| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q 8-p — Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 |
| | This marks the northern limit of a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold who, under Major General William Phillips, commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. This line of fortifications extended in an arc south along Dinwiddie and Washington Streets to Gosport Creek and defended Portsmouth from American attack from the west. — Map (db m21043) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q8-q — Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 |
| | A brick windmill near here was close to the southern limit of a line of British redoubts erected in March 1781 by order of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, who under Major General William Phillips, commanded British troops occupying Portsmouth. This line of fortifications extended north in an arc along Washington Street to the waterfront near Court Street. — Map (db m21112) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q 8-g — Collier's Raid |
| | A British fleet under Commodore Sir George Collier sailed up the Elizabeth River and shelled Fort Nelson in May 1779, during the Revolutionary War. A landing force of 1,800 infantrymen led by Brig. Gen. Edward Mathew captured the fort on 10 May after a brief resistance. The British occupied Portsmouth, Gosport, and Norfolk, and burned Suffolk and the Gosport shipyard. Collier also captured or burned 137 vessels in Hampton Roads and dismantled Fort Nelson. The British force then embarked and sailed to New York. — Map (db m21146) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q-8F — Cornwallis at Portsmouth |
| | Lord Cornwallis, commanding the British troops in the south, reached Portsmouth, July, 1781. He prepared to send a portion of his force to New York. Before the movement was made, orders came for him to take up a position at Old Point. Cornwallis selected Yorktown, however, and Portsmouth was abandoned. — Map (db m21114) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Court Street Baptist Church — Path of History, Portsmouth, VA |
| | Established in 1789, the Portsmouth and Norfolk Baptist Church served as the first Baptist congregation in South Hampton Roads. The name was changed in 1791 to Portsmouth Baptist Church and again in 1855 to its current name, Court Street Baptist Church. This Romanesque Revival-style church is the third building to occupy the site and contains the cornerstone of the previous building.
Black members of Court Street Baptist Church worshiped in the basement until May 1865 when 318 of the . . . — Map (db m20467) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Craney Island |
| | Craney Island played a significant role in the War of 1812, flying the Flag of 1795, with fifteen stars and stripes. American defenders held off overwhelming British forces there on June 22, 1813. Two hundred British soldiers were killed, thirteen taken prisoner and forty deserted. There were no American casualties. This successful battle saved Norfolk, Portsmouth and the Gosport Shipyard from British occupation and destruction. The USS Merrimack . . . — Map (db m21111) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Crawford Bay |
| | The peaceful waters of Crawford Bay play host each year to a number of boating events including the Cock Island Race and the Crawford Bay Crew Classic. The homes visible across the inlet are in a neighborhood called Swimming Point.
One of the few eighteenth-century manor houses remaining in Hampton Roads, the Dale-Reed House, is located in Swimming Point. The family of Revolutionary War hero Richard Dale once lived in this home. Although modernized, the home still has . . . — Map (db m21072) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q-8-M — Crawford House |
| | Erected 1835 by J.W. Collins, Portsmouth’s first five-story building and for many years a leading hotel. Presidents Van Buren, Tyler, and Fillmore were entertained here. — Map (db m20461) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q-8-K — Elizabeth River |
| | The Elizabeth River, explored by Captain John Smith in 1608, was named for Princess Elizabeth. Shipbuilding activity began in 1620 when John Wood, a shipbuilder, requested a land grant. Many historic ships were built at the naval shipyard here, including the USS Delaware, first ship dry-docked in America, and CSS Virginia (ex-Merrimac) first ironclad to engage in battle. — Map (db m21044) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — First Order Fresnel Lens from the Hog Island Light |
| | This pavilion displays a first order Fresnel lens from the second Hog Island Light. The lens began service in 1896. Originally built in 1852, the first building was destroyed by erosion and rebuilt in 1896, only to be deactivated in 1948. The locations of both these lights are now under water off the Eastern Shore. The Fresnel Lens was named after Augustin Fresnel — the French physicist who devised the optical system around 1822. At about 10 feet high and 2,500 . . . — Map (db m21180) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — K-265 — Fort Nelson |
| | On the site of Portsmouth’s Naval Hospital stood Fort Nelson. There, Virginia’s Revolutionary government late in 1776 constructed the fort of timber and rammed earth. Three years later, the British fleet commanded by Admiral Sir George Collier confiscated its artillery and supplies and destroyed most of the parapet. In 1779 – 1781, Lord Cornwallis and General Benedict Arnold occupied the fort. It was reconstructed in 1799 of earth lined with brick, following a design by . . . — Map (db m21145) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Gosport Navy Yard — Birthplace of the CSS Virginia — 1862 Peninsula Campaign |
| | Before you is the Gosport Navy Yard (Norfolk Naval Shipyard). Gosport is the oldest Navy shipyard in the nation. Here is where the USS Merrimack was burned and then transformed by the Confederates into the powerful ironclad ram, the CSS Virginia. Gosport Navy Yard was first established in 1767 by British naval agent Andrew Sprowle. It was occupied by patriot forces in 1775 and operated as a shipyard by the Virginia State Navy. Gosport, the largest shipyard in America, was . . . — Map (db m21160) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q–8-r — Home Site of William Crawford (d. 1762) Founder of Portsmouth |
