Everything Suffolk is known for
A vast swamp on the Virginia-North Carolina border where George Washington tried to drain it and enslaved people found freedom in its depths.
35 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Hold on to your peanuts! This unassuming building played a major role in Virginia's agricultural history. Since around 1902, this site has been the heart of peanut processing in Suffolk. By 1932, the Suffolk Peanut…
Imagine colonial Virginians gathering here almost 300 years ago – right where you're driving now. This is Glebe Church, built in 1737, a vital part of the early Anglican community in this area. Construction began in…
A vast swamp on the Virginia-North Carolina border where George Washington tried to drain it and enslaved people found freedom in its depths.
Ever wonder what makes a place a community? Whaleyville Historic District offers a glimpse into the heart of a thriving African-American community established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This area, listed…
Pull over here! You're about to discover a surprisingly well-preserved slice of early 20th-century Virginia life in Holland Historic District. Holland blossomed as a crossroads community and a vital stop along the…
Pull over and imagine weary travelers from centuries ago finding respite! Boykin's Tavern has been a welcoming landmark since the late 18th century. The original tavern was built around 1790. Over time, it expanded,…
Pull over a moment and check out Mount Sinai Baptist Church, a powerful symbol of faith and community for African Americans in Suffolk. In 1921, the congregation, many of whom were skilled brick masons, built this…
Imagine a shortcut through the wilderness, carved by hand and back-breaking labor – that's the Dismal Swamp Canal. Construction began in 1793, spearheaded by visionaries like Patrick Henry. The goal? To create a…
You're now approaching the East Radford Historic District, a place that tells the story of Radford's boomtown days. It's a neighborhood that sprang to life after the railroad arrived, transforming a small depot into a…
Ever wonder what it was like to walk through a bustling colonial port city? You're standing in it! Downtown Portsmouth is a living museum, with over 200 buildings that tell the story of this historic place. This area…
Marvel at the architecture of this late 19th-century Knights of Pythias building, a unique landmark in Portsmouth. This is the Pythian Castle, built between 1897 and 1898 for the Atlantic Lodge, Knights of Pythias. It's…
Step back in time to a place where movies were more than just a screen: the Commodore Theatre. Built in 1945, this Art Deco gem was *the* place to be in Portsmouth. Originally seating 1,000 moviegoers, the Commodore…
Stand near this peaceful spot, and you're close to the final resting place of a true American hero. This is the Josiah Parker Family Cemetery. Colonel Josiah Parker wasn't just any soldier; he was a leader in the…
You're looking at a true workhorse of American naval history: Drydock Number One at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. It's the oldest operational drydock in the U.S., and it's seen a *lot*. Construction began in 1827, and it…
This spot isn't just a town square; it's a place where history grapples with memory. The Confederate Monument, erected here between 1876 and 1881, stood as a powerful symbol for decades. It was a 35-foot obelisk made of…
Imagine Portsmouth bustling with activity, the air thick with the scent of coal and the rumble of locomotives. This is where the Seaboard Coastline Building, originally known as the Seaboard Air Line Railroad building,…
Hold onto your hats, folks, because you've stumbled upon a town frozen in time! Smithfield, Virginia, isn't just a pretty place; it's a living, breathing history book. Smithfield's story really took off in the 18th and…
Imagine the weighty decisions made within these walls – this is the Old Isle of Wight Courthouse! For half a century, starting in 1750, this building served as the center of justice for Isle of Wight County. Constructed…
Ever wonder how America protected its harbors in the early days? Fort Norfolk is a perfect example. Built between 1795 and 1809, this fort was part of George Washington's plan for coastal defense. It played a role in…
Step aboard, virtually, the USS Wisconsin, a WWII-era battleship that saw action in the Pacific and Korea, and now serves as a museum. Completed in 1944, she joined the fight in the Pacific. She shelled Japanese-held…
Step back in time at this historic shopping arcade built in 1907 in the Beaux Arts style. The Monticello Arcade was built on land leased from the Selden Grandy Estate. It's a three-story building with a steel frame,…
Catch a show at the Wells Theatre, a beautifully restored performing arts venue that has been entertaining Norfolk audiences for decades. Built by the vaudeville impresario Jake Wells, the Wells Theatre opened its doors…
These walls have witnessed Norfolk's transformation from a bustling colonial port to a modern city. Built around 1791, the Taylor–Whittle House is a prime example of Federal-style architecture, popular in the early days…
Keep an eye out for a lonely sentinel rising from the water – the Newport News Middle Ground Light, the oldest caisson lighthouse in Virginia. Built in 1891, this lighthouse marked a dangerous shoal in the James River,…
You're looking at a survivor! Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is the only colonial-era building still standing after the devastating Burning of Norfolk in 1776. During the Revolutionary War, Norfolk was a key port city.…
Norfolk, Virginia, owes its name to a land across the Atlantic. Established as a borough in 1736, the city was named in honor of Norfolk, England, a county known for its flatlands, broad skies, and maritime history. The…
Get ready to be amazed by art! The Chrysler Museum isn't just another museum; it's a testament to how one person's passion can transform a city. It all started in 1933 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. Then,…
Chesapeake, Virginia, sits squarely on land carved out by the English, but its story is more complex than a simple colonial narrative. Early settlers, drawn by the promise of tobacco farming, came primarily from…
Get ready to shift gears back in time! This area, now known as the Norfolk Auto Row Historic District, was once the heart of the city's car culture. Originally a low-income housing area in the early 1900s, this area…
Railroads built America, and this district shows how Norfolk rode that iron horse to prosperity. Centered around the Norfolk and Western Railroad tracks, this area exploded between 1890 and 1930, becoming a hub of…
This humble cemetery whispers tales of resilience and remembrance, a place where Norfolk's African American history is etched in stone. Established in 1873, West Point Cemetery, also known as Potter's Field, served as a…
Marvel at the Hotel Warwick, a seven-story building showcasing an eclectic mix of Gothic Revival and Art Deco styles. It was the first skyscraper, first tower hotel, and first fireproof hotel in Newport News. Built in…
Right here, in 1775, colonial forces handed the British a major defeat at the Battle of Great Bridge, a pivotal moment in the early days of the Revolutionary War. Royal Governor Lord Dunmore had fortified the south side…
Newport News, Virginia, hums with a unique energy, a blend of maritime grit and forward-looking innovation. The city owes its existence to its deepwater access, a feature that caught the eye of Collis P. Huntington, who…
Step back in time as you pass Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery, a window into Norfolk's rich Catholic heritage. Established in 1854 by the pastor of St. Mary's Church, it became the final resting place for Catholics from…