Old Donation Episcopal Church has been placed on The National Register of Historic Places in 1972 by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m287511) HM
British forces under Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold raided Richmond early in Jan. 1781 and established a base in Portsmouth later that month, seeking to control the Tidewater region. Groups of local militia, including 520 men led by Capt. Amos disrupted . . . — — Map (db m278874) WM
In Memory of
All Korean War Veterans
They told us, "We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it." So we fought in the mountains on Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon.
We froze in the winter and baked in . . . — — Map (db m243074) WM
In Memory of
U.S.S. Cole
Kenneth E. Clodfelter, Petty Officer Richard Costelow, Petty Officer Lakeina M. Francis, Seaman Timothy L. Gauna, Seaman Cherone L. Gunn, Seaman Recruit James R. McDaniels, Seaman Mark I. . . . — — Map (db m243088) WM
In Memory of
All Vietnam War Veterans
This memorial was erected in memory of the young individuals who went to war as kids and lost their youthful dreams, and some their lives, for a cause freedom and honor and came back as men . . . — — Map (db m243077) WM
In Memory of
All World War I Veterans
It was known as the Great War... the war to end all wars.
We went "over there" to the songs and cheers of our countrymen, and marched right into the grim reality of twentieth century warfare. Poison . . . — — Map (db m243040) WM
In Memory of
All World War II Veterans
This memorial is in honor of all of the World War Il veterans who were involved in the fight for the freedom of America and the free world.
Whether they fought in the Pacific or European . . . — — Map (db m243073) WM
Charles Kuralt (1934 - 1997) was a native of North Carolina with deep family roots in the Tarheel region. As a distinguished radio and broadcast journalist, Kuralt was the innovator of a popular television news feature, "On the Road." Traveling . . . — — Map (db m231565) HM
Seashore State Park at Cape Henry, now known as First Landing State Park, was built by an all African American regiment of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal-era relief program that employed young men ages 17 to 25. The CCC program provided . . . — — Map (db m8315) HM
Near here the first permanent English settlers in North America first landed on American soil, April 26, 1607. From here they went on to make the settlement at Jamestown. The brick lighthouse was built in 1791. — — Map (db m2670) HM
Left Plaque
First Landing State Park
(Seashore)
has been registered as a
Virginia
Historic
Landmark
pursuant to the authority vested in the
Virginia Board of Historic
Resources Right Plaque . . . — — Map (db m69832) HM
George Kendall made history with his death. He was the first colonist to be sentenced to capital punishment. Captain Kendall was first arrested for sowing discord between the council president Wingfield and the rest of the council. With no prison . . . — — Map (db m165980) HM
(panel 1)
After nearly five months at sea, 104 Englishmen landed here at dawn on April 26, 1607. To honor their prince, they named the site Cape Henry and planted a wooden cross.
Fearing rival Spanish vessels, the newcomers headed . . . — — Map (db m98478) HM
Admiral de Grasse, commander of a large French fleet, gained control of the Chesapeake Bay after defeating a British fleet off the Virginia Capes on 5 Sept. 1781. Gen. George Washington, commander in chief of the combined American and French . . . — — Map (db m194644) HM
This park was developed by the National Park Service, Interior Department, through the Civilian Conservation Corps, in conjunction with the Virginia Conservation Commission. It covers 3400 acres and was opened, June 15, 1936. Two miles west is . . . — — Map (db m24326) HM
The smallest of the three ships, it was the only one to stay at Jamestown after the first voyage to Virginia. During the voyage from England the Discovery carried 21 people. Living up to its name, it was used by Captain John Smith on his voyages . . . — — Map (db m165978) HM
America was a capitalist venture from the start, the first permanent English settlement was not funded by the English government but by a private company. The Virginia Company was a stock holding company where a person could purchase a share for . . . — — Map (db m165977) HM
The State Rifle Range, built here in 1912, was the first permanent training facility for the Virginia Volunteers, later the Virginia National Guard. During World War I, the post was leased to the U.S. Navy for warship crew training. Virginia's first . . . — — Map (db m271439) HM
Before the late-19th century, most Americans did not travel for leisure; the wealthy traveled mostly for health and wellness. In the 1880s, as ideas about leisure changed and railroads made isolated locations more accessible, a nearby resort . . . — — Map (db m276195) HM
This barrel was the left gun of Turret 1 on the battleship USS Iowa from 1942 until 1954, and fired in anger during World War II and the Korean War. This gun is 50 calibers long (68 ft), 50 times its 16-inch bore diameter and weighs in at 237,110 . . . — — Map (db m276205) HM
The Cape Henry Lighthouse has been serving as a guide to mariners entering and navigating the Chesapeake Bay since 1792. The mouth of the Chesapeake Bay has many dangerous shoals and is the site of numerous shipwrecks.
