Waterside Promenade in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

1. Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley Marker

Inscription. According to tradition, ferry service across the Elizabeth River was first established near this location in 1636 by Captain Adam Thoroughgood and operated by Lower Norfolk County. The earliest ferries were simply skiffs rowed by men. Later larger paddle wheel vessels were propelled by horses or mules on treadmills. In 1715, Major Samuel Boush was running two ferries for an annual fee of three thousand pounds of tobacco. The first steam ferry to serve Norfolk and Portsmouth was the “Gosport,” built in Portsmouth and outfitted in Philadelphia. Her first run was in 1832. The crossing time was reduced to five minutes. In 1840, the passenger fare was three cents. With the advent of the automobile, ferries were redesigned to handle cars and trucks. Even though the Downtown Tunnel opened in May 1952, vehicular ferries continued to cross the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth until the end of August 1955. The present Norfolk-Portsmouth passenger ferries, reinstated in 1983, continue a tradition of more than three centuries.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic

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list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1952.

Location. 36° 50.62′ N, 76° 17.464′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Waterside Promenade. It can be reached from Waterside Drive. Along the Elizabeth River next to the ferry landing behind The Waterside building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 Waterside Drive, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cannonball Trail (here,

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 1, 2009

2. Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley Marker

next to this marker); Elizabeth River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Underground Railroad (about 500 feet away); Norfolk 1682 (about 800 feet away); The Bombardment of Norfolk, 1776 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Navy Escort Carriers Based in Norfolk (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Customhouse, 1859 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Additional keywords. Cannonball Trail

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022

3. Ferries to Portsmouth and Berkley Marker

<i>Water Front, Norfolk, Va.</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by the Detroit Publishing Company, 1905

4. Water Front, Norfolk, Va.

Two ferries are visible here in the foreground, with Portsmouth (right) and Berkley (left) visible in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,915 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 4. submitted on October 7, 2015. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.