Chesapeake Community Info and Homes For Sale
Chesapeake's history dates back much further than 1963 when Norfolk County and the City of South Norfolk merged to create the new City of 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.
Chesapeake's population has grown from approximately 78,000 in 1963 to 207,000 in 2004. Chesapeake is a unique blend of varied neighborhoods. From Chesapeake's Western Branch area to the turn of the centruy homes in historic South Norfolk to Southern Chesapeake's Great Bridge and Hickory areas, both Chesapeake residents and newcomers find a variety of neighborhoods. New construction homes are available throughout Chesapeake in neighborhoods like Dock Landing, Ravenna, Mill Creek, Edinburgh and so many more.
Chesapeake boasts many established tree-lined neighborhoods. Silverwood, Portlock, Wilson Heights and Greenwood Estates are but a few of Chesapeake's many fine established areas. And if a Chesapeake residents seeks condominiums or townhomes, Chesapeake has many fine develops for the young and the young at heart.
In Chesapeake, shopping is always nearby. Chesapeake Square Mall and many nearby stores service the Western Branch areas of Chesapeake as well as Suffolk and Portsmouth. In Chesapeake's Greenbriar area, Chesapeake has one of the area's largest retail complexes anchored by the Greenbriar Mall, Target, Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Circuit City and the like. New developments in the Mount Pleasant and Hanbury cooridors as well as a New Wal-mart in the Grassfield area of Chesapeake are expanding such services to Southern Chesapeake.
Excellent schools, recreational and cultural facilities are hallmarks of Chesapeake life.
Both fine academic standings, strong athletic traditions and exceptional music and drama programs set Chesapeake schools apart.
History of Chesapeake
In the early months of the Revolutionary War, in December 1775, British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore moved his forces from Norfolk to Great Bridge (in what is now the center of Chesapeake), 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 Complex stands today. In this 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 area. 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 Albemarle 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The first local encounter of the Civil War occurred at Sewell's Point (Norfolk) in May 1861, but no battles were fought in what is now Chesapeake. When the war ended, Norfolk County took advantage of its abundant natural resources, including coastal location, miles of riverfront, deep water harbors, and fertile, level farmland to recover quickly and move without hesitation into the 20th Century.
While most of the area retained its rural atmosphere through the early 1900's, 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.