The Light
The . . . — — Map (db m276213) HM
Navy - Marines - Army - Army Air Corps
Dec. 8, 1941 May 6, 1943
In honor of the 60,000 "Battling Bastards" of Bataan/Corregidor Philippine Islands
May we never forget their sacrifices — — Map (db m98417) HM
On the morning of September 5, 1781, a line of 19 British warships appeared off this cape, headed for Chesapeake Bay. Surprised at anchor in the mouth of the bay, the crews of 24 French warships scrambled out to challenge them. Both fleets sailed . . . — — Map (db m23139) HM
In September 1781, a naval engagement between two powerful fleets denied British forces access to the Chesapeake Bay and trapped Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. This little known battle helped end British domination in America. What led to this . . . — — Map (db m194646) HM
British Naval Blockade and Cape Henry Lighthouse. During the War of 1812, a British naval blockade along much of the U.S. East Coast disrupted foreign trade and interfered with commerce. On 4 Feb. 1813, the blockade was extended to the . . . — — Map (db m94317) HM
The 1792 tower was beginning to show its age by the 1870s. Cracks that are now known to be superficial began to appear. The second-order Fresnel lens was no longer producing enough light for mariners and shipwrecks were increasing.
In 1878, . . . — — Map (db m276214) HM
Here at Cape Henry first landed in America, upon 26 April 1607, those English colonists who, upon 13 May 1607, established at Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English colony in America. — — Map (db m23198) HM
On April 26, 1607 three small ships approached the Chesapeake Bay from the southeast and made their landfall at Cape Henry, the southernmost promontory of that body of water. The Virginia Company expedition had set sail from England in December, . . . — — Map (db m276250) HM
The first railroad to Cape Henry was a temporary tramway built in 1880 to transport materials for the construction of the new Cape Henry Lighthouse. In 1902 the Chesapeake Transit Company opened an electric rail line from Norfolk to the cape, . . . — — Map (db m138073) HM
This concrete circular gun mount remains as part of a 16 inch howitzer battery built to defend the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The battery was active until the final days of World War II when it was declared obsolete and scrapped. The below . . . — — Map (db m94330) HM
August 1790: The Commonwealth of Virginia transferred two acres of land at Cape Henry to the United States to construct the Cape Henry Lighthouse.
November 1790: National newspaper published a request for bids on the United States' first . . . — — Map (db m276218) HM
Coast Artillery Post (1914-1948)
Fort story became a military installation in 1914. The first major coast defense was Battery Pennington, consisting of four 16-inch M1920 howitzers. Four circular open open concrete pads were . . . — — Map (db m276191) HM
Landed April 26, 1607
Captain Gabriel Archer Christopher Newport
Hon. George S. Percy Bartholomew Gobfold
Edward Maria Vincefeld
with twenty-five others
who
calling the place
"Cape Henry"
planted a cross
April 29, 1607
"Dei . . . — — Map (db m77578) HM
Construction of the Cape Henry Lighthouse was authorized by the First United States Congress on August 7, 1789.
