Class. Book COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT * l/ir^ityia purist. By W. R. BOUTWELL. Entered according to act of Congress 14th of March, 1S92. All rights reserved by the author. PRESSES OF THE GATLING PRINTING COMPANY, Norfolk, Va. 1892. X^ipginia * 6otipi?>t. /7\ONTAINING some of the curious and practical features of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Old ^ Point Comfort, Hampton and Newport News, together with a description of the differ- ent points of interest in Hampton Roads and Elizabeth River, en route from Old Point Comfort to Norfolk. Old and curious epitaphs from Episcopal church yards, with ages of these venerable buildings: St. Paul's of Norfolk, Trinity of Portsmouth, St. John's of Hampton, and ruins of Jamestown church, illustrated. Great care has been taken to make this one of the handsomest books of the kind, a valuable guide and beautiful souvenir. HOTELS TQ}/£ , This Guide Book, which will have its largest circulation in the Seaboard /__.__ States, is gotten up expressly for tourists and the traveling public, and will I I ^s." he placed for sale on railroads, steamboats and in hotels. Principally the wealthier class will read it, and the handsome material used, together with the hook's artistic appearance, insures its preservation as a souvenir, thereby affording a stand- ing advertisement for those who avail themselves of it. Price for advertising in "VIRGINIA TOURIST" for six months: FULL PAGE, - - - $20.00 HALF PAGE, - - - 12.00 QUARTER PAGE, - - - $7.00 ILLUSTRATIONS, - extra, 5.00 The above rates are for hotels ; all others fifty per cent. more. Preference given when cash accompanies order. Agents are wanted on railroads, steamboats, hotels and all over the country. Price per copy to any address, postage paid, Paper 75c, Leather $1.25. BIG DISCOUNT TO AGENTS. Address, 3^, R , BOUTWELL, NORFOLK, VA. Publisher. "pa/T\o., Atlantic Hotel. mnn^ S>oatr? Series." /^ SET of cabinet-size photographs of the negro, J depicting him in the various and characteristic attitudes of his race ; all from life ; very interesting and humorous. L,ist of subjects sent on application. 15 cents each ; ten (assorted) $1.00. They sell well at hotels. Agents wanted. Address, W. R. BOUTWELL, PUBLISHER SOUVENIR PHOTOGRAPHS, Lock BOX 514. NORFOLK, i/K, PHOTOGRAPHS OF OLD EPISCOPAL CHURCHES FOR SALE: Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg; Monumental, of Richmond ; Blandfoid Church, of Petersburg; Church at City Point, on James River; Goose Creek Church, at Otranto, South Carolina; Trinity, of Portsmouth; St. John's, of Hampton; Ruins of Jamestown Church; St. Paul's, of Norfolk, and St. Luke's, of Isle of Wight County, Va. ; St. Michael's, of Charleston, S. C. Ages of these churches furnished with photographs. Also many PLANTATION SCENES Along James River, embracing Upper and Lower Brandon, Westover, Shirley, etc. battlefields: Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, the Crater, etc. EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR VIEWS Of all these buildings: Lee and His Friends, a group taken at White Sulphur, in '68 ; photos from paintings of Col. William Byrd, founder of Richmond, and Evelyn Byrd, his daughter, who died of a broken heart, and Miss Blount, Upper Brandon. Ninety famous Southern .Soldiers in miniature, photographs (very good) on card, 7x10. The Battle of Trevallions, Heroes of the Valley, Confederate Flags, Amelie Rives and Marion Harland. Also the following CATALOGUE OF CELEBRITIES: Hon. John Tyler, ex-President United States, from portrait; Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, Hon. Robert Toombs, Hon. Robert Ould, Hon. John B. Baldwin, Hon. J. L. M. Curry, Hon. Allen T. Caperton, Gen. Robert R. Lee, Gen. Stonewall Jackson, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, Gen. G. T. JOieititif, Hygeia Hotel, (F. N. Tike, Manager), old Point Comfort, \'a Accommodations, i ,000. Beauregard, Gen. Jubal Early, Gen. William Mahone, Gen. George W. Randolph, Gen. William Smith, ex-Governor of Virginia, Gen. John S. Preston, Gen. John Echols, Gen. Custis Lee, Gen. R. D. Lilly, Gen. Harry Heth, Gen. D. H. Maury, Gen. B. T. Johnston, Gen. W. H. F. Lee, Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge, Hugh Blair Grigsby, Historian ; Hon. Gilbert C. Walker, Arch- bishop Bailey, Bishop Gibbons, ex-Governor Randolph, of New Jersey ; Madame Janauscheck, Edward Valentine, Sculptor; George Peabody, Bishop Whittle, ex-Governor Groom, of Mary- land; Bishop