Hampton Roads, Virginia Peninsula, seeped in history, culture

Special Section: Getting Settled

Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula are located in Southeastern Virginia along the East Coast of the United States. The region is the birthplace of Colonial America, merging centuries of history with rich culture, beautiful waterfront landscapes, livable communities, modern technology, economic prosperity, a thriving maritime industry and a strong military presence.

Sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, 108 European adventurers completed their arduous four-month journey across the Atlantic Ocean from England to try to establish a permanent colony in the New World. Under the direction of Capt. John Smith, they landed in 1607 on the south shore of the Chesapeake Bay and named the spot Cape Henry. They explored the surrounding rivers and bays, stopping at what today is Norfolk and Hampton, and then sailed up the James River to the future site of the first permanent English colony in the New World, Jamestown.

Establishing a settlement was difficult, but they persisted and gradually expanded their presence and influence, together with Native Americans and Africans, to sew the seeds for the birth of a great nation.

Smith also surveyed the land in what is now the city of Portsmouth and found it rich in timber for shipbuilding. In 1620, the king issued a grant to mariners who settled in Portsmouth to build ships. In 1767, the nation’s first naval yard, Gosport Naval Shipyard, was built in Portsmouth. The yard was renamed Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1801 and is still in operation.

The Revolutionary War ended in Yorktown – when British Gen. Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. George Washington. The famous Civil War naval battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia, commonly known as Merrimack, took place in Hampton Roads’ harbor. The Great Dismal Swamp was home to thousands of runaway slaves during and before the Civil War.

Virginia Beach was originally settled in 1621. Before its 38-mile beachline became one of the most successful tourist attractions in the country, the city was known for its life-saving station built to help ships at sea during storms. The Cape Henry Light was built in 1791.

In 1682, the king of England bought what is now the area of downtown Norfolk for 10,000 pounds of tobacco. The “Towne of Lower Norfolk County” was established, and farms and homes began to be built. By 1739, Norfolk was one of Virginia’s most prosperous cities.

Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula have much to offer in terms of quality of life. A plethora of parks, beaches, bays lakes and rivers provide virtually every water sport desired. Residents enjoy the best of city, suburban and country living, and can take advantage of expansive shorelines, museums, opera, festivals, sports, colonial cities and towns and state and national parks.

Each county and city has a history all its own, but all have thrived upon the waters of the region. Dozens of museums, such as the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and historical landmarks tell these stories of the area’s history. History is alive here and no matter what name is used to describe the region, it is a great place to live.