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Newport News is an independent city in Virginia. It is on the southwestern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending to its mouth at Hampton Roads.

The origin of the unusual name of "Newport News" is unclear. Some locals believe it gained its name as the geographic point at which "news" reached shore of Captain Christopher Newport's long delayed arrival after his ill-fated Third Supply mission in May 1610. Perhaps originally the name signaled hope that Jamestown would survive and the "Starving Time" was over. In reality, Captain Newport's arrival proved remarkable in two ways: 1) with him was colonist John Rolfe, with a new form of tobacco to try to export for the as-yet unprofitable Virginia Colony, and 2) proved to be a stop-gap for the colonists, postponing the abandonment of Jamestown long enough so that the eventual attempt to abandon Jamestown encountered the supply mission of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, which brought a new form of leadership as well. West and Rolfe together held the keys to the Virginia Colony's survival.

It is more probable that the original name was "New Port Newce", named for a person with the name Newce and the town's place as a new seaport. The first English settlement on the site of Newport News which was made in 1621 in Elizabeth Cittie (sic) by planters brought from Ireland by Daniel Gookin, who selected the site on the advice of Sir William Newce and his brother Captain Thomas Newce. On the edge of Elizabeth City County, it was earliest an unincorporated town without formal boundaries in Warwick County for over 250 years. Some early maps show it as Newport News Point.

Beginning in 1881, 15 years of explosive development began under Collis P. Huntington, who built a new railroad, coal piers, and a large shipyard. In 1896, Newport News, which had been the county seat of Warwick County, became a separate city from the county.

In 1900, 19,635 people lived in Newport News, Virginia; in 1910, 20,205; in 1920, 35,596; and in 1940, 37,067. However, the city consolidated with the former Warwick County by mutual consent in 1958, becoming Virginia's third largest in city population. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 180,150. A more recent 2006 estimate indicates the city's population has declined to 178,281 [1]. It is Virginia's fifth largest city.

Among the city's major industries are Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, owned by Northrop Grumman[2], and the large coal piers supplied by railroad giant CSX Transportation. Miles of the waterfront can be seen by automobiles crossing the James River Bridge and Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. Recovered artifacts from the USS Monitor are displayed at the Mariners' Museum, and American Civil War battle sites near historic Lee Hall and several plantations have been protected along the roads leading to Yorktown and Williamsburg of the Historic Triangle.

Source of the name

The original area near the mouth of the James River was first referred to as "Newportes Newes" as early as 1621 and is purported to be the longest continuously named place in the United States.

The source of the name "Newport News" is not known with certainty. Several versions are recorded, and it is subject of popular speculation locally. Probably the best-known explanation holds that when an early group of Jamestown colonists left to return to England after the Starving Time during the winter of 1609-10 aboard a ship of Captain Christopher Newport, they encountered another fleet of supply ships under the new Governor Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr in the James River off Mulberry Island with reinforcements of men and supplies. The new governor ordered them to turn around, and return to Jamestown. Under this theory, the community was named for Newport's "good news." (It is probable that not all of those intending to depart thought returning to the harsh conditions of Jamestown was "good" news, however). Another possibility is that the community may have derived its name from an old English word "news" meaning "new town." At least one source claims that the "New" arose from the original settlement's being rebuilt after a fire.

According to a 1901 article in the College of William and Mary's Quarterly Magazine, the well-documented case is made that it is more probable that the original name was "New Port Newce", named for a person with the name Newce and the town's place as a new seaport. The namesake, Sir William Newce, was originally an English soldier and settler in Ireland where he had established Newcestown near Bondon in County Cork. Newce sailed to Virginia with Sir Francis Wyatt in October, 1621 and was granted 2,500 acres (10 km²) of land, but died two days after. His brother, Capt. Thomas Newce, was given "600 acres at Kequatan [sic], now called Elizabeth Cittie [sic]." A partner Daniel Gookin, completed the establishment of the settlement. In the General History of Virginia edited by Captain John Smith, occurs this reference: "Nov. 22, 1621, arrived Master Gookin out of Ireland, with fifty men of his own, and thirty passengers exceedingly well furnished with all sorts of provisions and cattle, and planted himself at Newports Newes." Records following the Indian Massacre of 1622 state "Daniel Gookin successfully defended his settlement at Neport [sic] News against all attacks. [3]

Regardless of the origin of the name, the fact it was formerly written as "Newport's News" is verified by numerous early documents and maps, and by local tradition. The change to Newport News apparently was brought about by usage, for by 1851 the Post Office Department sanctioned "New Port News" (three words as the name of the first post office, and in 1866 it approved the name as "Newport News", the current form.

