Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Downtown Waterfront Revitalization
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
1. Downtown Waterfront Revitalization Marker
In the 1950s the downtown waterfront contained an assortment of aging facilities-wharves, warehouses, rail lines, ship chandlers, tugboat operations, and ferry docks. The city of Norfolk made a significant decision. An area of downtown along the Elizabeth River should be transformed from a working waterfront into a public waterfront. As the old was cleared, the new appeared, beginning with the public esplanade and hotel in 1974. The first Harborfest celebration in 1977 demonstrated that public attractions could help revitalize downtown. Town Point Park and the Waterside Festival marketplace opened in 1983. Nauticus, the national Maritime Center, anchored the west end of the waterfront in 1994.
The three cannons at the head of Otter Berth were found during the dredging of this part of the waterfront in 1982. They are of unknown foreign origin, but their vintage is compatible with the bombardment of Norfolk on January 1, 1776. Otter Berth is named for HMS Otter, one of Lord Dunmore’s ships that bombarded Norfolk on January 1, 1776.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 36° 50.793′ N, 76° 17.718′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Waterside Drive near Boush Avenue. This marker is located on a dock at the Waterside Shopping area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Armed Forces Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Town Point (within shouting distance of this marker); The “Apprentice” (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Armed Forces Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cannonball Trail (about 300 feet away); Half Moone Fort, 1673 (about 400 feet away); The Cedar (about 400 feet away); Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.
More about this marker. This marker is part of the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022
2. Downtown Waterfront Revitalization Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
3. Red Cannon near Joes Crab Shack
They are of Revolutionary War vintage and are of unknown foreign origin.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
4. Cannon
They are of Revolutionary War vintage and are of unknown foreign origin.
Photographed By Laura Troy, November 4, 2007
5. Town Point Park
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
6. Red Cannon near Joes Crab Shack at Waterside Market Place
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
7. The Tourists
Chaim Cross
American, B. 1904
The Tourists
Bronze
On loan from the Chrysler Museum,
Norfolk, Virginia: Gift of the Artist
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
8. Nauticus
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
9. Naval Museum & Anchor
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
10. Town Point Park Renovation
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
11. South Waterfront Improvements
Dedicated to the citizens of Norfolk
October 16, 1983
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
12. Norfolk 1862
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010
13. Waterfront ~Marina
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,545 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on September 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 5. submitted on November 11, 2007, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on September 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
