Hampton history

Foundation and First Steps

The history of Hampton is rooted in the early 17th century, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited English settlements in North America. Originally, these lands, rich in natural resources, were inhabited by the indigenous population — the Kecoughtan tribe.

The city's European history began in 1610, when English colonists established a settlement in the Point Comfort area. This location became a key point for the development of the region, replacing the indigenous village and becoming a vital outpost for the defence of the young colony.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small fortification into a thriving city was driven by several strategic factors:

• Geographical Location: Hampton is situated at the mouth of the James River, at the very entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. This provided ideal conditions for creating a deep-water port.
• Defence and Control: The construction of Fort Algernourne allowed for control over sea routes and the protection of the approaches to Jamestown, the capital of the colony at that time.
• Maritime Trade: The convenient harbour attracted ships arriving from Europe, which stimulated the development of port infrastructure.

Early Economy and Way of Life

The economic foundation of early Hampton consisted of seafaring and agriculture. Thanks to its status as an official port, the city became a hub for the export of tobacco and other goods produced in Virginia. This contributed to the rapid growth of prosperity among local residents.

The cultural environment was formed as a classic English colonial society, closely linked to the sea. Hampton served as the gateway to the New World, through which goods, news, and settlers passed, making it one of the most dynamic and important centres of early America.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1610: English colonists begin the construction of fortifications at Point Comfort, laying the foundation for the future city on the site of the Kecoughtan settlement.
• 1619: The first ship carrying Africans arrives at the port of Point Comfort, marking a significant event in the history of colonial America.
• 1634: Elizabeth City County is created, with Hampton subsequently becoming its administrative centre.
• 1718: Following the defeat of the famous pirate Blackbeard, his head was displayed at the mouth of the Hampton River as a warning to outlaws.
• 1813: During the War of 1812, the city was captured and ransacked by British troops.
• 1861: During the Civil War, residents burned the city to prevent its capture by Union forces, although Fort Monroe remained under federal control.
• 1868: Hampton University was founded, becoming an important educational centre for African Americans and Native Americans.
• 1917: The Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory (NACA) was established, becoming the first civilian aviation laboratory in the USA.
• 1952: Hampton merges with Elizabeth City County and the town of Phoebus, officially receiving the status of a modern independent city.
• 1958: The NASA Langley Research Center was created based on the NACA laboratory, where the training of the first American astronauts for the "Mercury" programme began.
• 1992: The Virginia Air and Space Science Center opened, becoming one of the main tourist attractions in the region.
• 2011: Historic Fort Monroe was decommissioned as an active military base and declared a National Monument.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of Hampton represents a dynamic transition from an agrarian-port settlement to a modern centre of high technology and tourism. Each era has left a noticeable mark on the architecture, economy, and cultural identity of the city.

• Educational and Social Breakthrough (1868): The founding of Hampton University (originally an institute) on the site of former plantations was a major cultural shift. This turned the city into a national centre of education for African Americans and indigenous peoples, forming a unique intellectual environment during the Reconstruction era.
• Industrialisation of Fisheries (Late 19th — Early 20th Century): Thanks to convenient access to the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton became known as the "Crab Capital of the World". The development of processing plants and shipyards formed a stable economic base that allowed the city to prosper until the dawn of the high-tech era.
• Rise of the Aviation Hub (1917): The opening of Langley Base (now Joint Base Langley-Eustis) and the NACA laboratory radically changed the urban planning vector. From a trading port, the city began to transform into a strategic military and research centre, which attracted thousands of specialists and stimulated housing construction.
• Administrative Consolidation (1952): The merger of the City of Hampton, the town of Phoebus, and Elizabeth City County into a single administrative unit — the modern independent city of Hampton. This urban planning decision allowed for centralised management, an expanded tax base, and the launch of large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Entry into the Space Age (1958): The transformation of the NACA laboratory into the NASA Langley Research Center made the city the cradle of the American space programme. This event reoriented the local economy towards the aerospace industry and knowledge-intensive manufacturing, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs.
• Formation of a New Commercial Centre (1970s): The construction of the Hampton Coliseum sports and entertainment complex and the development of the Coliseum Central district shifted economic activity from the historic waterfront inland, creating a new centre of attraction for retail and business.
• Heritage Renovation (2011 — Present): The transfer of Fort Monroe to the management of the National Park Service and the state opened a new chapter in tourism development. Transforming a closed military facility into a public space and residential zone became an example of successful adaptation of historical architecture for modern needs.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

The architecture of Hampton represents a unique layering of eras: from colonial brick structures to bold designs of the space age. Since a significant part of the city suffered from fire during the Civil War, the urban landscape was formed primarily during the Reconstruction era and the rapid development of the 20th century.

