Southeast Newport News

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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.[3] 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.[4] Huntington also founded a shipyard in 1886,[5] which became Newport News Shipbuilding and operates today building naval and commercial ships and submarines.[6] Newport News transformed into a busy port city.

The U.S army used Southeast Newport News as a Port of Embarkation in both World War I and World War II, with nearby Camp Patrick Henry serving as a troop-staging area. In World War II, well over a million service members passed through Camp Patrick Henry and the Southeast Newport News Port of Embarkation on their way overseas, and the population of Newport News and local industries grew to meet wartime demands.

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.

Community

Landmarks

Newport News 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.

Events

Southeast Community Day: Southeast Community Day is an annual parade in Southeast Newport News celebrating the community's strengths and unity through that includes local school marching bands, business owners, and community organizations. There is also festival with vendors, food, and music.

Historical Records

African American Historical Society of Newport News:
Downing Gross Cultural Center:
Hampton Roads Oral History Project (HROHP): This collection is an audio-based history project, documenting the impact of the civil rights movement on area residents. It was established in the fall of 2012 by Christopher Newport University Prof. Laura Puaca in collaboration with the Newsome House Museum and Cultural Center and the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. Most of the interviews were carried out by students.
Multiple interviews mention coal for heating,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] coal mining,[14] and coal trains.[15][16][17]
Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center:

Documents

References

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  7. ↑ Mary Walker Blowe interviewed by R. Joshua Sipe, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, September 28, 2015.
  8. ↑ Kathleen and William Brown interviewed by Sam Raimondo and Ben Perkins, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, November 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ Mittie Jean Ward Dixon interviewed by Charlene Jackson and Antonia Comfort, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 17, 2016.
  10. ↑ Helen H. Foster interviewed by Lauren Picard and Hannah Patton, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 22, 2014.
  11. ↑ Elwood Hill interviewed by R. Joshua Sipe, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 22, 2014.
  12. ↑ Bertha Johnson interviewed by Samantha Cain and Rachel Marsh, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 13, 2012.
  13. ↑ Albert McIver, Jr. interviewed by R. Joshua Sipe and Alexander Szymanski, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 18, 2014.
  14. ↑ Willie Edwards interviewed by Shantel Hudgins and Alanah Daniels, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 30, 2012.
  15. ↑ William Morgan interviewed by R. Joshua Sipe, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 22, 2015.
  16. ↑ Lovett Ernest Gaither interviewed by Erik C. Branting and Frank D. Pelli, Jr., The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 26, 2012.
  17. ↑ Rosetta Mask-Griffin interviewed by Caitlyn Hickey and Zachary Keener, The Hampton Roads Oral History Project, October 22, 2014.
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