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.
Construction and Opening. .
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 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.
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 two bridges crossing the Appomattox and Nansemond Rivers to form the "King's Highway," connecting Richmond to the sea.
(caption)
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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. Marker 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.
Also see . . . South Norfolk Jordan Bridge. (Submitted on May 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
2. Construction and Opening Marker
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 37 times since then. 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.
