Cape Charles, Virginia, historic photographs

About this collection

    Cape Charles was established in 1884 as the southern terminus of the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad. The town quickly expanded as an increasing number of passenger and freight trains arrived daily to be carried across the Chesapeake on barges and steamships to Norfolk. In 1922, the railroad became a part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Cape Charles became headquarters for the Pennsylvania Railroads's Norfolk Division.
    The Cape Charles, Virginia, historic photographs (Accession 1972.250.2) collection consists of forty-three photographs taken between 1885 and 1886, showing the early development of Cape Charles. Views of the wharf and harbor areas and the steamship "Cape Charles" built by Harlan and Hollingsworth of Wilmington, Delaware, comprise nearly half the collection.
    Image: Cape Charles Hotel, 1885. Click here to view.

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