originally built in 1935 with funding from John D. Rockefeller Jr. as part of the restoration of the colonial capital which became known worldwide as Colonial Williamsburg. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River Collis Potter Huntington ( April 16 or October 22 1821 – August 13 1900) was one of The Big Four of western railroading (along with John Davison Rockefeller Jr (January 29 1874 &ndash May 11 1960 was a major Philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. During the heyday of the railroads, dozens of dignitaries arrived there, including Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 In modern times, the center offers good non-automobile driving alternatives for visitors and citizens, both getting there, and moving around locally, with rail service, intercity and local transit bus services.

Light rail, bus rapid transit, maglev projects

A light rail service to be known as The Tide is under construction in Norfolk. For specific light rail systems many of which use the words "light rail" as part of their name see List of light-rail transit systems. The Tide is the Light rail service under construction in Norfolk, Virginia, United States that is set to begin service in 2010 It is set to begin service in 2010. Operated by Hampton Roads Transit, it will become the first major light rail service in the region. It is projected to have a daily ridership of between 7,130 to 11,400 passengers a day upon completion. ^[6]

There has also been a light rail study in the Hampton - Newport News areas.

The resort city of Virginia Beach had been considering a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system similar to that in use in Las Vegas, but the lack of any subsidiary transit systems (i. Bus rapid transit ( BRT) is a broad term given to a variety of transportation systems that through improvements to infrastructure vehicles and scheduling attempt to use Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally e. light rail or a substantial network of local bus routes) with which to connect contributed to the project's abandonment while in the planning stage. City officials stated that other projects may be considered in the future.

There is a small very experimental Magnetic levitation project under development on campus at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Magnetic levitation, maglev, or magnetic suspension is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than Magnetic fields The Old Dominion University (ODU is a large public Research university located in historic Norfolk Virginia. using a new experimental technology, it was not yet operational as of 2008.

Intercity bus

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines and Carolina Trailways. Greyhound Lines is an intercity Common carrier of passengers by Bus serving over 3700 destinations in the United States. The Trailways Transportation System is a group of 80 independent bus companies that have entered into a Franchising agreement

Passenger rail

The area is served by passenger rail service provided by Amtrak, with stations in Williamsburg and Newport News, and connecting bus service to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has studies underway for extending high speed passenger rail to the Virginia Peninsula and South Hampton Roads areas with a rail connection at Richmond to both the Northeast Corridor and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. The Northeast Corridor ( NEC) is the busiest passenger rail line in the United States by ridership and service frequency Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor ( SEHSR) is a passenger rail transportation project in the United States to extend high speed passenger rail services from

Air

The Hampton Roads is served by two major commercial airports: Norfolk International Airport and the smaller Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. Norfolk International Airport is a public Airport located three miles (5 km) northeast of the Central business district of Norfolk, a city Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is an airport located 9 mi (14 km northwest of downtown Newport News Virginia, and serves the entire Hampton Roads Alternatively, some travelers from the Peninsula and Williamsburg area also sometimes use Richmond International Airport, located 42 miles (68 km) west of Williamsburg and 8 miles (13 km) east of Richmond in Henrico County, Virginia. Richmond International Airport is a public Airport located in Sandston, Virginia, an Unincorporated community Henrico (hɛnˈraɪkoʊ is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States.

Norfolk International Airport

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is the main air passenger and cargo transport hub in the region. Norfolk International Airport is a public Airport located three miles (5 km) northeast of the Central business district of Norfolk, a city Offering nearly 200 arrivals and departures daily to major cities throughout the USA, Norfolk International presently ranks in the country's top 65 airports in terms of passengers served annually, with an average of 3. 5 million. The airport is served by 11 airlines, with flights to 25 nonstop destinations:

• Southwest Airlines - Nonstop flights to Baltimore-Washington, Tampa, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Nashville
• US Airways - Nonstop flights to Charlotte and Philadelphia
• US Airways Express - Nonstop flights to Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Philadelphia, Washington (Reagan), New York (LaGuardia) and Pittsburgh
• American Airlines - Nonstop flights to Dallas-Fort Worth
• American Eagle - Nonstop flights to Chicago (O'Hare) and Miami
• American Connection - Nonstop flights to St. Southwest Airlines Co ( is an American low-cost Airline based in Dallas Texas, with its largest focus city at Las Vegas ' McCarran US Airways Inc is the fifth largest Airline in the United States. US Airways Express is an airline Brand name, rather than a fully certificated airline and as such the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned Airlines American Airlines Inc (AA is a US -based airline and the world's Largest airline in total passenger miles transported and passenger fleet size American Eagle Airlines Inc is a regional Airline based in Fort Worth, Texas, United States which began as an afflilation of AmericanConnection is a brand name used by two Regional airlines and their Holding companies to feed American Airlines 's flights at the airline's Miami Louis
• Continental Express - Nonstop flights to Cleveland, Houston (Intercontinental) and Newark
• Delta Air Lines - Nonstop flights to Atlanta and Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky
• Delta Connection - Nonstop flights to Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky, Orlando, Boston, and New York (Kennedy)
• Northwest Airlines - Nonstop flights to Detroit
• Northwest Airlink - Nonstop flights to Minneapolis-St. Continental Express is the operating name Brand of a number of independently owned Regional airlines providing jet feeder service in association with Continental Delta Air Lines Inc ( is a United States Airline based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned Regional airlines and Comair operate short and medium haul routes in association with Northwest Airlines Inc (often abbreviated NWA) is the principal subsidiary Northwest Airlink is the trade name of Northwest Airlines ' Regional airline service which flies Turboprop and Regional jet aircraft from Northwest's Paul
• United Express - Nonstop flights to Chicago (O'Hare) and Washington (Dulles)

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (formerly known as Patrick Henry Field) is a major regional air passenger transport hub in southeastern Virginia. United Express is a Brand name under which seven Regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is an airport located 9 mi (14 km northwest of downtown Newport News Virginia, and serves the entire Hampton Roads The airport, which is among the fastest growing airports in the country (by passenger volume), serves an average of 1. 5 million annual passengers, and is served by four (4) airlines, with flights to a number of nonstop destinations:

