A Brief History of Virginia Beach, VA

The history of Virginia Beach stretches back a long way, back to when the Chesepian Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the area. In 1607, a small group of English colonists led by Captain Christopher Newport first landed in North America at what they would later name Cape Henry, which is now the North-eastern part of Virginia Beach. They would later sail up the James River and establish Jamestown, the first permanent settlement in the New World. Settlers first came to the area that is now Virginia Beach 14 years later, and it grew slowly, depending on the abundant natural resources close by.

Adam Thoroughgood was one of the earliest people to settle in this area, who would later be elected to the House of Burgesses, the Governors Council, and a Justice of the Court, for the area that was then called Elizabeth City. He helped name the river Lynnhaven and New Norfolk County in honour of his home in England. He earned a land grant of 5,350 acres in Virginia Beach after persuading 105 people to settle in Virginia. Virginia Beach began to develop throughout the 19th century thanks to the arrival of rail service and electricity and the opening of the Princess Anne Hotel in 1888. The Virginia Beach Boulevard opened in 1922 and allowed access for automobiles, buses, and trucks. Virginia Beach was incorporated as a town in 1906, and continued to grow due to a reputation as a seasonal vacation spot. The two political subdivisions of the City of Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County were consolidated in 1963 into a larger independent city. Virginia Beach's modern growth was thanks to its popularity as a beachfront and a center of industry, and has become the largest city in Virginia Beach, with a diverse economy and a strong tourism industry.

http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-South/Virginia-Beach-History.html

http://www.vabeach.com/history.php