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

Marine Observation Tower

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

1. Marine Observation Tower Marker

Inscription. The Marine Observation Tower, also known as the Pagoda, was a gift to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Norfolk from the Taiwan Provincial Government, Republic of China, as a result of a Sister State relationship established in 1981. Governor Dr. Lee Teng-Hui of Taiwan, later President of the Republic of China, proposed the riverfront gift during a good will trade mission to Norfolk in 1983. The tower was built on and around pillars that previously supported a 500,000 gallon molasses storage tank built by Southgate Molasses Company in 1918. The surrounding waterfront industrial area once included cargo shipping piers, warehouses, and rails for C&O Railroad cars barged to the site from Newport News.
All materials for the tower were manufactured in Taiwan and shipped to Norfolk for assembly. The tower was dedicated on May 12, 1989. The Friends of the Pagoda & Oriental Garden Foundation and the City of Norfolk developed the present Garden, featuring plants of Asian origin, granite lanterns and a large Koi pond, as an appropriate setting for the Pagoda. The Garden was dedicated in October 2000.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1942.

Location.

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36° 50.986′ N, 76° 17.686′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. It is on Brooke Avenue near Pagoda Park, Harbor St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23510, 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, 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: Observation Tower (a few steps from this marker); William A. Jones (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Humbert R. Versace (about 300 feet away); Jacklyn “Jack” H. Lucas (about 300 feet away); Douglas MacArthur (about 300 feet away); David D. Barrow and George W. Bright (about 300 feet away); Thomas Boyne (about 300 feet away); Benjamin F. Stewart (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Molasses Tank c1920 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

2. Molasses Tank c1920

Courtesy of The Library of Virginia

Freemason Harbor, c1980 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

3. Freemason Harbor, c1980

Courtesy of Norfolk Public Library

Pagoda & Oriental Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

4. Pagoda & Oriental Garden

Oriental Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

5. Oriental Garden

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 11, 2010

6. Pagoda & Oriental Garden

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2022

7. Marine Observation Tower Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,304 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 7. submitted on January 18, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.