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

The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855 in Norfolk, Virginia Marker

Inscription. In Memory of
the Victims of
the Yellow Fever Epidemic
of 1855

Erected 1993 by Junior Girl Scout Troop 328.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1855.

Location. 36° 52.011′ N, 76° 18.038′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Ghent. It is at the intersection of West Princess Anne Road and Hampton Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on West Princess Anne Road. The marker is located in a small triangular shaped park known as Yellow Fever Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 W Princess Anne Rd, Norfolk VA 23517, 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,

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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: Blair Junior High School (approx. ¼ mile away); The Norfolk 17 (approx. ¼ mile away); Craney Island (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Norfolk 17 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Elizabeth River Restoration (approx. 0.6 miles away); Welcome to Historic Fort Norfolk (approx. 0.6 miles away); Managing Sediments in the Chesapeake Bay (approx. 0.6 miles away); War of 1812 Elizabeth River Defenses/War of 1812 (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Regarding The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855. In the summer of 1855, a ship from West Indies accidentally brought along mosquitoes. Those insects brought yellow fever to Norfolk, and the disease spread quickly to the surrounding area. An estimated 3,000 people died, a third of the population of Norfolk before the epidemic ended. Dozens of victims were buried in

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855 in Norfolk, Virginia Marker

mass graves in what is known as Yellow Fever Park.

Also see . . .
1. The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855. (Submitted on December 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Yellow Fever Park. (Submitted on December 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Yellow Fever Memorial Park Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Yellow Fever Memorial Park Dedication Plaque

Yellow Fever Memorial Park, established April 18, 1993 by Junior Girl Scout Troop 328 of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on December 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 16, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.