| THE FIRST INHABITANTS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WERE INDIANS. |
| Many, many arrowheads have been dug up around the area. |
|
The
First Inhabitants
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| HOW DID THE PEMBROKE AREA GET ITS NAME? |
| The King of England gave a land grant to the titled "Earl of Pembroke".
The subsequent grant was of a size in keeping with the Earl's importance.
It was quite significant at the time. |
|
Old
Donation Church
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|
Courthouses
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| Our development was built by the Terry Corporation who purchased the
land from the Hudgins Family. "Pappy Hudgins" farmed the land prior to
and during most of the construction. As crops were harvested from the fields,
foundations for new homes were formed and took the place of crops. |
| THE EARLY DAYS |
| The Silver Maples, original new trees to the development, were planted
in the fall of 1968 and stood about 5 feet high. The Crepe Myrtle trees
were planted about 1970 by the City of Virginia Beach at a cost of $3.00
per tree (included planting by City). The trees were paid for by the homeowners
in advance thru an agreement with our early Garden Club and City Beautification
Program. Homeowners could purchase 2 or 3 trees. The trees were only planted
for those that signed up and paid in advance. This is why we see sporadic
plantings of these trees in our neighborhood. The young trees made great
"bases" for ball players. Thus the rate of survival for the kids was far
greater than for the trees. |
| TOT LOTS were included in the planning of our development. City planners
at the time Pembroke Meadows was being built required developers to set
aside parcels of land, deeded to the City, for the purpose of TOT LOTS.
This was a brand new concept that was being tested in our city. We had
several designated parcels throughout the development. Only one was fully
outfitted and equipped. While the idea sounded great it did not prove to
be so great after all. The lots quickly became ball fields with the smaller
children chased out. Windows were broken by foul balls. The un-mowed lots
quickly became an eyesore and collected debris. The City decided that the
idea did not prove beneficial for the initial purpose intended and offered
the land to the homeowners abutting the lots. The cost to these homeowners
was $50.00. |
| The Lynnhaven House on Wishart Road was merely a ramshackle, vine-covered
cottage that many of us toured out of curiosity and were fascinated with
for many years. It has now been restored and historically renovated and
opened to the public. |
| Pembroke Meadows Elementary School land was planted in both potatoes
and greens. |
| The families and children of this new development enjoyed a marvelous
new invention - 8 track tapes. |
| Frogs were everywhere. The streets were full of them every evening.
Children spent evenings catching them in summer for fun prior to their
(the frogs) release at bedtime. We are just now slowly increasing our frog
population. The frogs disappeared for 20 years. |
| A man made lake, complete with gazebos, water wheels, bridges and benches
was located where the Medical Complex now stands. |
| The homes on Whitechapel Court were the first set of Models. The current
Real Estate Office was the office for Terry Corporation. |
| Horses and riders were a common sight throughout the neighborhood.
Riding lessons were given at the old horse farm (Witchduck & Wishart
Rds). |
| Independence Blvd from Wishart to Robbins Corner was a two-lane pothole
road with rough limited paving. |
| VEPCO [Virginia Electric Power Co.] offered a new program "Guarantee"
to all early residents. Electric energy was economical, efficient, clean
and safe. This was a total electric development. We were invited to participate
in a program for a year. Most of us joined in this program. We paid a flat
rate of $25.00 per month from October to August (11 months). The September
payment would be either a credit or amount due. Most of us got a credit. |
| EARLY 70'S |
| Gas at Crown Station was priced at 23 cents per gallon. High test of
course. |
| The Pembroke Meadows/Shores/Townhouses Recreation Center Pool was in
its planning stage. The planning, incorporation, funding and subsequent
building was made possible only by the cooperation and financial support
of its early members. They signed personal guarantees and took out loans
in order to make the building of the pool possible. They held raffles,
bake sales, and begged, borrowed and made due with whatever they could
get their hands on in order to bring this dream to fruition. Certificates
were issued in 1969 to these early dreamers. The first Director was Fred
Pearson. The League President was C. C. Taylor, the treasurer was Robert
Little and the Secretary was Estelle Vogel. The first sporting event
held at the brand new NORFOLK SCOPE was held on November 23rd, 1971, an
American Basketball Association game between the Virginia Squires and the
Carolina Cougars. Many Pembroke Meadows residents attended the game and
were given special seating and certificates signed by the then Mayor of
Norfolk, Roy Martin. Jean Dixon, we were informed, predicted that Scope
would collapse. It still stands today. |
| Annual block parties were the norm during summer months. |
| Fireworks from the new Mount Trashmore could be seen CLEARLY from our
development. |
| We experienced a tornado in our development on August 12, 1973. A lot
of downed trees, many of which were not only down but in houses. No severe
injuries occurred, though some had been injured by falling debris. Many
of us suffered significant property damage. Neighbor helped neighbor throughout
the clean up and rebuilding. The sounds of hammers, chainsaws and heavy
equipment were a daily occurrence for weeks and weeks. No warning had been
issued. |
| THE EIGHTIES AND 90'S |
| The old tree located right in the middle of the road at the corner
of Witchduck and Ferry Plantation Road was torn down, much to our dismay.
