The Richmond Times-Dispatch ( RTD or TD for short) is the primary daily newspaper in Richmond , Virginia , and the primary newspaper of record for the state of Virginia.
124-599: The Times-Dispatch has the second-highest circulation of any Virginia newspaper, after Norfolk 's The Virginian-Pilot . In addition to the Richmond area ( Petersburg , Chester , Hopewell , Colonial Heights and surrounding areas), the Times-Dispatch has substantial readership in Charlottesville , Lynchburg , and Waynesboro . As the primary paper of the state's capital, the Times-Dispatch serves as
248-601: A $ 45 million revolving line of credit. Berkshire Hathaway received a seat on Media General's board of directors and an option to purchase a 19.9% stake in the company. The deal closed on June 25, 2012. Lee Enterprises acquired the Richmond Times-Dispatch and eight other Virginia newspapers they already manage for Berkshire Hathaway in March 2020 as part of a larger $ 140 million deal that included 111 publications across 10 states. In July 2022, Kelly Till became
372-533: A brief period, alligators in the lobby fountain. Not only did the Jefferson become an icon of Ginter's immeasurable dedication to his adopted city, it symbolized Richmond's growing post-war prosperity. While working in New York City after the war, Ginter met John Pope, a messenger boy who delivered packages to his firm. Pope was born in New York City in 1856 to a German immigrant family. His father
496-646: A career in banking. First joining the firm of Harrison & Company, he experienced great financial success. But his renewed fortune was short-lived. The Black Friday gold panic in 1869 forced Ginter to use his personal fortune to settle heavy debts his firm incurred. Having lost all of his wealth once again, Ginter sold tobacco on consignment in New York for Richmond tobacconist John F. Allen. In 1872, Ginter decided to return to affordable Richmond. In 1872, Ginter joined John F. Allen to form John F. Allen & Company, which manufactured chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and
620-569: A center cover story on a regional business-related issue and is filled with events for the coming week, advice columnists and gadget reviews. In June 2006, the decision was made to remove the stock tables from the daily sections beginning July 15 and replace the numerous pages with a "Markets Review" section for subscribers who request it. The stock section was eliminated in 2009, as was the Sunday Real Estate section (both were cost-cutting moves). The Sunday Business section, which had been
744-591: A city. On June 7, 1855, the 183-foot vessel Benjamin Franklin put into Hampton Roads for repairs. The ship had just sailed from the West Indies , where there had been an outbreak of yellow fever . The port health officer ordered the ship quarantined. After eleven days, a second inspection found no issues, so it was allowed to dock. A few days later, the first cases of yellow fever were discovered in Norfolk, and
868-546: A considerable fortune throughout his numerous business ventures and became one of Richmond's wealthiest citizens despite his exceptionally modest demeanor. While the Jefferson Hotel and Ginter Park embody some of Ginter's major urban contributions to Richmond , many of his philanthropic gifts were given anonymously to charitable organizations and individuals in need. Ginter served in the Confederacy, attaining
992-744: A factory with twenty young, white women, who hand-rolled the cigarettes. Initially, the cigarettes weren't successful in the South, where men overwhelmingly preferred chewing tobacco. Around 1880, the firm was renamed Allen & Ginter . Ginter's "Richmond Gem" cigarettes were first a hit in London where, with help from his agent, John Morgan Richards , they were marketed as a foreign novelty. Allen & Ginter also manufactured cigarettes with "Turkish" tobacco or blends. Their brands included "Richmond Straight-Cut No. 1," "The Pet," "Dubec," "Opera Puffs," and "Our Little Beauties." In 1881, with growing competition in
1116-447: A female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06. The age distribution was 24.0% under the age of 18, 18.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
1240-524: A freestyle, Richardsonian Romanesque mansion in an elite neighborhood at 901 West Franklin Street . In modern times, the structure became property of Virginia Commonwealth University and it was known as the " Ginter House ." In September 2020, the University’s Board of Visitors voted to "de-commemorate" several buildings on campus named for members of the Confederacy including Ginter's home. The house
1364-447: A large internal market for slavery. The invention of the cotton gin in the late-eighteenth century had made profitable the cultivation of short-staple cotton in the uplands, which was widely practiced. The American Colonization Society proposed to " repatriate " free blacks and freed slaves to Africa by establishing the new colony of Liberia and paying for transportation. But most African Americans wanted to stay in their birthplace of
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#17327935663131488-494: A long history tied to the Chesapeake Bay . The city's revitalization in recent decades has transformed neighborhoods such as Downtown , Ghent and Fairmount Park . Popular residential neighborhoods include Ghent, Colonial Place, Larchmont, North Shore, Edgewater, and Lafayette Shores. Narrative below is based on climate data from the 1991–2020 period. Norfolk has a humid subtropical climate and its USDA Hardiness Zone
1612-404: A machinist died from the disease on July 8. By August, several people were dying per day, and a third of the city's population had fled in the hopes of escaping the epidemic. No one understood how the disease was transmitted. With both Norfolk and Portsmouth being infected, New York banned all traffic from those sites. Neighboring cities also banned residents from Norfolk. The epidemic spread through
1736-704: A manufacturing plant located on the Elizabeth River that had produced the Model-T, sedans and station wagons before building F-150 pick-up trucks. Before it closed, the plant employed more than 2,600 people at the 2,800,000 sq ft (260,000 m ) facility. Lewis Ginter Lewis Ginter (April 4, 1824 – October 2, 1897) was a prominent businessman, financier, military officer, real estate developer, and philanthropist centered in Richmond , Virginia . A native of New York City , Ginter accumulated
1860-414: A multitude of sports, or those who had little or no prior experience in a sport which they now excel in. The business desk consists only of six reporters; they cover technology, retail, energy, insurance, banking, economics, real estate, manufacturing, transportation and consumer issues. Unlike many newspapers, the Times-Dispatch produces a widely read Monday business section, Metro Business. It contains
1984-672: A newspaper of record for rural regions of the state that lack large local papers. The Times-Dispatch lists itself as "Virginia's News Leader" on its masthead . Although the Richmond Compiler was published in Virginia's capital beginning in 1815, and merged with a later newspaper called The Times , the Times and Compiler failed in 1853, despite an attempt of former banker James A. Cowardin and William H. Davis to revive it several years before. In 1850, Cowardin and Davis established