Political structure

Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia from space, July 1996 (Newport News is seen in the upper left quadrant)

Newport News in Elizabeth Cittie, Warwick County

During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607, English settlers and explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. In 1610, Sir Thomas Gates took possession of a nearby Native American village which became known as Kecoughtan.

In 1619, the area of Newport News was included in one of four huge corporations of the Virginia Company of London, and became known as Elizabeth Cittie [sic], which extended west all the way to Skiffe's Creek (currently the border between Newport News and James City County. Elizabeth Cittie also included all of present-day South Hampton Roads.

By 1634, the English colony of Virginia consisted of a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants and was redivided into eight shires of Virginia, which were renamed as counties shortly thereafter. The area of Newport News became part Warwick River Shire, which became Warwick County in 1637. By 1810, the county seat was at Denbigh. For a short time in the mid-19th century, the county seat was moved to Newport News.

1896: a new city: Newport News

Newport News was merely an area of farm lands and a fishing village until the coming of the railroad and the subsequent establishment of the great shipyard. Following a huge growth spurt of railroad and shipyard development, the new "City of Newport News" was formerly organized and became independent of Warwick County in 1896 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly. It was one of only a few cities in Virginia to be newly established without earlier incorporation as a town. (Virginia has had an independent city political subdivision since 1871). Walter A. Post served as the city's first mayor.

Two Kecoughtans

Native American village, 17th century cittie

Kecoughtan, originally named Kikotan (also spelled Kiccowtan, Kikowtan as well as Kecoughtan), was a Native American village when the English colonists arrived in the Hampton Roads area in 1607.

In 1610, the English colonists under Sir Thomas Gates, Governor, seized their land, and established their own residency there. This land was long known as part of Elizabeth Cittie (sic) and Elizabeth City County (until the county was consolidated with the City of Hampton and the incorporated town of Phoebus in 1952 to form the current independent city of Hampton) and has been continuously occupied ever since, forming the basis of a claim by the City of Hampton as the site of the oldest continually occupied English settlement in the U.S.A. [4]

Town of Kecoughtan, Virginia

Not to be confused with the original native settlement, many years later, a newer incorporated town of Kecoughtan was developed in the 19th century and existed in the southern edge of Elizabeth City County bordering Newport News. It was annexed by the City of Newport News in 1927, where it currently forms much of the area now known as the city's East End neighborhood.

Consolidation with Warwick

Independent city status guarantees protection against annexation of territory by adjacent communities. After years of resisting annexation efforts by Newport News, in 1952, Warwick County was successful in petitioning the Virginia General Assembly to become the independent City of Warwick.

In 1958, the citizenry of the cities of Warwick and Newport News voted by referendum to consolidate the two cities, choosing to assume the better-known name of Newport News, and forming the third largest city population-wise in Virginia with a square miles ( km²) area. The boundaries of the City of Newport News today are essentially the boundaries of the original Warwick River Shire and those of Warwick County for most of its existence, with the exception of minor border adjustments with neighbors.

Collis P. Huntington: builder of a new railroad and a shipyard

The area which formed the present-day southern end of Newport News had long been established as an unincorporated town. However, during the period after the American Civil War, the new City of Newport News was essentially founded by Collis P. Huntington. Huntington, who was one of the builders of the country's first transcontinental railroad, became a major investor and guiding light, and helped complete the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway to the Ohio River. His agents began acquiring land in Warwick County in 1865, and in the 1880s, he oversaw extension of the C&O down the peninsula to Newport News, where the company developed the coal piers.

His next project was to develop Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, which became the world's largest shipyard. His famous saying is:

We shall build good ships here. At a profit - if we can. At a loss - if we must. But always good ships.

The city of Huntington, West Virginia was named in honor of Collis P. Huntington, as was Huntington Avenue in Newport News. Developed after World War I, Huntington Park, near the northern terminus of the James River Bridge, is named for his nephew, Henry E. Huntington. Collis Huntington's son, Archer M. Huntington, developed the Mariners' Museum, one of the largest and finest maritime museums in the world.

