Portsmouth is a self-contained city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the 2010 census, the population was 95,535. This is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active US Navy facility that is actually located in Portsmouth rather than Norfolk; the original name "Gosport" was changed to "Norfolk" to reflect its location in what is now former Norfolk County, Virginia. Improved shipbuilding, remodels, and repair of US Navy vessels and is one of the few facilities in the world with the ability to dry aircraft carriers.
Just across Norfolk, Portsmouth also has miles of coastal waterfront on the Elizabeth River as part of the Hampton Roads harbor. There is a ferry carrying riders back and forth across the water between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth.
Video Portsmouth, Virginia
History
Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River just across the Norfolk City. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as a suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, the shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The immediate area was soon established as a plantation community.
Portsmouth was founded by Colonel William Crawford, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. It was founded as a city in 1752 by the Virginia General Assembly act and was named for Portsmouth, England.
In 1767, Andrew Sprowle, shipbuilder, founded the Gosport Shipyard adjacent to Portsmouth. Gosport Shipyard in Portsmouth is owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia after the American Revolutionary War and sold to the new US federal government.
In 1855, the Portsmouth and Norfolk region suffered a yellow fever epidemic that killed 1 out of every three citizens. It became an independent town of Norfolk County in 1858.
During the American Civil War, in 1861, Virginia joined the United States Confederation. Afraid that the Confederate will take possession of the shipyard in Portsmouth, the shipyard commander ordered the burning of the shipyard. The Confederate forces did indeed take over the shipyards, and did so without armed conflict through the intricate deception set by civilian railway builder William Mahone (soon to be a famous Confederate official). Union troops retreated to Fort Monroe at Hampton Roads, which is the only land in the area that remains under Union control.
In early 1862, the powerful CSS Warship Confederation Virginia was rebuilt using the floating USS hull of Merrimack . Virginia used the USS Monitor on the famous Hampton Road Battle during the Union blockade on Hampton Roads. The Confederate burned the shipyard again when they left in May 1862.
After reclaiming Norfolk and Portsmouth by Union forces, the shipyard name was changed to Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The shipyard name is from its location in Norfolk County. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard is today located entirely within the city limits of Portsmouth, Virginia. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard name has been maintained to minimize confusion with the Naval Portsmouth Shipyard, which is actually located in Kittery, Maine, across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Portsmouth was the county county of Norfolk County until 1963 when the new town of Chesapeake was formed in a political consolidation with the southern Norfolk city. The other neighboring Portsmouth, formerly of Nansemond County, was also consolidated with a smaller town, forming the new town of Suffolk in 1974.
One of the old towns on Hampton Roads, in the early 21st century, Portsmouth is undergoing moderate urban renewal in the city center.
APM sea terminal "MAERSK" for container vessels opened in 2007 in West Norfolk.
Timeline
Maps Portsmouth, Virginia
Historical site
Olde Towne
The Olde Towne Historic District has one of the largest collections of important historical homes between Alexandria, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was built by slaves and free men and is the second oldest building in Portsmouth and the oldest black church in town.
The city contains a number of other historic buildings, as well, including the Pass House, built in 1841 by Judge James Murdaugh and occupied by Union troops from 1862 to 1865. Federal forces require Portsmouth residents to obtain written permission to travel across the River Elizabeth and beyond. This permit was issued from the English basement and thus the name "Pass House" was revealed.
Previously Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Portsmouth Naval Medical Center is a United States Navy medical center adjacent to Olde Towne Historic District and Park View Historical District. Founded in 1827, it is the oldest continuous hospital running in the Navy's medical system with the motto "First and Best."
Seaboard Coastline Building
Located on 1 High Street in the Olde Towne Historic District, the Seaboard Coastline Building is a historic railway station and former headquarters of the Seaboard air railway company.
The Hill House
The four 1825 floors of the British basement are fully furnished with original family items. It is evident from the furniture that the Hill family is a diligent and lively collector for 150 years. The house remains in its original condition, with limited renovations over the years.
