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Kempsville in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Kempsville

 
 
Kempsville Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by PaulwC3, May 15, 2014
1. Kempsville Marker
Inscription. Originally known as Kemp's Landing, Kempsville is located at the head of the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River. By the middle 1700s, it had become an important port community. Colonial Governor Lord Dunmore's forces fought the Princess Anne County militia at Kemp's landing on 14/15 Nov. 1775 for possession of the strategically important bridge there. After a brief engagement, the militia retreated. Established as a town in 1783, Kempsville served as the county seat of Princess Anne County from 1778 to about 1823. Princess Anne County was consolidated with the City of Virginia Beach in 1963 and the town became part of the city.
 
Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-272.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Political SubdivisionsSettlements & SettlersWar, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1775.
 
Location. 36° 49.624′ N, 76° 9.783′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Kempsville. It is on Princess Anne (Access) Road 0.1 miles east of Princess Anne Road (Virginia Route 165), on the right when traveling east. Emmanuel
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Episcopal Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5181 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach VA 23462, 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: Princess Anne County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Skirmish Of Kempsville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Declaration of Independence Victory Dance (about 600 feet away); Skirmish at Kemp’s Landing (about 700 feet away); Willis Augustus Hodges (1815~1890) (about 700 feet away); Kempes Landing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kempsville in the 19th Century (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kempsville in the 20th Century (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
 
Regarding Kempsville.
 
Also see . . .  Historic Kempsville :: Official City of Virginia Beach Web Site. (Submitted on May 22, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
 
Wide view of the Kempsville Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by PaulwC3, May 15, 2014
2. Wide view of the Kempsville Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,763 times since then and 149 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
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Jun. 27, 2026