Hampton is an independent city in Virginia, and therefore not part of any Virginia county. One of the Seven Cities of Hampton Roads, it is on the southeast end of the Virginia Peninsula, bordering on Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay. It's the sixth most populous city in Virginia, the most populous settlement with the name, and one of the oldest cities in the United States.
As of the 2000 U.S. census, the city population was 146,437, but the census estimate for 2005 showed that the city's population was down slightly to 145,579[3].
Hampton hosts Fort Monroe, Langley Air Force Base, NASA Langley Research Center, the Virginia Air and Space Center, and features a wide array of business and industrial enterprises, retail and residential areas, historical sites, and miles of waterfront and beaches.
History
In December 1606, three ships carrying men and boys left England on a mission sponsored by a proprietary company. Headed by Captain Christopher Newport, they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. After an exceptionally long voyage, they first landed at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay on the south shore at a place they named Cape Henry (for the Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, the elder son of their king).
During the first few days of exploration, they identified the site of Old Point Comfort (which they originally named "Point Comfort") as a strategic defensive location at the entrance to what became known as Hampton Roads, which itself is formed by the confluence of the Elizabeth River, the Nansemond River, and the James River, the longest in Virginia.
A few weeks later, on May 14, 1607, they established the first permanent English settlement in the present-day United States about 25 miles (40 km) further inland from the Bay along the James River at Jamestown. The area around Old Point Comfort became the site of several successive fortifications during the following 200 years.
Slightly south, near the entrance to Hampton River, the Native American community of Kecoughtan was seized from the natives by colonists under Virginia's Governor, Sir Thomas Gates. The colonists established their own small town, with St. John's Church, in 1610, which came to be known as part of Hampton. (That forms the basis for Hampton's claim to the oldest continuously occupied English settlement in the United States). Hampton was named for Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, an important leader of the Virginia Company of London, for whom the Hampton River, Hampton Roads, Southampton County and Northampton County were also named. The area became part of Elizabeth Cittie [sic] in 1619, Elizabeth River Shire in 1634, and was included in Elizabeth City County when it was formed in 1643.
Shortly after the War of 1812, the Army of the United States built a much more substantial facility of stone at Old Point Comfort to become known as Fort Monroe in honor of U.S. President James Monroe. The new installation and adjacent Fort Calhoun on a man-made island across the channel) were completed in 1834.
Fort Monroe, Hampton and the surrounding area played several important roles during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Although most of Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, Fort Monroe remained in Union hands. It became notable as a historic and symbolic site of early freedom for former slaves under the provisions of contraband policies and later the Emancipation Proclamation. After the War, former Confederate President, Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in the area now known as the Casemate Museum on the base.
To the south of Fort Monroe, the Town of Hampton had the misfortune to be burned during both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. From the ruins of Hampton left by evacuating Confederates in 1861, "Contraband" slaves (formerly owned by Confederates and under a degree of Union protection) built the Grand Contraband Camp, the first self-contained African American community in the United States. A number of modern-day Hampton streets retain their names from that community. The large number of contrabands who sought the refuge of Fort Jefferson and the Grand Contraband Camp led to educational efforts which eventually included establishment of Hampton University, site of the famous Emancipation Oak.
The original site of the Native American's Kecoughtan Settlement was near the present site of a Hampton Roads Transit facility[4]. To the south of present-day Hampton, a small unrelated incorporated town also named Kecoughtan many years later and also located in Elizabeth City County was annexed by the City of Newport News in 1927, and now forms part of that city's East End.
Long a town in Elizabeth City County, Hampton became an independent city from Elizabeth City County on March 30, 1908 [5], although it remained the county seat and continued to share many services with the county. On July 1, 1952, following approval of voters of each locality by referendum, the City of Hampton, the incorporated town of Phoebus and Elizabeth City County were all politically consolidated into a single independent city under the name of Hampton.[6] It was the first of a series of political consolidations in the Hampton Roads region during the third quarter of the 20th century.
