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Chesapeake
Chesapeake
Bay Bridge/Tunnel
Chesapeake's
history dates back much further than 1963 when Norfolk County and the City
of South Norfolk merged to create Chesapeake. The city's landmarks and
communities have a long, varied and interesting history. The first English
settlement began around 1620 along the banks of the Elizabeth River. Norfolk
County's founding dates back to 1636.
 In
the early months of the Revolutionary War, in December 1775, British Royal
governor Lord Dunmore moved his forces from Norfolk to Great Bridge where
his army entrenched itself to await the arrival of American forces. The two
armies clashed on December 9, 1775, in the historic Battle of Great Bridge,
just a few hundred yards from where the Chesapeake Municipal Center complex
stands today. In a brief but decisive battle, the Americans routed Lord
Dunmore's forces which fled to Norfolk and later abandoned that city.
In 1793, work began on the Dismal Swamp Canal, an idea first envisioned by
George Washington in 1763, when he visited the swamp. Because the canal was
dug completely by hand, progress was slow and expenses high. The canal
finally opened in 1805, but experienced hard times over the years.
Completion of the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal in 1858 dealt a serious
blow to the Dismal Swamp Canal. Now on the National Register of Historic
Places, the Dismal Swamp Canal is the oldest operating artificial waterway
in the country. Both canals are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and
form part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The first local encounter of the Civil War occurred at Sewell's Point in May
1861. Although no battles were fought in the Chesapeake area, Union troops
occupied and laid waste to much of the land. When the war ended, Norfolk
County took advantage of its abundant natural resources. Its coastal
location, miles of riverfront and deep water harbors and the fertile, level
farmland allowed county residents to recover quickly from the wartime
destruction, moving without hestitation into the 20th Century.
While most of the area retained its rural atmosphere through the early
1900s, the northern section near the growing City of Norfolk began to
develop as the suburb of South Norfolk. By 1900, South Norfolk had its own
waterworks, public schools and a post office. Two rail lines spurred rapid
growth, allowing South Norfolk to incorporate as an independent town in 1919
and a city of the first class, independent of Norfolk County, in 1950.
The area that now comprises Chesapeake grew with residential and commercial
development of "community crossroads." These areas are still
commonly referred to today with community names such as Pleasant Grove,
Great Bridge, Oak Grove, Fentress, South Norfolk, Portlock, Deep Creek,
Western Branch, Indian River and Hickory.
During the1950s, both Norfolk County and South Norfolk fell victim ot
annexation suits filed by neighboring cities. Between 1950 and 1960, the
country lost nearly 50,000 residents and 30 square miles of land area. Under
these circumstances, both Norfolk County and South Norfolk officials found
it difficult to plan for the future.
In the fall of 1961, city and county officials met to discuss the
feasibility of a merger. After several weeks of negotiations, both governing
bodies approved a merger agreement on December 22, 1961. On February 13,
1962, citizens of both communities turned out in near-record numbers for a
special election and approved the merger. Later that year, in June, the
citizens voted again and selected the name "Chesapeake" for the
new city.
On January 2, 1963, the Chesapeake City Council, with five members from
South Norfolk and five from Norfolk County, met for the first time. These
men set the stage for Chesapeake's growth and development and determined how
to provide services for the new city's residents.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the young city began to develop a comprehensive
network of city services, including police and fire protection, schools,
libraries, parks and recreation, health, utilities, land use planning,
transportation network and more. Planning for the city's future was a key
need. Chesapeake's 353 square miles offered much opportunity for
development.
Much of this development began to occur during the 1980s, both residential
and industrial. To help keep pace with this growth, community centers,
schools, a new social services building, City Hall and court building were
constructed during this period. Voters approved a $30 million road bond
referendum in 1986, and in 1988 approved bonds for additional school and
library construction.
Increased economic development efforts also met with much success in the
1980s. One of the area's first Japanese-owned companies, Sumitomo, moved to
Chesapeake in 1988. Sumitomo was soon followed by Mitsubishi Kasei, which
now operates three plants in Chesapeake.
Other companies, such as Household Finance Corporation and QVC, continue to
be attracted by Chesapeake's labor force, excellent location and high
quality of life.
Chesapeake's population has grown from approximately 78,000 in 1963 to
196,727 in 1998.
Today, Chesapeake is a unique blend of rural and urban centers, providing
its citizens with excellent schools, recreational and cultural facilities
and strong municipal leadership as the city continues to grow, meeting the
challenges awaiting it in the 21st century.
Chesapeake
City web site
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