President George Washington personally reviewed bids in January, 1791 and chose John McCombs, a New York Bricklayer, as contractor. . . . — — Map (db m77577) HM
This statue, a gift from France is placed here, overlooking the waters where Admiral Comte de Grasse successfully engaged the British Fleet on September 5, 1781. The Battle of the Capes prevented crucial reinforcements from reaching Cornwallis, . . . — — Map (db m32983) HM
" I wish it was in my power to express to Congress how much I feel myself indebted to the Count of deGrasse and his fleet " G. Washington Oct 19, 1781
" I consider myself infinitely happy to have been of some service to the United . . . — — Map (db m138085) HM
Cape Henry Memorial is part of the Colonial National Historical Park. This park encompasses two other significant areas: Jamestown, the site of the first permanent English settlement in 1607, and Yorktown, the last decisive battle in the American . . . — — Map (db m276247) HM
Governor Alexander Spotswood first proposed building a lighthouse at Cape Henry in a message to the Virginia House of Burgesses on November 27, 1720. He suggested the province of Maryland should help pay part of the construction costs. For the next . . . — — Map (db m65675) HM
Into the 21st Century
The entrance to the Chesapeake Bay at Cape Henry provides realistic and challenging training conditions across a broad spectrum of vital joint conventional and unconventional war-fighting skills. As the Army's primary . . . — — Map (db m276185) HM
The Veteran's Association of USS Iowa (www.ussiowavetassn.com) and the Coast Defense Study Group (www.cdsg.org), in partnership with U.S. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, arranged the movement and display of the historic USS Iowa 16-inch Battleship . . . — — Map (db m276197) HM
Land given by the State of Virginia 1789
First Lighthouse built by the United States Government
Deeded by Congress in 1930 to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities — — Map (db m77547) HM
The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first construction project authorized by the First Congress. Constructed by John McComb, Jr. of New York City, this project set the stage for all subsequent public works projects of the Federal Government. In . . . — — Map (db m276208) HM
First lighthouse authorized by the first United State Congress. Erected in 1791, it lighted the entrance into Chesapeake Bay until 1881.
Owned by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, as deeded in 1930 by the Congress . . . — — Map (db m276216) HM
The same inscription is engraved on both sides of the marker:
In memory of those 2403 heroes who made the supreme sacrifice and to the survivors of Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii
A day that will live in infamy
"Remember Pearl Harbor" . . . — — Map (db m98416) WM
The Army established a garrison at Cape Henry in 1914. Resort development continued alongside the Army fort throughout the 1930s. In 1941, the Army closed the area to civilian occupation, razed nearly 300 cottages, and acquired the remaining . . . — — Map (db m276188) HM
The Emerging Community
The combination of lighthouses, life-saving stations and the Virginia pilots have guided and assisted many a mariner from the earliest days as they enter and exit the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. They were joined at . . . — — Map (db m276182) HM
The Guns of Fort Story
"We should put up a gigantic fortress right here between these capes," uttered President William Howard Taft in November 1909 at Cape Henry, Virginia. Taft, speaking to the convention of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways . . . — — Map (db m79242) HM
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lighthouse keeper was a coveted position. It helped to have strong political or family connections. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton appointed the first Cape Henry Lighthouse keepers. These men . . . — — Map (db m276217) HM
As trade increased at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, the colonial governments of Virginia and Maryland recognized the need for a lighthouse. However, they were unable to agree who should pay for the construction. By 1774, financing had been . . . — — Map (db m276219) HM
In 1798, architect Benjamin Latrobe visited the lighthouse and noted issues with the sand. He wrote, "the lighthouse, which sits on a fifty-six-foot high sand dune, creates a whirlwind about it which kicks up the sand and heaps it around the . . . — — Map (db m276210) HM
Dedicated to
U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II
The Armed Guard of WW II came into existence on April 15, 1941 as USN Naval Reserves began special gunnery training. On September 25, 1941, orders were given to train 200 officers and 1000 . . . — — Map (db m94336) HM WM
Two new 16-inch batteries were authorized for construction at Fort Story in 1939 and 1940. The emplacements for the new batteries would differ from previous designs such as that used for the two 16-inch howitzer batteries, Pennington and Walke, . . . — — Map (db m276201) HM
In 1585, two towns of the Chesapeake Indians
called Apasus and Chesepiooc were visited by the
English Roanoke expedition and later included in
Theodor De Bry's map of Virginia. Archaeological
research conducted in the Great Neck . . . — — Map (db m69664) HM
Dedicated to the memory of all Filipino and Filipino-Americans who served, fought and died in service to the Armed Forces of the United States of America From the mountains and tunnels of Bataan and Corregidor to the infamous Capas Death March; . . . — — Map (db m200113) WM
Filipinos, who had served in the U.S. Navy as early as the Civil War, began enlisting in larger numbers after the U.S. took possession of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. The Philippines gained independence in 1946, and an . . . — — Map (db m200109) HM WM
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 . . . — — Map (db m73903) HM
Native wetland vegetation is planted around the edge of the lake providing erosion control, water quality benefits, wildlife habitat, and recreation.