• AirTran Airways - Nonstop flights to Atlanta, Boston, New York (LaGuardia), Orlando, and others
• Delta Air Lines - Nonstop flights to Atlanta and others
• Delta Connection - Nonstop flights to Orlando and others
• US Airways Express - Nonstop flights to Charlotte, Philadelphia, and others

Places of higher education

Four-year public

• Christopher Newport University - Newport News
• College of William and Mary - Williamsburg
• Eastern Virginia Medical School - Norfolk
• Norfolk State University - Norfolk
• Old Dominion University - Norfolk

Two-year public

• Thomas Nelson Community College - Hampton, James City County
• Tidewater Community College - Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth
• Paul D. AirTran Airways is a low-cost Airline that is a Delaware corporation with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA and Delta Air Lines Inc ( is a United States Airline based and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned Regional airlines and Comair operate short and medium haul routes in association with US Airways Express is an airline Brand name, rather than a fully certificated airline and as such the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned Airlines Christopher Newport University, or CNU, is a liberal arts university located in Newport News Virginia. The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS, in Norfolk, Virginia is a public-private medical school founded by the collective "Seven Cities" of Hampton Norfolk State University (NSU is a four-year state-supported coed liberal arts historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. Old Dominion University (ODU is a large public Research university located in historic Norfolk Virginia. Thomas Nelson Community College (abbreviated form TNCC) is a two-year college located in southeastern Virginia. Tidewater Community College is a two-year Higher education institution in South Hampton Roads consisting of multiple campuses in the cities of Camp Community College - Franklin, Suffolk, Smithfield

Four-year private

• Hampton University - Hampton
• Northrop Grumman Newport News Apprentice School of Shipbuilding - Newport News
• Regent University - Virginia Beach
• Virginia Wesleyan College - Virginia Beach
• ECPI College of Technology - Virginia Beach and Newport News
• ITT Technical Institute - Norfolk

Two year private

Bryant and Stratton College - Virginia Beach

Harbor: commerce, shipping, military

Hampton Roads from space

Hampton Roads has become known as the "world's greatest natural harbor". Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton Virginia, United States. Regent University is a private Coeducational Interdenominational Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Wesleyan College is a small Methodist Liberal arts college on the border of Virginia Beach and Norfolk Virginia offering a Bachelor ECPI College of Technology is a private for-profit college that serves students in North Carolina and South Carolina and Virginia through online and on-campus classes ITT Technical Institute (often shortened to ITT Tech is a private for-profit, technical institute with 100 campuses in 35 states of the United States The port is located only 18 miles (29 km) from open ocean on one of the world's deepest, natural ice-free harbors. Since 1989, Hampton Roads has been the mid-Atlantic leader in U. S. waterborne foreign commerce and is ranked second nationally behind the Port of South Louisiana based on export tonnage. When import and export tonnage are combined, the Port of Hampton Roads ranks as the third largest port in the country (following the ports of New Orleans/South Louisiana and Houston. In 1996, Hampton Roads was ranked ninth among major U. S. ports in vessel port calls with approximately 2,700. In addition, this port is the U. S. leader in coal exports. The coal loading facilities in the Port of Hampton Roads are able to load in excess of 65 million tons annually, giving the port the largest, most efficient and modern coal loading facilities in the world.

It is little surprise therefore that the Hampton Roads region's economic base is largely port-related, including shipbuilding, ship repair, naval installations, cargo transfer and storage, and manufacturing related to the processing of imports and exports. Associated with the ports' military role are almost 50,000 federal civilian employees.

The harbor of Hampton Roads is an important highway of commerce, especially for the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia. Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River

Shipyards

Northrop Grumman Newport News (formerly Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company), the world's largest shipyard, is located a short distance up the James River. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding ( NGS) formerly called Northrop Grumman Newport News ( NGNN) or Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships These can be Yachts military The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source In Portsmouth, a few miles up the Elizabeth River, the historic Norfolk Naval Shipyard is located. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY is a U BAE Systems, formerly known as NORSHIPCO, operates from sites in the City of Norfolk. There are also several smaller shipyards, numerous docks and terminals.

Coal piers

Massive coal piers and loading facilities were established in the late 19th and early 20th century by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O), Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W), and Virginian Railway (VGN). A coal pier is a Transloading facility designed for the transfer of Coal between rail and ship The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O was a Class I railroad formed in 1869 in Virginia from many smaller railroads begun in the 19th century The Norfolk and Western Railway ( N&W), a US Class I railroad, was formed by more than 200 railroad mergers between 1838 and 1982 The Virginian Railway was a Class I railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The latter two were predecessors of the Norfolk Southern Railway, a Class I railroad which has its headquarters in Norfolk, and continues to export coal from a large facility at Lambert's Point on the Elizabeth River. This article is about the present railroad formed in 1990 For the former regional railroad in Virginia and North Carolina a small part of the new one see Norfolk Southern A Class I railroad in the United States and Mexico, or a Class I rail carrier in Canada, is a large freight Railroad, as classified Lamberts Point is a point of land on the south shore of the Elizabeth River near the downtown area of the Independent city of Norfolk in the South CSX Transportation now serves the former C&O facility at Newport News. (The VGN's former coal facility at Sewell's Point has been gone since the 1960s, and the property is now part of the expansive Norfolk Navy Base). Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean,

Military

Hampton Roads is also a chief rendezvous of the US Navy. The Hampton Roads area has the largest concentration of military bases and facilities of any metropolitan area in the world. The area is home to the Allied Command Transformation, which is the only major military command of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Allied Command Transformation (ACT is a military command, which was originally formed in 1952 as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The North Atlantic Treaty The North Atlantic Treaty Langley Air Force Base is home to Air Combat Command (ACC). Langley Air Force Base is located three Nautical miles (6 km) north of the Central business district of the city of Hampton, Virginia Air Combat Command ( ACC) is a major command (MAJCOM of the United States Air Force. The Norfolk Navy Base is located at Sewell's Point near the mouth, on the site used for the tercentennial Jamestown Exposition in 1907. Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many World's fairs and Expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century For a width of 500 feet (150 m) the Federal government during 1902 through 1905 increased its minimum depth at low water from 25. 5 feet (7. 8 m) to 30 feet (9 m), and the channel has now been dredged to a depth of 55 feet (17 m) in some places.

