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History of Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Journey back in time to Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Visit Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.

     

Where is Norfolk, Virginia, USA?

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  St. Paul's Episcopal Church
  (Built 1739)
  Postcard
  
• 1749 - Storm alters Virginia shoreline
  A hurricane destroys Fort George, site of present Fort Monroe, Va., and creates Willoughby Spit in Norfolk. According to one record, "A sand spit of...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1854 - Norfolk
  Norfolk, a city, and port of entry of Norfolk county, Virginia, is situated on the right or N. bank of Elizabeth river, 8 miles from Hampton Roads,...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1861 - April 20 - Battle of Norfolk, VA
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
•  1868 - Two large ships are loading at Norfolk, Va., for Liverpool, being the first instance of direct trade since the war.
  
  
  St Joseph Herald
  Saint Joseph, Michigan
  April 18, 1868
  
  
•  1888 - On the 26th the peanut trust, with headquarters at Norfolk, Va., and controlling ninety per cent of the country's product, was dissolved.
  
  
  St Joseph Herald
  Saint Joseph, Michigan
  November 3, 1888
  
  
•  1889 - A rain-storm on the 6th at Norfolk, Va., submerged the lower portion of the city, causing a loss of $500,000 to business men.
  
  
  St Joseph Herald
  Saint Joseph, Michigan
  April 13, 1889
  
  
• 1892 - December 26-28 - An Atlantic coast storm produced a record 18.6 inches of snow at Norfolk, VA, including 17.7 inches in 24 hours.
  
  The Weather Channel
  
  
• 1895 - Norfolk
  Norfolk, a city and port of entry of Norfolk co., Va., is situated on the right or N. bank of Elizabeth River, 8 miles from Hampton Roads, 32 miles...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Ocean View, near Norfolk, Va. Showing Casino Grounds and Leap the Dips.
  Postcard
  
•  1902 - NORFOLK'S DISASTROUS FIRE - Virginia Town Suffered $500,000 Loss in Destruction of Main Hotel and Business Block
  NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 31 — The Atlantic Hotel, the Columbia Office Building, which adjoined the hotel, the Albemarle Flats and a block of stores in the ...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1905 - NUMBER OF DEAD MAY BE NEAR A HUNDRED. Twelve Bodies Recovered and 75 or 80 Persons Missing in Virginia Wreck.
  Norfolk, Va., Aug 18 - So far only twelve known dead have been taken from the wreck of the Atlantic Coast Line railway's Kingston and Greenville, N....Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1906
  Norfolk, an independent city and principal seaport of Virginia, is situated on the right or N. bank of the Elizabeth River, opposite Portsmouth, 3...Read MORE...
  
  
  
•  1907 - LUMBER PILES AND OIL TANKS SWEPT BY FIRE
  Spark From a Locomotive Started Disastrous Conflagration
  Burning Oil Covers Acres of Property
  
  NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 20. - The most spectacular fire...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Atlantic Hotel, 1907
  Postcard
  
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  Picking Strawberries, 1907
  Postcard
  
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  Cape Henry Light Houses, Old and New
  Postcard
  
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  Hotel Algonquin, 1909
  Postcard
  
•  1910 - November 14 - 1st airplane flight from deck of a ship, Norfolk, Va
  
  historyorb.com
  November 14, 1910
  
  
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  View of Main St.
  Postcard
  
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  Citizens Bank
  Postcard
  
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  Bank of Commerce Building, 1911
  Postcard
  
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  Norfolk Academy
  Postcard
  
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  Sarah Leigh Hospital
  Postcard
  
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  Pembroke Avenue, Ghent Ward
  Postcard
  
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  Granby Street, Looking South, Norfolk, Va.
  Postcard
  
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  Berkley Bridge
  Postcard
  
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  U.S. Custom House
  Postcard
  
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  Busy Granby Street
  Postcard
  
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  Main Street, looking West
  Postcard
  
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  Royster Building and Monticello Hotel
  City Hall Av. & Granby St.
  Postcard
  
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  Tom Thumb Golf Course at Ocean View
  Postcard
  
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  Blowing Colors, U.S. Training Station
  Postcard
  
•  1926 - 18 Firemen Injured Blaze Destroys Norfolk Warehouse Filled With Berry Crates.
  [By Associated Press]
  
  Norfolk, Va., Jan. 31. - Eighteen firemen were injured, none very seriously, and more than 1,000,000 berry baskets and...Read MORE...
  
  
  
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  Hotel Fairfax, Norfolk, Virginia
  Postcard
  
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  City Hall
  Postcard
  
•  1931 - WATERFRONT FIRE CAUSES DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT $3,000,000
  NORFOLK, Va., June 8. - (AP) - Norfolk spent last night fighting a three million dollar waterfront fire.
  
  Started by an explosion on an oil barge...Read MORE...
  
  
  
• 1933 - The Chesapeake-Potomac hurricane moved over Norfolk VA and Washington D.C.
  A tide seven feet above normal flooded businesses in Norfolk, and damage in Maryland was estimated at seventeen million dollars.
  WeatherForYou.com
  
  
• 1939 to 1940 - Aline Black and Melvin Austin go to court to secure equal pay for Black teachers in Norfolk, Virginia.
  
  www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ virginia.html
  
  
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  Christ Church (Episcopal) A Reproduction of One of England's Famous Churches
  Postcard
  
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  Court House
  Postcard
  
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  St. Mary's Catholic Church
  Postcard
  
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  New Greyhound Bus Terminal and Restaurant
  Postcard
  
• 1950 - April 2 - WTAR TV channel 3 in Norfolk, VA (CBS) begins broadcasting
  
  historyorb.com
  
  
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  Norfolk's New Auditorium and Recreation Center
  Postcard
  
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  Burroughs' Drive-In Restaurant
  4125 Granby Street
  
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  Flower Beds and Conservatory, City Park, 1954
  Postcard
  
•  1981 - December 28 - Elizabeth Jordan Carr born in Norfolk. She was the 1st American test tube baby.
  
  www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ virginia.html
  December 28, 1981
  
  
• 2010 - 11 pirates indicted in Norfolk for attacks on U.S. Navy ships near Somalia
  
  www.e-referencedesk.com/ resources/ state-history-timeline/ virginia.html