Gently sloping bank is planted with grasses to prevent soil from washing into the lake. . . . — — Map (db m106467)
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, constituted by 1882, was built here on land purchased in 1888. The congregation, organized by African Americans who had settled in the Centerville community after emancipation, belonged to the Norfolk Virginia Union . . . — — Map (db m243093) HM
The Princess County Courthouse was located 200 yards northeast of this point at the time of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of America in 1787. This marker erected by the Constitutions Celebration Commission of Virginia . . . — — Map (db m134627) HM
Lord Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, led a detachment of the British 14th Regiment to this area on 15 Nov. 1775 to disrupt militiamen forming in resistance to royal authority. The Princess Anne militia, waiting in a thicket, fired on the . . . — — Map (db m194682) HM
Near this spot on November 16, 1775
The Skirmish Of Kempsville
John Ackiss, a Minute-Man, was killed
This house served as headquarters for
Lord Dunmore
Erected by Old Donation Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution . . . — — Map (db m135204) HM
On this site in 1776 stood a tavern in which, according to tradition, a victory dance was held to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, later the tavern became the home of the Herrick Family. — — Map (db m262994) HM
In Tribute to Senator Frank Wagner
The dedicated citizen, influential leader and effective elected official, whose knowledge, expertise, and generosity acquired this anchor, a symbol of stability, connectivity and purpose, to "anchor" . . . — — Map (db m275990) HM
The Revolution & The New Republic
Prior to English colonization beginning at Jamestown, remnants of the Algonquian-speaking Chesapeake native tribe traversed this area. Three decades after successors to Jamestown began to settle land south . . . — — Map (db m267550) HM
Government
In 1820 voters supported the relocation of the county seat to what became Princess Anne Courthouse, which was accomplished by 1823. Post-Civil War Virginia transitioned to a Board of Supervisors form of local government and the . . . — — Map (db m262761) HM
Agriculture
Beginning νn 1900, the climate and improved soil conditions that were fostering expanded truck farming and the promise of cheap land attracted the first families of what became. a significant Amish-Mennonite community . . . — — Map (db m262804) HM
This land is the former home of athletic fields that hosted the Kempsville Pony Baseball program for 50 years. This "Field of Dreams" goes back to 1959 and helped develop talented players on the Kempsville High School teams that won four state . . . — — Map (db m264435) HM
Willis A. Hodges was born in Princess Anne County to Charles and Julia Hodges, free people of color. He moved between New York and Virginia before the Civil War and became an outspoken abolitionist, cofounding the weekly antislavery newspaper the . . . — — Map (db m271374) HM
John Thorowgood Jr., Revolutionary-Era leader,
lived on an 840-acre plantation near here, on Little
Creek. He was elected to the Convention of 1776,
which adopted Virginias resolutions for independence,
the Virginia Declaration of Rights, . . . — — Map (db m129841) HM
In Memory of
Our departed
comrades, sisters,
those veterans who are
missing in action
and those veterans
who are held as
prisoners of war
[Dedication Plaque:]
Dedicated October 4, 1998 by
Past Post . . . — — Map (db m161813) WM
Francis Land House, circa 1732. Placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, 1975.
The Francis Land House, circa 1732. Marked by Princess Anne County Chapter, NSDAR, Bicentennial Project, Nov. 13, 1976. — — Map (db m2628) HM
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I have climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – . . . — — Map (db m161668) WM
In Honor of the Courageous Members of the Virginia Air National Guard 203rd Red Horse Flight Who Perished in Service to Country and Community on March 3, 2001
James Beninati Paul Blancato Ernest Blawas Andrew Bridges
Eric Bulman . . . — — Map (db m161681) HM WM
On the site of the 24th Street Park stood the U.S. Life-Saving/Coast Guard Station which safeguarded this section of coastline for many years. The 1903 station was relocated to its current site in 1980, renovated and opened to the public as a museum . . . — — Map (db m165973) HM
"Back in the day," heading out to the beach was not an all-day event. Even 125 years ago there was a broad awareness of the damaging effects of the sun's rays. Those who did venture out for a quick dip to cool off did so later in the afternoon. . . . — — Map (db m165162) HM
On the night of October 20, 1906, the steamship George Farwell coasted along the Cape Henry shoreline to conserve fuel. During the night a storm developed and the Farwell ran aground 600 yards offshore south of Cape Henry Life-Saving . . . — — Map (db m165976) HM
The first American astronaut in space, Shepard flew aboard Mercury 3, reaching an altitude of 116 miles on a 15-minute flight on May 5, 1961. In 1971, he commanded Apollo 14 and walked on the surface of the moon for nine hours. On live worldwide TV, . . . — — Map (db m165919) HM
The Norfolk Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution dedicates this monument on behalf of our ancestors that fought for this countrys independence, 1775 to 1783. These ancestors answered the call of a fledgling country to fight the tyranny . . . — — Map (db m161705) WM
Ashe was the first African-American tennis player to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. He played on the U.S. Davis Cup team (1963-70, '75, '76, '78) and as captain, the U.S. won ('81, '82). Ashe was the 1992 Sportsman of the Year. — — Map (db m165907) HM
The Council of Garden Clubs of Virginia Beach and Princess Anne Co.