2108-601: A number of executive roles, including Vice President of Allen & Ginter in 1888, and President of the Crystal Ice Company, James River Marl and Bone Phosphate Company, and Powhatan Clay Manufacturing Company. When the American Tobacco Company was formed in 1890, Pope served as vice-president and managed the centralized cigarette operations in Richmond. Like Ginter, Pope was involved in a number of philanthropic activities, and strove to avoid
2232-413: A policy of " massive resistance ". (At this time, most black citizens were still disfranchised under the state's turn-of-the-century constitution and discriminatory practices related to voter registration and elections.) The Virginia General Assembly prohibited state funding for integrated public schools. In 1958, United States district courts in Virginia ordered schools to open for the first time on
2356-641: A private mausoleum in Hollywood Cemetery, overlooking the James River . At the time of his death, Ginter had amassed one of the largest personal fortunes in the South. His enduring commitment to Richmond is evidenced in his significant investments in real estate, business, and most notably, his philanthropic activity. Even while Ginter was traveling abroad, he reportedly ordered items from Richmond to support local merchants. His will included gifts to almost every charity and public institution in
2480-670: A racially integrated basis. In response, Governor J. Lindsay Almond ordered the schools closed. The Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals declared the state law to be in conflict with the state constitution and ordered all public schools to be funded, whether integrated or not. About ten days later, Almond capitulated and asked the General Assembly to rescind several "massive resistance" laws. In February 1959, seventeen black children entered six previously segregated Norfolk public schools. Virginian-Pilot editor Lenoir Chambers editorialized against massive resistance and earned
2604-656: A rival newspaper called the Richmond Dispatch , and by 1852 the Dispatch bragged of having circulation three times as large as any other daily paper in the city, and advertising dominated even its front page. Cowardin began his only term in the Virginia House of Delegates (as a Whig ) in 1853, but many thought the city's pre-eminent paper the Richmond Examiner . John Hammersley bought half of
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#17327935663132728-472: A showcase of general business-interest stories and features, has been rechristened Moneywise and now features primarily consumer-related coverage. Moneywise is also among select Sunday business sections nationwide that print Wall Street Journal Sunday pages. In August 2019, the RTD publicized on its pages a large book of photos and text relating to the history of the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper, offering
2852-416: A simple construction. In the early nineteenth century, Neoclassical architectural elements began to appear in the federal style row homes, such as ionic columns in the porticoes and classic motifs over doorways and windows. Many Federal-style row houses were modernized by placing a Greek-style porch at the front. Greek and Roman elements were integrated into public buildings such as the old City Hall,
2976-417: A small line of cigars. Shortly after, at Ginter's urging, the firm was the first to manufacture cigarettes with mild, 100% domestic bright leaf tobacco, grown in the Virginia and North Carolina piedmont, rather than with strong "Turkish" tobaccos. When the firm released its first cigarettes in 1875, it was the first in the South to manufacture cigarettes as its primary branded product. Early production began in
3100-556: A substantial discount to online readers. Staff photographer Bob Brown was asked to write about his long association with the newspaper, and his resulting article was "The Summer of '69". On July 12, 2006, Richmond-based news magazine Style Weekly ran a cover story titled "Truth and Consequences," a piece that took a look at the Times-Dispatch 's operations as the paper settled into its first year with new management. The report described new editor Glenn Proctor, who took over Nov. 14, 2005, as an "inelegant, blunt and harsh critic — to
3224-801: A suburb. Additionally, Norfolk is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC Combined Statistical Area , which includes the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA, the Elizabeth City, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area , and the Kill Devil Hills, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area. The CSA is the 32nd largest in the nation with an estimated population in 2013 of 1,810,266. In addition to extensive riverfront property, Norfolk has miles of bayfront resort property and beaches in
3348-566: A town until the 1700s. When the establishment of the House of Burgesses introduced representative government to the colony in 1619, governor Sir George Yeardley divided the developed portion the colony into four incorporated jurisdictions, termed citties. The land on which Norfolk now sits fell under Elizabeth Cittie incorporation. In 1634 King Charles I reorganized the colony into a system of shires , and Elizabeth Cittie became Elizabeth City Shire . After persuading 105 people to settle in
3472-567: A world-class hotel known as the Jefferson . An estimated 5 to 10 million dollars was invested in the realization of the hotel before it opened on October 31, 1895. It was immediately praised as one of the finest hotels in the country. Ginter commissioned Edward V. Valentine to create a life-size sculpture of Thomas Jefferson from Carrara marble to be displayed as the centerpiece of the upper lobby. Additional novelties included exotic palm trees from Central and South America, numerous antiques, Turkish and Russian baths, electric elevators, and for
3596-596: Is 8a. Spring arrives in March with mild days and cool nights, and by late May, the temperature has warmed up considerably to herald warm summer days. Summers are consistently warm and humid, but the nearby Atlantic Ocean often exercises a slight cooling effect on daytime high temperatures, but a slight warming effect on nighttime low temperatures (compared to areas farther inland). As such, temperatures reach 90 °F (32 °C) or higher on an average 35 days annually, and 100 °F (37.8 °C) are uncommon, occurring in fewer than one-third of all years. On average, July
3720-689: Is a major military center, particularly for the United States Navy , and Norfolk serves as the home for Naval Station Norfolk , the world's largest naval installation. Located on Sewell's Point Peninsula , in the northwest corner of the city, the station is the headquarters of the United States Fleet Forces Command (formerly known as the Atlantic Fleet), which compromises over 62,000 active-duty personnel, 75 ships, and 132 aircraft. The base also serves as
