Portsmouth VA Moving Companies

Portsmouth, Virginia

One trip to Portsmouth, Virginia and you will be hooked. With its central location, Portsmouth is easy to get to – located just a quick ferry ride from downtown Norfolk, a 20-minute drive from Virginia Beach and less than an hour from Colonial Williamsburg. A small town with a big heart, it is no wonder this city has become such an attractive destination for many families moving to Portsmouth.

History:
Portsmouth was founded as a town by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of 1752 by Col. William Crawford, a wealthy merchant and ship owner, who dedicated the four corners of High and Court Streets for a church, a market, a courthouse, and a jail. It was named for Portsmouth, England. In 1767, Andrew Sprowle, a shipbuilder, founded the Gosport Shipyard adjacent to Portsmouth. The Gosport Shipyard at Portsmouth was owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia after the American Revolutionary War and was sold to the new United States federal government. During the American Civil War, in 1861, Virginia joined the Confederate States of America. Fearing that the Confederacy would take control of the shipyard at Portsmouth, the shipyard commander ordered the burning of the shipyard. The Confederate forces did in fact take over the shipyard, and did so without armed conflict through an elaborate ruse orchestrated by civilian railroad builder William Mahone (soon to become a famous Confederate officer). The Union forces withdrew to Fort Monroe across Hampton Roads, which was the only land in the area which remained under Union control. Portsmouth was the county seat of Norfolk County until 1963 when the new City of Chesapeakewas formed in a political consolidation with the City of South Norfolk. Portsmouth's other county neighbor, the former Nansemond County, also consolidated with a smaller city, forming the new City of Suffolk in 1974. One of the older cities of Hampton Roads, in the early 21st century, Portsmouth was undergoing moderate urban renewal in the downtown area. However, population had been declining and there was no room for expansion, as it is surrounded by water and other cities of South Hampton Roads.

Economy:
The Portsmouth area serves as the business and financial center of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Shipbuilding and shipping are a vital part of the area’s economy, with the city's 45-foot-deep channel allowing it to accommodate very large ships. As a major seaport through which millions of tons of cargo pass each year, it handles such commodities as tobacco, cotton, timber, coal, truck crops, and grain. With an ideal harbor and waterways, the city is the site of the Naval Base Norfolk, the largest naval base in the United States and the world. It also serves as home to the headquarters of the Fifth Naval District of the Atlantic Fleet and the Second Fleet, and it houses the district headquarters of the Coast Guard. In addition to the thousands of U.S. Navy personnel stationed in Norfolk, many local citizens also work in naval operations. The city is second only to San Diego, California, in the number of retired navy men and women who reside there. Local industries include ship and light truck manufacturing, creation of law enforcement and military equipment, plastic production and communications. Between the rich local history and the presence of a plethora of seaside resorts, tourism is another important local industry.

Tourism:
Start by heading over to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. With two stories of hands-on exhibits, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum celebrates past and present athletes and inspires future ones. Pitch to a radar gun, or drive a NASCAR simulator. Broadcast a game in the Virginia Sports Center. Explore the Bon Secours Training Room, complete with virtual exercise equipment and a skeleton that rides a bike. Find your role model among our 254 inductees, featured throughout the museum. Next, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum is a history museum displaying a wide range of watercraft, from pleasure to aircraft carriers, including artifacts related to the armed forces. Then, grab the family and check out the Children's Museum of Virginia. The Children’s Museum of Virginia has a great new place for kids to play while the Children’s Museum goes through its latest growth spurt. Here kids can learn and explore through hands-on exhibits and engaging displays.

Colleges and Universities:

• Tidewater Community College
• Troy University

Interesting Facts:

• Portsmouth is located south of the average path of storms coming from higher altitudes and north of the hurricanes and other tropical storms.
• The city has been a major naval base since pre-Revolutionary times.