Other area military facilities (alphabetically) include:

• Camp Peary in York County
• Fleet Training Center Dam Neck in Virginia Beach
• Fort Eustis in Newport News
• Fort Monroe in Hampton (scheduled to be closed by 2011)
• Fort Story in Virginia Beach
• Langley Air Force Base in Hampton
• Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach
• Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach
• Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in York County
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth (not to be confused with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, in Kittery, Maine)
• Saint Julian Creek Naval Depot Annex in Chesapeake
• Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Portsmouth[3]

Non-military federal agencies

NASA's Langley Research Center, located on the Peninsula adjacent to Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, is home to scientific and aerospace technology research. Camp Peary is a military reservation in York County near Williamsburg Virginia. Training Support Center Hampton Roads is the current name of the facility in Virginia Beach Virginia which was long-known at "FTC Dam Neck" Fort Eustis is a United States Army military installation located in Newport News Virginia. Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the Fort Story Military Reservation is a facility of the US Army located in the independent city of Virginia Beach Virginia at Cape Henry. Langley Air Force Base is located three Nautical miles (6 km) north of the Central business district of the city of Hampton, Virginia The Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek is the major operating base for the Amphibious Forces in the United States Navy 's Atlantic Fleet. Naval Air Station Oceana or NAS Oceana is a military airport located in Virginia Beach Virginia, and is a United States Navy Master Jet Base Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is a United States Navy base in York County and James City County in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY is a U The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy Shipyard located in Kittery on the southern Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 9543 at the 2000 census The State of Maine ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Langley Research Center (LaRC is the oldest of NASA 's field centers located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. Langley Air Force Base is located three Nautical miles (6 km) north of the Central business district of the city of Hampton, Virginia The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (commonly known as Jefferson Labs) is located nearby in Newport News. Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility ( TJNAF) commonly called Jefferson Lab (JLAB is a U

Speech

The area is home to a non-rhotic Coastal Southern accent, distinct from the rhotic Tidewater accents spoken in surrounding areas. English pronunciation is divided into two main accent groups the rhotic (ˈroʊtɪk and non-rhotic, depending on when the sound typically represented Southern American English is a group of Dialects of the English language spoken throughout the Southern region of the United States, from Southern

Flag

In 1998, a flag representing the Hampton Roads region was adopted. The design of the flag was created by a contest. The winner, sixteen year-old Andrew J. Wall of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, raised the new regional flag for the first time on the mast of a ship moored in the harbor. Frank W Cox High School is a Secondary school located in the Great Neck subdivision of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

As conceived by student Andrew Wall and embellished by the selection committee, his flag is highly symbolic:

The ring of sixteen white stars stands for the cities and counties that comprise the region of Hampton Roads. The blue upper panel refers to the sea and sky, recalling the first European settlers at Jamestown in 1607, the first battle between ironclad ships in 1862, the importance of shipbuilding and ship repair in the area, as well as maritime commerce, fishing, recreational boating, and the major military and government installations around the area’s shores. Agriculture, the environment, tourism, industry, and a healthy quality of life are suggested by the lower panel of green. The wavy white central band with three crests suggests past, present, and future. The wave also recalls the surf and sand dunes of the area as seen from the sea. Water is the central theme. It touches all the components and binds them together. ^[7]

Area attractions and historical sites

Virginia's Historic Triangle

Historic Triangle: Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown

The Historic Triangle is located on the Virginia Peninsula and includes the colonial communities of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, with many restored attractions linked by the Colonial Parkway. The Historic Triangle is located on the Virginia Peninsula of the United States and includes the colonial communities of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia Yorktown is a Census-designated place (CDP in York County, Virginia, United States. Colonial Parkway is a scenic 23-mile (37 km Parkway linking the three popular attractions of Virginia's Historic Triangle of colonial-era communities Jamestown

Colonial Parkway

The National Park Service's Colonial Parkway joins the three popular attractions of Colonial Virginia with a scenic and bucolic roadway carefully shielded from views of commercial development. The National Park Service ( NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation Colonial Parkway is a scenic 23-mile (37 km Parkway linking the three popular attractions of Virginia's Historic Triangle of colonial-era communities Jamestown This helps visitors mentally return to the past, and there are often views of wildlife and waterfowl. Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants animals and other organisms See also UK Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust USA Ducks Unlimited This two lane roadway is the best (but not quickest) way to move between the three points. Near the James River and York River ends of the parkway, there are several pull-offs, where some families allow their children to feed bread to the seagulls. York River can refer to In the United States The York River (Virginia The York River (Maine In Canada (Warning: No trucks are allowed).

For an even better experience, approach the area from the south by water from Surry County with a ride aboard one of the Jamestown Ferrys, which include the Pocahontas and Williamsburg. Surry County is a county located in the South Hampton Roads region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United The Jamestown Ferry (also known as the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry) is an automobile and bus Ferry service across a navigable portion of the James River in As passengers cross, they can walk about the boat or go up to an enclosed viewing level with restrooms. Weather and daylight permitting, passengers usually see Jamestown Island much as the first colonists may have approached it. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 In fact, the replicas of Christopher Newport's the three tiny ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery are docked near the northern ferry landing at Glass House Point. Christopher Newport (c 1561&ndash1618 was an English sailor and Privateer. Glass House Point in James City County Virginia is the northern terminus of the Jamestown Ferry, which was relocated there as part of the development of Jamestown Both the Jamestown Ferry and Colonial Parkway are toll-free.

