Timeline of Virginia Beach, Virginia

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The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.

Prior to 20th century

• 1607 - English colonists land on beach.^[1]
• 1639 - Lynnhaven Parish Church built.
• 1720 - Adam Thoroughgood House built (approximate date).
• 1736 - Old Donation Episcopal Church built.
• 1750 - Kempsville district established as Kemps Landing (approximate date).
• 1775 - Battle of Kemp's Landing
• 1781 - September 5: Battle of the Chesapeake.^[2]
• 1791 - Nimmo Church constructed. It is the oldest church with the original foundation in the area. Bishop Francis Asbury preached there.[10]
• 1810 - Francis Land House built (approximate date).
• 1879 - Cape Henry Lighthouse built.^[3]
• 1888 - Oceanfront Boardwalk built.^[2]
• 1891 - Norwegian ship Dictator wrecked offshore.^[1]
• 1900 - Population: 11,192.

20th century

• 1906 - Town of Virginia Beach incorporated.^[1]
• 1933 - Bayne Theatre opens (approximate date).^[4]
• 1935 - Cape Henry Memorial erected.
• 1941 - The Virginia Beach and Princess Anne Chapters of the NAACP were formed.^[5]
• 1952 - City of Virginia Beach incorporated.
• 1953 - August: Hurricane Barbara.
• 1960 - Population: 84,215.
• 1963 - City merges with Princess Anne County.^[1][6]
• 1964 - Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel opens.
• 1970 - Population: 172,106.^[7]
• 1980 - Population: 262,199.^[7]
• 1988 - Meyera E. Oberndorf becomes mayor.
• 1989 - Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art opens.
• 1990 - Population: 393,069.^[7]
• 2000 - City website online (approximate date).^{[8][chronology citation needed]}

21st century

• 2009 - Will Sessoms becomes mayor.
• 2010 - Population: 437,994 in city;^[9] 1,676,822 in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
• 2019 - The Virginia Beach shooting occurs.
• 2023 - An EF3 tornado rips through the northern edge of the city, damaging or destroying several homes. There was no fatalities and no injuries.

See also

• History of Virginia Beach, Virginia
• List of mayors of Virginia Beach, Virginia
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Virginia Beach, Virginia
• History of Hampton Roads area
• Timelines of other cities in Virginia: Alexandria, Hampton, Lynchburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke