Seatack, Virginia facts for kids

Seatack, Virginia, is a historic neighborhood in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was once part of Princess Anne County. Today, Seatack is close to the famous Oceanfront resort area of Virginia Beach. You can find Seatack Elementary School nearby on Birdneck Road. The old 1903 Seatack Station, which was part of the United States Lifesaving Service (a group that helped people at sea before the Coast Guard), is now the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. This museum is right by the oceanfront boardwalk.

Seatack is also the oldest African-American neighborhood in southern Virginia Beach. It is one of 14 historic neighborhoods that were once separated by race in Virginia Beach. While it is now a diverse community with people from many backgrounds, it was mostly African-American until the 1970s. This change happened partly because of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This law helped stop unfair housing practices. Also, new roads and buildings were built in the Seatack area during the 1960s and 1970s. These projects helped Virginia Beach grow its tourism industry.

Why is it Called Seatack?

The name Seatack comes from a time when the area was attacked. During the War of 1812, British ships fired cannons at this part of Princess Anne County. British troops also landed on the shore here. Because of these attacks from the sea, the isolated beach area became known as "Sea Attack." Over time, the name was shortened to "Sea 'ttack" and then finally to "Seatack."

Early History and Shipwrecks

In 1891, a Norwegian ship called the Dictator crashed near what is now 37th Street. People staying at a nearby hotel watched as brave surfmen from the Seatack Lifesaving Station tried to rescue those on board. Sadly, seven people died, including the captain's wife and young child. This sad event led to the creation of the Norwegian Lady Statues that you can see today. The hotel where people watched the shipwreck later burned down in 1907.

A Strong African-American Community

In the early 1900s, the name Seatack began to refer more specifically to an area west of the beach. This is where a separate African-American neighborhood was created in Princess Anne County. At that time, before the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Black Americans were often only allowed to live in areas that White Americans did not want. These areas were often swampy or wooded.

However, the Black residents of Seatack worked hard and made their community strong. They built schools for their children, like the Princess Anne County Training School in 1938. They also started one of the first Black-owned fire stations in Eastern Virginia, the Seatack Fire Station. This was important because the county's fire department did not serve the Black neighborhood. The community also built churches, such as Mount Olive Baptist and St. Stephens Church of God in Christ (COGIC).

After the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 were passed, the community continued to grow. They built a parks and recreation center and a daycare center. In 1985, a local businessman and leader named Mr. Joseph V. Grimstead Sr. gave land for the Seatack Community and Recreation Center. The current center opened in 1997.

Celebrating Seatack's Legacy

The Seatack Civic League held its 200th Annual Birthday Celebration in 2011. This was the first big African-American community event ever held in Virginia Beach. It was also the first large event held by African Americans at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. In 2012, the City of Virginia Beach named its first city building after an African-American man, Joseph V. Grimstead, Sr. This building is the Seatack Community Recreation Center, located where the old Seatack Fire Station used to be.

In 2019, Seatack received an official Historic Landmark sign. This sign recognizes Seatack as a great example of growth within the African-American community. Because of this honor, Seatack will be featured in the new African American Cultural Center of Virginia Beach. This center will celebrate all 14 historic African-American neighborhoods in Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum

In 1915, the United States Lifesaving Service became the United States Coast Guard. The old station at Seatack, built in 1903, is now the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. It is located at 24th Street, next to the boardwalk. This museum celebrates the history of saving lives along the coast, especially in the area known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The museum has items from the Dictator shipwreck and old lifesaving equipment. It also offers educational programs. You can even see a webcam on their website that shows a view similar to what the old lifesaving crews saw over 100 years ago.

The Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Another Coast Guard Station was located at Little Island, south of Sandbridge. The City of Virginia Beach owns it, but the Little Island Coast Guard Station is not open to the public.

Famous People from Seatack

Many well-known people have lived in the Seatack community during their lives or grew up there. These include famous rappers Pharrell Williams and Timbaland. NFL Football player Eli Harold also lived in Seatack. Even astronaut Alan B. Shepard and actress Chyler Leigh spent important parts of their lives in this historic neighborhood.