Timeline of Norfolk, Virginia facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Norfolk, Virginia, United States.

Prior to 19th century

• 1682 - Norfolk Town founded.
• 1728 - Norfolk Academy chartered.
• 1736 - Town of Norfolk attains borough status.
• 1739 - Saint Paul's Episcopal Church built.
• 1767 - Gosport Shipyard established near Norfolk.
• 1776 - January 1: Burning of Norfolk.}
• 1790 - Population: 2,959.
• 1795 - Fort Norfolk built.
• 1799 - Fire.

19th century

• 1804 - Female Orphan Society founded.
• 1819 - U.S. Customhouse built.
• 1828 - Christ Church built.
• 1840 - Population: 10,920.
• 1845 - Norfolk attains city status.
• 1848 - Norfolk Humane Association active.
• 1850
  • Norfolk Courthouse built.
  • Freemason Street Baptist Church dedicated.
• 1853 - "Negro free school" and Elmwood Cemetery established.
• 1854 - Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery established.
• 1855 - Yellow fever outbreak.
• 1857 - U.S. Customhouse built on Main Street.
• 1858
  • Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad laid out.
  • Basilica of Saint Mary built.
• 1862 - May 10: Union forces in power.
• 1865 - Colored Monitor Union Club formed.
• 1870 - Norfolk Library Association founded.
• 1873 - West Point Cemetery established.
• 1875 - Masonic Temple built.
• 1877 - Norfolk and Portsmouth Cotton Exchange incorporated.
• 1880 – Population: 21,966.
• 1887 - Brambleton becomes part of Norfolk.
• 1888 - St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church built.
• 1890
  • Atlantic City becomes part of Norfolk.
  • Population: 34,871.
• 1894 - Norfolk Daily Pilot newspaper begins publication.
• 1898 - Monticello Hotel in business.
• 1900
  • Zoo opens.
  • U.S. Post Office and Courts Building constructed.
  • Population: 34,871.

20th century

• 1901 - Norfolk Journal and Guide newspaper in publication.
• 1902 - Park Place becomes part of Norfolk.
• 1904 - Freemason Street Library opens.
• 1906 - Berkley becomes part of Norfolk.
• 1907
  • Jamestown Exposition held.
  • Confederate monument erected.
  • Monticello Arcade built.
• 1910
  • Christ and St. Luke's Church built.
  • Population: 67,452.
• 1911 - Huntersville and Lambert's Point become part of Norfolk.
• 1912 - Norfolk Terminal Station built.
• 1917 - U.S. Naval Operating Base and NAACP branch established.
• 1918 - Southern Bagging Company building constructed.
• 1919
  • City-manager form of government adopted.
  • Attucks Theatre opens.
• 1920 – Population: 115,777.
• 1921 - Virginia Beach Boulevard opens.
• 1922 - U.S. Marine Hospital built.
• 1923 - Algonquin Park, Cottage Park, Edgewater, Kenilworth, Lafayette Annex, Lakewood, Larchmont, Lenox, Morning Side, Norfolk Naval Base, Ocean View (part), and Willoughby become part of city.
• 1930
  • College of William & Mary Norfolk Division established.
  • Population: 129,710.
• 1932 - U.S. Post Office and Courthouse built.
• 1933 - Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences opens.
• 1938 - Norfolk Municipal Airport and Norfolk Azalia Garden open.
• 1940 - Norfolk Housing Authority created.
• 1941 - Merrimack Park dedicated.
• 1948 - Wilders Drive-In cinema in business.
• 1952
  • NATO Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic headquartered in Norfolk.
  • Norfolk–Portsmouth Bridge–Tunnel opens.
  • WRAP-AM radio begins broadcasting.
• 1954 - Azalea Festival begins.
• 1955 - Tanners Creek becomes part of city.
• 1958 - Sister city program established with Moji, Japan.
• 1959
  • Azalea Gardens, East Ocean View, Janaf, Little Creek, and Military Highway become part of city.
  • February: School desegregation begins.
• 1962 - Midtown Tunnel begins operating.
• 1965 - City Hall built.
• 1966 - Virginia Wesleyan College opens.
• 1967
  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway begins operating.
  • Virginia National Bank built.
• 1969
  • Norfolk State College active.
  • Econo-Travel motel in business.
• 1971 - Norfolk Scope conventional hall opens.
• 1974 - Virginia Opera formed.
• 1983 - Waterside shopping centre in business.
• 1987 - Dominion Tower built.
• 1989 - Norfolk Southern Tower built.
• 1990 - Population: 261,229.
• 1993
  • Harbor Park stadium opens.
  • Bobby Scott becomes U.S. representative for Virginia's 3rd congressional district.
• 1994 - Paul D. Fraim becomes mayor.
• 1996 - City website online (approximate date).
• 1998 - Armed Forces Memorial dedicated.
• 2000 - Cinemark 18 (cinema) in business.

21st century

• 2002 - 150 West Main Street built.
• 2003 - NATO Allied Command Transformation headquartered in Norfolk.
• 2010 - Population: 242,803.