Colonial Style and Military Classicism (18th — Early 19th Centuries)

The few surviving buildings of the early period reflect British traditions and the strategic military importance of the city. This time is characterised by austerity, symmetry, and the use of red brick.

• St. John's Church: Dating back to 1728, this building is a classic example of the Colonial style. It is distinguished by Flemish bond brickwork, arched windows, and restrained decor, typical of Anglican parishes in Virginia.
• Fort Monroe: A masterpiece of fortification art. Inside the massive stone walls, officers' residences in the Federal style and Greek Revival style have been preserved, demonstrating the elegance and order of 19th-century military life.

Romanesque Revival and Victorian Gothic (Late 19th Century)

The restoration of the city and the development of education brought romantic and monumental features to Hampton's appearance. The campus of Hampton University became the centre of architectural experiments.

• Virginia Hall: A majestic building combining elements of High Victorian Gothic and Romanesque Revival. It is characterised by complex brickwork, mansard roofs, and decorative towers.
• Memorial Church: Executed in the Italian Romanesque Revival style. Its massive square clock tower became one of the main vertical landmarks of the historic part of the city.

Modernism and Brutalism (Second Half of the 20th Century)

Hampton's transformation into a NASA aerospace research centre and a commercial hub led to the emergence of functional and expressive modern architecture.

• Hampton Coliseum: Built in 1970, this sports and concert complex became an icon of the city. The building is executed in the spirit of Brutalism and structural expressionism: its façade is formed by 96 triangular concrete panels, and the roof is supported by steel cables.
• NASA Infrastructure: The Langley Research Center complex represents an example of functional industrial modernism, where the form of buildings (wind tunnels, laboratories) is entirely subordinate to their scientific purpose.

Urban Planning Features and Districts

Hampton's layout reflects its history of merging several settlements. The city does not have a single monolithic centre but consists of several distinctive clusters:

• Downtown and Waterfront: The historic core with dense low-rise buildings, dominated by commercial buildings from the turn of the 19th–20th centuries with elements of the Queen Anne style.
• Phoebus District: A former independent town that has preserved the atmosphere of the early 20th century. Here, one can see brick façades typical of that time and cosy streets oriented towards pedestrians.
• Coliseum Central: A district formed during the era of automobilisation (1970s). It is distinguished by wide avenues, large shopping centres, and modern commercial development.

Distinguished Figures of Hampton

Hampton has been the home and starting point for many people who have left a significant mark on US history, science, and sports. From the Founding Fathers to space legends and NBA stars — these personalities are inextricably linked with the city's history.

• George Wythe
  Lawyer, politician, one of the Founding Fathers of the USA.
  A native of the county that became modern Hampton. Wythe was the first law professor in America and a mentor to Thomas Jefferson. He signed the US Declaration of Independence and played a key role in shaping the legal system of the young country.
• Mary Jackson
  Mathematician and NASA aerospace engineer.
  Born and raised in Hampton. She became the first African American female engineer at NASA. Her work at the Langley Research Center (located in Hampton) on the aerodynamics of aircraft and spacecraft gained worldwide fame thanks to the book and film "Hidden Figures".
• Katherine Johnson
  Physicist and NASA mathematician.
  Lived and worked in Hampton for many years. Her calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first American manned space flights, including the "Mercury" missions and the "Apollo 11" moon landing.
• Booker T. Washington
  Educator, orator, author.
  One of the most influential African American leaders of the late 19th century. His path as a great educator began right here: he graduated with honours from Hampton Institute (now University), where his views on education and labour were formed.
• Samuel Chapman Armstrong
  Union Army General, educational reformer.
  Founder of Hampton University. After the Civil War, he dedicated his life to creating an education system for freed slaves, laying the foundation for one of the most important Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the country.
• Allen Iverson
  Professional basketball player, NBA Hall of Fame member.
  Born in Hampton and attended local Bethel High School, where he proved himself a phenomenal athlete. He became one of the most recognisable and influential players in basketball history, a cultural icon of the 2000s.
• Francena McCorory
  Track and field athlete, Olympic champion.
  A native of Hampton and a graduate of Hampton University. She won gold medals in the 4×400 metres relay at the Olympic Games in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016), bringing glory to her hometown on the international stage.