History of Virginia Beach, Virginia in Timeline

Virginia Beach, Virginia, is the state's most populous city, situated on the Atlantic Ocean at the Chesapeake Bay's mouth. With a population of 459,470 in 2020, it ranks as the sixth-largest city in the Mid-Atlantic region and the 42nd-largest in the U.S. It's a key city within the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, encompassing over 1.8 million residents, making it the 37th-largest metro area nationwide.

1906: Virginia Beach Becomes an Incorporated Town

In 1906, Virginia Beach became an incorporated town as it grew in popularity as a seasonal vacation spot.

1906: Establishment of Modern Virginia Beach

In 1906, modern Virginia Beach was established. Cape Henry, nearby, was the site of the first landing of English colonists who settled in Jamestown.

December 1917: Coldest Daily Maximum on Record

In December 1917, the coldest daily maximum on record was 12 °F (−11 °C) in Virginia Beach.

1922: Completion of Virginia Beach Boulevard

In 1922, Virginia Beach Boulevard was completed, opening a route for automobiles, buses, and trucks from Norfolk to the oceanfront. As a result, passenger rail service to the oceanfront was eventually discontinued.

1927: Opening of The Cavalier Hotel

In 1927, The Cavalier Hotel opened and quickly became a popular vacation destination.

1928: Edgar Cayce Hospital Established

In 1928, the Edgar Cayce Hospital for Research and Enlightenment was established in Virginia Beach with 60 beds, featuring a library of books on psychic matters.

1930: Atlantic University Founded

In 1930, Atlantic University, a for-profit holistic learning institution, was founded in Virginia Beach.

1938: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Established

In 1938, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, an 8,000-acre freshwater refuge, was established in Virginia Beach.

1938: First High School Built

In 1938, the first high school for blacks, the Princess Anne County Training School, was built in Virginia Beach.

July 1942: All-Time Record Warmest Low Temperature

In July 1942, the all-time record warmest low temperature was 84 °F (29 °C) in Virginia Beach.

1952: Republican Backing Start

From 1952 to 2016, Virginia Beach backed republican candidates in all but two elections.

1952: Virginia Beach Becomes an Independent City

In 1952, Virginia Beach achieved the status of an independent city, although ties remained with Princess Anne County.

1952: Boardwalk Art Show Began

In 1952, the annual Boardwalk Art Show began in Virginia Beach. It later became the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art's largest fundraiser.

1958: Construction of the Alan B. Shepard Civic Center

In 1958, the Alan B. Shepard Civic Center, also known as "The Dome", was constructed and dedicated to astronaut Alan Shepard, a former resident of Virginia Beach. The Dome was a significant building in the city's history because of the many famous musical acts played there.

1961: Virginia Wesleyan University Founded

In 1961, Virginia Wesleyan University, a private university, was founded in Virginia Beach by Methodist minister Joseph Shackford Johnston.

1961: High School Renamed

In 1961, the Princess Anne County Training School in Virginia Beach was renamed Union Kempsville High School.

January 1, 1963: Virginia Beach Chartered

On January 1, 1963, Virginia Beach was chartered as a municipal corporation by the General Assembly of Virginia.

1963: Creation of the Modern City of Virginia Beach

In 1963, the modern city of Virginia Beach was created through the consolidation of Princess Anne County and the City of Virginia Beach. The newly larger city was divided into seven boroughs.

1963: Consolidation of Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County

In 1963, voters in Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County approved a referendum, which was subsequently approved by the Virginia General Assembly, leading to the consolidation of the two political subdivisions into a new, larger independent city, retaining the name Virginia Beach.

1963: End of Princess Anne County Jurisdiction

Princess Anne County was a jurisdiction from 1691 until 1963. It was the easternmost county in South Hampton Roads, extending from Cape Henry at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, south to the border of the North Carolina colony, and included the area fronting the Atlantic Ocean.

1964: Last Democrat to Carry

1964 was the last time a democrat carried Virginia Beach until Joe Biden won in 2020.

1966: Red Wing Park Established

In 1966, the land for Red Wing Park, a 97-acre park, became a park in Virginia Beach.

