Buckroe Beach, Hampton, Virginia facts for kids
Buckroe Beach is a cool neighborhood in Hampton, Virginia. It's right on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, just north of Fort Monroe. Buckroe Beach is one of the oldest places in Virginia where people have gone for fun and relaxation. For a long time, it was part of Elizabeth City County near the town of Phoebus. In 1952, these areas joined with Hampton, making Buckroe Beach a part of the city.
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Discovering Buckroe Beach's Past
Early Days: From Plantation to Fishing Camp
In 1619, a place called "Buck Roe" Plantation was set aside for public use. This was for the new English settlers who had arrived with the Virginia Company of London. A year later, in 1620, French experts came to teach the colonists how to grow grapes and raise silkworms. But by 1637, Buck Roe Plantation had become a tobacco field, just like many other farms in the colony.
After the American Civil War, Buckroe was mainly used as a fishing camp.
Becoming a Fun Tourist Spot
Things started to change thanks to a community leader named Harrison Phoebus. He encouraged the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway to build train tracks to the area. This happened in 1882.
In 1883, Mrs. Mary Ann Dobbins Herbert opened a boarding house for summer visitors. The next year, a public bath house was built. Tourists would arrive in horse-drawn carriages.
In 1897, a local business owner extended his electric trolley car line to Buckroe. He also opened a hotel, a dance pavilion, and an amusement park.
Bay Shore Beach: A Nearby Destination
In 1898, some businessmen bought a beachfront area right next to Buckroe Beach. They named it Bay Shore Beach & Resort. This place became very popular, just like Buckroe Beach. It was a special vacation spot for African Americans during a time when people were separated by race.
The Amusement Park Era
The amusement park and the public beach were super popular for social gatherings. This was true in the late 1800s and the first half of the 1900s. Before World War II, the C&O railway even offered special summer trips to Buckroe.
However, over time, fewer people visited the amusement park. This was partly because of new places like Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Also, air conditioning became common, so people didn't need to go to the beach to cool off as much. The amusement park closed in 1985 and was taken down in 1991.
What Remains Today
Even though the amusement park is gone, some cool parts were saved! The Buckroe Beach Carousel and its special Bruder band organ were moved. You can now find them in downtown Hampton, where they are still a popular attraction.
The only original part of the amusement park still standing at Buckroe is a functioning lighthouse. It used to be part of the miniature golf course.
The popular Buckroe Beach fishing pier was damaged during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. But the city of Hampton rebuilt it, and it reopened on May 30, 2009. The pier is famous for Cobia fishing, and many fishermen visit on sunny summer days.
Buckroe Beach Joins Hampton
In 1950, Buckroe Beach was listed as a special area with a population of 1,977 people. In 1952, Hampton joined with Elizabeth City County (which included Phoebus). This made Buckroe Beach a neighborhood within the city of Hampton.
