Olde Towne in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Towne Square
Path of History, Portsmouth, VA
Portsmouth Parish, now Trinity Episcopal Church, was built on Church Square in 1762. This church still serves the citizens of Portsmouth.
The final square, Market Square, is where citizens bought and sold their goods.
The fire that burned the Hotel Monroe, also destroyed 13 businesses on the north side of High Street, east from Court Street. The loss was estimated at $1.5 million. The Famous, a women’s fashion store occupied the site from 1940 to 1991. Today the building is the home to the Tidewater Community College Visual Arts Center.
Prison Square was the site of the city jail and the location of public execution until 1860. In 1846, a new courthouse was built on this property and today the building serves as an art museum.
The Ocean Hotel was constructed on this corner between 1853-1855 by Col. Winchester Watts and Col. Arthur Emmerson. It was later renamed the Hotel Monroe and was destroyed by a fire on August 9, 1957.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 36° 50.124′ N, 76° 18.041′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Olde Towne. Marker is on High Street east of Court Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Norfolk County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1846 Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Commodore Theatre (about 300 feet away); Court Street Baptist Church (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Court Street Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); Portsmouth Public Library (about 500 feet away); Monumental Methodist Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2009, by Kristin Rollins of Portsmouth, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 2, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.