Geography
Hampton is located at 37°2′5″N 76°21′36″W / 37.03472°N 76.36°W / 37.03472; -76.36 (37.034946, -76.360126)[7].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 352.8 square kilometers (136.2 sq mi). 134.1 square kilometers (51.8 sq mi) of it is land and 218.7 square kilometers (84.4 sq mi) of it (61.99%) is water.
Adjacent counties and cities
- York County, Virginia (north)
- Poquoson, Virginia (northeast)
- Norfolk, Virginia (south; border within the waters of Hampton Roads)
- Newport News, Virginia (south and west)
- Portsmouth, Virginia south, water boundary only, across Hampton Roads
- Northampton County, Virginia - east, water boundary only, across Chesapeake Bay
Climate
Hampton's mild four season climate means outdoor activities can be enjoyed year round. The weather in Hampton is temperate and seasonal. Summers are hot and humid with cool evenings. The mean annual temperature is 60 °F (15 °C), with an average annual snowfall of 6 inches (150 mm) and an average annual rainfall of 47 inches (1,200 mm). No measurable snow fell in 1999. The wettest seasons are the spring and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. The highest recorded temperature was 105.0 °F (40.6 °C) in 1980. The lowest recorded temperature was −3 °F (−19 °C) on January 21, 1985.[8],[9]
Additionally, the geographic location of the city, with respect to the principal storm tracks, is especially favorable, as it is south of the average path of storms originating in the higher latitudes, and north of the usual tracks of hurricanes and other major tropical storms. [10]
Demographics
Age distribution in Hampton
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 146,437 people, 53,887 households, and 35,888 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,828.0 people per square mile (1,091.9/km²). There were 57,311 housing units at an average density of 1,106.8/sq mi (427.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.55% White, 44.68% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. 2.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 53,887 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution is 24.2% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.6 males.
Population update: estimated population in July 2002: 145,921 (-0.4% change) Males: 72,579 (49.6%), Females: 73,858 (50.4%) Source
The Census estimate for 2005 shows that the city's population was down slightly to more, 145,579[3].
The median income for a household in the city was $39,532, and the median income for a family was $46,110. Males had a median income of $31,666 versus $24,578 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,774. About 8.8% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Hampton is served by two airports. The primary airport for the Hampton Roads area is Norfolk International Airport, on the opposite side of Hampton Roads in Norfolk. The region's secondary airport, Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, is located on the Virginia Peninsula in Newport News.
Media
Hampton's daily newspaper is the Daily Press. Other papers include the Port Folio Weekly, the New Journal and Guide, and the Hampton Roads Business Journal.[11] Hampton Roads Magazine serves as a bi-monthly regional magazine for Hampton and the Hampton Roads area.[12] Hampton is served by a variety of radio stations on the AM and FM dials, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area.[13]
Hampton is also served by several television stations. The Hampton Roads designated market area (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.).[14] The major network television affiliates are WTKR-TV 3 (CBS), WAVY 10 (NBC), WVEC-TV 13 (ABC), WGNT 27 (CW), WTVZ 33 (MyNetworkTV), WVBT 43 (FOX), and WPXV 49 (ION Television). The Public Broadcasting Service station is WHRO-TV 15. Hampton residents also can receive independent stations, such as WSKY broadcasting on channel 4 from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and WGBS broadcasting on channel 7. Hampton is served by Cox Cable which provides LNC 5, a local 24-hour cable news network. DirecTV and Dish Network are also popular as an alternative to cable television in Hampton.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Hampton City Public Schools bus.
Hampton City Public Schools operates public schools.