3844-665: Is attributable to increases in defense spending. After the military, the second largest and most important industry for Hampton Roads and Norfolk based on economic impact are the region's cargo ports. Headquartered in Norfolk, the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) is a Commonwealth of Virginia owned entity that, in turn, owns and operates three major port facilities in Hampton Roads for break-bulk and container type cargo. In Norfolk, Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) represents one of those three facilities and
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3968-480: Is dedicated to outdoors articles. The "Scoreboard," which features minor-league standings, sports-betting, and other sports scores, also gives tide measurements, river levels, and skiing conditions, depending on the season. Virginians have traditionally been highly supportive of high school athletics, and its flagship paper is a testament to that. Particular emphasis is given to American football and basketball ; The Times-Dispatch ranks area teams in these sports, in
4092-587: Is home to the world's largest and fastest container cranes. Together, the three terminals of the VPA handled a total of over 2 million TEUs and 475,000 tons of breakbulk cargo in 2006, making it the second busiest port on the east coast of North America by total cargo volume after the Port of New York and New Jersey. In addition to NIT, Norfolk is home to the Lambert's Point docks, the largest coal trans-shipment point in
4216-557: Is now simply known as the "VCU Administration Building". Ginter was inspired by the suburban developments in Melbourne and Sydney that he visited on one of many business trips marketing for Allen & Ginter . Beginning in 1888, Ginter and John Pope began assembling large tracts of land just north of Richmond in Henrico County , with the intention of developing an upscale streetcar suburb . Their purchases included part of
4340-439: Is the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., with ten cities. Norfolk was incorporated in 1705. Bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay , the city shares land borders with the independent cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. With coastline along multiple bodies of water, Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, including beaches on
4464-422: Is the warmest month, with a normal mean temperature of 81.1 °F (27.3 °C). On average, July and August are the wettest months, due to frequent summer thunderstorm activity. In August and September, rainfall remains high, due to rising frequency of tropical activity (hurricanes and tropical storms), which can bring high winds and heavy rains. These usually brush Norfolk and only occasionally make landfalls in
4588-400: Is very vulnerable to sea level rise , with water levels expected to rise by more than 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) by the end of the 21st century. The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point, where many railroad lines started. It is linked to its neighbors by an extensive network of interstate highways , bridges , tunnels , and three bridge-tunnel complexes. In
4712-533: The 2003 invasion of Iraq and a flat income tax . However, the paper is not unilaterally conservative; for example, a 2005 editorial called for the then House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to relinquish his leadership position on ethical grounds. There are also some liberal syndicated columnists who appear frequently, especially Leonard Pitts . During the Civil Rights Movement , the Times-Dispatch , like nearly every major newspaper in Virginia,
4836-477: The 2020 census , Norfolk had a population of 238,005, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Beach and Chesapeake , and the 96th-most populous city in the nation . Norfolk holds a strategic position as the historical, urban, financial, and cultural center of the Hampton Roads region (sometimes called " Tidewater "), which has more than 1.8 million inhabitants and
4960-704: The American Revolution but were insufficient to allow the Royal Governor of Virginia John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore to make Norfolk his new capital after fleeing Williamsburg in 1775. On New Year's Day, 1776, Lord Dunmore's fleet of three ships shelled the city of Norfolk for more than eight hours. The gunfire, combined with fires started by the British and spread by the Patriots, destroyed more than 800 buildings, constituting nearly two-thirds of
5084-550: The American Tobacco Company in January 1890. Ginter was offered the presidency, but declined and remained a director until his death. Although Ginter had lived in Richmond for several decades, he did not purchase his first home until 1876. He invited his sister, Jane Arents, and three of her daughters, Grace, Joanna, and Minnie, to live with him at 405 East Cary Street. In 1891, he completed construction of
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5208-641: The Battle of Fort Sumter , another vote occurred on April 17, where Blow voted for secession, the vote passed and Virginia seceded from the Union . In the spring of 1862, the Battle of Hampton Roads took place off the northwest shore of the city's Sewell's Point Peninsula , marking the first fight between two ironclads , the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia . The battle ended in a stalemate but changed
5332-565: The College of William and Mary in 1934 (and publishing a biography of his father the following year). John Stewart Bryan reacquired the Times-Dispatch in 1940 when the two papers' business interests merged to form Richmond Newspapers, in which Bryan held a 54-percent interest. That conglomeration is now known as Media General . Other publishers in the Bryan family include D. Tennant Bryan and John Stewart Bryan III. In 1948, Virginius Dabney won
5456-522: The Conservative Party candidate. The revived Dispatch later opposed former Confederate General William Mahone and his Readjuster Party . After James Cowardin died in 1882, his son Charles took the helm (with Ellyson's assistance, and with Ellyson family members handling business operations), and the paper stopped supporting Negro rights, instead criticizing Del. John Mercer Langston with racial stereotypes. In 1886, Lewis Ginter founded
5580-538: The Dispatch and helped found the Associated Press and then became vice-president of the publishing company. Upon his father's death, John Stewart Bryan became owner and publisher of the two papers, but in 1914 sold a controlling interest in the Times-Dispatch to three families. He hired Douglas Southall Freeman as editor of the News Leader in 1915, and remained in control until becoming President of
5704-615: The Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his writing about the protest movements in Richmond in the wake of the murder of George Floyd leading to the removal of many Confederate monuments. Williams joined the paper in 1982 and has been a columnist since 1992. The Richmond Times-Dispatch drew national attention for its coverage of a December 21, 2004, attack by a suicide bomber on an American military base in Mosul , Iraq . The deadliest attack on an American military installation since