Wingfield, Patrick Henry, from portrait; Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder, ex-Governor Henry A. Wise, James Barron Hope, Charles Campbell, Historian of Virginia. Stonewall Jackson's Statue, Jeff. Davis' Mansion, State Capitol, Libby Prison, Castle Thun- der — Confederate prison, Washington's Monument, Gen. Lee's Residence, Statue of Henry Clay, Tomb of ex-President Monroe, Drury's Bluff, Belle Isle— prisoners' camp, Birds-eye View of Richmond, Monument to Confederate Dead. VIEWS Of Petersburg and vicinity, including the Crater and Blandford Church, and other subjects. Views of entire route of C. S: 0. R. R., embracing some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery of the world. Views of White Sulphur Springs, Old Sweet, Rock Bridge Alum, Hot Springs, Healing Springs, etc. Natural Bridge, Home of Thomas Jefferson, Tomb of Thomas Jefferson. Views of Yorktowli and Williamsburg, including many Historical and Colonial relics. If there is anything you want send for it, and if possible it will be supplied. Address, ^ ^ BOUTWELili, PUBLISHER, BOX 514, NORFOLK, VA. Old poirpt Oomjfopt. O^HOUSANDS are yearly attracted here, and it is but natural that they should \^ty be desirous of learning all they can about the place they are visiting. Many persons are averse to asking questions, and others object decidedly to being bored by them. It follows then that the best thing for a stranger to do is to procure reliable information by paying for it and start out on his own hook. Independence is a great virtue, and it should be cultivated. It will be the aim of the writer to give in a concise yet comprehensive manner particulars con- cerning the curious and practical features of the places herein named. As my little book will embody both of these features, and as the writer well knows that while the masculine will devour both the curious and practical, there are man} 7 of the fair sex who will care for only the curious, and in order to save those who do not care for the practical the trouble of reading it, I have separated them as much as is consistent with the sense of the book. Norfolk curious is treated separately from Norfolk practical, and the same with Newport News uwrLING PTCCO.N»Ry°l*. SURF BATHING. OI.G&a • M ?***** x) "*y.. - : ----- \^W^* CHAPEL, TROPHY PARK, ETC., FORT MONROE. OLD POINT COMFORT — BOATING, PISHING, BATHING, KTC. 1 9 Boating, fishing, bathing, crabbing, etc., are among the attractions of this place, and many ladies in handsome attire may be seen catching the crustaceous denizens of the deep, regarding it as a source of diversion and no little fun. These monsters frequently escape from their confinement in boxes or baskets, for a little while causing consternation among the fair sex, and skirts were never more readily nor higher gathered to escape that dread terror (a mouse) of the female sex, than they are on account of this slow, paddling, helpless crab. Those who have money to throw away can extract much amusement from the dozen or more negro boys who hang about waiting for a scrambling match consequent upon the tossing up of a few pennies. And although these pennies in their downward course bury themselves inches in the loose sand, there is seldom one lost, the avaricious owners of the long, black, bony fingers plying them in an active and determined manner, until the last coin is extracted from its hiding place, the fortunate pickaninny holding it up, but tightly clenched within his fist, with a look of exultation. Then all are again on the alert. The change which takes place in the attitude of these boys after the last piece is found is indeed like magic. From stooping, digging, scrambling and scratching, they are suddenly converted into ebony statues of an upright posture, with an air of greedy expect- ancy which would look well on canvas. These little fellows search the beach for moonstones and other specimens. They have sharp, restless eyes, and find the pick of the beach, and are always 20 OLD POINT COMFORT — HAMPTON ROADS. ready to barter their finds for reasonable prices. Amethysts, of no commercial value, but desirable as souvenirs, are occasionally found. These boys will, in all probability, one day be engaged in sailing some of the many " cunnus " (canoes) in which the visitors have their fishing frolics. Looking out on Hampton Roads we are filled with keenest interest and admiration for the various sights which meet our gaze in every direction. Yachts, merchant vessels and