Phoebus in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World

Photographed by Kevin W., July 18, 2010

1. Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World Marker

Inscription.

Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World. . This quaint waterfront community traces its origin back to April 30th 1607. It was here that the first English-speaking Colonists set foot in the New World and called this "safe harbor" Cape Comfort., It began as a settlement for defenders and artisans of Fort Algernourne, the first fortification on the site of present day Fort Monroe, and later served as a port of call for freight and passenger ships., By the Revolutionary War the community was called Mill Creek and on July 22, 1781 three hundred British soldiers landed at this small port and plundered the village., At the onset of the Civil War, Union Troops were rushed to Fortress Monroe and garrisoned on farm land surrounding Mill Creek. Many slaves that had traveled the underground to freedom at the Fortress took refuge in the village. At War's end Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at Fortress Monroe and the village blacksmith was called to apply the shackles to the defeated President of the Confederacy., The establishment of the first school to educate Native-Indians and Freed Blacks (now Hampton University) and the establishment of a Civil War Veterans home (now the Hampton Veterans Administration Medical Center) on properties adjacent to Mill Creek increased the community population., April 1, 1900 the town was incorporated and took the name of Phoebus in honor of Harrison Phoebus, a prominent citizand and owner of the luxurious Hygeia Hotel at Fort Monroe., Phoebus continued to grow and flourish during both World Wars as troops passed through to the port of embarkation at Old Point Comfort., In 1952 the town was consolidated into the City of Hampton but never lost its strong sense of identity and pride., Today this vital historical small town within the City of Hampton begins another century by preserving and honoring its past and working together to assure its future. , April 1, 2000 , Dedicated with the Generouse , Support of the Phoebus Community, , The Phoebus Improvement League.

This quaint waterfront community traces its origin back to April 30th 1607. It was here that the first English-speaking Colonists set foot in the New World and called this "safe harbor" Cape Comfort.

It began as a settlement for defenders and artisans of Fort Algernourne, the first fortification on the site of present day Fort Monroe, and later served as a port of call for freight and passenger ships.

By the Revolutionary War the community was called Mill Creek and on July 22, 1781 three hundred British soldiers landed at this small port and plundered the village.

At the onset of the Civil War, Union Troops were rushed to Fortress Monroe and garrisoned on farm land surrounding Mill Creek. Many slaves that had traveled the underground to freedom at the Fortress took refuge in the village. At War's end Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at Fortress Monroe and the village blacksmith was called to apply the shackles to the defeated President of the Confederacy.

The establishment of the first school to educate Native-Indians and Freed Blacks (now Hampton University) and the establishment of a Civil War Veterans home

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(now the Hampton Veterans Administration Medical Center) on properties adjacent to Mill Creek increased the community population.

April 1, 1900 the town was incorporated and took the name of Phoebus in honor of Harrison Phoebus, a prominent citizand and owner of the luxurious Hygeia Hotel at Fort Monroe.

Phoebus continued to grow and flourish during both World Wars as troops passed through to the port of embarkation at Old Point Comfort.

In 1952 the town was consolidated into the City of Hampton but never lost its strong sense of identity and pride.

Today this vital historical small town within the City of Hampton begins another century by preserving and honoring its past and working together to assure its future.
April 1, 2000
Dedicated with the Generouse
Support of the Phoebus Community,
The Phoebus Improvement League

Erected 2000 by the Phoebus Improvement League.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1901.

Location. 37° 1.085′ N,

Photographed by Kevin W., July 18, 2010

2. Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World Marker

76° 19.29′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Phoebus. It is on East Mellen Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the Phoebus area of the City of Hampton. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hampton VA 23663, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula

and in Coastal Virginia.

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: Harrison Phoebus (within shouting distance of this marker); Phoebus Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Hall / Fire Department (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memoriam (about 300 feet away); Chesapeake & Ohio

Photographed by Kevin W., July 18, 2010

3. Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Phoebus (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Mary Star Of The Sea And Its School (approx. ¼ mile away); Camp Hamilton (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Phoebus Veterans Memorial, across the street from the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., July 18, 2010

4. Phoebus Veterans Memorial, across the street from the marker.

The plaque on the bottom reads:
This clock chimes to honor the men and women from the Community of Phoebus who served in our nation's Armed Forces.
Donated this 6th day of June, 1998 by Phoebus Unit 48 American Legion Auxiliary.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 13, 2025

5. Phoebus - The Gateway To The New World Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,079 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 13, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.