Kempsville, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Kempsville was formerly an unincorporated town which was located in Princess Anne County, Virginia
. In modern times, it is a community within the urbanized
portion the independent city
of Virginia Beach
, the largest city in Virginia.
. On November 14, 15, or 16th, 1775, it was the location where John Ackiss was killed by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore
's militia during an incident later called the "Skirmish of Kempsville". Ackiss became the first Virginian casualty of the American Revolutionary War
. The Daughters of the American Revolution
later erected a plaque near the site.
The town of Kempsville, established in 1781, was the location of the county seat
of Princess Anne County from 1778-1823. After that date, it was moved to the current location at Princess Anne, Virginia.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, was founded in 1843 to serve families living in Kempsville (then known as Kemp's Landing). In time, the town lost its economic importance and Emmanuel became a rural parish until 1963, when it grew along with the community as a part of the "new" city of Virginia Beach (when Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County merged).
Portions of the church's outer walls are original. The cemetery behind the church contains the graves of four veterans of the Confederate States' Army during the American Civil War
in the early 1860s, as well as the more recent grave of Allen Gettel, a local boy who grew up to be a major league pitcher for the New York Yankees
, the Cleveland Indians
, and the Chicago White Sox
over a 10 year career (1945–55). http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.pl?CacheID=7660
After the county consolidated by mutual agreement with the small resort city of Virginia Beach
in 1963, and assumed the latter's name, explosive growth during the 1960s and 1970s transformed Kempsville into a sprawling suburban community of the largest independent city
in Virginia.
, Frankies, Papa Johns, McDonalds, Wendys, YNot Pizza, and Subway. They also house the grocery stores Kroger and Food Lion as well as some businesses such as banks, dental offices, Madison Jewelers, and Kitchen King Cabinets. About .1 mi north from the Kempsville Road and Providence Road intersection is the 4th VBPD Police Precinct Station, which is located next to the Kempsville Public Library. Also, across Kempsville Road is the Kempsville Presbyterian Church.
Kempsville Rd./Witchduck Rd. will be widened to 4 lanes in each direction (north and south) and a clover leaf loop in combination with an overpass will be used to gain access to Princess Anne Rd from Kempsville Road and Witchduck Rd. Thus eliminating the stoplight located at the Kempsville, Witchduck and Princess Anne intersection. The widened road will extend from the Interstate 264 overpass on Witchduck Rd. south bound to the Kempsville Rd and Indian River Intersection at the edge of the Kempsville Community.
After this project is completed a Historic Kempsville Retail District will be built at this intersection featuring colonial architecture with retail shoppings.
Princess Anne County, Virginia
Princess Anne County is a former county which was created in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States in 1691. The county was merged into the city of Virginia Beach...
. In modern times, it is a community within the urbanized
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
portion the independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
of Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
, the largest city in Virginia.
History
The town was originally named Kemp's Landing and was a colonial port at the head of the eastern branch of the Elizabeth RiverElizabeth River (Virginia)
The Elizabeth River is a tidal estuary forming an arm of Hampton Roads harbor at the southern end of Chesapeake Bay in southeast Virginia in the United States. It is located along the southern side of the mouth of the James River, between the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk...
. On November 14, 15, or 16th, 1775, it was the location where John Ackiss was killed by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore was a British peer and colonial governor. He was the son of William Murray, 3rd Earl of Dunmore, and his wife Catherine . He is best remembered as the last royal governor of the Colony of Virginia.John was the eldest son of William and Catherine Murray, and nephew...
's militia during an incident later called the "Skirmish of Kempsville". Ackiss became the first Virginian casualty of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. The Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
later erected a plaque near the site.
The town of Kempsville, established in 1781, was the location of the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Princess Anne County from 1778-1823. After that date, it was moved to the current location at Princess Anne, Virginia.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church, was founded in 1843 to serve families living in Kempsville (then known as Kemp's Landing). In time, the town lost its economic importance and Emmanuel became a rural parish until 1963, when it grew along with the community as a part of the "new" city of Virginia Beach (when Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County merged).
