Thalia in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
History of Thalia
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Aunt Penny's Park
Photographed by Scott Rollins, June 27, 2009
1. History of Thalia Marker
History of Thalia. The word “Thalia” is derived from the Greek “thallein”, meaning to flourish and bloom. The community of Thalia is generally bounded on the west by Thalia Creek, on the east by Lynn Shores Road, on the north by the Eastern Branch of the Lynnhaven River and on the south by the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Thalia is a part of the Edward H. Mosley estate known as “Summerville Plantation”, and appears in the official deed of record book at the Princess Anne County (now Virginia Beach) Courthouse dated 1807. Thalia was a scheduled stop for the Norfolk, Albemarle and Atlantic Railroad. During World War II, Camp Ashby, (aka Camp Thalia) the German Prisoner of War Camp, was located on what is now the site of The City of Virginia Beach Central Library and the property adjoining it.
Aunt Penny’s Park. This private park is to honor John J. and Paula L. “Aunt Penny” Collins for their unique contributions to the community of Thalia. They established one of the very first commercial businesses in Thalia, pre-1950. Their “Cabins-in-the-Pines”, at 4145 Virginia Beach Blvd., encompassed
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 36° 50.495′ N, 76° 6.963′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Thalia. It is on Thalia Station Drive south of Virginia Beach Boulevard (U.S. 58), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia Beach VA 23452, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Ashby (approx. ¼ mile away); Lake Trashmore Bank Stabilization (approx. 0.9 miles away); Seal of the City of Virginia Beach (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Pembroke Manor House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Spring Water Cistern (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ferry Plantation House (approx. 1.4 miles away); Grace Sherwood (approx. 1½ miles away); Founders and Veterans of Lynnhaven Parish Church (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Additional commentary.
1. Edward Hack Mosley owned "Summerville Plantation" for only about 3 days
The land that was to become Summerville Plantation was purchased by Anthony Walke II in the 1770s and later given to his son, William, along with the land known as "The Ferry". Both William and his wife orphaned their children in the mid 1790s, and the children moved to Norfolk to live with their mother's family.
George McIntosh, a Norfolk businessman, married the eldest child, Elizabeth (age 18), in about 1800. Anticipating a dispute over the division of the William Walke estate, Hack Mosley (Clerk of the Court) purchased the Summerville Property (as part of Elizabeth's inheritance) and sold it back to the McIntosh's to block future claims by Elizabeth's siblings. McIntosh built an impressive home on the river as a summer retreat.
— Submitted February 22, 2026, by Charlie Russ of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,784 times since then and 83 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 29, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
