History of Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach History Overview

Virginia Beach's heritage is rooted in a narrative that spans millennia. Predating the English settlers who arrived at Cape Henry in 1607, Native American communities thrived here for countless years. The inception of Jamestown weeks later marked the first lasting English settlement, culminating the Colonial Virginia era with the American Revolution in 1776.

Since 1634, the land that now embraces Virginia Beach has experienced near-continuity in governance, barring a brief hiatus. In 1952, the resort town expanded into an independent city, initiating a trajectory of growth. In 1963, this union broadened as Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County united to form a new independent city. Over time, Virginia Beach emerged as the pinnacle of Hampton Roads' urban landscape, tethered by the Hampton Roads Beltway and iconic bridge-tunnels spanning the harbor.

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Native American Inhabitants

 The Chesepians, Native American inhabitants of what is now South Hampton Roads in Virginia, played a vital role in shaping the region's history before English settlers arrived in 1607. Their presence spanned the Woodland Period and beyond, encompassing the modern cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Divided into five distinct provinces or kingdoms—Weapemiooc, Chawanook, Secotan, Pomouic, and Newsiooc—the Chesepians were each under the rule of their own king or chief. To their west resided the Nansemond tribe, creating a diverse tapestry of indigenous communities.

The Chesepians' central settlement, Skicoak, was located in present-day Norfolk, while Apasus and Chesepioc were their two other significant towns near the Chesapeake Bay in today's Virginia Beach. Notably, Chesepioc found its home in the present Great Neck area, where archaeological remnants like arrowheads, stone tools, pottery, beads, and skeletal remains paint a picture of their lives.

Though the Powhatan Confederacy held sway over the area politically, the Chesepians—part of the Carolina Algonquian linguistic group—maintained their own distinct identity and did not submit to Powhatan's dominance. The tides turned in 1607, as the Chesepians united to challenge the Powhatan Confederacy, only to face defeat and substantial losses. Subsequently, the Chesepians' historical presence fades, with their last documented mention occurring in 1627.



Folklore whispers the tale of a vision that foretold their downfall, a vision misinterpreted by the Powhatans to indicate the Chesepians as a threat. In an ironic twist, the true foreshadowing was fulfilled when English settlers, unbeknownst to the Powhatans, arrived at Cape Henry in 1607, heralding the eventual transformation of the land they inhabited. This group of pioneers would establish the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, marking a pivotal moment in the narrative of Virginia Beach's evolution.

Arrival of the Europeans in Virginia Beach

In 1524, Spanish explorers charted a course that led them beyond the Chesapeake Bay, finally alighting on the shores of Chincoteague in Virginia. This marked the early forays of European exploration along these coasts. Following in their wake, English adventurers embarked on their own expedition, guided by the ambitions of Sir Walter Raleigh. In the summer of 1584, Raleigh's men undertook an exploration that spanned the expanse between Cape Henry and Cape Lookout, firmly establishing English presence in the region.

John White's endeavor to establish an English colony on Roanoke Island followed, yet the colony's abrupt disappearance birthed the enigmatic legend of the Lost Colony. Years later, another English effort to colonize the area failed, prolonging the struggle for a foothold.

The voyage that eventually led to the establishment of the first permanent English settlement set sail on December 19, 1606, from Blackwall, England. A 144-day journey brought 105 men and boys under Captain Christopher Newport's command to Cape Henry, where the Chesapeake Bay mingles with the Atlantic. This point, named in honor of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, bore witness to their arrival on April 26, 1607.

Yet, under orders to seek a more sheltered inland site, they pressed on. Today, the historic Cape Henry Light and a commemorative cross stand near the original landing point. Within the bounds of Joint Expeditionary Base East, the echoes of that "First Landing" persist, and nearby First Landing State Park echoes the past in its name.



Close by, Henry Town emerged near the mouth of the Lynnhaven River. Documents suggest its existence, possibly in tandem with Jamestown's settlement, with the archaeological tapestry hinting at ties to Adam Thoroughgood's tobacco plantation, rooted in the 17th century. The layered history of exploration and colonization unfolds across these shores, a testament to the tenacity of humanity's quest for new horizons.

Read More About the Climate of Virginia Beach here.

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