Sponsored the development of this 47 block Atlantic Parkway in 1952-1954, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Highways and the City of Virginia Beach. Many . . . — — Map (db m84229) HM
The days of skies darkened by flight of ducks and geese may be gone, but the memories of those days are preserved through the works of art and preserved artifacts. — — Map (db m165882) HM
Beaches are dynamic places where wind, waves, and currents constantly move sand and where ocean water is creeping inland due to sinking land and rising sea level.
Why is the beach sand always in motion?
Breaking waves create a . . . — — Map (db m276108) HM
"Bojangles" was the first African-American superstar entertainer, starting in Vaudeville as a dancer and becoming a movie actor. By 1908, he was earning $3,500 a week. His famous "stair dance" was invented spontaneously while we was receiving an . . . — — Map (db m165925) HM
Born a slave and deprived of any early education, Booker T. Washington became America's foremost black educator of the 20th Century. He was the founder of the Tuskegee Institute where he championed vocational training as a means of self-reliance. A . . . — — Map (db m165889) HM
Buoy lantern originally from a lighted gong buoy. Built with a Fresnel lens, this buoy uses glass prisms to create a brighter, more direct spotlight through refracting & reflecting. Recovered from the sea floor off Cape Henry, Virginia, by divers . . . — — Map (db m276079) HM
Silently guarding entry into the Chesapeake Bay, the Cape Henry Lighthouse was our nation's first Public Works project and stands near the First Landing spot of Jamestown settlers. — — Map (db m165136) HM
Our earliest national hero, Captain Smith established the first permanent English settlement in America in Jamestown in 1607. Saved by Pocahontas, he established peaceful relations with the Algonquin Indian tribes. His rigid discipline was "He who . . . — — Map (db m165938) HM
Chief Powhatan was the paramount ruler of more than 30 indigenous tribes in the Chesapeake Bay area, and the highest Native American authority the Virginia colonists encountered. He welcomed Capt. John Smith, and initiated peaceful relations with . . . — — Map (db m165910) HM
Dedicated to the residents, businesses and guests of the City of Virginia Beach. The Boardwalk and Seawall are visible reminders of a strong community commitment to protecting all who live, work and visit in our city.
Designed by the U.S. . . . — — Map (db m276088) HM
Claude V. Ricketts, the Navy's first seamon to rise to four-star admiral, was made an honorary citizen of Norfolk during his station tour in 1961. He enlisted in the Navy and then graduated as an officer from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929. Ricketts . . . — — Map (db m165944) HM
McCormick invented the mechanical reaper in 1834, combining all steps that earlier harvesting machines performed separately. His time-saving invention allowed farmers to double their crop size and spurred innovations in farm machinery. His factory . . . — — Map (db m165892) HM
The Maddox Family opened the first oceanfront Dairy Queen in Virginia Beach in 1949. We have continuously operated these stores for 66 years. This photo is of our Dairy Queen located at 5th and Atlantic (currently Waterman's), in 1955. This store . . . — — Map (db m276181) HM
The de Witt Cottage, built in 1895 by B. P. Holland, Virginia Beach's first mayor, was the first brick structure built at the oceanfront. With 14" thick outside walls and a sturdy foundation, the building has survivied many northeasters and . . . — — Map (db m33352) HM
The de Witt Cottage, built in 1895 by B. P. Holland, Virginia Beach's first mayor, was the first brick structure built at the oceanfront. With 14" thick outside walls and a sturdy foundation, the building has survivied many northeasters and . . . — — Map (db m276115) HM
Devon Miller is a lifelong artist and native of Virginia Beach. She has worked as a creative since 2012; first as a graphic designer and now as a freelance artist while teaching high school level visual arts. Her murals feature bright, bold . . . — — Map (db m276064) HM