5828-491: The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing while editorializing for the Times-Dispatch . On June 1, 1992, four days after its sponsored contestant Amanda Goad won the Scripps National Spelling Bee , the News Leader , which had been losing circulation for many years, ceased publication and was folded into the Times-Dispatch. In 2021, Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams was awarded
5952-432: The Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing . With new suburban developments beckoning, many white middle-class residents moved out of the city along new highway routes, and Norfolk's population declined, a pattern repeated in numerous cities during the postwar era independently of segregation issues. In the late-1960s and early-1970s, the advent of newer suburban shopping destinations along with freeways spelled demise for
6076-693: The Richmond Daily Times . A year later, lawyer Joseph Bryan (1845-1908) bought the Daily Times from Ginter, beginning the paper's long association with the Bryan family. Bryan and Ginter had previously helped revitalize the Tanner & Delany Engine Company, transforming it into the Richmond Locomotive Works , which had 800 employees by 1893 and built 200 locomotives per year. In 1890, the Daily Times changed its name to
6200-609: The Richmond Times . In 1896, Bryan acquired the eight-year-old rival Manchester Leader and launched the Evening Leader . In 1899, the evening Richmond News was founded. John L. Williams, owner of the Dispatch , bought the News in 1900. By 1903, it was obvious Richmond was not big enough to support four papers. That year, Williams and Bryan agreed to merge Richmond's main newspapers. The morning papers merged to become
6324-421: The Richmond Times-Dispatch under Bryan's ownership, while the evening papers merged to become The Richmond News Leader under Williams' ownership. Bryan bought the News Leader in 1908, but died later that year. ( Joseph Bryan Park was donated by his widow, Isobel ("Belle") Stewart Bryan, and named for him). His son John Stewart Bryan had given up his own legal career in 1900 to become a reporter working for
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#17327935663136448-457: The Times-Dispatch 's August 14, 2011 Sunday paper consisted entirely of a Wells Fargo advertisement, commemorating said bank's acquisition of Wachovia properties in Virginia . Notable columnists published include: Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( locally / ˈ n ɔːr f ʊ k / NOR -fuuk ) is an independent city in Virginia , United States. As of
6572-493: The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868 . However, it later accepted the resulting state constitution (after anti-Confederate provisions were stripped) as well as allowing Negroes on juries and in the legislature. Ellyson briefly served as Richmond's mayor in 1870, selected by Richmond's city council appointed by Governor Gilbert C. Walker . After what some called the "Municipal War" because
6696-478: The Willoughby Spit and Ocean View communities. Being low-lying and largely surrounded by water, Norfolk is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by climate change . In addition, the land on which it is built is slowly subsiding . Some areas already flood regularly at high tide, and the city commissioned a study in 2012 to investigate how to address the issue in the future: it reported
6820-590: The tobacco industry , Ginter began leasing James Bonsack 's newly-invented cigarette rolling machine. By 1888, Allen & Ginter employed over 1,000 workers and cigarette production increased from 100,000 per month to 2,000,000 per day. The firm eventually opened offices in London , Paris , and Berlin in order to meet foreign demand for their products. Allen & Ginter continued to prosper until they merged with J. B. Duke , Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company , Goodwin & Company and W.S. Kimball & Company to form
6944-649: The "Tacky Light Tour". Every week, the RTD lists the addresses of houses where the most tacky Christmas lights can be found. In 2004, Matt Burgess created a website devoted to Richmond's Tacky Light Tour, which led to it being featured on the Crazy Christmas Lights show on The Learning Channel (TLC). The international exposure from the recurring TLC broadcast led to this tradition becoming popular in other cities, like Fairfax, Virginia ( DC area ) as well as San Francisco , Los Angeles and Birmingham, Alabama . On May 17, 2012, Media General announced
7068-501: The "Towne of Lower Norfolk County" in 1680. In 1691, a final county subdivision took place when Lower Norfolk County split to form Norfolk County (included in present-day cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake , and parts of Portsmouth ) and Princess Anne County (present-day Virginia Beach ). Norfolk was incorporated in 1705. In 1730, a tobacco inspection site was located here. According to the Tobacco Inspection Act ,
7192-531: The 87th most dangerous city larger than 75,000 inhabitants. In 2010, 4,727 people of Filipino ancestry lived in Norfolk. Chinese immigration occurred after 1885, and in 1995 300 families were members of the Chinese Community Association. Since Norfolk serves as the commercial and cultural center for the unusual geographical region of Hampton Roads (and in its political structure of independent cities), it can be difficult to separate
7316-546: The Chesapeake Bay. The coastal zones are important for the economy. The largest naval base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk , is located in Norfolk along with one of NATO 's two Strategic Command headquarters . Additionally, Norfolk is an important contributor to the Port of Virginia . It is home to Maersk Line, Limited , which manages the world's largest fleet of US-flag vessels . This low-lying coastal infrastructure
7440-632: The City of Norfolk), chiefly on Thoroughgood's recommendation. This area of Virginia became known as the place of entrepreneurs, including men of the Virginia Company of London . Norfolk developed in the late-seventeenth century as a "Half Moone" fort was constructed and 50 acres (200,000 m ) were acquired from local natives of the Powhatan Confederacy in exchange for 10,000 pounds of tobacco. The House of Burgesses established
7564-569: The Northern Hemisphere, with an annual capacity of approximately 48,000,000 tons. Bituminous coal is primarily sourced from the Appalachian mountains in western Virginia, West Virginia , and Kentucky . The coal is loaded onto trains and sent to the port where it is unloaded onto large breakbulk cargo ships and destined for New England, Europe, and Asia. Between 1925 and 2007, Ford Motor Company operated Norfolk Assembly ,
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#17327935663137688-817: The Peninsula , Portsmouth , and Virginia Beach . In 1952, the Downtown Tunnel opened to connect Norfolk with the city of Portsmouth. The highways also stimulated the development of new housing suburbs, leading to the population spreading out. Additional bridges and tunnels included the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in 1957, the Midtown Tunnel in 1962, and the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway ( Interstate 264 and State Route 44 ) in 1967. In 1991,
