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

Cradock Historic District

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Cradock Historic District Marker

Inscription. Cradock, begun in 1918 to accommodate the rapid influx of workers at the U.S. Navy Yard in Norfolk during World War I, was one of the nation's earliest federally funded planned communities. Its design, based on innovative planning techniques, included a commercial square, recreational areas, schools, church sites, and access to public transportation. In accordance with the racial segregation of the time, Cradock was designated for white workers while nearby Truxtun, also begun in 1918, was for African Americans. Cradock, the largest project completed by the U.S. Housing Corporation, was named for British Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock and features streets named for U.S. naval heroes.

Erected 2019 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-165.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 36° 48.088′ N, 76° 19.085′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Cradock. It is at the intersection of Prospect Parkway and Afton Parkway, on the left when traveling north on Prospect Parkway.

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The marker is located just west of Portsmouth Fire Station 11. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 Prospect Pkwy, Portsmouth VA 23702, 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: Cradock Volunteer Fire Department WWII Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The War Dead of Norfolk County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1918 - Cradock Established (about 500 feet away); Cradock 2011-2018 (about 600 feet away); 1920-1929 (about 600

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Cradock Historic District Marker

feet away); 2001-2010 (about 600 feet away); 1930-1939 (about 600 feet away); 1940-1959 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Also see . . . Cradock Historic District and Truxton Historic District. (Submitted on May 21, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Cradock Historic District image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Cradock Historic District

Has been registered as a
Virginia
Historic
Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Historic Landmark Commission
Act of 1966

Historic Cradock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Historic Cradock

←
Afton Square
Business District
America’s
First Planned
Shopping Center
Est. 1918

Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 21, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.