| | Here stood the residence of William Crawford who in 1752 founded the town of Portsmouth on sixty-five acres of his extensive plantation lands. The house site extended south on Crawford Street 113 feet, and east on High Street to the Elizabeth River. Crawford was presiding Justice of the Norfolk Cy. Court, Lt.-Colonel of the County Militia, a wealthy merchant and planter. — Map (db m20434) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — In Commemoration of the Last Public Appearance of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody — At Portsmouth, Virginia on November 11, 1916 |
| | William F. Cody, associated with a Western exhibition titled “Buffalo Bill (Himself) and the 101 Ranch Wild West Combined,” passed by this spot on a route that would take the parade to the intersection of Washington and Lincoln Streets, site of the “Grand Finale.” The success enjoyed by the Fourth of July celebration known as “The Old Glory Blowout” at North Platte, Nebraska, on July 4, 1882, convinced William F. Cody to organize . . . — Map (db m21162) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q8-s — John Luke Porter — (19 Sept. 1813 – 14 Dec. 1893) |
| | John Luke Porter, first president of the Portsmouth common council, was born just two blocks south of here. An accomplished naval constructor, commissioned first by the United States and later by the Confederacy, Porter supervised, at the Norfolk Navy Yard, the conversion of the frigate Merrimac to the ironclad CSS Virginia. On 8 March 1862, the Virginia rammed and sank USS Cumberland and destroyed USS Congress at Newport News. The next day Virginia fought a historic but inconclusive battle . . . — Map (db m20433) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Lightship Portsmouth — 101-WAL524 |
| | Lightships were “floating lighthouses.” They were anchored at the entrances to ports, bays and outer limits to off-lying danger areas such as shoals and reefs. These vessels served as aids to navigation. Lightships were originally placed where lighthouses could not go or were too expensive to build. They had the advantage of being able to be in deeper waters than a lighthouse, could shift positions and had many types of signals. Disadvantages included that they were expensive to . . . — Map (db m20407) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Lightship Portsmouth — 101-WAL524 |
| | Lightships and the City of Portsmouth go back to the beginning of lightship duty in this country in 1820. The first lightship was established off Craney Island at the mouth of the Elizabeth River. Working lightships were constant visitors on the Portsmouth waterfront at the buoy yard until 1966, when the last lightships were discontinued in the district. At this time Lightship #101 was brought back to Portsmouth to become a permanent fixture on the waterfront. It was to be a tribute to the . . . — Map (db m20408) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q8B — Monumental Methodist Church |
| | This Church, founded 1772, is one of the oldest Methodist Churches in Virginia. The first building was erected, 1775, at South and Effingham Streets. The Church was moved to Glasgow Street near Court in 1792. It established the first Sunday School in Portsmouth in 1818. Monumental was moved to this site, Dinwiddie Street, in 1831. — Map (db m20466) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Naval Shipyard Museum — Formally Norfolk County Ferries Maintenance Building |
| | Constructed in 1919, this building was used as a maintenance building for the Norfolk County ferries. From 1636 to 1955 the ferries provided service for passengers and their various modes of transportation across the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth. The ferries were discontinued in 1955, but were re-established in 1983 for passenger transportation only. The building has been home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum since 1963, when the original museum was moved from inside . . . — Map (db m20390) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q-8-N — Norfolk County Court House |
| | Begun 1845, occupied 20 July 1846. The architect, Wm. R. Singleton, a Portsmouth native, also designed the old Norfolk City Court House. This building stands on one of the four corners dedicated for public use in 1752 by Lt. Col. William Crawford, founder of Portsmouth. The site was formerly occupied by the clerk's office when an earlier Court House, occupied in 1803, stood on the Northeast corner, opposite. — Map (db m3518) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Olde Towne Portsmouth — Southern Architectural Splendor |
| | The one square block historic district before you is Portsmouth’s Olde Towne. The district dates to 1752 when Portsmouth was founded by William Crawford. Olde Towne contains one of the largest collections of historic buildings in Virginia featuring Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Georgian, and Victorian architectural styles. Olde Towne is the centerpiece of Portsmouth’s Civil War history. Several of the buildings found throughout the district played an important role . . . — Map (db m21116) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Portsmouth Naval Hospital — Administering to Both the Union and Confederacy |
| | This is the site of the Portsmouth Naval Hospital which served both the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. The Portsmouth Naval Hospital, the U.S. Navy’s first hospital, was founded in 1827 by Secretary of the Navy Samuel L. Southard. Architect John Haviland created Building No. One’s impressive Greek Revival design which features an embellished Doric portico of 10 columns. The facility opened in 1830. The hospital was built on the site of the Fort Nelson of the Revolutionary War . . . — Map (db m21042) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Portsmouth Public Library |
| | The Portsmouth Public Library was established in 1914 primarily due to efforts of the Students Club. The first library was housed in the annex behind the 1846 Courthouse and most of the original collection was donated from the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the YMCA. The first librarian was Mrs. Esther Murdaugh Wilson. An African-American Community Library was established in 1945 with Mrs. Bertha Edwards as Director.