1968: Republican Backing

From 1968 Virginia Beach consistently backed Republican Party presidential candidates until 2016.

1969: Public Schools Integrated

In 1969, the public schools in Virginia Beach integrated, leading to the closure of Union Kempsville High School.

1973: Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Founded

In 1973, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon was founded, an annual race over St. Patrick's Day weekend in Virginia Beach.

1980: First Skateboard Ramps Constructed

In the mid-1980's (circa 1980), Virginia Beach constructed the first skateboard ramps to be funded, maintained, and operated by a municipality.

January 1985: Record Low Temperature

In January 1985, the lowest recorded temperature in Virginia Beach was −3 °F (−19 °C), recorded at Norfolk International Airport.

1985: Atlantic University Re-opened

Atlantic University, originally opened in 1930, was re-opened in Virginia Beach in 1985.

1991: 1991-2020 Normal Coldest Maximum Average

From 1991 to 2020, the normals had a coldest maximum average of 29 °F (−2 °C) in Virginia Beach.

1992: Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Recognized

In 1992, Runner's World recognized the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach as one of the Top 20 marathons in the country.

1994: Demolition of the Alan B. Shepard Civic Center

In 1994, The Alan B. Shepard Civic Center ("The Dome") was razed to make room for a municipal parking lot and potential future development.

1996: Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater Built

In 1996, the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater was built in Virginia Beach and began hosting various popular shows and concerts.

1999: Murder Rate in Virginia Beach

In 1999, Virginia Beach experienced 12 murders, resulting in a murder rate of 2.7 per 100,000 people.

2000: 2000 Census Data

As of the 2000 Census, there were 425,257 people, 154,455 households, and 110,898 families residing in Virginia Beach.

2000: Virginia Beach Open

In 2000, the Virginia Beach Open, a Nationwide Tour event, was held.

2000: Floodplain development leads to future rejection of proposals

In the 2000s, increased floodplain development in Virginia Beach became an issue. Later, during Hurricane Matthew, the heavy rainfall flooded over 2000 homes and left some neighborhoods with standing water for days. Given the rising risks of flooding due to climate change and the impetus of the hurricane damage, the city rejected several further development proposals.

2003: Hurricane Isabel

In 2003, Hurricane Isabel impacted Virginia Beach, being an exception to the typical storm tracks in the region.

2003: Median Family Income Ranking

In 2003, Virginia Beach had the 5th highest median family income among large cities.

2003: Opening of Virginia Beach Town Center

In 2003, the Virginia Beach Town Center opened, marking a significant public-private real estate development project, with related construction continuing.

2004: Bush Wins Majority

In 2004, George W. Bush became the last presidential candidate to win at least 51% of the vote in Virginia Beach until Joe Biden in 2020.

2005: BRAC Commission and NAS Oceana

In 2005, the BRAC Commission decreed that NAS Oceana must close unless the city of Virginia Beach condemns houses in areas designated as "Accident Potential Zones."

2005: Opening of the Virginia Beach Convention Center

In 2005, the Virginia Beach Convention Center opened, supporting large group meetings and events as part of public-private development efforts.

2006: Virginia Beach Open End

In 2006, the Virginia Beach Open, a Nationwide Tour event, was held for the last time.

November 2007: Sandler Center Opens

In November 2007, the Sandler Center, a performing arts theater with 1200 seats, opened in the Virginia Beach Town Center.

2007: Murder Rate and Crime Index

In 2007, Virginia Beach had 16 murders, resulting in a murder rate of 3.7 per 100,000 people, which was lower than the national average. The city's total crime index rate for 2007 was 221.2 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average.

2008: City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America

According to the Congressional Quarterly Press '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, Virginia Beach, Virginia ranks 311th in violent crime among 385 cities containing more than 75,000 inhabitants.

2008: General Elections Changed

Beginning in 2008, general elections in Virginia Beach are held the first Tuesday in November in even-numbered years.

2008: McCain wins plurality

In 2008, John McCain only managed to win a plurality of the city's votes in Virginia Beach, winning the city despite losing statewide.