7812-481: The Post Office building downtown. Art Deco consisted of streamlined concrete faced appearance with smooth stone or metal, with terracotta , and trimming consisting of glass and colored tiles . Norfolk has a variety of historic neighborhoods, notably Freemason and West Freemason. Some neighborhoods, such as Berkley , were formerly cities and towns. Others, including Willoughby Spit and Ocean View , have
7936-601: The Pros" and similar features track all sorts of professional athletes who were born, lived in, or attended college in Virginia. Large automobile racing events like the Sprint Cup (at the Richmond International Raceway ) are often given a separate preview guide. Catering to the vast array of Virginia hunters, fishers, hikers, and outdoorsmen, somewhere between half a page to a whole page most days
8060-440: The Revolutionary War's burning, Norfolk and its citizens struggled to rebuild. In 1804, another serious fire along the city's waterfront destroyed some 300 buildings and the city suffered a serious economic setback. In the War of 1812 between America and Great Britain, Norfolk saw action between American militia led by Richard Lawson and the British navy. On July 13, 1813. A British landing party of 8 marines and 16 sailors landed at
8184-399: The Tidewater, where it had been the primary commodity crop for generations. Virginia made some attempts to phase out slavery and manumissions increased in the two decades following the war. Thomas Jefferson Randolph gained passage of an 1832 resolution for gradual abolition in the state. However, by that time the increased demand from the settlement of the lower South states had created
8308-404: The US Navy's Norfolk Naval Shipyard is just across the Downtown Tunnel in Portsmouth . Most contracts fulfilled by these shipyards are issued by the Navy, though some private commercial repair also takes place. Over 35% of Gross Regional Product (which includes the entire Norfolk-Newport News-Virginia Beach MSA), is attributable to defense spending, and that 75% of all regional growth since 2001
8432-421: The US prepared to enter World War I , the Naval Air Station Hampton Roads had been constructed on the former exposition grounds. In the first half of the twentieth century, the city of Norfolk expanded its borders through annexation. In 1906, the city annexed the incorporated town of Berkley , making the city cross the Elizabeth River . In 1923, the city expanded to include Sewell's Point, Willoughby Spit ,
8556-401: The Union blockade, although he sold half his interest to James W. Lewellen before his dangerous departure (presumably through Wilmington, North Carolina , the last Southern port open to Confederate vessels in 1864). The Richmond Daily Dispatch published its last wartime issue on April 1, 1865; and its office was destroyed the next night during the fire set by Confederate soldiers as they left
8680-414: The United States and achieve freedom and rights there. For a period, many emigrants to Liberia from Virginia and North Carolina embarked from the port of Norfolk. Joseph Jenkins Roberts , a free person of color native to Norfolk, emigrated via the American Colonization Society and later was elected as the first president of Liberia , establishing a powerful family. In 1845, Norfolk was incorporated as
8804-442: The age of eighteen, Ginter relocated to Richmond , Virginia , to open up a shop selling notions and toys. He had visited the city at least once before with an uncle. Ginter soon moved up to the "house furnishings" business. Then, in 1853, he began marketing wholesale notions and imported fancy goods to village and country merchants, and in early 1860 his nephew, George Arents, joined the partnership of Ginter, Alvey & Arents. It
8928-526: The area; the highest-risk period is mid-August to the end of September. Fall is marked by mild to warm days and cooler nights. Winter is usually mild in Norfolk, with average winter days featuring lows near or slightly above freezing and highs in the upper-40s to mid-50s (8 to 13 °C). On average, the coldest month of the year is January, with a normal mean temperature of 42.2 °F (5.7 °C), Snow occurs sporadically, with an average winter accumulation of 6.2 in (15.7 cm). Norfolk's record high
9052-608: The battlefield, which earned him the nickname "The Fighting Commissary." Major Ginter served under Generals Robert E. Lee , Joseph R. Anderson , Stonewall Jackson , A.P. Hill and Edward Lloyd Thomas , and retained this title from affectionate Southerners long after the war ended. As fate would have it, Major Ginter was in the Confederate capital on official business during the Evacuation and capture of Richmond and retreated to Amelia Court House, Virginia , to meet up with
9176-492: The beaches of Norfolk to construct a well and gather water. Richard Lawson concealed his company of militia behind a benign looking sandhill. Richard Lawson and his militia sprang their ambush by opening fire from their concealment behind the Sandhills. The British landing party who suffered 3 marines killed surrendered. Richard Lawson who suffered none killed had his militia destroy the British boat, take all provisions, and take
9300-527: The brass cannon. The American militia under Lawson returned to town with their prisoners. During the 1820s, agrarian communities across the American South suffered a prolonged recession, which caused many families to migrate to other areas. Many moved west into the Piedmont , or further into Kentucky and Tennessee . This migration also followed the exhaustion of soil due to tobacco cultivation in
9424-619: The city via mosquitoes and poor sanitation, affecting every family and causing widespread panic. The number of infected reached 5,000 in September, and by the second week, 1,500 had died in Norfolk and Portsmouth. As the weather cooled, the outbreak began to wane, leaving a final tally of about 3,200 dead. It took the city some time to recover. On April 4, 1861, Norfolk city delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention , George Blow, voted against secession. Following
9548-460: The city was $ 17,372. About 15.5% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line , including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those ages 65 or over. For the year of 2007, Norfolk had a total crime index of 514.7 per 100,000 residents. This was above the national average of 320.9 that year. For 2007, the city experienced 48 homicides, for a murder rate of 21.1 per 100,000 residents. Total crime had decreased when compared to
9672-483: The city was 47.1% White , 43.1% African American , 0.5% Native American , 3.3% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 2.2% from other races , and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 6.6% of the population. Non-Hispanic Whites were 44.3% of the population in 2010, down from 68.5% in 1970. There were 86,210 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 18.8% had