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Founded in 1832, Cedar Grove Cemetery is the oldest city cemetery in Portsmouth. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Portsmouth, Virginia, the famous grave for burial art and the civil, business, maritime, religious and military leaders buried there. The historical markers placed throughout the cemetery allow for self guided tours. This cemetery is located between Effingham Street and Fort Lane in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The entrance is through the south gate to the cemetery, which is located on London Boulevard.
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ​​47 square miles (120 km 2 ), of which 34 square miles (88 km 2 ) is ground and 13 square miles ( 34 km 2 ) (28.0%) is water. The city was also cleaved by the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River that flows from adjacent Suffolk
Climate
The subtropical climate of Portsmouth's light humidity means outdoor activities can be enjoyed throughout the year. Weather in Portsmouth is temperate and seasonal. Summer is hot and humid with warm nights. The average annual temperature is 65Ã, ° F (18Ã,  ° C), with average annual snowfall of 3Ã, inches and annual rainfall averaging 47Ã,¼. No snow can be measured in 1999. The wettest season is spring and summer, although precipitation is fairly constant throughout the year. The highest temperature was recorded at 105.0  ° F in 1980. The lowest recorded temperature was -3.0  ° F on 21 January 1985.
In addition, the city's geographical location, in relation to the main storm's path, is very favorable, being south of the average storm paths coming from higher latitudes, and north of the usual storm tracks and other major tropical storms.. Snow rarely goes down, averaging 3 inches (76 mm) per season.
Demographics
At the 2010 census, there were 95,535 people, 38,170 households, and 25,497 families living in the city. Population density is 3,032.7 people per square mile (1,170.9/km²). There are 41,605 units of homes with an average density of 1,254.7 per square mile (484.4/km ²). City racial makeup is 53.3% African American, 41.6% White, 0.4% Native Americans, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Island, 1.0% of other races, and 2.6 % of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race is 3.1% of the population.
There were 38,170 households where 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had non-husbands female households and 33.2% were not family. 27.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.8% have someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city, the population is spread by 25.7% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% years or more. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 women, there are 93.5 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there are 90.6 men.
The average income for households in the city is $ 46,340, and the average income for families is $ 53,769. Men have an average income of $ 39,871 versus $ 33,140 for women. The per capita income for the city is $ 23,108. Approximately 13.5% of families and 16.7% of the population are below the poverty line, including 27.1% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those aged 65 and older.
Art and culture
Tourism
Portsmouth has a long history as a port city and town. The Olde Towne Business and Historical District is located in the city center, where a combination of conservation and redevelopment has taken place. An example is the Hawthorn Hotel & amp; Suites at The Governor Dinwiddie Hotel, which was renovated and reopened in 2005 after being closed for over 10 years. It has been recognized by Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historical Preservation that identifies hotels that have retained historical integrity, architecture and atmosphere and provided resources for their preservation. This historic hotel was named for Governor Robert Dinwiddie, who was the administrative chief of the Colony of Virginia during the time of Portsmouth founded in 1752. It was largely through his efforts that Virginia survived the French and Indian Wars relatively well. (Dinwiddie district near Petersburg is also named for him).
Other points of interest include Portsmouth City Park, featuring a narrow gauge of Portsmouth City Railroad with operations of Chance Rides C.P. The Huntington locomotive is named Pokey Smokey II . The original locomotive Pokey Smokey was built by Crown Metal Products and ran in the park for many years before being sold at auction. Now walk on the Middle East Railroad at Ederville in Carthage, North Carolina.
Sports
The Portsmouth Cavaliers is a basketball team that was founded in 2010 and played at the American Basketball Association for the 2011-12 season. Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, the Cavaliers play their home game at Chick-fil-A Fieldhouse on the campus of Portsmouth Catholic Regional School. The club spent a season at the American Professional Basketball League (APBL) before folding.
Government
Portsmouth is governed under the Council-Manager form of government. The current mayor is John Rowe, elected November 8, 2016. The Town Hall building, located at 801 Crawford Street, is the regular meeting place of the City Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. The City Council is a legislative body served by six members, elected for a term of four years.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Portsmouth Public Schools operates public schools. There are three public schools in Portsmouth, Virginia, located in three corners of the city. In the northwest part of town, outside Cedar Lane, is the Churchland High School. In the central part of town, between London Blvd and High Street, is I.C. Norcom High School. In southwest Portsmouth, on Elmhurst Lane, is the Woodrow Wilson High School.
