Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Crawford Bay

Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 23, 2009

1. Crawford Bay Marker

Inscription. 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 sections of what is probably the oldest house in Portsmouth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 36° 50.429′ N, 76° 18.072′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. It is on Crawford Parkway east of Court Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, 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,

and in the Tidewater.

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: Craney Island (here, next to this marker); Cornwallis at Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker); Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (within shouting distance of this marker); Olde Towne Portsmouth (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Fort Nelson (within shouting distance of this marker); Gaskins Silversmith Shop (about 800 feet away); Elks Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Watts House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Other markers no longer nearby. Arnold's British Defenses, 1781 (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Elizabeth River (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Portsmouth Naval Hospital (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker is part of the Path of History of Portsmouth.

Dale-Reed home from NE image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Thomson, October 12, 2010

2. Dale-Reed home from NE

From roughly the same angle as on the marker.

Dale-Reed home from SE image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Thomson, October 12, 2010

3. Dale-Reed home from SE

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,378 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 25, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2010, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.