9796-542: The city. The remainder of his wealth was left to his relatives, including his niece, Grace Arents , who continued in her uncle's charitable footsteps. Arents converted the Lakeside Wheel Club into a progressive farm known as Bloemendaal, which she later arranged to become Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden . She also developed St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and St. Andrew's School , built playgrounds, and funded numerous schools and medical institutions. In 1897,
9920-592: The city. However, it resumed publication on December 9, 1865, establishing a new office at 12th and Main Streets and accepting Henry K. Ellyson as part-owner as well as editor. By 1866, the Dispatch was one of five papers "carrying prestige from ante bellum days" published in Richmond (of 7 newspapers). Although the newspaper initially opposed the Ku Klux Klan , the Richmond Dispatch accepted Klan advertising in 1868, as it fought Congressional Reconstruction and
10044-499: The city. Patriot forces destroyed the remaining buildings for strategic reasons the following month. Ultimately, Colonel Woodford drove Dunmore into exile, ending more than 168 years of British rule in Virginia. Only the walls of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church survived the bombardment and subsequent fires. A cannonball from the bombardment (fired by the Liverpool ) remains within the wall of Saint Paul's. Following recovery from
10168-633: The colony, Adam Thoroughgood (who had immigrated to Virginia in 1622 from King's Lynn , Norfolk , England ) was granted a large land holding, through the head rights system, along the Lynnhaven River in 1636. When the South Hampton Roads portion of the shire was separated, Thoroughgood suggested the name of his birthplace for the newly formed New Norfolk County . One year later, it was divided into two counties, Upper Norfolk and Lower Norfolk (the latter now incorporated into
10292-415: The company of women. The death of Ginter's close companion John Pope left him noticeably distraught. Ginter also suffered from diabetes , and his health quickly declined before being bedridden at his Westbrook estate. After two months of severe debilitation, Ginter died on October 2, 1897. His funeral was regarded as one of the largest in Richmond's history, and about a year later his remains were placed in
10416-560: The cost of dealing with a sea-level rise of one foot would be around $ 1,000,000,000. Since then, scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 2013 have estimated that if current trends hold, the sea in Norfolk will rise by 5 and 1/2 feet or more by the end of this century. When Norfolk was first settled, homes were made of wood and frame construction, similar to most medieval English-style homes. These homes had wide chimneys and thatch roofs . Some decades after
10540-585: The counties of Gloucester , Isle of Wight , James City , Mathews , and York , as well as the North Carolina counties of Currituck and Gates . The city of Norfolk is recognized as the central business district, while the Virginia Beach oceanside resort district and Williamsburg are primarily centers of tourism. Virginia Beach is the most populated city within the MSA though it functions more as
10664-496: The course of naval warfare; from then on, warships were fortified with metal. In May 1862, Norfolk Mayor William Lamb surrendered the city to Union General John E. Wool and his forces. They held the city under martial law for the duration of the Civil War. Thousands of slaves from the region escaped to Union lines to gain freedom; they quickly set up schools in Norfolk to start learning how to read and write, years before
10788-540: The economic characteristics of Norfolk from that of the region as a whole. The waterways which almost completely surround the Hampton Roads region play an important part in the local economy. As a strategic location at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay , its protected deep-water channels serve as a major trade artery for the import and export of goods from across the Mid-Atlantic , Mid-West , and internationally. In addition to commercial activities, Hampton Roads
10912-821: The end of the war. 1907 brought both the Virginian Railway and the Jamestown Exposition to Sewell's Point . The large Naval Review at the Exposition demonstrated the peninsula's favorable location and laid the groundwork for the world's largest naval base. Southern Democrats in Congress gained its location here. Commemorating the tricentennial anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the exposition featured many prominent officials, including President Theodore Roosevelt , members of Congress , and diplomats from twenty-one countries. By 1917, as
11036-717: The extension of the Richmond Union Passenger Railway , the nation's first large-scale electric streetcar system. The neighborhood, known as Ginter Park , attracted the Union Theological Seminary and was eventually annexed to the City of Richmond. Ginter also laid the groundwork for several adjoining neighborhoods, including Bellevue Park and Sherwood Park . He established the Lakeside Wheel Club in 1895, and Lakeside Park in 1896. Always eager to improve Richmond, Ginter hired famed architects Carrère and Hastings in 1892 to design
11160-414: The first female publisher of the paper. In September 2024, the newspaper laid off two sports writers. Diane Cantor, the wife of former Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor , sat on Media General's Board of Directors from 2005 to 2017. This drew some conflict-of-interest allegations because the RTD served much of the then-congressman's 7th district, but no evidence surfaced that she was involved in
11284-516: The fortunes of downtown's Granby Street commercial corridor, located just a few blocks inland from the waterfront. The opening of malls and large shopping centers drew off retail business from Granby Street. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been based in Norfolk since 1996. Norfolk's city leaders began a long push to revive its urban core . While Granby Street underwent decline, Norfolk city leaders focused on
11408-564: The headquarters to NATO 's Allied Command Transformation . The region also plays an important role in defense contracting, with particular emphasis in the shipbuilding and ship repair businesses for the city of Norfolk. Major private shipyards located in Norfolk or the Hampton Roads area include: Huntington Ingalls Industries (formerly Northrop Grumman Newport News) in Newport News, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair , General Dynamics NASSCO Norfolk, and Colonna's Shipyard Inc., while
11532-646: The inspection was "At Norfolk Town, upon the fort land, in the County of Norfolk; and Kemp's Landing , in Princess Anne, under one inspection." In 1736 George II granted it a royal charter as a borough. It was an important port for exporting goods to the British Isles and beyond. Mercantile ties with the British Empire bolstered Norfolk's base of Loyalist support during the early part of
