Western Branch South in Chesapeake, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sunray
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2014
1. Sunray Marker
Inscription.
Sunray. . In 1908, the first long-term Polish settlement in Virginia was established in Norfolk County, now Chesapeake. The Piast colony, named for Poland’s first royal dynasty, was called Sunray after the Virginia Railway Company depot that opened here in 1910. The immigrants first worked in mines and factories on the East Coast and then moved to this farming community platted by the Southern Homestead Corp. of Norfolk. They had to dig drains and grub the stumps of timbered lands, but soon built prosperous family farms. They maintained ties with the Polish diaspora and continued to be joined by new colonists for decades.
In 1908, the first long-term Polish settlement in Virginia was established in Norfolk County, now Chesapeake. The Piast colony, named for Poland’s first royal dynasty, was called Sunray after the Virginia Railway Company depot that opened here in 1910. The immigrants first worked in mines and factories on the East Coast and then moved to this farming community platted by the Southern Homestead Corp. of Norfolk. They had to dig drains and grub the stumps of timbered lands, but soon built prosperous family farms. They maintained ties with the Polish diaspora and continued to be joined by new colonists for decades.
Erected 2013 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-276.)
Location. 36° 46.935′ N, 76° 24.648′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is in Western Branch South. Marker is on Homestead Road, 0.2 miles south of South Military Highway (U.S. 460), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chesapeake VA 23321, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,148 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.