Portions of the church's outer walls are original. The cemetery behind the church contains the graves of four veterans of the Confederate States' Army during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in the early 1860s, as well as the more recent grave of Allen Gettel, a local boy who grew up to be a major league pitcher for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
over a 10 year career (1945–55). http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.pl?CacheID=7660
After the county consolidated by mutual agreement with the small resort city of Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
in 1963, and assumed the latter's name, explosive growth during the 1960s and 1970s transformed Kempsville into a sprawling suburban community of the largest independent city
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
in Virginia.
Present day
Kempsville is one of seven residence districts in the City of Virginia Beach, and is thereby associated with one seat on City Council.Schools
The community of Kempsville operates under the Virginia Beach City Public School System. Kempsville High School is located in the heart of Kempsville on Kempsville Road and Chief Trail, located behind Rock Church across from the Fairfield neighborhood. Kempsville Middle School is located off of Providence Road and Churchill Drive and serves students in grade 6-8. Kempsville is home to 7 elementary Schools: Arrowhead Elementary, Centerville Elementary, Fairfield Elementary, Kempsville Elementary, Kempsville Meadows Elementary, Point of View Elementary, Providence Elementary and Woodstock Elementary.Public Safety
The 4th Precinct is based in Kempsville giving the community police protection by the Virginia Beach Police Department. Fire protection is provided by the Virginia Beach Fire Department through Fire Station 9 and Fire Station 10 in the VBFD system. The Kempsville Volunteer Rescue Squad provides ambulance transportation and EMS services as part of the Virginia Beach Department of EMS.Retail
The two major shopping centers in the Kempsville community are located directly across the street from each other on the Southwest and Northwest Corners of the Kempsville Road and Providence Road intersection. They are Providence Square and Fairfield Shopping Centers, respectively. These areas are home to several restaurants including Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Moe's Southwest GrillMoe's Southwest Grill
Moe's Southwest Grill is an American chain of fast casual style Tex-Mex restaurants headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.Moe's was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2000, by Raving Brands. In August 2007, the brand was purchased by FOCUS Brands...
, Frankies, Papa Johns, McDonalds, Wendys, YNot Pizza, and Subway. They also house the grocery stores Kroger and Food Lion as well as some businesses such as banks, dental offices, Madison Jewelers, and Kitchen King Cabinets. About .1 mi north from the Kempsville Road and Providence Road intersection is the 4th VBPD Police Precinct Station, which is located next to the Kempsville Public Library. Also, across Kempsville Road is the Kempsville Presbyterian Church.
Neighborhoods
Some notable Kempsville neighborhoods include Bellamy Manor, Fairfield and Point of View. The neighborhood of Point of View is situated on the banks of Kemps Lake that formed from the Construction of Interstate 264/Virginia Beach Express Way. Kemps Lake provides an ideal environment for watersports with its deepest point of 19 ft.Road Construction Project
A large road construction project is in early stages involving Princess Anne, Kempsville Rd, and Witchduck Rd. This intersect is the busiest in Virginia Beach experiencing the heaviest volume of traffic by far in the city. The city has bought up all buildings involved including residential homes, offices, and the well-known Kempsville Pony baseball fields. As of summer 2009 these buildings are being demolished by East Coast Demolition Co. a local demolition contractor contraced out by the City of Virginia Beach.Kempsville Rd./Witchduck Rd. will be widened to 4 lanes in each direction (north and south) and a clover leaf loop in combination with an overpass will be used to gain access to Princess Anne Rd from Kempsville Road and Witchduck Rd. Thus eliminating the stoplight located at the Kempsville, Witchduck and Princess Anne intersection. The widened road will extend from the Interstate 264 overpass on Witchduck Rd. south bound to the Kempsville Rd and Indian River Intersection at the edge of the Kempsville Community.
After this project is completed a Historic Kempsville Retail District will be built at this intersection featuring colonial architecture with retail shoppings.