11656-667: The junction of the Elizabeth River and the Chesapeake Bay . The Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area (officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA ) is the 37th largest in the United States, with an estimated population of 1,716,624 in 2014. The area includes the Virginia cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach , Chesapeake , Hampton , Newport News , Poquoson , Portsmouth , Suffolk , Williamsburg , and
11780-554: The late nineteenth century when structures such as the current Commodore Maury Hotel and the Royster Building were constructed to form the initial Norfolk skyline. Past styles were revived during the early years of the twentieth century. Bungalows and apartment buildings became popular for those living in the city. As the Great Depression wore on, Art Deco emerged as a popular building style, as evidenced by
11904-618: The late sixteenth century, the area that is now Norfolk was inhabited by the Chesepian people, who referred to the land as "K'che-sepi-ack." According to historical accounts from William Strachy, the Chesepian settlements were destroyed by the Powhatan shortly before the establishment of Jamestown in 1607. Norfolk's lands were some of the first to draw settlers from the Virginia Colony , although Norfolk would not be incorporated as
12028-604: The new Downtown Tunnel / Berkley Bridge complex opened a new system of multiple lanes of highway and interchanges connecting Downtown Norfolk and Interstate 464 with the Downtown Tunnel tubes. In 1954 the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated public schools were unconstitutional , as the public system was supported by all taxpayers. It ordered integration , but Virginia pursued
12152-442: The newspaper company in 1859, and continued as a joint publisher on the masthead until May 5, 1862, when no name appeared. By April 1861, the newspaper announced its circulation was "within a fraction of 13,000." The newspaper had been staunchly pro-slavery since 1852, and called Union soldiers "thieves and cut-throats". Most of its wartime issues are now available online. In 1864, Hammersley brought new presses from England, having run
12276-595: The old Norfolk Academy, and the Customs House. Greek-style homes gave way to Gothic Revival in the 1830s, which emphasized pointed arches , steep gable roofs, towers and tracer-lead windows. The Freemason Baptist Church and St. Mary's Catholic Church are examples of Gothic Revival. Italianate elements emerged in the 1840s including cupolas , verandas , ornamental brickwork , or corner quoins . Norfolk still had simple wooden structures among its more ornate buildings. High-rise buildings were first built in
12400-428: The original Westbrook Plantation, which they developed into their own country estate. Ginter's renovated and enlarged Westbrook house included a private barbershop. An outbuilding featured an automated, one-lane bowling alley." Ginter and Pope divided the large swaths of land into residential plots and provided many extravagant amenities, such as fresh artesian wells, tile sewer lines, roads covered with crushed stone, and
12524-600: The paper before he held that position, often outlined policies his administration was implementing. During the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign , its Commentary sections featured some pieces by Retired Admiral Roy Hoffmann , a founding member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and resident of Richmond suburb Chesterfield , against Democratic candidate John Kerry . Editorially, the Times-Dispatch has historically leaned conservative . It supported many of former President George W. Bush 's policies, including
12648-525: The paper's content. Her association with the paper was noted at the end of Times-Dispatch stories about Rep. Cantor. A prominent newspaper in the state, the Times-Dispatch frequently features commentary from important figures from around Virginia, such as officials and presidents from Virginia Commonwealth University , the College of William and Mary , and the University of Virginia . Former Richmond Mayor Douglas Wilder , who had articles published in
12772-430: The park was named the finest facility in minor league baseball by Baseball America . Norfolk's efforts to revitalize its downtown have attracted acclaim from economic development and urban planning circles throughout the country. Downtown's rising fortunes helped to expand the city's revenues and allowed the city to direct attention to other neighborhoods. The city is located at the southeastern corner of Virginia at
12896-405: The point of saying, repeatedly, that some reporters' work 'sucks.'" The piece described a newsroom teetering on the edge, preparing for promised changes — such as possible layoffs, fewer pages and combined sections — that eventually were realized. On April 2, 2009, the Times-Dispatch cut 90 jobs, laying off 59 workers, including 28 newsroom jobs. Proctor left the paper in 2011. The front page of
13020-493: The prior appointed mayor George Chahoon refused to relinquish his office and mob violence and blockades, the Virginia Supreme Court declared Ellyson the mayor but awaited elections. After skullduggery concerning stolen ballots in the pro-Chahoon Jackson Ward and the election commission declared Ellyson the winner, he refused to serve under the resulting cloud, leading to yet another problematic election won by
13144-569: The public eye. Ginter and Pope remained lifelong bachelors, both living in Ginter's home, until Pope's premature death in 1896. Pope was buried in a plot in Hollywood Cemetery that Ginter had reserved for himself. While the intimate details of their relationship are unknown, Pope's obituary said he "lived quietly with Major Ginter, for whom he possessed the most ardent affection." And Ginter's obituary said he "never pointedly sought"
13268-497: The rank of major and played a major role in bringing Richmond back from the ravages of the Civil War. His continued devotion to the city is captured in his famous remark, "I am for Richmond, first and last." Lewis Ginter was born to John and Elizabeth Ginter on April 4, 1824, in New York City . His father owned a grocery store, but died soon after Ginter was born. Several years later, Ginter's mother died, leaving him to be raised by his married sister, Jane Ginter Arents. In 1842, at
13392-474: The remnants of his brigade. He was present during Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House , and returned to Richmond several days later. Upon his return to Richmond, Ginter found the city in a state of ruin. His warehouse stores of tobacco and sugar were destroyed in a fire that consumed much of the business district, though his cotton remained unscathed. With little economic opportunity in Richmond, he sold his cotton and returned to New York City to pursue
13516-407: The sale of its newspaper division to BH Media, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway company. The sale included all of Media General's newspapers except The Tampa Tribune and its associated publications. Berkshire Hathaway bought 63 newspapers for $ 142 million and, as part of the deal, offered Media General a $ 400 million term loan at 10.5 percent interest that would mature in 2020 and