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in the New World which was established at Jamestown in 1607. Jamestown, located on Jamestown Island in the Virginia Colony, was founded on May 14 1607 The 350th anniversary celebration at Jamestown Festival Park in 1957 was so popular, tourism has been continuously increasing ever since. Jamestown Festival Park was established at Jamestown Virginia in 1957 to mark the 350th anniversary of the founding of the settlement at Jamestown in the Virginia The 400th anniversary is being celebrated with an 18-month long celebration called Jamestown 2007. Jamestown 2007 is the name of the organization planning the events commemorating the 400th Anniversary

Main article: Jamestown 2007

Today, at Jamestown, you can visit recreations of an American Indian village and colonial fort, and archaeological sites where current work is underway by archeologists from the Jamestown Rediscovery project, with recently recovered archaeological artifacts in a new display building. Jamestown 2007 is the name of the organization planning the events commemorating the 400th Anniversary Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos Jamestown Rediscovery is an Archaeological project of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA investigating the remains of the original Replicas of the three ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery are docked nearby. Susan Constant, at 120 tons, was the largest of three ships of the English Virginia Company that were led by Captain Christopher Newport on the Godspeed was one of the three ships of the English Virginia Company that were led by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold on the 1607 voyage that resulted in See also Ship replica (including a list of ship replicas The ship carried 17 male passagers

The two major attractions, which are complementary to each other, are the state-sponsored Jamestown Settlement near the entrance to Jamestown Island, and the National Parks Service's Historic Jamestowne, on Jamestown Island itself. The James Settlement was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Historic Jamestowne is the official name used for promotional purposes for the original site of the 1607 James Fort and the later 17th century city of Jamestown located on the James

Williamsburg

In 1699, the first capital of Virginia was moved to Middle Plantation at the suggestion of students from the College of William and Mary (established 1693). Middle Plantation in the Virginia Colony, was an unincorporated town originally established in 1632 The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university It was soon renamed to Williamsburg, but became a largely forgotten little town after the capital was moved to Richmond in 1780. Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Largely due to the 20th century preservation efforts of the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church and the generosity of Standard Oil heir John D. Rockefeller Jr., today Colonial Williamsburg is a large living museum of early American life. The Reverend Dr William Archer Rutherfoord Goodwin ( June 18, 1869 &ndash September 7, 1939 Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg Virginia, USA. Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing transporting refining and marketing company John Davison Rockefeller Jr (January 29 1874 &ndash May 11 1960 was a major Philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. An open air museum is a distinct type of Museum exhibiting its collections out-of-doors It has dozens of restored and recreated buildings and reenactors. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The Visitor's Center (right off the Colonial Parkway) features a short movie and is an excellent place to start (and leave automobiles, which are restricted from the restored area, where wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus service is provided).

Yorktown

The third point of the triangle is Yorktown where General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington in 1781, ending the American Revolution. Yorktown is a Census-designated place (CDP in York County, Virginia, United States. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" There are two large visitor centers, battlefield drives, and a waterfront area.

Commercial enterprises

Notwithstanding the amazingly successful efforts to provide a non-commercial atmosphere at the three Historic Triangle areas (and on the Colonial Parkway between them), there are many hotels, motels, campgrounds, restaurants, shops and stores, gasoline stations, and amusements close by.

• Busch Gardens Europe is a major theme park located near Williamsburg in James City County. Busch Gardens Europe is a Theme park located in James City County, Virginia about 3 miles (5 km southeast of Williamsburg. Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the

• Williamsburg Pottery Factory is also nearby on U.S. Highway 60, seven miles (11 km) west of Williamsburg in James City County. For the US Route 60 in the 1925 plan see US Route 66. US Route 60 is an east-west United States highway, running 2670 Miles Williamsburg is a city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia James City County (formally the County of James City) is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads region of the

Attractions

There's also a wealth of other points of history to explore in the Hampton Roads area.

Virginia Peninsula

• Casemate Museum (where former Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned) is at Fort Monroe in the historic Phoebus area at Old Point Comfort in Hampton. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 Jefferson Finis Davis ( June 3, 1808 &ndash December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as President of the Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe) is a Hampton Virginia, military installation located at Old Point Comfort, which is on the tip of the Phoebus was an Incorporated town located in Elizabeth City County on the Virginia Peninsula in eastern Virginia Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county

• Harbor tours departing from Hampton and Newport News provide access to Fort Wool and Northrop Grumman Newport News, the world's largest shipyard. Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River Fort Wool (originally named Fort Calhoun was the companion to Fort Monroe in protecting Hampton Roads from seafaring threats Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships These can be Yachts military

• Mariners' Museum is in Newport News. The Mariners' Museum is located in Newport News Virginia. It is one of the largest Maritime museums in the world Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River The USS Monitor Center (of Battle of Hampton Roads fame) is there, along the thousands of nautical artifacts from all over the world. The Battle of Hampton Roads, often called the Battle of Monitor and Merrimack, was a

• NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, the original training ground for the Mercury Seven, Gemini, and Apollo Astronauts. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Langley Research Center (LaRC is the oldest of NASA 's field centers located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. The Mercury Seven was the group of seven Mercury astronauts picked by NASA on April 9, 1959. Team The Gemini program was managed by the Manned Spacecraft Center Houston Texas under direction of the Office of Manned Space Flight NASA Headquarters Washington An astronaut or cosmonaut (космона́вт) is a person trained

• Peninsula Fine Arts Center is an art museum in Newport News. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center is an Art museum located in Newport News Virginia and is associated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

• Virginia Air and Space Center (with a historic carousel adjacent) is in Hampton. Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county

• Virginia War Museum is a museum devoted to the history of the United States in armed conflict and is located in Newport News. The Virginia War Museum is located in Huntington Park on Warwick Blvd

South Hampton Roads

• Cape Henry site of the first landing of the English settlers in 1607 and two lighthouses is at Fort Story in Virginia Beach. South Hampton Roads, also known as Southside, is a region located in the extreme southeastern portion of Virginia in the United States. Cape Henry is a cape on the Atlantic shore of Virginia in the Independent city of Virginia Beach. A lighthouse is a Tower, building or framework designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or in older times from a fire and used as an Fort Story Military Reservation is a facility of the US Army located in the independent city of Virginia Beach Virginia at Cape Henry. Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in