Geography

Newport News is located at 37°4′15″N, 76°29′4″W (37.071046, -76.484557)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 308.3 km² (119.1 mi²). 176.9 km² (68.3 mi²) of it is land and 131.5 km² (50.8 mi²) of it (42.64%) is water.

Newport News entered a Sister City relationship with Neyagawa, Osaka-fu, Japan in 1982. Newport News has a second sister city in Taizhou which is in the Jiangsu Province in China and possibly in the near future a relationship with Greifswald, Germany.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 180,150 people, 69,686 households, and 46,341 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,018.5/km² (2,637.9/mi²). There were 74,117 housing units at an average density of 419.0/km² (1,085.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 53.50% White, 39.07% African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.79% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.

There were 69,686 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution is: 27.5% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,597, and the median income for a family was $42,520. Males had a median income of $31,275 versus $22,310 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,843. About 11.3% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.6% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

Newport News is served by two airports. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located in Newport News, and Norfolk International Airport, in Norfolk, both cater to passengers from Hampton Roads. The primary airport for the Virginia Peninsula is the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. The Airport is experiencing a 4th year of record, double-digit growth, making it one of the fastest growing airports in the country. In January 2006, the airport reported having served 1,058,839 passengers. Along with this record growth, there has been increased talk of a possible Newport News-UK direct flight after UK-based Wolseley plc decided to put its North American headquarters in Newport News. Speculation further increased when the news was considered against the backdrop of the Jamestown 2007 commemorations.

Major Neighborhoods

City Center
Christopher Shores-Stuart Gardens
Denbigh
East End
Glendale
Hidenwood
Hilton Village, a National Historic District
Huntington Heights (Overtown)
Kiln Creek
Lee Hall

Lee Hall is known for its one of a kind railroad depot seen here in 2006.

Menchville
Morrison
Newmarket
Oyster Point
Port Warwick
Richneck
Riverside
Summerlake
Warwick

Education

The main provider of primary and secondary education in the city is Newport News Public Schools. Several private schools are located in the area as well, including Hampton Roads Academy[5], Peninsula Catholic High School[6], and Denbigh Baptist Christian School[7]. Christopher Newport University is located within the city, and Hampton University, Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University and The College of William and Mary are located nearby.

Transportation

See also: Newport News (Amtrak station)

Newport News is well known for the C&O coaling tower seen behind the locomotive.

Newport News has an elaborate transportation network, including interstate and state highways, bridges and a bridge-tunnel, freight and passenger railroad service, local transit bus and intercity bus service, and a commercial airport. There are miles of waterfront docks and port facilities.

See also Transportation section of main article Hampton Roads

The Future of Newport News

Newport News, known traditionally as a blue-collar industrial city, is currently undergoing dramatic changes to accommodate its growing affluence and relative significance as a major metropolitan nexus in the Hampton Roads region. The city's traditional downtown, located on the James River waterfront, is home to, almost exclusively, Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard and municipal offices. While the downtown area has generally remained the only true area of the city that offered genuine urban layout, that is changing with the introduction of a number of successful New Urbanism projects in the city such as Port Warwick, named after the fictional city in William Styron's novel, Lie Down in Darkness. Port Warwick includes housing for everyone from the retired community to off campus housing for Christopher Newport University students. Also included are several high-end restaurants and upscale shopping. Oyster Point City Center, located near Port Warwick in the thriving Oyster Point Retail/Central Business District (often cited as the busiest in Hampton Roads), has been touted as the new "downtown" because of its new geographic centrality on the Virginia Peninsula, its proximity to the retail/business nucleus of the city, etc. The Virginia Living Museum also recently completed a $22.6 million expansion plan.

Newport News Victory Arch

Currently under planning stages are a number of other New Urbanism projects, including "Asheton", a mega-development at the north end of the city bordering the Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Asheton is designed to compliment the historic attraction of the region. There are also plans to develop a light rail line on the Peninsula, largely in Newport News, as well as continue the gradual urbanization of the city to transform it from its currently suburban layout into a more cohesive, attractive, and enticing destination. It looks to be well on its way, judging from the rapid pace of infill redevelopment over the past 5-11 years.

Newport News, Federal Building

Downtown Newport News Victory Arch, built to commemorate the Great War, sits on the downtown waterfront in Newport News. The "Eternal Flame" which sits under the arch was casted by Womack Foundry, Inc. in the 1960's, and was hand crafted by the Foundry's founder and president, Ernest D. Womack. There are a number of landmarks and architecturally interesting buildings in the downtown area that seem to have been largely abandoned in favor of building new areas in the northwest areas of the city. It is hoped that one day more development would be put in the area to return it to its lost status as an urban nucleus in Hampton Roads.