men-o'-war (the White Squadron frequently being seen here), boat drills, target practice, sham attacks on the fort are all seen. It is here that the navies of the world will rendezvous in '93, and it is safe to predict that both of the immense hotels, and the Sherwood, with their combined capacity for nearly three thousand guests, will be inadequate to the occasion. Hampton Roads never before nor since the great naval battle has been the centre of such keen interest as will be manifested on that great occasion. This is indeed a tribute to the harbor of Hampton Roads. But she merits every whit of it. She can and will give security to all that will then come, and afford them scope enough for their manoeuvres. The summer breezes prevail from the southwest during the night, some- times dying out by ten o'clock in the morning, but frequently lasting until noon ; then follows, as a rule, a calm or perhaps gentle zephyrs, which usually give place in the afternoon, from three to five o'clock, to a steady breeze from the southeast. This breeze comes to us fresh from the bosom of the Atlantic, and SCKNKS— OLD POINT COMFORT. OTUVKRNUR K T. WOODEIN, NATIONAL SOLDIERS' HOME, HAMPTON, VA. HAMPTON — HARRISON PHOKBUS. IIO they are at last forced to camp out. The soldiers now have left a billiard room and a theatre ; the latter the donation of Mr. Horatio Ward, of London, England, and a most generous and handsome gift. Its present capacity is twelve hundred but extensive alterations are being made and when finished will accommodate fifteen hundred. The house of Governor P. T. Woodfin who is in charge here is pleasantly situated near the water and close to the conservatory. In the Eastern part of the grounds is the hospital, with capacity for five hundred, nicely arranged for its purpose, and it is safe to say, that while in here the invalid soldier lacks nothing in the way of comforts and careful nursing. Not far from Soldiers' Home and in the direction of Old Point Comfort is a handsome red brick house which is the residence of Mrs. Phoebus, widow of Mr. Harrison Phoebus, former proprietor of the "Hygeia," who died several years ago, lamented by many who were acquainted with his sterling qualities. Mr. Phoebus by his success in the hotel business has been of the greatest benefit to people of the surrounding country ; the large hotel sending up prices for the farmers; fishermen realize good prices for their catches, while hundreds of artizans find employment about the immense hotel which is constantly having added to it improvements of some nature, undergoing remodeling etc. Mr. Phoe- bus gave the ball that is now rolling such a vigorus push that the whole country for miles has been benefitted either directly or indirectly by his restless energy. He Ill HAMPTON — HARRISON PHOEBUS. was a man with a big head (and heart), original, thoroughly practical and truly a self-made man, for when Mr. Phoebus first came to Old Point he was comparatively poor, but he succeeded in amassing a fortune, and at his death left his widow and children handsomely provided for ; the beautiful residence already alluded to cost, including furniture, sixty-five thousand dollars, and at her husband's death was taken as a part of her portion of his estate. f^ewpopt I^ews. » WEEVE years ago this was a lonely farming district with no sign of a town, ' nor vestage of shipping. About that time it was made the terminus of the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail Road. Docks were built, laud companies formed, an immense and elegant hotel constructed, other industries set on foot, and in two years time it was changed from its former dormant, unimportant condition to a town of two thousand inhabitants, and has so prospered that now it is a bustling, busy little city, claiming a population of six thousand souls, and scarcely an idle person to be seen. There is not much of the curious here, no old colonial buildings built of brick made in England, no old Episcopal churches with storm battered sides that have stood for centuries, no curious monuments to those of a dozen generations back. Not much of this immediately at Newport News, but it is situated at the mouth of the most historic river in this hemisphere. From the observatory of the Warwick hotel we can single out No. i pier, which is to our left and furthest 113 NEWPORT NEWS. from us. Just off the face of this pier, a little to the left, and not more than three or four hundred yards from it is where the Cumberland with her human