• Norfolk Navy Base at Sewell's Point in Norfolk is the largest naval facility in the world. Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Sewell's Point is a Peninsula of land in the Independent city of Norfolk Virginia in the United States, located at the mouth of the salt-water Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• Norfolk Botanical Garden is in Norfolk. The Norfolk Botanical Garden (155 acres is a Botanical garden with Arboretum located at 6700 Azalea Garden Road Norfolk Virginia. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• The Chrysler Museum of Art is in Norfolk. The Chrysler Museum of Art is an Art museum in the Ghent district of Norfolk Virginia. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• MacArthur Memorial Museum is in Norfolk. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• USS Cole is in Norfolk. History See also USS Cole bombing On 12 October 2000 while at anchor in Aden the Cole was attacked by Al-Qaeda suicide bombers who sailed Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• Nauticus, The National Maritime Center and the Battleship USS Wisconsin are near downtown Norfolk. Nauticus is a maritime-themed science center and Museum located in Norfolk Virginia. Construction See also Iowa class battleship, Armament of the Iowa class battleship Wisconsin was one of the " Fast battleship Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth has one of the largest collection of model electric trains and other toys. Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth is one of the oldest shipyards and has the first dry dock on display. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY is a U Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia. A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform

• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (in Suffolk and Chesapeake) is accessed from U.S. Route 17 in Chesapeake. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1974 to help protect and preserve a portion of the Great Dismal Swamp, a marshy region on the Coastal Plain of US Route 17 (also known as the Coastal Highway) is a north-south United States highway. Chesapeake is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads portion of the Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the

• Suffolk-Nansemond Museum is in the restored Seaboard and Virginian Railway passenger train station in Suffolk. The Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service" was an American Railroad whose corporate existence extended from The Virginian Railway was a Class I railroad located in Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. Suffolk is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area of eastern Virginia.

• Isle of Wight Museum is in Smithfield. Smithfield is an Incorporated town in Isle of Wight County, in the South Hampton Roads subregion of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia

• The Virginia Zoo is in Norfolk. Virginia Zoological Park is a Zoo located in Norfolk Virginia, USA. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

• The Virginia Aquarium is in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, formerly known as the Virginia Marine Science Museum, is an Aquarium and Marine science Museum Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in

• Contemporary Art Center of Virginia located in Virginia Beach features the significant art of our time.

Major commercial and retail centers

The area's experiences with commercial and retail centers began early in 1918. Afton Square, located in the Cradock naval community of Portsmouth, was the first planned shopping center in the USA and has served as template for future developments throughout the nation. [4]

Hampton Roads experienced tremendous growth during and after World War II. In the 1950s, a trend in retail was the shopping center, a group of stores along a common sidewalk adjacent to off-street parking, usually in a suburban location. A shopping mall or shopping centre is a building or set of buildings that contain Retail units with interconnecting Walkways enabling visitors

In 1959, one of the largest on the east coast of the USA was opened at the northeast corner of Military Highway and Virginia Beach Boulevard on property which had formally been used as an airfield. The new JANAF Shopping Center, located in Norfolk, featured acres of free parking and dozens of stores. JANAF Shopping Center in Norfolk Virginia was one of the first large shopping centers in the United States Backed by retired military personnel, the name JANAF was an acronym for Joint Army Navy Air Force.

During the 1950s and early-1960s, other shopping centers in Hampton Roads were developed, such as Wards Corner Shopping Center, Downtown Plaza Shopping Center and Southern Shopping Center in Norfolk; Mid-City Shopping Center in Portsmouth; Hilltop Shopping Center (now known as The Shops at Hilltop) in Virginia Beach; Riverdale Shopping Center in Hampton and the Warwick-Denbigh Shopping Center in Newport News.

Indoor shopping malls

In the late-1960s, a new type of shopping center came to Hampton Roads: the Indoor Shopping Mall. A shopping mall or shopping centre is a building or set of buildings that contain Retail units with interconnecting Walkways enabling visitors In 1965, South Hampton Roads broke ground on its first shopping mall in Virginia Beach, known as Pembroke Mall. Pembroke Mall is an enclosed Shopping mall located in Virginia Beach Virginia, United States. The mall opened in 1966, and became Hampton Road's newest indoor shopping destination. The Virginia Peninsula had its first indoor shopping mall in 1973, with Coliseum Mall. The Virginia Peninsula is a Peninsula in southeast Virginia, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Coliseum Mall was a medium-size Shopping mall located in Hampton Virginia. Coliseum Mall drew so much traffic from Interstate 64, that a towering flyover was built at the Mercury Boulevard and Coliseum Drive intersection, to accommodate eastbound mall traffic, from the Mercury Boulevard interchange. Interstate 64 (abbreviated I-64) is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. An overpass (called a flyover in the UK and most Commonwealth countries is a Bridge, Road, Railway or Also in the 1970s, Tower Mall was built in Portsmouth. In Norfolk, Military Circle Mall on Military Highway was built across Virginia Beach Boulevard from the large JANAF Shopping Center with its own high-rise hotel right in the center. Military Highway is a four-lane roadway built in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia, USA during World War II. Virginia Beach Boulevard is a major connector highway which carries U In 1981, Greenbrier Mall gave Chesapeake a shopping mall of its own as well, and Virginia Beach got the massive Lynnhaven Mall the same year.

