Virginia
City of Norfolk
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City of Norfolk, Virginia
Population: 261,229
Administration: Council of seven non partisan Councillors headed by The Mayor.
Location: 36º50´48"N 76º17´8"W
Norfolk City, Virginia, could well be the best known Norfolk in the world. It is certainly the largest of the world Norfolk Cities.
 Located near downtown Norfolk and overlooking the Hague Inlet of the Elizabeth River, the Chrysler Museum of Art has been called 'one of the pleasantest places in the United States to while the day away'. The National Maritime Center is located on the downtown waterfront in Norfolk, Virginia. Home to the Battleship Wisconsin, Nauticus is an exciting 120,000 square-foot science and technology center exploring the power of the sea.
Norfolk, VA - Norfolk, UK connections
There are so many stories of connections with Norfolk, England, and just one is the tale of young Henry Spelman - son of the High Sheriff of Norfolk England.
In 1608 when still a boy he was captured by Indians. His life was spared due to Princess Pocahontas (later Mrs Rolfe, of Norfolk, England - yet another tale!).
Henry learned the Indian language and when freed became an interpreter to the governor. But then he was killed in a raid by the very people whom he had championed. There are church memorials in Narborough, Norfolk, England; but now no more Spelman family.
History Of Norfolk
An introduction by Peggy Hale McPhillips
The English arrived in 1624 with land granted by King James 1 and then gain by King Charles 1 to Thomas Willoughby - some 700 acres in all. Another early settler, Adam Thoroughgood, christened the area 'New Norfolk' after his home county.
 The significance of Norfolk as a major port was when The Crown ordered storehouses to receive imported goods - and tobacco for export. Norfolk was incorporated as a city in 1845.
In 1776 on New Years day, The Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, ordered an attack on the then Borough of Norfolk and destroyed most of the early buildings - this was the only American town completely destroyed and then rebuilt by the end of the century. (A cannon ball in the wall of St Pauls church is an historical reminder).
Virginia surrendered to Federal troops and after the civil war Norfolk became the greatest port in the world.
Norfolk City grew to its present size from the reorganisations between 1887 and 1959 and two world wars brought the population to its present, ever growing size.
From 50 acres of land and a population of 1, Norfolk has grown to 66 square miles and a population of more than 200,000.
(Full edition lodged in the Norwich USAAF library UK)
By the 1890's Norfolk was a thriving City and Port, and just across the Elizabeth River, two new Norfolk's were being planned - Port Norfolk and West Norfolk.
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