cargo went down. She was so close in shore that many who survived did so by swimming to the beach. Now looking to our right and almost in front of pier No. 3, lie the bones of the Florida. Here from this elevation we can in thought become a member of the party of bold explorers as they with their curious ships and happy satisfied faces sailed up this beautiful river, looking to right and left in admiration of their new found world. How like a paradise it must have seemed to them after their long voyage, days and nights of buffeting by the waves, hours of anxiety and doubt. In fancy we can follow them in all their varied fortunes, the vicissitudes of colonial life, and then bring ourselves back to our realistic surroundings. It is not at all improbable that the bold pioneer John Smith, predicted for this place a future prosperity such as it is now having. And while for the lover of the curious there is not much to see, there is for the capitalist, business men and workmen, advan- tages of an unusual nature. Its nearness to the sea, deep water channel, and already assured prosperity are inducements to thousands to come. Real estate is in a healthy condition and those who own lots decline to sell without a good premium. There is an immense elevator with capacity for one and a half million bushels, which is fifteen good size cargoes. There are eight land companies of which the "Old Dominion" is the principle; building and loan associations, NEWPORT NEWS — IMPROVEMENTS, ETC. I 15 three banks, passenger steamers and the fine ships of the Merchant and Miners' Transportation Company, also the elegant steamers of the Old Dominion line ; and others trading inland ply here regularly. Much building is going on, con- tractors have all they can attend to sometimes, and stores of every description are doing a thriving business. A ferry service between here, Norfolk, Old Point Comfort and Willoughby's Spit will soon make intercourse between these places even more perfect than it is. A new merchandise pier at a cofet of three hundred thousand dollars and a handsome passenger depot costing one hundred thousand dollars have been contracted for and are to be built this year. A lumber pier and other inprovements will soon be made. There is an abundant supply of the purest water, and the Newport News Light and Water Company, with a capital of one million dollars, has been formed for its proper distribution. Already they have begun work which involves the laying of fourteen miles of eighteen inch water main. The large merchandise piers are almost constantly lined with large ocean steamships, which carry immense cargoes of cotton, grain, flour, lumber, etc. The figures below show one busy months work. n6 NEWPORT NEWS — SHIPPING FACILITIES. For the month of January, 1892. Foreign exports. Flour, $966,849 Grain, 3 6 5.3 6 3 Cotton, 188,896 Flax Seed, 96,000 Staves, 63,692 Cattle, 47,140 Lard, 66,320 Clover, 8,818 Lumber, $23,662 Tobacco, 40,399 Tallow, 14,043 Dried Apples, 14,173 Stearine, 10,487 Glucose, 4,032 Oat Meal, 6,286 $1,916,160 With smaller exports, such as pork, grass seed, jute bags, etc., furnishing a grand total of over two million dollars. An immense business is done in coal and besides the shipment of it from this point the company furnishes many cities along its route with large quantities. The Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company have their mam- moth plant located one mile from the Newport News docks, and with their im- proved machinery and big dry dock are prepared to construct vessels of any size, two ships, each four thousand tons (net) being at this writing nearly ready for launching. An inspection of the extraordinary facilities will reward any one for a visit there. The machine shops and other buildings are provided with machinery NEWPORT NEWS — DRY DOCK, ETC. 117 of the latest pattern . The immense Simpson dry clock has been most satisfactorily patronized. Its dimensions are as follows. Length on top, 600 ft. Width on top, 130 " Draught of water 25 " Width on bottom, 50 ft. Width at entrance, 93 " Time required for pumping out dock one hour and a half. For the benefit of those who may be interested, I give the dimensions of the principle buildings of this plant. The yard contains sixty acres and has a water front of over one third of a mile. Offices, 40 x 200 ft. Pattern and joiner shops, ... 