Higher education
There are a number of higher education institutions in and close to Portsmouth. The city is home to the Tri-Cities Higher Education Center of Old Dominion University (ODU), a public research university founded in 1930 whose main campus is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Portsmouth is also home to Fred W. Beazley Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College, a two-year institution established in 1968 at South Hampton Roads with additional campuses located in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Media
The Portsmouth daily newspaper is Virginian-Pilot with The Currents being a Sunday edition of Portsmouth. Other papers include Journals and New Guides , and Hampton Roads Business Journal . Hampton Roads Magazine serves as a bi-monthly regional magazine for Portsmouth and the Hampton Roads area. The Hampton Roads Times serves as an online magazine for all Hampton Roads towns and counties. Portsmouth is served by various AM radio stations and FM calls, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area.
Portsmouth is also served by several television stations. The designated market area of ​​Hampton Roads (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the US with 712,790 homes (0.64% of total US). The major TV network affiliates are WTKR-TV 3 (CBS), WAVY 10 (NBC), WVEC-TV 13 (ABC), WGNT 27 (CW), WTVZ 33 (MyNetworkTV), WVBT 43 (Fox), and WPXV 49 (ION Television). Public Broadcasting Service Stations are WHRO-TV 15, Hampton/Norfolk and WUND-TV 2, Edenton, NC. Portsmouth residents can also receive independent stations, such as WSKY broadcasts on channel 4 of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and WGBS-LD broadcasts on channel 11 of Hampton. Portsmouth is served by Cox Cable and Verizon FIOS. DirecTV and Dish Network are also popular as an alternative to cable television in Portsmouth. WAVY-TV and WVBT-TV are twin stations owned by Nexstar and have their offices and studios located in the city.
Infrastructure
Transportation
From the initial development, Portsmouth has been water-oriented. In the 1830s, it was the first community in Hampton Roads that received new ground transportation innovations, rail services. The Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad, the forerunner of the Seaboard Air Train, extends to the Roanoke River rafting on the fall path near Weldon, North Carolina. It had to be 20 more years before its bigger neighbor, the city of Norfolk, also received a railroad, in 1858, when Norfolk and the Petersburg Railroad finished.
Portsmouth is mainly served by Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF , ICAO: KORF , FAA LID: ORF ), is now the region's premier commercial airport. The airport is located near Chesapeake Bay, along the adjacent Norfolk and Virginia Beach limits. Seven airlines provide non-stop services to twenty-five destinations. ORF has 3,703,664 passengers taking off or landing at its facilities and 68,778,934 pounds of cargo is processed through its facilities. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (IATA: PHF , ICAO: KPHF , FAA LID: PHF ) also provides commercial air services for Hampton Roads area. Chesapeake Regional Airport provides a public flight service and is located five miles (8 km) outside the city limits.
In the 21st century, the city has access to the CSX Transportation line, Norfolk Southern and three short rail lines. Portsmouth is served by Interstate 264 and Interstate 664, which is part of the Hampton Roads Beltway. Route 17 US and Route 58 US passes. The Elizabeth River is crossed through the Central City Tunnel, the City Center Tunnel and the Berkley Bridge combination.
Inner city transportation, as well as other towns in Hampton Roads, is served by a regional bus service, Hampton Roads Transit.
Famous people
Twin Cities
- Portsmouth, United Kingdom
- Dunedin, New Zealand
- Orizaba, Mexico
- Eldoret, Kenya
- Goree Island, Senegal
See also
- List of National Historic Sites Places in Portsmouth, Virginia
Note
References
Bibliography
External links
- The city of the municipality of Portsmouth
- the Portsmouth city directory, 19-20. (via the Norfolk Public Library)
- "Portsmouth City". County and City Records . Richmond: Library of Virginia.
- Items associated with Portsmouth, Virginia, various dates (via the American Digital Public Library)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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