Lafayette River facts for kids
The Lafayette River is a 6.2-mile-long (10.0 km) waterway in Norfolk, Virginia. It's a special type of river called an estuary, which means it's where fresh water from the land mixes with salty ocean water. The Lafayette River flows into the Elizabeth River, and then into Hampton Roads, which is a big harbor. From there, the water goes into the southern part of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, United States. The entire river is located within the city of Norfolk.
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History of the Lafayette River
The Lafayette River has a long and interesting history, starting from its earliest days as a home for Native Americans to its current name.
Early Days as Tanner's Creek
When English colonists first arrived in 1607, this small river was known as Tanner's Creek. The name came from an early settler and landowner named Daniel Tanner.
Native American Life
Before the English colonists came, the area around Tanner's Creek was home to the Chesepians. They were a group of Native Americans who spoke an Algonquian language. They were connected to the powerful Powhatan Confederacy. The main village of the Chesepians was called Skicoak, and it's believed to have been located along Tanner's Creek.
Colonial Expansion and New Names
As the British Colony of Virginia grew, the Native Americans moved further inland. In 1634, the area around Tanner's Creek became part of a new county called Elizabeth River Shire. This shire, and the Elizabeth River itself, were named to honor Princess Elizabeth Stuart, who was the daughter of King James I of England.
Later, in 1691, the areas around Tanner's Creek became part of Norfolk County. Over time, the growing city of Norfolk expanded and eventually included all of the waterway within its city limits.
Renaming the River
In 1892, the City of Norfolk bought a large piece of land near Tanner's Creek to create a park. This park was named Lafayette Park in 1899. Soon after, Tanner's Creek was renamed the Lafayette River.
The river was renamed to honor the Marquis de La Fayette. He was a French Army officer who became a very popular hero during the American Revolutionary War. His help, along with other French forces, was very important in helping the United States gain its freedom from British rule.
