Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park (circa 1870)

Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park <i>(circa 1870)</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, June 2, 2024

1. Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park (circa 1870) Marker

Inscription. Trophy park sits on part of the original site of Gosport Navy Yard which was founded Nov. 1, 1767 under the British flag. The purpose of the park when it was designed some years later was to host official gatherings and concerts by ships' bands.

Today, shipyard ceremonial events are still occasionally held here, and now naval weaponry and artifacts from nine wars - spanning more than 225 years - are on display for all to see.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 36° 49.63′ N, 76° 17.722′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Norfolk Naval Shipyard. It is on Warrington Avenue 0 miles north of Barron Street, on the right when traveling south. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard is an active military installation and access is restricted to authorized personnel and their escorted guests. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23709, 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

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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: The Labor Force (within shouting distance of this marker); Drydock Number One (within shouting distance of this marker); Commemorating 200th Anniversary Norfolk Naval Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); The U.S. Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk Naval Shipyard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Norfolk Naval Shipyard (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all

Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, circa 2023

2. Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park

Trophy Park is an extensive collection of artifacts - most in deteriorating condition - that sprawl across the two northernmost blocks of the original section of the yard. This view is taken from behind a Dahlgren gun salvaged from the wreck of USS Huron; counterclockwise from the foreground gun, the viewer can see an early naval mine, the steam whistle from battleship Iowa (BB-61),a 16-inch gun tube from the battleship New Jersey (BB-62), three torpedoes (distant right - left two are 19th century Spanish, right one is WWII German), a carrier propeller marked for use on CVAN-65, -66, or -67, a row of 19th century artillery, a pair of 40mm saluting guns (painted bright blue), and then at center left, the large gun mount with armored shield is a 14cm rifle removed from the Spanish armored cruiser Almirante Oquendo after the Battle of Santiago de Cuba. Behind it, nearer the camera, is a small Lyle line-throwing cannon for lifesaving and equipment transfer. A QF gun from the late 19th century and assorted salvaged gears and cannon balls are visible at far left.

markers in Portsmouth.

circa 1912

3. Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park

This postcard, postmarked 1912, shows Trophy Park from the opposite direction as the modern photo above. Many of the same artifacts remain - the Almirante Oquendo gun is at center, left of the pavilion, and the early naval mine is just right of the flagpole. The muzzle-loading artillery display is still in the same location, and the Dahlgren boat howitzer beyond the flagpole also still sits there to this day. The Dahlgren salvaged from USS Huron, which comprised the foreground of the modern photo on this same page, is just visible at left, right of the 2nd tree from the edge of the frame and in the background of the muzzle-loading display. One of the Spanish torpedoes is beyond the early naval mine, and while that item still remains in Trophy Park, it has been moved to the opposite end of the space.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.