Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Main Street
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
1. Main Street Marker
Inscription.
In his 1680 survey of the site that was to become the Town of Norfolk, Lower Norfolk County surveyor John Ferebee laid out the principal street along a ridge of high land extending from Foure Farthing Pointe (Town Point Park) to Dun-in-the-Mire (Harbor Park). Originally called Front Street, it is now Main Street. The first house was built by mariner Peter Smith in 1683 on a lot at the southwest corner of Main Street and Market Place. The country courthouse was located on the north side of the street in 1694. Main Street today follows its original corridor. The street was widened in 1782, trolley cars were introduced in 1894, and Belgian block paving was installed in 1897. Throughout its history, Main Street has been the center of community activities in Norfolk. Following a period of decline and the "Honky Tonk" era of World War II, the redevelopment of the 1960's through the 1990's has returned Main Street to its traditional role as the economic heart of the city.
Erected by City of Norfolk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1680.
Location. 36° 50.755′ N,
Click or scan to see this page online
76° 17.49′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and Martins Lane, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Marker is mounted on the wall of the Shula building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 207 E Main Street, 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, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 Customhouse, 1859 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 972 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on October 7, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