MacArthur Center opened in March 1999, which made downtown Norfolk a prime shoppers destination, with the region's first Nordstrom department store anchor. The MacArthur Center is the premier upscale shopping center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area Nordstrom Inc ( is an upscale Department store chain in the United States. MacArthur Center is compared to other downtown malls, such as Baltimore's Harborplace, Indianapolis' Circle Centre Mall, Atlanta's Lenox Square Mall and most comparably to The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Virginia. Harborplace is a Festival marketplace in Baltimore Maryland, that opened in 1980 as a centerpiece of the revival of downtown Baltimore Circle Centre is a large indoor Shopping mall located in downtown Indianapolis (just around the corner from the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument) Lenox Square, owned by the Simon Property Group, is a Shopping mall located in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta Georgia, in the The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, also known as Pentagon City Mall, is an upscale Shopping mall in Arlington Virginia. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D

Currently, Virginia Beach's Lynnhaven Mall is the region's largest shopping center with nearly 180 stores, and is one of the region's biggest tourist draws, with the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg: The Old Country and MacArthur Center. Lynnhaven Mall is a two-level enclosed super-regional Shopping mall in Virginia Beach Virginia, USA. Colonial Williamsburg' is the historic district of the Independent city of Williamsburg Virginia. Busch Gardens Europe is a Theme park located in James City County, Virginia about 3 miles (5 km southeast of Williamsburg.

For a long time, the indoor shopping malls were seen as largely competitive with small shopping centers and traditional downtown type areas. However, in the 1990s and since, the "big-box stores" on the Peninsula and Southside, such as Wal-mart, Home Depot, and Target have been creating a new competitive atmosphere for the shopping malls of Hampton Roads. Big-box store is a term that refers to a style of physically large Chain store, and by extension to the company behind the store

Several older malls such as Pembroke and Military Circle have since their grand openings have been renovated several, and others have been closed and torn down. Newmarket North Mall is now NetCenter, a business center. Netcenter, located in the Independent city of Hampton Virginia, is a former Shopping Mall redeveloped beginning in 2000 and converted into a business center Coliseum Mall, in Hampton, is being redeveloped in a new style, in step with the latest commercial real estate trend: the nationwide establishment of "lifestyle centers".

Defunct malls

• Mercury Mall in Hampton (converted to Mercury Plaza Shopping Center in the mid-1980s, then completely torn down in 2001).
• Newmarket North Mall in Hampton (Opened in 1975, and then converted in 2002 to NetCenter a business complex). Newmarket North Mall, located in Hampton Virginia, opened in 1975 Netcenter, located in the Independent city of Hampton Virginia, is a former Shopping Mall redeveloped beginning in 2000 and converted into a business center
• Tower Mall in Portsmouth (Built in the early 1970s, then torn down in 2001).
• Coliseum Mall in Hampton (Closed in January 2007, as part of the area redevelopment)

List of active malls

Sports, entertainment, and mass assembly venues

normal seating capacity in parentheses

Major indoor arenas

• Norfolk Scope Arena (12,600; 13,800 festival seating), current home of the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. Coliseum Mall was a medium-size Shopping mall located in Hampton Virginia. Lynnhaven Mall is a two-level enclosed super-regional Shopping mall in Virginia Beach Virginia, USA. Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in The MacArthur Center is the premier upscale shopping center of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Chesapeake is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads portion of the Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the Chesapeake is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads portion of the Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the Patrick Henry Mall is a Shopping mall in Newport News Virginia. Newport News is an Independent city in Virginia. It is at the south-western end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Pembroke Mall is an enclosed Shopping mall located in Virginia Beach Virginia, United States. Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in Seating capacity refers to the number The Norfolk Scope is a 12600-seat multipurpose Arena at the northern perimeter of downtown Norfolk Virginia, designed by renowned Italian architect/engineer American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The arena opened in 1971.

• Hampton Coliseum (10,761; 13,800 festival seating), location of the annual Virginia Duals wrestling events, and the annual Hampton Jazz Festival. Located in Hampton Virginia, the Hampton Coliseum is a multi-use facility owned by the City of Hampton The arena opened in 1970.

Collegiate and other indoor arenas

• Kaplan Arena (formerly William & Mary Hall) at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg (10,300)
• Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University – Norfolk (9,650) sometimes known as the Constant Convocation Center or "the Ted"
• Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall at Norfolk State University (8,500)
• Hampton Convocation Center at Hampton University (8,200)
• Robert Freeman Center at Christopher Newport University – Newport News (6,000)
• Gills Gymnasium at Norfolk State University (4,000)
• Jerome H. William & Mary Hall is the name of the building used for athletic events for the The College of William & Mary Tribe sports teams in Williamsburg Virginia. Ted Constant Convocation Center is a 9520-seat (219330 square feet multi-purpose Arena in Norfolk Virginia, located on the campus of Old Dominion University Joseph G Echols Memorial Hall is a 7000-seat multi-purpose Arena in Norfolk Virginia. Hampton Convocation Center is a 7200-seat multi-purpose Arena in Hampton Virginia. Holland Hall at Hampton University (3,000)
• Anderson Field House at Fort Eustis – Newport News (2,200)
• Jane P. Batten Student Center at Virginia Wesleyan College – Virginia Beach (2,120)

Minor league sports stadiums

• Harbor Park – Norfolk (12,067) (opened in 1993), home of the Norfolk Tides AAA minor league baseball team

• Peninsula War Memorial Stadium – Hampton (5,125) (opened in 1948), home of the Peninsula Pilots Elite Collegiate Wood Bat baseball team

• Virginia Beach Sportsplex – Virginia Beach (11,541) (opened in 1999), home of the Hampton Roads Piranhas minor league soccer teams

