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South Hampton Roads

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One might think that in an age of instant information, the need for proper citation would be a given. Yet, here we are, navigating the shifting sands of unverified claims. A truly impressive feat of academic negligence, if I’m being honest. But, as always, the universe prefers chaos.

The region known as South Hampton Roads occupies the extreme southeastern quadrant of Virginia's distinctive Tidewater region in the United States. This area, a complex tapestry of land and water, supports a considerable population, recorded at 1,177,742 [a] as of the 2020 census. It doesn't exist in isolation, of course; it forms a critical component of the larger Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), which itself encompassed a population of 1,780,059 in the same year. One can only imagine the logistical nightmare of managing that many individual carbon units.

South Hampton Roads

The moniker "Hampton Roads" serves as the ubiquitous, common identifier for the expansive metropolitan area that wraps around the significant body of water sharing the same name. Geographically, the landmass of Hampton Roads has, for generations, been delineated into two primary zones: South Hampton Roads, located on the southern flank of the harbor, and the Virginia Peninsula, which extends northward. It's a pragmatic distinction, born of necessity. However, a word of caution for the uninitiated: locally, South Hampton Roads is frequently and rather uncreatively referred to as "the Southside." This colloquialism, as if designed for maximum confusion, bears no relation to "Southside Virginia," which is a wholly separate and distinct region situated farther inland within the south-central portion of Virginia. One might assume that clarity would be a priority when naming regions, but apparently, local convention prioritizes uniqueness over utility.

As of the 2020 census, the broader Hampton Roads MSA has established itself as the ninth-largest metropolitan area by sheer size across the southeastern United States. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being the second-largest (trailing only the formidable Charlotte metro area) within the expansive corridor stretching between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia. A testament to human agglomeration, or perhaps just a convenient place for many people to exist.

U.S. military installations

USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) arriving at Naval Station Norfolk

It seems the primary function of South Hampton Roads, beyond simply housing a significant portion of humanity, is to serve as a strategic stronghold. This region is a veritable nexus of United States military bases, a constant reminder of the enduring human fascination with defense and, regrettably, conflict.

City of Portsmouth

Within the City of Portsmouth, one finds the venerable Norfolk Naval Shipyard, an industrial behemoth. Alongside it stands the equally crucial Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, two facilities that have shaped the very fabric of the city, and indeed, the nation's naval capabilities. Numerous smaller installations dot the landscape as well, each playing its part in the intricate machinery of military operations. The shipyard's origins trace back to November 1, 1767, when it was established as the Gosport Shipyard. This historical site boasts the country's very first dry dock, a monumental achievement in its time, allowing for the repair and construction of vessels of unprecedented scale. The name underwent a formal change following the tumultuous American Civil War. The choice of "Norfolk" for a facility firmly planted in Portsmouth was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a bureaucratic decision aimed at preventing confusion with another U.S. Navy shipyard located at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. That northern counterpart, situated approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts, at the southernmost tip of Maine, apparently demanded such clarity. One might wonder if the architects of these decisions ever considered simply using unique names.

City of Norfolk

Just across the waters of the Elizabeth River, specifically at Sewell's Point near the very mouth of the Hampton Roads harbor, lies the colossal Norfolk Navy Base. This facility serves as the undisputed central hub for the United States Navy's formidable Atlantic Fleet. Established in 1917, it has since grown into the largest naval facility anywhere on the planet. The sheer scale of its operations, the constant ebb and flow of naval power, is a testament to the enduring human commitment to maritime dominance. Or, perhaps, just an incredibly efficient way to park a lot of very expensive boats.

City of Virginia Beach

The City of Virginia Beach is not to be outdone in its military contributions. It hosts the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Station Oceana (NAS Oceana), a critical hub for naval aviation, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek (NAB Little Creek), specializing in amphibious operations. NAS Oceana proudly claims the title of the largest employer within Virginia Beach, a fact that speaks volumes about the economic impact of these installations. Both bases, much like the Norfolk Navy Base, are often cited as the largest of their respective kinds globally. One might detect a pattern of superlative declarations, suggesting that the region is quite fond of being "the biggest." Furthermore, directly adjacent to Oceana, one finds NAVSEA Dam Neck, adding yet another layer to the area's defense infrastructure. Virginia Beach also serves as the home of Joint Expeditionary Base East, an installation operated by the United States Navy, strategically positioned at Cape Henry, a location steeped in colonial history.