13640-617: The sports section has MLB , NASCAR , MLS , NBA , NCAA , NFL , and NHL scores and results. The Times-Dispatch sports pages naturally focus on Richmond and Virginia professional and college teams, especially VCU , Richmond , Virginia , and Virginia Tech . In addition, the paper covers the Richmond Flying Squirrels and Richmond Kickers , as well as Washington-based teams such as the Washington Commanders and Washington Nationals . "Virginians in
13764-553: The style of the NCAA polls, and generally updates them weekly. In the fall, Sunday editions have the scores of all high school football games played that weekend from across the state. Prep games are also receive above-average coverage in baseball , cross country , golf , lacrosse , soccer , softball , swimming , tennis , track and field , and volleyball . Stories are frequently done on notable prep athletes, such as those from foreign countries, those with disabilities, those who play
13888-682: The town of Campostella, and the Ocean View area. The city included the Navy Base and miles of beach property fronting on Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay . After a smaller annexation in 1959, and a 1988 land swap with Virginia Beach , the city assumed its current boundaries. The establishment of the Interstate Highway System following World War II brought new highways to the region. A series of bridges and tunnels, constructed during fifteen years, linked Norfolk with
14012-576: The town was first laid out in 1682, the Georgian architectural style , which was popular in the South at the time, was used. Brick was considered more substantial construction; patterns were made by brick laid and Flemish bond . This style evolved to include projecting center pavilions, Palladian windows, balustraded roof decks, and two-story porticoes . By 1740, homes, warehouses, stores, workshops, and taverns began to dot Norfolk's streets. Norfolk
14136-529: The war began, the attack injured 69 people and killed 22, including two with the Virginia National Guard's Richmond-based 276th Engineer Battalion. Stories and photographs about the attack by a Times-Dispatch reporter embedded with the 276th were read, heard and seen across the nation. In 1990, The RTD borrowed an idea from a local entrepreneur, Barry "Mad Dog" Gottlieb, to encourage a "Tacky Christmas Lights Tour," also known by locals as
14260-705: The waterfront and catalyze further downtown redevelopment. Waterside was redeveloped in 2017. Additionally, the waterfront area hosts the Nauticus maritime museum and science center , Hampton Roads Naval Museum , Half-Moone Cruise and Celebration Center , and the USS Wisconsin . Other facilities opened in the ensuing years, including the Harbor Park baseball stadium, home of the Norfolk Tides Triple-A minor league baseball team. In 1995,
14384-458: The waterfront and its collection of decaying piers and warehouses. Many obsolete shipping and warehousing facilities were demolished. In their place, planners created a new boulevard, Waterside Drive, along which many of the high-rise buildings in Norfolk's skyline have been erected. In 1983, the city and The Rouse Company developed the Waterside festival marketplace to attract people back to
14508-638: The year 2000, which the city had a total crime index of 546.3. The highest murder rate Norfolk has experienced for the 21st century was in 2005 when its rate was 24.5 per 100,000 residents. For the year 2007 per 100,000, Norfolk experienced 21.1 murders, 42.6 rapes, 399.3 robberies, 381.3 assaults, 743.3 burglaries, and 450.6 automobile thefts. According to the Congressional Quarterly Press '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, Norfolk, Virginia, ranked as
14632-476: Was 105 °F (41 °C) on August 7, 1918, and July 24 and 25, 2010, and the record low was −3 °F (−19 °C) recorded on January 21, 1985 . As of the census of 2010, there were 242,803 people, 86,210 households, and 51,898 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,362.8 people per square mile (1,684.5 people/km ). There were 94,416 dwelling units at an average density of 1,757.3 per square mile (678.5/km ). The racial makeup of
14756-438: Was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 104.8 males. This large gender imbalance is due to the military presence in the city, most notably Naval Station Norfolk. The median income for a household in the city was $ 31,815, and the median income for a family was $ 36,891. Males had a median income of $ 25,848 versus $ 21,907 for females. The per capita income for
14880-428: Was a shoemaker, and Pope acquired the delivery job at the age of 14 to help his family make ends meet. Ginter eventually hired Pope to work in the New York tobacco depot. When Ginter relocated back to Richmond, he brought Pope along with him as his apprentice. The two began an enduring business partnership that would last for the remainder of their lives. Pope grew to become Ginter's trusted business partner and assumed
15004-487: Was an ardent supporter of segregation . In the 2016 presidential election , the Times-Dispatch endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson over major party candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton . Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine , is a Richmond resident who served as mayor of the city from 1998 to 2001. From at least 1980 until its Johnson endorsement in 2016, the Times-Dispatch had only endorsed Republican presidential candidates. Like most major papers,
15128-761: Was burned down during the Revolutionary War . After the Revolution , Norfolk was rebuilt in the Federal style, based on Roman ideals. Federal-style homes kept Georgian symmetry, though they had more refined decorations to look like New World homes. Federal homes had features such as narrow sidelights with an embracing fanlight around the doorway, giant porticoes, gable or flat roofs, and projecting bays on exterior walls. Rooms were oval, elliptical or octagonal. Few of these federal rowhouses remain standing today. A majority of buildings were made of wood and had
15252-614: Was known as "the largest wholesale notion house and handlers of white goods and Irish linen in the South." Ginter traveled throughout the United States and Europe in search of quality merchandise, and amassed a considerable fortune before the beginning of the American Civil War . Preparing for unpredictable times, Ginter invested in large quantities of tobacco , sugar , and cotton that were stored in Richmond warehouses in order to protect his wealth. Although he
15376-706: Was originally from the North, Ginter supported his adopted home in the Confederacy by buying Confederate bonds and waiving outstanding debts. Shortly after the war broke out, he volunteered in the Confederate Quartermaster Department in Richmond, amassing supplies for the troops. He joined the Confederate Army as a commissary with the rank of Major in 1862 and received praise from his superiors for his heroic deeds on and off
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