Norfolk History

[BFG]

Looking through the page, let it be known that I LOVE this picture...

http://nrha.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Historical/G0000sjxf1Fx4fek/I0000is.rFWFXrp0

 

It's like a mini-Times Square...really hate that a lot of downtown Norfolk's history fell off. I know we've discussed how they changed the grid for the better, but I'd love to see a downtown that stretched all the way to Tidewater Drive and across Brambleton...

[Ghentite]

I touched on it last week, but apparently the city is looking at lighting consultants to come in and do something with Granby.  Nobody has a timeframe yet, but I'd be really cool if they brought back arch lighting the way that Short North in Columbus did.

 

http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/throwback-thursday-bring-back-arch.html

[BFG]

Here's a pic of Short North...looks pretty cool!

 

Of course, I'd love to see a return to the pic I linked a couple posts above, but that would be a huge undertaking, esp. since there's not as many downtown stores. It's not really the most practical concept, but I would love to see one of the buildings add a small LED or LCD video screen like you'd see in Times Square. Maybe display headlines, weather/time, things like that, or simply one of the downtown business' logos.

 

All a dream

[Brent]

I lived in the Short North before the lights and have visited since. They were a super addition to the neighborhood.

They would be a great addition to any city!

[skylinefan]

Should have posted this pic during the Christmas Season.  Downtown Norfolk was the premier shopping district for the Tidewater region during the war years.  Can you imagine Granby Street looking this busy today?

 

Edited March 11, 2015 by skylinefan

[skylinefan]

Great Historical video footage of Downtown Norfolk in the 1920s from the airship ZDUS-1. 

 

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675036617_airship-ZDUS-1_crew-members_ships-at-harbor_navigation-captain

Edited April 8, 2015 by skylinefan

[brikkman]

Weird seeing the city like that.

Wonder what Norfolk would look like today if they never tore down so much.

[urbanvb]

I went downtown last weekend and checked out MacArthur memorial and visitor center. For all you history buffs this is a must see. I had no idea the general was actually laid to rest inside the memorial. And the new library is very fascinating especially the old interactive photos of the city. The old Seaboard building which is an awesome building and a treasure to be preserved in this way.

[skylinefan]

Urbanvb here is a link of historical footage of McAurthur's funeral procession, funeral and internment in 1964.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMSDNpGLMiU

[skylinefan]

Scope under construction September 1969.

[Helium3]

I think photos like this are a good reminder that as much as Norfolk could still be improved, the city really has come a long way in these past few decades. There's definitely a lot to be proud of. 

[BFG]

I love and hate pictures like that one. Love because downtown was a blank canvas about 50 years ago, so I always wonder how it would look with taller buildings closer together, and fewer parking garages. 

Hate it (more dislike than anything) because I feel our city lacks in tall, unique architecture. I'd really like to play SimCity with late-60s downtown.

[skylinefan]

Picture from today's Virginian Pilot of the Virginia National Bank Building under construction in 1967.

Edited January 23, 2017 by skylinefan

[skylinefan]

Found this great news clip from WAVY TV 10 on Granby Mall in 1979. 

 

Edited March 8, 2017 by skylinefan

[skylinefan]

Photo of Plume St. at Monticello early 1950s?

[mikeas]

Looks to be Monticello and City Hall looking towards Granby.  You can see the Royster and the "Leaning Tower" down the block.

[BFG]

Is that a "Hotel Monticello" sign on the right edge of the photo?

Every time I see a photo of downtown from the 40s-60s, I'm amazed at how we lost all that, even with the suburbs popping up in the early-60s. I really can't believe downtown Norfolk went from that to a ghost town in the 70s and 80s. Imagine how this city would be had it never fallen off. That picture looks like something out of NYC.

[ntheo]

10 hours ago, BFG said:

Is that a "Hotel Monticello" sign on the right edge of the photo?

Every time I see a photo of downtown from the 40s-60s, I'm amazed at how we lost all that, even with the suburbs popping up in the early-60s. I really can't believe downtown Norfolk went from that to a ghost town in the 70s and 80s. Imagine how this city would be had it never fallen off. That picture looks like something out of NYC.

I think it needs to be put into context. At that time there were far fewer options for retail than we have now. Blue laws were in place that restricted hours of operation. Virginia Beach was getting going in the 60's and Chesapeake was still years off for development so the majority of the population was within shopping range of downtown.

When our family moved here in the mid-70's the only places to shop were downtown, Military Circle/Janaf and Pembroke Mall plus Wards Corner and Princess Anne Plaza. Saturdays were crowded in a way that we can never experience today because of the internet, our 24/7 culture and the vast amount of shopping centers. Once you passed Pembroke Mall on Virginia Beach Blvd. headed east immediately past Willis Wayside it was open wooded land to Rosemont Road. Great Neck Road was two lanes through farms and woods its whole length, and with the exception of Kempsville everything below the "toll road" (I-264) was rural. 

[BFG]

The Naro is celebrating 40 years in business, and their Facebook page posted this blast from the past. Apparently, Ghent as we know it really took off in the late-70s. Hopefully the video will load...check out the late, great Ed Hughes on the anchor desk!

 

[skylinefan]

The corner of College Place and Granby 1943.

[skylinefan]

From Today's Virginian Pilot.  Norfolk readying for the Holidays on Granby St. in the 50s.

[skylinefan]

Picture of the demolition of Atlantic City neighborhood in the 60s.  In the background is the new Norfolk General Hospital tower. 

Edited January 8, 2018 by skylinefan
Picture did not load properly.

[BFG]

The first one is a broken link on my end.

[EJ_LEWIS]

Here is a film reel from the Ford Motor Company showing many images of Norfolk circa 1917.  A lot of the buildings shown in the video are still standing. 

 

[skylinefan]

1963  film on the redevelopment of Downtown Norfolk.  Gives you some perspective on the attitudes of the time.https://youtu.be/Nde92jgpKnw