The two libraries merged in 1963 and moved into the renovated 1909 Post . . . — Map (db m20392) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Revolutionary War at Portsmouth |
| | In October 1775, Virginia’s last royal governor, the Earl of Dunmore, made his headquarters at Gosport, one mile south of here. After his defeat at Great Bridge and the destruction of Norfolk, he entrenched at Hospital Point, one mile north, but was again driven out in May 1776. Portsmouth was again invaded by the British: Sir George Collier in 1779, General Leslie in 1780, the traitor Benedict Arnold and General Phillips in 1781. Here, on this Portsmouth waterfront in August 1781. Lord . . . — Map (db m20432) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Seaboard Air Line Railroad |
| | The Portsmouth & Roanoke Railroad was incorporated in March 1832 and began operations in July 1834 when the first train, pulled by horses, ran a full circuit from Portsmouth to Suffolk. A locomotive replaced the horses later that year. By late 1836, the full line running to Weldon, N.C., was completed. In 1846 the line was reorganized as the Seaboard & Roanoke and eventually became the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. This building at High Street Landing served as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad . . . — Map (db m20387) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Spanish-American War 1898-1902 |
| | Erected by the citizens of Portsmouth and Norfolk County. Sponsored by the Austin R. Davis Camp No 4 – United Spanish War Veterans and Auxiliary to commemorate the valor and patriotism of those who voluntarily served in the war with Spain, the Phillipine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition.
Dedicated May 23, 1942 — Map (db m20794) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q-8-v — St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church |
| | St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church was first built by French and Irish immigrants between 1811 and 1815 and was the first Catholic congregation established in Portsmouth. Increasing membership necessitated the building of new structures in 1831 and 1851. Fire destroyed the third building in 1859; that same year the congregation began construction a fourth structure, completed in 1868. It burned in 1897. The current Gothic Revival church here, noted for its stained glass windows, was designed by . . . — Map (db m21147) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — K-268 — The Battle of Craney Island |
| | On the morning of June 22, 1813, during the War of 1812, British naval and marine forces under the command of Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren landed here at Hoffler Creek. American armed militia under the command of Gen. Robert B. Taylor blocked the British advance, brought them under heavy artillery fire and caused them to retreat. Approximately 200 British soldiers were killed, four to five barges were sunk and the "Centipede" was taken along with 22 prisoners. Norfolk, Portsmouth and the . . . — Map (db m22154) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — The Coast Guard |
| | The City of Portsmouth has had a long history of supporting U.S. Coast Guard operations. Today it serves as a center for Coast Guard regional administration and operational oversight through the Atlantic Area Command headquarters, Fifth District headquarters and the local Integrated Support Center. Portsmouth hosts the Atlantic Area Command headquarters, which administers all Coast Guard districts east of the Rocky Mountains. The Fifth District is one of those districts and it oversees Coast . . . — Map (db m20431) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — The Commodore Theatre |
| | Opened on November 14, 1945, the Commodore Theatre was designed by noted Baltimore architect John J. Zink and built and operated by William S. "Bunkie" Wilder, a Portsmouth native, as his flagship theatre. It is named for Commodore James Barron, veteran of the War of 1812, who is buried in the churchyard next to the theatre.
The Art Deco theatre has a nautical theme and two large murals depicting local and national history.
The Commodore showed motion pictures and hosted community . . . — Map (db m20465) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — The Elizabeth River |
| | The Elizabeth River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay, runs between the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk. The river was named “Elizabeth” in honor of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, the eldest daughter of King James I of England.
The river was first called “Chesapeake,” after the tribe of Native Americans who lived on its banks. They were an Algonquin-speaking people who depended on the land and water for existence. When John Smith explored the eastern area in 1608, he . . . — Map (db m21182) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Towne Square — Path of History, Portsmouth, VA |
| | The intersection of High and Court Street was known as Towne Square, the cornerstone of the community. The square that you are standing on was known as Courthouse Square, the site of the original courthouse from 1803-1846. In 1855 the Ocean Hotel opened at this location.
Portsmouth Parish, now Trinity Episcopal Church, was built on Church Square in 1762. This church still serves the citizens of Portsmouth.
The final square, Market Square, is where citizens bought and sold their goods. . . . — Map (db m20463) |
| Virginia, Portsmouth — Q8A — Trinity Church |
| | Built in 1762 as the Parish Church of Portsmouth Parish, established in 1761. Later named Trinity; Enlarged in 1829; Remodeled in 1893. Colonel William Crawford, founder of Portsmouth in 1752, was a member of the first Vestry. Buried here is Commodore James Barron, Commander of the U.S. Frigate Chesapeake when attacked by H.M.S. Leopard in 1807; the result was his celebrated duel with Stephen Decatur in 1820. The graves of many Revolutionary patriots are here. — Map (db m20464) |
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