The historic tree, rumor has it, was the spot that was "the" gathering
place for wagons and horses prior to going to the old courthouse (currently
Ferry Plantation House) and to Church. The huge tree provided shade and
a refuge in the days prior to fans and air conditioning. The citizens could
gather, rest, eat, and converse prior to hearings and services. Apparently
a lot of business and gossip was discussed at this site. |
| Pembroke Meadows/Shores was designated a "test area" for a new idea
- Recycling. We were issued blue bins. |
| Pembroke Meadows/ Shores was designated again as a "test area" for
yet another new trial. Garbage was going to be collected less frequently,
but in a new way. We were issued the `Black Monsters". These huge garbage
cans on wheels were at first a concern to us. They did prove to be a great
idea and are now being used in all major parts of the City. |
| Since the recycling program began, further commitment was made and
we now have "Big Blue Monsters". |
| The winter of 1997 brought us a large "Hailstorm" and damaged many
cars and roofs. The summer of 1998 brought us Hurricane Bonnie. She took
off a lot of roofs and damaged a lot of trees and fences. |
| 1998 - 1999 brought us new equipment for our neighborhood park, improvements
to our park, dam road and streets. More improvements are in progress in
this area. |
| We became involved in a Neighborhood Watch Program. |
| Our Civic League is responsible for a major portion of our community's
improvement, maintenance, information, communication, and beautification.
All of this is volunteer! |
| We are a community of neighbor helping neighbor when the need arises. |
| TIDBITS |
| The "Pleasure House", an old brown mansion, was located at the very
end of Pleasure House Road at the foot of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Currently
gray apartments stand on the site. This was for many years a well-known
"house of ill-repute". It later became an antique store and fell into major
disrepair prior to being torn down. |
| The QED building (corner of Ferry Plantation and Witchduck Road) was
a Colonial Grocery Store. |
| Our Community celebrated its 9th Halloween Parade in 1999. Thanks to
Loretta Watkins who began the annual event, and to Belinda Nash who succeeded
her, the parade has been an ever increasing and exciting event for all
ages. Volunteers assist in the planning, decorating, gathering of food/drinks/
supplies, route safety, etc. Independence Middle School provides their
band for all to enjoy and march with along the route. The Halloween parade
grows in both enthusiasm and numbers each year. P.S. We have yet
to be rained out. Keep your fingers crossed. |
| The Farms Fresh store at Giant Square started out as a "Murphy Mart". |
| Food Lion building started out as a Safeway Store. |
| KMART began as a Robert Hall Store and was followed then by Bradlees. |
| Michaels Store began as a Farm Fresh Store. |
| A Food Fair grocery store was located at Pembroke Mall in the wing
that is closest to Jeanne Street. |
|
Pembroke Meadows/Shores/Townhouse History / Tidbits was provided
by
Gerry Richter --- Joseph Richter Memorial Fund
Elizabeth and Joseph Matulenas Family
|