60 x 300 " Machine shop, . , 100 x 300 " Boiler shop, 100x300" Blacksmith shop 100x300" Bending shed, 60 x 127 " Ship fitter's shop, 60 x 320 " Ship blacksmith shop, 120 x 208 " Pipe fitters' shop, 50 x 20S ft. Powerhouse, 40 x 130" Paint shops, 50 x 160 " Time keepers house, 50 x 40 " Lumber shed, 40 x 300 " Pump house, 43 x 60 " Stable, 40 x 600 " Fitting up shops 50 x 175 " DIMENSION OF PIERS. No. 1 50 x 900 ft. "2, 60 x 350 " "3. 80x350" No. 4, 60 x 550 ft. Outfitting Basin, 900 x 500 " IlS NEWPORT NEWS. DIMENSIONS OF SHIP WAYS. Nos. i and 2, 400 ft. Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, each 500 ft. " 3 " 4, 45o " The enormous capital that has been laid out in these facilities shows that this company has come to stay, and that they have the utmost confidence in the future of Newport News. ii9 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 1000 GUESTS R-SD0D50N PROPRIETOR RA-D0D50N tL^-> MANAGER. Liberal Arrangements made with Families and Parties by the Week or Month Three Iron Fire Escapes. Five Stairuuays. Espeeial attention of Tourists and Invalids is called to the Fine Climate of Norfolk. Eleetrie Ltights throughout the Hotel. Electric Bells, Elevators, Hot and Cold Baths. RMRWOQD^ ^ GEO. BOOKER, Ouinep and Proprietor. Fortress CClonPoe, Va. THE SHERWOOD is a New Bailding, heated by Steam or Grate Fire, Hot and Cold Baths, Electric Bells, Steam Laundry, etc. Is situated in the centre of the Reservation, directly opposite the Main Entrance to Fortress Monroe. Two minutes walk from the Hygeia and new Chamberlain Hotels. Convenient to Steamship Piers and Depot. Terms, $2.00 to $5.00 pel* Day. Send for Descriptive Catalogue. EJLAGSS OP iNTBI^BSIt ABOUND OLD gOINT ©OMFOI^Il. NATIONAL SOLDIERS' HOME, WILLIAMSBURG, OCFANVIEW, YORKTOWN, OLD ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL, NORMAL SCHOOL, JAMESTOWN ISLAND, HAMPTON. PORTSMOUTH, NORFOLK, FIRST SETTL E MENT. NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA BEACH, GOSPORT NAVY YARD. Unsurpassed fof a Quiet and Healthy j^esoft. OPEN THE YEAH HOUND. F. DeLRCY, Proprietor*. j^apk^ide ti-ii- RI5 Rates-$2 to $3 per Day. Seduced Kates by the Week. CANADIAN SIDE. fllflGA^fl FAkkS. THE Hotel is beautifully situated on the rising ground just opposite the Park, and from its spacious verandahs commands a magnificent view of the Falls. COMMODIOUS Dining Room supplied with seasonable delicacies; large verandahs which command a fine view, and airy bedrooms make the Parkside a popular resort for tourists. ^jJf^lilNGTON HOTEli, /^A^ N. E. FORWARD, Lessee and Manager. Batesville, Arkansas. EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN PLAN AMPLE SAMPLE ROOMS. ELECTRIC BELLS AND MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. CENTRALLY LOCATED. -^ Formerly with- Stheet Cars and Busses to all Trains. Tecumseh House, London, Out., Can. Revier House, London, Out., Can. Crawford House, Chicago. Lf.land Hotel, Chicago. Gardner House, Chicago. .St. Nicholas Hotel, Cincinnati, O. Gault House, Louisville, Ky. Hotel Main, Ft. Smith, Ark. LeGrand Hotel, Ft. Smith, Ark. -7K- MIGHT VIEW HOUSE 123 This new and elegant house is just open for the reception of guests. It is beautifully located on the water, affording unexcelled facilities for boating, bathing and fishing, and is surrounded by handsome grounds, and commands a full view of Fort Monroe and Old Point Comfort, Va. For the pleasure-seeker or invalid, this house has no superior in this latitude. The location is remarkable for its health. The rooms are large and well venti- lated, and the cuisine is unsurpassed. Electric lights. It is within five minutes drive, over a perfect shell road, of the Fort and the Hygeia Hotel, and but a short distance from the Hampton Institute and the Soldiers Home. Electric Cars between Hampton and Old Point, pass every twenty minutes. WAGONETTES MEET ALL BOATS AND TRAINS. For further information address, C. E. WELCH, PROPRIETOR, FORT MONROE, VA. 124 AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PLAN. llll WB |"*'l'^ ^ in t«e st. jnncs NORFOLK, VA /. A. KENNEDY, Proprietor. Tl'ATKD in the centre of business. Elegantly furnished and first-class in every particular. '■nniui U >iu„ 1 ., ul s imil „ llllllllli|im ttaiSSSsaS^art """'"™ ll,m : "»<™i'Hiiiiii,, U u, liluu „.. AMERICAN PLAN, $2.50 TO $3.00 PER DAY. EUROPEAN PLAN, $1.00 AND UP PER DAY. FIRST-CLASS RESTAURANT IN CONNECTION. 125 otel \jjarw\e\, I^ewport I^ew§, ^a. Modern and first-class in all its appointments, offering an attractive and convenient resort for families and transient visitors. For circulars, etc., address, J. H\ Su/inertor?,