South Thimble Island in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Chesapeake Bay: History Happened Here
Cape Henry in Peace and War
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
1. The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here Marker
In September, 1781 the waters off Cape Henry witnessed two-and-a-half hours of naval warfare. That month, America's ally France sent ships to deny an English fleet access to the Bay. This battle off the Cape allowed General George Washington to finish the siege of Yorktown, Virginia. The British Army could not be rescued.
The new United States government built the old Cape Henry Lighthouse in 1792, its first federal work project. The light, which cost $17,700 to construct, ensured safe sailing commerce on the Virginia and Maryland coasts. Almost 100 years later a new lighthouse was built of steel for safety reasons. It opened in 1881.
Erected by Hampton Roads Naval Museum Local History World Events.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Military • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1781.
Location. 36° 57.979′ N,
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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, 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here (a few steps from this marker); Tribute to Admiral de Grasse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 15, 2010
2. The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here Marker
Photographed by History Happened Here Marker
3. The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 16, 2010
4. The Chesapeake Bay : History Happened Here Marker
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 15, 2010
5. Cape Charles
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 9, 2010
6. Cape Henry
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 9, 2010
7. Cape Henry Lighthouses "Old" and "New"
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 24, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