City of Chesapeake

The City of Chesapeake contributes to the military footprint with St. Julien's Creek Annex, a U.S. Navy facility nestled along the Southern Branch Elizabeth River. This annex commenced operations in 1849, a testament to its long-standing strategic value. It sprawls across approximately 490 acres (200 ha), which includes 407 acres (165 ha) of dry land, 14 acres (5.7 ha) of marshland—because even wetlands have a strategic purpose, apparently—and 69 acres (28 ha) of surface water. Currently, for administrative purposes, it is considered an integral part of the larger Norfolk Navy Base.

Additionally, Chesapeake hosts the U.S. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress, a crucial auxiliary landing facility providing essential support for the massive operations at NAS Oceana. Because even the largest air stations need backup, a lesson humanity seems perpetually destined to relearn.

The decision to uniformly refer to this entire region as "Hampton Roads" was, as most significant regional designations tend to be, a political maneuver. For many years, local residents, with a certain endearing lack of official foresight, simply called the area "Tidewater." The local baseball team, for instance, proudly bore the name the Tidewater Tides for an extended period, a direct homage to the local identity. They have since, with a rather predictable shift in branding, become the Norfolk Tides. When the team first arrived in the area, they wisely embraced the existing local name, recognizing its power to cultivate a loyal fanbase. It seems even sports franchises understand the delicate dance of local sentiment.

Local government

In the nascent stages of Colonial settlement, and indeed for the first 150 years following the formation of the United States, South Hampton Roads, much like the entirety of Virginia, found itself in a near-constant state of flux regarding its local governance. This ceaseless evolution was largely driven by relentless population growth and expansion. As new communities sprang up, counties were systematically divided, and towns were formally established. Many of these towns, through sheer demographic momentum, eventually blossomed into full-fledged cities. A pivotal shift occurred with the state constitutional changes enacted in 1871, which decreed that all existing and future cities within Virginia would become "independent cities," effectively severing their administrative ties from the counties in which they had previously been situated. A bold declaration of municipal autonomy, or perhaps just a way to make maps more complicated.

However, the latter half of the 20th century witnessed an entirely unprecedented phenomenon: a widespread wave of local government consolidations, merging cities, counties, and towns across South Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula. This process was unique in Virginia; nowhere else in the Commonwealth have rural expanses and dense urban centers been melded together in such an intricate fashion. The profound changes wrought by these consolidations resulted in the area boasting some of Virginia's cities with the largest land areas, paradoxically encompassing significant tracts of agricultural land, a situation that persisted even decades after the mergers. It's almost as if they couldn't decide if they wanted to be urban or pastoral, so they opted for both.

Current cities, counties and towns

The contemporary South Hampton Roads region is a mosaic of five independent cities, three counties, and three incorporated towns, collectively supporting a population of 1,191,937 people. Beyond these existing entities, the historical record reveals a significant number of political subdivisions that are now, for all intents and purposes, extinct. This disappearance is largely attributable to the relentless march of population growth and the aforementioned consolidation of local government (a phenomenon explored in greater detail in the section below). The past, it seems, is littered with discarded administrative boundaries.

Independent cities

Counties

Incorporated towns

Extinct political subdivisions

Beyond the towns that merely transitioned into cities while retaining their original names, the historical landscape of the South Hampton Roads area reveals the disappearance of no less than 2 shires, 6 counties, 1 town, and 2 entire cities. A sobering reminder of the impermanence of human constructs, even those etched onto maps. For those undertaking the arduous task of genealogical research, or seeking land and other historical records, it becomes absolutely imperative to consult these old, forgotten names. The past, after all, rarely conforms to present-day convenience.

The following is a comprehensive listing of these 11 extinct shires, counties, towns, and cities, accompanied by their approximate periods of existence:

Highways, bridges, tunnels, bridge-tunnels

The South Hampton Roads region, characterized by its pervasive aquatic embrace, is largely surrounded by water. This geographical reality necessitates a robust and intricate network of transportation infrastructure. Access from the north is predominantly achieved via a complex system of highways, bridges, tunnels, and the truly remarkable feats of engineering known as bridge-tunnels. These structures span across significant waterways, including the James and Elizabeth Rivers, the expansive harbor of Hampton Roads itself, and the iconic Chesapeake Bay. To the east, the region meets the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, while its southern border abuts the State of North Carolina. To the west, it is defined by several counties that are traditionally considered part of the broader Southside Virginia region. It seems humanity is determined to conquer every geographic inconvenience.

Major bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnels

Interstate highways and other freeways

U.S. Highways and major state highways

See also

For those with an insatiable curiosity for the region's intricacies, or perhaps just a penchant for historical rabbit holes, the following related articles offer further avenues of exploration:

Notes

  • ^ Counting only the Virginia portion. A crucial distinction, lest one accidentally include parts of North Carolina in their calculations, which would be an administrative faux pas of the highest order.
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