2008: Reel Dreams Film Festival

In 2008, Virginia Beach became the home to the Reel Dreams Film Festival.

July 2010: Record High Temperature

In July 2010, the highest recorded temperature in Virginia Beach was 105 °F (41 °C), recorded at Norfolk International Airport.

2010: 2010 Census Data

According to the 2010 Census, here is the racial composition of Virginia Beach.

2011: Walk Score Ranking

A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Virginia Beach the 39th most walkable of the fifty largest U.S. cities.

2012: Navy Jet Crash in Virginia Beach

In 2012, a U.S. Navy jet that took off from Naval Air Station Oceana experienced engine failure and crashed into an apartment complex.

2012: Norfolk Admirals win Calder Cup

In 2012, the Norfolk Admirals won the AHL Calder Cup.

2012: Virginia Destroyers League Collapse

In 2012, the Virginia Destroyers, a UFL franchise, played at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex until the league's collapse.

April 2013: Atlantic League Franchise Awarded

In April 2013, Virginia Beach Professional Baseball, LLC, was awarded an Atlantic League franchise, known as the Virginia Beach Neptunes.

2013: ParkScore Ranking

In 2013, The Trust for Public Land's ParkScore ranking reported that Virginia Beach had the 8th best park system among the 50 most populous U.S. cities.

2014: Baylake Pines School Closed

In 2014, Baylake Pines School, a private, independent school in Virginia Beach, closed.

2014: Drake Song

In 2014, rapper Drake named a track off of his album For All The Dogs on Virginia Beach, due to his performance at the city during his Drake vs. Lil Wayne tour.

2015: The Man in the High Castle mention

From 2015-2019, Virginia Beach is mentioned in the television series, The Man in the High Castle, as the site of a D-Day style invasion by Nazi Germany.

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2015: Monopoly Inclusion

In 2015, Virginia Beach was included as a property in the Monopoly Here and Now: The US edition of the game.

2016: Trump wins plurality

In 2016, Donald Trump only managed to win a plurality of Virginia Beach's votes, winning the city despite losing statewide.

January 2017: Unemployment at 4.2%

In January 2017, Virginia Beach's unemployment rate reached a high of 4.2%.

2018: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Opening

In 2018, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened, surpassing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel as the world's longest bridge-tunnel complex. Virginia Beach is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

May 31, 2019: Shooting at Municipal Government Building

On May 31, 2019, a shooting occurred at a municipal government building in Virginia Beach. A former employee killed 12 people and injured four others before dying from a gunshot wound fired by responding officers.

June 2019: Unemployment at 2.8%

By June 2019, Virginia Beach's unemployment rate had decreased to 2.8%, almost half of what it was two years prior.

2019: The Man in the High Castle mention

From 2015-2019, Virginia Beach is mentioned in the television series, The Man in the High Castle, as the site of a D-Day style invasion by Nazi Germany.

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2020: 1991-2020 Normal Coldest Maximum Average

From 1991 to 2020, the normals had a coldest maximum average of 29 °F (−2 °C) in Virginia Beach.

2020: Biden wins Virginia Beach

In 2020, Joe Biden became the first Democrat to carry Virginia Beach since 1964.

2020: 2020 Census

In 2020, the census recorded Virginia Beach's population at 459,470, making it the most populous city in Virginia. It is also the sixth-most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic and the 42nd-most populous city in the U.S.

2020: Profanity Law Repealed

In early 2020, the State Legislature repealed Virginia Beach's law that prohibited profanity in public spaces.

2021: Walk Score Ranking

A 2021 study by Walk Score ranked Virginia Beach as the 45th most walkable large city in the United States.

2021: Verizon Fios Limited

As of 2021, Verizon provides its Fios internet service in limited areas of Virginia Beach.

2022: 2022 American Community Survey Estimates

As of the 2022 American Community Survey estimates, Virginia Beach had a population of 455,618 people and 179,752 households.

April 30, 2023: EF-3 Tornado Strikes Great Neck

On April 30, 2023, an EF-3 tornado struck the Great Neck neighborhood in Virginia Beach. It was the strongest tornado on record to hit the city, but miraculously, no one was killed nor injured.