Official song

In July 1989, Newport News City Council adopted via resolution Newport News' official city song, "Newport News," written by native Ronald W. Bell. The song voices the community's links to both the nation's earliest beginnings and its longstanding maritime heritage:

NEWPORT NEWS

Harbor of a thousand ships
Forger of a nation's fleet
Gateway to the New World
Where ocean and river meet

Strength wrought from steel
And a people's fortitude
Such is the timeless legacy (chorus)
Of a place called Newport News

Nestled in a blessed land
Gifted with a special view
Forever home for ev'ry man
With a spirit proud and true

(repeat chorus)

Notable features and natives

Newport News is the location of Fort Eustis, an important U.S. Army post built in Warwick County on Mulberry Island at the mouth of the Warwick River beginning in 1918.

The city is also famous as the birthplace of legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald and author William Styron. It was also the birthplace of 2 notable professional football players, Free agent quarterback Aaron Brooks, who attended Homer L. Ferguson High School, and his second cousin, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who also attended Ferguson and transferred to Warwick High when Ferguson was closed. Michael Vick was honored by Warwick High School in 1999 by retiring his football jersey. Another football player, Michael's younger brother, Marcus Vick was born here. Other athletes from Newport News include Henry Jordan, David Macklin, Al Toon, Darryl Blackstock, and Antoine Bethea.

Born in (1956), Claude Purdy (known as Claudus Perdius)the famous United States Marine Corps First Sergeant who was the hero of Desert Shield/Desert Storm campaign where he rescued three high ranking officers from being overran by opposing forces; received the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Bronze Star, born in Richmond Virgina and raised in Newport News, valiantly came to the rescue of the high ranking officers. Graduate of Ferguson High School 1974.

Denver Nuggets basketball player Allen Iverson is also from the lower east end of Newport News, but was born in neighboring Hampton, Virginia, where he attended Jefferson Davis Middle and Bethel High schools.

Musicians Victor Wooten and his brother Roy Wooten (a.k.a. Future Man) attended Denbigh High, and started their careers at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Mike Tomlin head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers also attended Denbigh High School. Antoine Bethea current NFL safety with the Indianapolis Colts attended Denbigh High School, where he was a three-year letterman in football, and also lettered in basketball, where he earned all-area and all-conference honors in his senior year.

Actress, Pearl Bailey was also raised in Newport News, but was born in Southampton County, Virginia. Another jazz and cabaret singer from Newport News is Joan Shaw, now known as Salena Jones. Christopher Newport University honors this heritage with the annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Festival held at their I.M. Pei-designed Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts.

Woodcut artist J. J. Lankes, although born in New York, lived for many years in the Hilton Village neighborhood in Newport News.

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and Christopher Newport University are located in Newport News.

Underground Hip Hop artists Tonedeff and Quan were born in Newport News.

Trivia

In modern times, the city is also sometimes locally known by the nickname "Bad Newz," especially the East End "inner-city" area. Rapper 50 Cent incorporated this nickname into his song "Ski Mask Way." Causing some local scandal and outrage amongst city leaders, he explained to the DJ of local radio station WOWI (102.9 FM), that he was 'rapping from the perspective of a stick-up kid seeking new territory.'^[1]

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750) is named after this city.

In 1976, the city was one of the first cities to pick up the TBS cable network.

The city is referenced in an episode of King of Queens. When Arthur and Spence are discussing a business idea (a special backpack they call "Unipack") and what they will buy when they become wealthy, Arthur says "I'm thinking boat. SS Unipack out of Newport News! Oh that's living!".

In the animated short Transylvania 6-5000, Bugs Bunny uses the line: "Abracapocus, Hocuscadabra, Newport News, I can do better than that: Walla Walla Washington."

In Harry Turtledove's Southern Victory series of alternate-history novels, in which the Confederacy won the Civil War, Newport News is destroyed by a US nuclear bomb in 1944.

References

^ http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/032105/] MTV.com (accessed August 7, 2006)

External links

Coordinates: 37.071046° N 76.484557° W This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metropolitan Area
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Monday		HI: 90°F / 32°C LO: 67°F / 19°C
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Thursday		HI: 84°F / 28°C LO: 69°F / 20°C
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