- Moton Early Childhood Center
- Aberdeen Elementary School
- Armstrong Fundamental Elementary School
- Asbury Elementary School
- Barron Elementary School
- Bassette Elementary School
- Booker Elementary School
- Bryan Elementary School
- Burbank Elementary School
- Cary Elementary School
- Cooper magnet Elementary School
- Forrest Elementary School
- Kraft Elementary School
- Langley Elementary School
- Lee Elementary School
- Machen Elementary School
- Mallory Elementary School
- Mary Peake Elementary School
- Merrimack Elementary School
- Phillips Elementary School
- Phinex prek-8 school(under construction)
- Smith Elementary School
- Tarrant Elementary School
- Tucker-Capps Fundamental Elementary School
- Tyler Elementary School
- Wythe Elementary School
- Eaton Fundamental Middle School
- Gloria Dei Lutheran School
- Jefferson Davis Middle School
- Jones Magnet Middle School
- Lindsay Middle School
- Spratley Middle School
- Syms Middle School
- Bethel High School
- Hampton High School
- Kecoughtan High School
- Phoebus High School
Private schools include:
Colleges and universities
Hampton University provides a private collegiate education. Thomas Nelson Community College serves as the community college. Located in the north side of Hampton and in nearby Williamsburg, Thomas Nelson offers college and career training programs.Newport News contains Christopher Newport University, a public university. Other nearby public universities include Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and The College of William and Mary. [16][17][18][19][20][21]
Defunct schools
- the original Phenix High School on the campus of Hampton University became Phenix Hall.
- A replacement Phenix High School is now the Hampton Family YMCA.
- the former Pembroke High School is now the Hampton Family YMCA.
- Y.H. Thomas Middle School is now the Adult Education Center and a community center.
Major neighborhoods
The old "lighthouse" at Buckroe Beach was built as a part of the amusement park.
Points of interest
F-89J s/n 52-2129 on display at the
Air Power Park and Museum in Hampton, Virginia.
Infrastructure
Hampton is served by two airports. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located in Newport News, and Norfolk International Airport, in Norfolk, both cater to passengers from Hampton Roads. The primary airport for the Virginia Peninsula is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. The Airport is experiencing a 4th year of record, double-digit growth, making it one of the fastest growing airports in the country. In January 2006, the airport reported having served 1,058,839 passengers. [22] Norfolk International Airport (IATA: ORF, ICAO: KORF, FAA LID: ORF), serves the region. The airport is located near Chesapeake Bay, along the city limits of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.[23] Seven airlines provide nonstop services to twenty five destinations. ORF had 3,703,664 passengers take off or land at its facility and 68,778,934 pounds of cargo were processed through its facilities.[24] The Chesapeake Regional Airport provides general aviation services and is located on the other side of the Hampton Roads Harbor.[25]
Transportation within the city, as well as with other Seven Cities of Hampton Roads is served by a regional bus service, Hampton Roads Transit [26].
Notable Hamptonians
- American history
- George Wythe, classical scholar, first law professor in U.S., mayor of Williamsburg, House of Burgesses member, attorney general of Virginia Colony, Continental Congress member, speaker of the state assembly, a framer of the federal Constitution, signer of the Declaration of Independence; teacher/mentor of James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay, John Marshall
- Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, imprisoned in a casemate at Fort Monroe after the American Civil War
- Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Union general in American Civil War; founder of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, later Hampton University
- Booker Taliaferro Washington, protégé of General Samuel C. Armstrong at Hampton Institute; educator, author, African-American statesman
- Music
- Science
- Roy F. Brissenden, World War II pilot, physicist, aeronautical engineer, mechanical engineer, teacher, inventor, project leader at Hampton, Langley Research Center NACA / NASA; great genius of the Apollo Program
- Christopher C. Kraft, Jr, aeronautical engineer; administrator at Hampton, Langley Research Center NACA / NASA; great flight director of the space program
- Sports
- Robert Banks, Linebacker/defensive end; national high school player of the year by the Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club in 1982
- Elton Brown, offensive lineman of the Arizona Cardinals
- Ronald Curry, professional football player for the Oakland Raiders, former Hampton High School star football quarterback
- La'Keshia Frett, former WNBA basketball player; led Phoebus High School to state championship in 1992
- Shaun Gayle, Special Teams captain of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears football team, and played with the San Diego Chargers
- Marques Hagans, quarterback/wide receiver with the St. Louis Rams
- Chris Hanburger, popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s
- Allen Iverson, all-star basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
- Jerod Mayo, NFL linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Dwight Stephenson, professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Other
Sister cities
Hampton has four sister cities:[27]
Notes and references
See also
External links
