THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510120106
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: BY ROBERT PARKER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
I write in the hope that everyone in Chesapeake will become involved in our effort to preserve an important piece of our local history.
With the massive growth that Chesapeake is experiencing, the city's reminders of its past, which have been forged for more than 300 years - indeed, our city's very identity - are in serious danger of being trampled over and forgotten. Countless historic sites and structures have been bulldozed to make way for ``progress.'' Once these invaluable assets are gone, they are gone forever. They can never be retrieved at a later time. Along with this thoughtless destruction of each site, goes a chunk of our area's very personality and sense of where we came from.
This is doubly so with the proposed commercial development to soon take place on the property occupying the southwest corner site of Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road. The following are in imminent danger of being lost to the community forever:
The site of Southern Branch Chapel, also know as the Chapel of Ease, of the Anglican Church, serving as a religious and social center for this area from its construction in 1701 until its burning in 1845. There is evidence that its foundations still exist.
The Wilson-Old house still stands here, the oldest existing structure in Great Bridge, parts of which likely date to the late 18th or early 19th century.
A major crossroads for the area in the 18th century. Two colonial highways intersect here, the Great Road to Carolina and the New Mill Road, now Battlefield Boulevard and Cedar Road, respectively.
Many unmarked graves likely still lie on the property.
The site of the fortified main encampment and headquarters for patriot forces during the Battle of Great Bridge in 1775.
The last remaining undisturbed site directly related to the battle, by far the most important event to occur in our city's early history.
A location rich in potential for archaeological finds relating to the battle and the larger picture of 18th century life in the old village of Great Bridge.
The last open green spot left in downtown Great Bridge, an ideal park site commemorating the battle.
The Norfolk County Historical Society recognizes this site's important historical value to the community and wants to see it preserved for future generations to enjoy. The effort is now under way to raise funds to purchase, preserve and interpret the site as the historic park it deserves to be.
We need your help, and quickly, to see that this happens. Tax-deductible contributions will go directly into the fund organized to purchase this important local historical treasure. Don't let the bulldozer take this away from the community.
As statesman Daniel Webster appropriately said, ``The man who feels no sentiment of veneration for the memory of his forefathers is himself unworthy of kindred regard or remembrance.'' MEMO: Mr. Parker is a resident of S. Battlefield Boulevard.
by CNB