Southeast Newport News
Location and History
Southeast Newport News, also known as East End, is located on the northern shore of the James River near the harbor of Hampton Roads. Records from the 1600s place Newportes Newes near the mouth of the James River soon after the founding of Jamestown,[1] the first permanent English settlement in what would become the U.S. Some say the name comes from Captain Christopher Newport bringing “good news” of supplies to struggling colonists. Others note that maps and company papers from the time show similar spellings tied to early English and Irish place names.[2]
Newport News remained a small riverside community until the late 1800s when industrialist Collis P. Huntington extended the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) down the Virginia Peninsula to a deep-water pier on the James River in Southeast Newport News. In 1881, the railroad extension connected a new coal pier in a small unincorporated community that would become Southeast Newport News with previously isolated bituminous coalfields in near the New River and Kanawha River in West Virginia. Huntington also founded a shipyard in 1886, which became Newport News Shipbuilding and operates today building naval and commercial ships and submarines. Newport News transformed into a busy port city.
In wartime, the port became nationally important. The U.S army used Newport News as a Port of Embarkation in World War I and then reactivated the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation in June 1942 for World War II. Nearby Camp Patrick Henry served as a massive troop-staging area tied to the port’s piers. By the end of the war, well over a million service members had passed through the system on their way overseas, and the city’s population and industry surged to meet the demand.
The City Development Shift of Newport News
The move of the heart of the city from Southeast Newport News to Central Newport News is largely due to industrialization and the consolidation with the city of Warwick in 1958. Southeast Newport lost lots of its development as suburban development began to grow up north, which led to urban development in what is now known as. The consolidation of the city of Newport News and Warwick into one city (taking the name Newport News) allowed the city to have a great amount of urban development. The former Warwick area became a place for new suburban neighborhoods and shopping centers to be created.
Leadership
Mayors: Mayors are elected by the residents living in the city. They serve for four years during their term.
Jessie Rattley: She was not only the first female mayor in Newport News, Virginia in 1986-1990, but also the first black mayor of the city. Before becoming mayor, she worked as an educator. She founded the Peninsula Business college. This would become a place where hundreds of black Virginians would get trained and would be able to secure jobs afterwards.
Bobby Scott: Since 1993, Bobby Scott has served this district. He has worked with President Biden to draft the education provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act, fought for comprehensive, evidence-based criminal justice reform, led passage of the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act, authored legislation to create an Interagency Regional Coordinator for Resilience for Defense communities like Hampton Roads, and accomplished so much more that can be read about here. Although he did not take direct action on the coal-dust issue in downtown Newport News, Scott has engaged with coal-adjacent policy at the federal level. He has supported efforts to strengthen the Black Lung Benefits program and backed rulemaking intended to increase protections for miners exposed to silica and coal dust. He has also introduced and supported mine-safety legislation focused on improving conditions for workers and advocated for stricter federal standards on power-plant pollution.He did not take any direct action towards the coal issue in downtown Newport News.
Mckinley L. Price: Prior to Jones’ office Mckinley L. Price served as mayor from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2022. His focus was on dentistry and public health. While in office he sought to address three health concerns in Newport News… asthma, diabetes and obesity. He worked to do this by advocating for improvement in environment and housing conditions and encouraging more physical education, team sports and outdoor activities. While mayor he was also a dentist and is still practicing today. Newport News is part of the 3rd Congressional District of Virginia.
Philip Jones: The City of Newport News has been under mayorship of Phillip Jones since January 1, 2023. During his time in office he has continuously advocated for environmental justice action to address air quality issues in Southeast Newport News. The mayor was appointed to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee in January of 2025. With this new position he has committed himself to bringing attention and effective policies to address the coal dust issues in the local area. Moreover, Jones announced that Newport News was selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. This program provides three full-time individuals to focus on coal dust, flood mitigation and project management when it comes to applying for grants. It has led to a grant application for a coal fence feasibility study.
Current City Council: Six members are elected by the residents of the city. They serve a four year term.
Marcellus L. Harris III: The councilman for the North District 1, Seat A Term expires in 12/31/2028
Curtis D. Bethany III: The Vice Mayor for the North District 1, Seat B Term expires in 12/31/2026
Cleon M. Long: The councilman for the Central District 2, Seat B Term expires in 12/31/26
Robert S. Coleman: The councilman for the Central District 2, Seat A Term expires in 12/31/2028
Tina L. Vick: The councilwoman for the South District 3, Seat A Term expires in 12/31/2028
John R. Eley III: The councilman for the South District 3, Seat B Term expires in 12/31/2026
Community and Residents
Southeast Community Day
Southeast Community Day is an annual local celebration within Newport News, Virginia that was established in 1991 by Andrew Shannon. This celebration initially began because it was a form of promoting community engagement and public safety. The community celebrates its strengths and unity through a parade that includes the local school marching band, business owners, and community organizations. Afterwards, there is a festival where vendors, food, and music are held. There are usually local guest speakers and performers present. It usually takes place about a week into September and participation is encouraged for everyone. More details about when and where the celebration takes place each year can be found on the Southeast Day Parade website.
