Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 01/05/1971
NRHP Listing Date 03/28/1973
NRHP Reference Number 73002205
The first pitched battle of the Revolutionary War in Virginia was fought on December 9, 1775, at the Great Bridge, a wooden causeway across 360 yards of marsh and open water of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, south of Norfolk (within the modern day city of Chesapeake). Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, had a British garrison here to protect this approach to Norfolk. The bloody engagement proved to be a victory for the patriots. The British abandoned their fortified position at this strategic point and eventually were forced to evacuate Norfolk because it could not be defended from the south. Artifacts of this engagement likely survive in the marshes adjacent to the Great Bridge Battle Site.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: January 21, 2022
