St. Pat's Parade - 1995

Ocean View Golf Course

Willoughby Spit's (aka Willoughby SPLIT) Sarah Constant Shrine trees attest bygone storms. Find Third View (arguably Hampton Road's shortest street) on foot you'll see the remains of Monkey Bottom (right): named for it's low lying aspect and the site of homes, prior to use as a Navy landfill; the Morehead and Stabrose families had a penchant for pet monkeys. Monkey Bottom once linked Government Ave to "4th Stop" which was noted for bootleg whiskey during Prohibition; between Ocean View & Willoughby Elementarys.

Linking Route 60 --an overpass near an unobtrusive cannon, sentry for those rare sledding days of winter. Norfolk is a flat place; hills are as rare as snow. There's been a flyover since Tidewater Drive was constructed across from Sarah Constant, whose embankment has served ever since, as OV's slopes. Who needs Aspen?

Recall the expression "No Dogs or Sailors Allowed" presumably posted in neighborhood front yards years back? History indicates that perhaps Yankee Soldiers might've been included on that "exclusive" list.  

Past 4th View, on old Route 60, note the new upscale homes in Nansemond Hotel's (1927-1980) ghostly/fiery shadows. It began with the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Baker, when they availed a few rooms of their home to out-of-towners, added 25 rooms to their residence and named it the Nansemond Hotel with Spanish design, and daily rates of $5-$9. In 1942 the Nansemond served as headquarters of the Amphibious Training Command, Atlantic Fleet until the end of World War II. Troops stationed here participated in embarkation and landing exercises. Successful assaults on 40 enemy beaches were planned and practiced at the Nansemond, including Operation Torch, the successful invasion of North Africa. It was a proud, historic place hosting Generals Eisenhower and Patton in war-time strategies; ironically, many of our IFC dances in the 60's (also, the Monticello): groups which survived a depression and two world wars but not the Vietnam War era (AKP sorority chartered in 1907). In the Nansemond, Peggy Russell Hendricks opened the Squire's Club in the 70's; eventually it moved to Little Creek Road --long before the Nansemond was razed.

With ( <==click thumbnail ) First View and Ocean View Ave (aka Route 60) or "Downtown Ocean View") there are so many memories: Florence Drugs, Ocean View Amusement Park, Rosele Theater, (ah, remember the movies?) which faced the old roller coaster;  the Five & Dime, the hexagonal Sunoco, now a beauty salon across from the VFW, where older sister, Ciel was tutored when Granby High closed during desegregation in the late 50's. Evan's Garage weather vane still overlooks Duffy's Lane a last trace of the garage. At left is Jim Evans, son of Leroy who established the business in 1918.

The Fourth Precinct depicted directly above, moved operations to the Little Creek Sevice Center when they opened in February 1980. The old precinct's "bull pens" temporarily housed sailors awaiting Shore Patrol transfer, civilians from revelers to varied suspects, until booked downtown. It was located on Balview near Evan's Garage, behind where our Ocean View Shopping Center is today. Many (particularly businesses) lamented the move from the neighborhood; feeling that response times in Ocean View were not as prompt.

Continuing up First View-- ROSY'S, a tavern originally owned by Hymie & Betty Rosenbaum, taken over by Barbara & Pete Clark (of the old Bayview Inn /prior, Harbor Inn) then owned by Gus Gelardes' family catering to the hoards for the annual St. Pat's Day Parade which is the festive kick-off for locals in Spring. It grows phenomenally each year in popularity and is said to be the east coast's 3rd largest parade on that great day when we're all Irish! Rosy's closed Spring 2002, and was razed by NRHA.