Collegiate and other stadiums

• William "Dick" Price Football Stadium at Norfolk State University (30,000) football
• Alvin H. Harbor Park is a Stadium along the Elizabeth River, in downtown Norfolk Virginia, USA The Norfolk Tides are a Minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. History The team is named for the successful Peninsula Pilots franchise of the Carolina League that played in Hampton from 1976 to 1992 before relocating to Wilmington Virginia Beach Sportsplex is a sports complex in Virginia Beach Virginia. Hampton Roads Piranhas is a professional American women’s Soccer team founded in 1995 which is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, Dick Price Stadium is a 30000-seat multi-purpose Stadium in Norfolk Virginia, United States Foreman Field at Old Dominion University – Norfolk (20,300) football and field hockey
• Walter J. Zable Stadium at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg (15,279) football
• Samuel C. Foreman Field is a 20000-seat multi-purpose Stadium in Norfolk Virginia. Walter J Zable Stadium at Cary Field, named for Walter J Zable former member of the College of William & Mary Board of Visitors, is located in Williamsburg Virginia Armstrong Stadium at Hampton University (14,000) football
• John B. Todd Stadium – Newport News (11,000) football
• Joseph S. Armstrong Stadium is a 17000-seat multi-purpose Stadium in Hampton Virginia. John B Todd Stadium is a football stadium located on Warwick Blvd Darling Memorial Stadium – Hampton (8,000) football
• B. Herman Bailey Field – Yorktown (6,000) football
• Cooley Field - Williamsburg (3,000) football
• Old Dominion University Soccer Stadium – Norfolk (6,000)
• Union Kempsville Stadium – Virginia Beach (5,100) football
• Anheuser-Busch Field at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg (4,450) soccer
• Pomoco Stadium at Christopher Newport University – Newport News (4,200) football
• District Park Sports Complex – Williamsburg (4,000) proposed
• Powhatan Stadium – Norfolk (4,000) - football, opened in fall 2006
• Bud Metheny Sports Complex and Old Dominion University – Norfolk (3,000) baseball
• Marty L. Miller Baseball Field at Norfolk State University (1,600)
• Joe Plumeri Park at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg (1,200) baseball
• Mark McCormack-Betsy Nagelsen Tennis Center at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg

Convention centers

• Virginia Beach Convention Center 516,522 sq ft (47,986 m²) opened early 2007
• Williamsburg Convention Center 259,000 sq ft (24,100 m²) proposed
• Hampton Roads Convention Center – Hampton 258,000 sq ft (24,000 m²)
• Norfolk Executive Conference Center 73,000 sq ft (6,800 m²) planned
• Chesapeake Conference Center 37,000 sq ft (3,400 m²)
• Portsmouth Conference Center 37,000 sq ft (3,400 m²)
• Waterside Convention Center – Norfolk 35,000 sq ft (3,300 m²)
• City Center at Oyster Point Conference Center – Newport News (Under Construction)

Auditoriums and performing arts theatres

• American Theatre – Hampton
• Chrysler Hall – Norfolk
• Crispus Attucks Cultural Center – Norfolk
• Devary Theatre at Norfolk Naval Base - Norfolk
• Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts – Newport News
• Fort Monroe Theatre – Hampton
• Harrison Opera House – Norfolk
• Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center at Tidewater Community College – Norfolk
• L. Chrysler Hall is a performing arts venue in Norfolk Virginia. Performing arts venues The Ferguson Center for the Arts contains three distinct separate concert halls the Concert Hall, the Music and Theatre Hall, and the The Edythe C and Stanley L Harrison Opera House, also known as the Harrison Opera House, is the official home of the Virginia Opera in the Ghent district Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center at Norfolk State University - Norfolk
• Music Theatre of Williamsburg (752)
• Norva Theatre – Norfolk
• Ogden Hall at Hampton University - Hampton
• Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg
• Premiere Theatre (aka Granby Theatre) – Norfolk
• Regent University Performing Arts Center – Virginia Beach
• Riverview Theatre – Norfolk
• Rockwell Hall at Little Creek Amphibious Base – Virginia Beach
• Sandler Performing Arts Center – Virginia Beach
• Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts - Suffolk
• Wells Theatre – Norfolk
• Willett Hall – Portsmouth
• Yoder Dairy Barn Theater - Newport News

Amphitheatres

• Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheatre - Virginia Beach (20,000)
• nTelos Pavilion at Harbor Center – Portsmouth (7,500)
• Le Palais Royal Theatre at Busch Gardens – Williamsburg (5,600)
• Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre at The College of William and Mary – Williamsburg (2,400)

Raceways

• Langley Speedway – Hampton (6,500)

Collegiate sports teams

• Old Dominion Monarchs and Lady Monarchs - Norfolk
• Norfolk State Spartans - Norfolk
• Hampton Pirates - Hampton
• William & Mary Tribe - Williamsburg
• Christopher Newport Captains - Newport News
• Tidewater Community College Storm - Various

Media

Print

Two major newspapers serve Hampton Roads: The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Press. The NorVA is a performing theatre located in Norfolk Virginia, with a maximum occupancy of 1500 The Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in downtown Norfolk Virginia. For Langley Speedway closed racetrack in British Columbia Canada see Langley Speedway (British Columbia. Old Dominion University (ODU is a large public Research university located in historic Norfolk Virginia. Norfolk State University (NSU is a four-year state-supported coed liberal arts historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton Virginia, United States. The College of William and Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, also known as William & Mary or W&M) is a Public university Christopher Newport University, or CNU, is a liberal arts university located in Newport News Virginia. A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. The Virginian-Pilot is a daily Newspaper based in Norfolk Virginia and serving southeastern Virginia, Virginia's Eastern Shore The Daily Press is a morning Newspaper located in Newport News, Virginia, that covers southeastern Virginia Smaller publications include the The Williamsburg-James City County area's twice-weekly Virginia Gazette, the state's oldest newspaper and the Smithfield Times publishes a weekly edition in the Isle of Wight County town of the same name. The Virginia Gazette is the local Newspaper of the City of Williamsburg, James City County Virginia.

Hampton Roads Magazine serves as the region's only city and lifestyle glossy magazine. The publication is bimonthly and covers all of Hampton Roads, Williamsburg and the Eastern Shore.

Television

11 full-power television stations serve the Hampton Roads area.

