Wandering Around Norfolk

In 1619, Sir George Yeardley who was the Governor of Virginia at the time, incorporated four citties out of the developed portion of the colony.  What would become Norfolk was put under Elizabeth Cittie.  In 1634, they were reincorporated as Shires and it would become Elizabeth City Shire.  Later, it would become Upper and Lower Norfolk.  It would become incorporated as Norfolk in 1705.

In 1775, the British were forced from Norfolk.  In 1776, the city was attacked by the British and mostly destroyed.

Given it's age, Norfolk has been a crossroads of history for a long time.

 In 1861, the city voted to secede from the Union with the rest of Virginia.  During the spring of 1862, the first battle between two ironclads took place in nearby Hampton Roads.  In May of 1862, the Mayor of the City surrendered to Union forces and it was held under martial law for the duration of the war.

 The Norfolk-Southern Railroad calls Norfolk home.   This is what I could see of the museum as it was closed for Good Friday.

 The Norfolk-Southern headquarters building.

 Another angle of the Civil War statue.

 There is a street train that goes around part of Norfolk.  I think the one that is going to be on Woodward Avenue will look similar to this one.

 It seems that Norfolk is a nice mix of the old and the new.

 I'm not sure what this building is.

 This is an old church that was converted into a restaurant.  I didn't get a chance to sample it though.

 I guess it would be appropriate that there would be mermaids instead of the sculptures I've seen in other towns.

 Looking down one of the streets. 

 This is from the dock near the USS Wisconsin (more about her later).

 A reflection of the Wisconsin.

 Another mermaid statue.

 Another one of the buildings.

 This looks like it may be a convention center.

 A view of the city from the cruise.

 Another view of downtown.

 Naval Hospital Portsmouth was built in 1827 and is the oldest continuously running hospital in the Naval system.  This building was designed by John Haviland.  In the Civil War, this hospital changed hands a few times but never refused to treat any patients. 

 Part of the Norfolk-Southern Ports.

 Fort Norfolk was built in 1795 and is the last fort authorized by George Washington still standing.  It served as the District Offices for the Corps of Engineers since 1923.  In 1976, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is open to the public but I didn't get a chance to visit.

 This building also serves the Corps of Engineers and was built in the 1970's.  At the time it was built, it was designed to be solar powered.  I'm not sure if that capability remains.

 This time, we have a mermaid fountain.

And another church.

I would love to go back to Norfolk and its vicinity.  I suspect I could spend at least a week there (if not more).  Williamsburg and Yorktown aren't too far away.