Landmarks
Victory Arch: The Arch was originally built in 1919 with wood and plaster by volunteers to greet the returning soldiers, and returning soldiers from World War I would arrive and march through the arch in victory parades. During this time, black soldiers were not allowed to pass through due to segregation. The arch was later reconstructed in 1962 to what it is now, and an eternal flame was added in 1969 on Memorial day.
Historic Endview: This is a significant Civil War site, and one of Newport News' last colonial buildings. During the Civil war the building was headquarters and a hospital for confederate generals. It is currently a museum that showcases the history of the building through tours and events.
King-Lincoln Park: Water-front park with a number of amenities including tennis courts, playgrounds, a beach, and a fishing pier to name a few. In the summer, outdoor events and performances can be held at the park on its stage. The park gets its name from Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, two important leaders who paved the way for equality. Throughout history, and even today, the park has served as a place for African Americans to seek refuge and gain hope for the future. In 1945, it was the first park in Newport News designated specifically for African Americans during segregation. Later on, the park served as a place for demonstrations and rallies to occur. Today, it continues to be a place where community and culture can be celebrated by all.
Downing Gross Cultural Center: A multi-purpose cultural space owned by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Newport News. The building usually serves as an event venue, but also has meeting rooms available to rent and houses permanent exhibits. The center emphasizes the importance of collaboration within the community and creativity.
Famous Residents
Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Fitzgerald, dubbed the “First Lady of Song," was an American singer, songwriter, and composer. She is most known as a popular female jazz singer. Ella was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25, 1917. She got her start performing at amateur night at the Apollo and that launched her into her highly successful and influential career. The City of Newport News commemorates Ella with a mural downtown and has also named the theater in Downing-Gross community center after her.
Pearl Bailey: Pearl Bailey was an American actress, singer, and comedian. She was known for appearing on Broadway, movies, and her own television show, called the Pearl Bailey Show.
Michael Vick: He was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. Established a professional football career as an NFL quarterback. He would later come back to hometown to serve as head football coach for Norfolk State University. He has also given back to his hometown community through the creation of the Michael Vick Teen Center. An area added to the Boys & Girls Club in Newport News that is made to give teens in the area resources to further their education or find success somewhere in the workforce.
Documents
References
https://www.nnva.gov/282/History-of-Consolidation#:~:text=One%20might%20say%20consolidation%20was%20an%20eventuality,heart%20of%20the%20Peninsula%20defined%20the%20outcome.
https://www.dominionterminal.com/about-us/#:~:text=In%201982%2C%20Dominion%20T erminal%20Associates,looking%20to%20export%20their%20products.
https://www.southeastdayparade.com/
https://theurbannews.com/communities/2025/34th-annual-southeast-community-day-parade-and-festival/#:~:text=This%20year%20the%20festival%20is,Beaucamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lZoaAWzZ2c&t=13s
https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/history/jessie-rattley-newport-news-virginia-mayor/291-536edf83-68bb-4bb2-a4b8-129dda156a4a
https://www.visitnewportnews.com/blog/post/things-you-can-only-do-in-newport-news-va/#:~:text=The%20Victory%20Arch,Embarkation%20during%20World%20War%20I.
https://newportnewshistory.org/historic-endview/
https://www.visitnewportnews.com/blog/post/a-guide-to-the-diverse-neighborhoods-of-newport-news/#:~:text=As%20the%20historical%20heart%20of,that%20shaped%20the%20city's%20history.
https://www.dominionterminal.com/about-us/https://cnuengage.org/discover-newport-news/know-newport-news/history/
https://uufp.org/coal-dust-and-us/
https://www.whro.org/arts-culture/2025-06-11/new-art-exhibit-in-newport-news-highlights-community-toll-of-coal-dust
https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-03-29/federal-air-pollution-standards-hampton-roads-coal-dust
https://www.marinersmuseum.org/2020/08/hampton-roads-history-the-founding-of-newport-news/
https://www.visitnewportnews.com/blog/post/discovering-the-untold-stories-of-newport-news/
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter38/section15.2-3819/#:~:text=At%20a%20general%20election%20of%20city%20officers%2C,The%20mayor%20shall%20serve%20for%20four%20years.
https://morrisondentalgroup.com/newport-news/local/king-lincoln-park/
https://nnparksandrec.org/directory-parks/listing/king-lincoln-park/
https://downinggross.org/history
https://www.bagclub.com/2019/04/15/michael-vick-teen-center-unveiled-at-newport-news-natives-former-boys-and-girls-club/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Bailey
https://www.newportnewschoice.com/#home
https://www.newportnewschoice.com/choice-neighborhood
https://www.nnva.gov/2255/Choice-Neighborhoods-Initiative