Radio

See FM and AM stations in Hampton Roads. UNC-TV is a statewide Public television network in the US state of North Carolina. UNC-TV is a statewide Public television network in the US state of North Carolina. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Edenton is a town in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States. WTKR is the CBS affiliate serving the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, officially known as the Norfolk - Portsmouth - Newport News CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States WSKY-TV, which launched in October 2001 is a full-power/full market independent station serving the Norfolk - Portsmouth - Newport News VA television market Manteo (pronounced man-te-oh is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. WAVY-TV is the NBC affiliate serving the Norfolk / Portsmouth / Newport News Virginia television market ( DMA) The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia. WVEC-TV is the ABC affiliate for the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, which includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county WHRO-TV channel 15 is the PBS member for Hampton Roads, Virginia (the Norfolk &ndash Portsmouth &ndash Newport News television The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Hampton is an Independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county WHRE is a religious Television station in Virginia Beach Virginia, broadcasting locally on channel 21 as an affiliate of TBN. The Trinity Broadcasting Network ( TBN) is a Christian television network headquartered in Costa Mesa California with studios in Irving Texas Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in WGNT, channel 27 is a CW Television Network -owned and operated station licensed to Portsmouth Virginia, and serving the Portsmouth- Norfolk - Virginia The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. Portsmouth is an Independent city located in the US Commonwealth of Virginia. WTVZ-TV is the My Network TV affiliate serving the Norfolk - Portsmouth - Newport News Virginia (or Hampton Roads) television market MyNetworkTV (unofficially abbreviated MyNet or MNT) is a Television network in the United States, owned by the Fox Broadcasting Company Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States WVBT, channel 43 is the Fox -affiliated Television station for the Hampton Roads area of southeast Virginia that is licensed Virginia Beach (pronounced /vɚˌdʒɪnjəˈbiːtʃ/ is an Independent city located in the South Hampton Roads area and one of the largest cities in WPXV is the ION Television affiliate for Hampton Roads, licensed to Norfolk Virginia. Ion Television is a broadcast television network first broadcast on August 31 1998 Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States

Minor League Sports Teams

The Norfolk Nighthawks were a charter member of the Arena Football League's minor league, af2. The Norfolk Tides are a Minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each The International League ( IL) is a Minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States. Harbor Park is a Stadium along the Elizabeth River, in downtown Norfolk Virginia, USA The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional Ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. American Hockey Association (1926–1942The American Hockey League (AHL is a Professional Ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary The Norfolk Scope is a 12600-seat multipurpose Arena at the northern perimeter of downtown Norfolk Virginia, designed by renowned Italian architect/engineer Hampton Roads Piranhas is a professional American women’s Soccer team founded in 1995 which is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered History In 1995 the USISL split into two leagues one professional and one amateur Virginia Wesleyan College is a small Methodist Liberal arts college on the border of Virginia Beach and Norfolk Virginia offering a Bachelor Hampton Roads Piranhas is a professional American women’s Soccer team founded in 1995 which is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered History The W-League's inaugural season was in 1995 Originally called the United States Interregional Women's League it later changed its name to the W-League Virginia Wesleyan College is a small Methodist Liberal arts college on the border of Virginia Beach and Norfolk Virginia offering a Bachelor The Norfolk Nighthawks are a now-defunct charter member of the Af2. The Arena Football League (AFL was founded in 1987 as an American football indoor league. af2 (short for arenafootball2) is the name of the Arena Football League 's Minor league, which started play in 2000. They ceased operations in 2003 after their fourth season. Also, the Virginia Beach Mariners of soccer's USL First Division were active from 1994 until 2006. The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second History In 1996 the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues established the new Select League consisting of its strongest teams from its professional FIFA

In 1997, Norfolk presented a proposal to bring an expansion hockey team to Hampton Roads. But that initiative failed. The team was going to be called the Hampton Roads Rhinos.

In 2002, Norfolk presented a proposal to bring the Charlotte Hornets basketball team to southeastern Virginia, but New Orleans won the bid for the team, renaming it the New Orleans Hornets. The New Orleans Hornets are a professional Basketball team based in New Orleans Louisiana, United States. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The New Orleans Hornets are a professional Basketball team based in New Orleans Louisiana, United States.

In 2005, Norfolk presented a proposal to bring the Montreal Expos baseball team to to the metro area, but Washington, D.C. won the bid for the team, renaming it the Washington Nationals. Franchise history Creation of the franchise In 1960 Montreal lost its International League team the Montreal Royals (an affiliate of Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The Washington Nationals is an American professional baseball team based in Washington D

Music Scene

The Hampton Roads region has a thriving music scene, with a heavy concentration thereof in the Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk areas. Many clubs, venues, and festivals exist within the region, all playing host to a wide variety of musical styles. There are a few hundred bands that play routinely in the region, spanning multiple genres.

In addition, some of the more well known bands and artists to come out of the area are:

• Bruce Hornsby - Rock/Pop/Jazz
• Chad Hugo - Rap/Hip Hop
• Ella Fitzgerald - Jazz
• Gary "U.S." Bonds - Rock N Roll
• Gene Vincent - Rockabilly
• Juice Newton - Pop/Rock
• Keller Williams - Acoustic
• Mae - Rock
• Magoo - Rap/Hip Hop
• Missy Elliott - Rap/Hip Hop
• Nicole Wray - Rap/Hip Hop
• Pharrell Williams - Rap/Hip Hop
• Quan - Rap/Hip Hop
• Robert Cray - Blues
• Ruth Brown - Rhythm and Blues
• Seven Mary Three - Rock
• Teddy Riley - Rap/Hip Hop and R&B
• Steve Earle - Southern Rock/Country
• Timbaland - Rap/Hip Hop
• Tommy Newsome - Jazz

Tallest buildings

See also

• 2003 Virginia earthquake
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Historic Triangle
• Jamestown, Virginia
• List of famous people from Hampton Roads
• Lost counties, cities and towns of Virginia
• South Hampton Roads
• Virginia Peninsula

Notes

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain. The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911 is a 29-volume reference work that marked the beginning of the Encyclopædia Britannica The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone

External links

• Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
• Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance
• Nauticus, The National Maritime Center Norfolk, VA
• Norfolk City Historical Society
• Norfolk County Historical Society
• History of Willoughby – Norfolk Public Library
• City of Norfolk website, Local History
• Fort Wool History
• Roads to the Future - I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel
• About Ocean View website
• Ocean View Scene Magazine website