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

Construction and Opening

— South Norfolk Jordan Bridge —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Construction and Opening Marker

Inscription. 1926 - 1927 With business booming for the Jordan Bros. Lumber Co., the company needed quick and easy access from their lumber in the Great Dismal Swamp to a sawmill in South Norfolk. In the early 20th century, ferries were the most common forms of transportation for cargo. Unfortunately for the brothers, the ferries were not as reliable as they would have liked. A friend suggested a bridge, and Jordan decided to make the suggestion a reality.

The Jordan brothers formed the South Norfolk Bridge Commission. It took five years of work and congressional permission, with Pub. Bill No. 272 passing on May 22, 1926 to finance and commence building the $1 million bridge in 1926. Harrington, Howard and Ash, an engineering firm in Kansas City, Missouri, won the contract for designing the bridge. Construction began in August 15, 1927.

1928 The bridge opened on August 24, 1928, a little more than a year after construction started, with a barrier-cutting ceremony. Governor Harry F. Byrd, a close friend of Jordans, cut the symbolic ribbon and delivered an address to the crowd. The Norfolk-Portsmouth Bridge linked together with

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two bridges crossing the Appomattox and Nansemond Rivers to form the "King's Highway," connecting Richmond to the sea.

(caption) The Norfolk-Portsmouth Bridge when it opened in 1928. Photo courtesy of the Norfolk County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1928.

Location. 36° 48.56′ N, 76° 17.224′ W. Marker is in Chesapeake, Virginia. It is in South Norfolk. It can be reached from the intersection of Elizabeth River Way and Truxton Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Elizabeth River Park at the east end of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Elizabeth River Way, Chesapeake VA 23324, 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,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Construction and Opening Marker

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: Wreck and Repair (here, next to this marker); Carl Moore Jordan (here, next to this marker); Timeline of Bridge History (a few steps from this marker); Jordan Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); The South Norfolk Historic District (approx. 0.7 miles away); Norfolk Naval Shipyard (approx. one mile away); Urban Archaeology (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chesapeake.

Also see . . . South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. (Submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.