City history
A chronological journey through the evolution of Virginia Beach, from its colonial administrative roots to its status as a major coastal city.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Named in honor of Princess Anne"
Reliable indigenous names for this specific coastal site are not documented. The earliest documented historical name for the administrative region was Princess Anne County.
Named after Princess Anne
The original county that encompassed the territory of modern Virginia Beach.
Descriptive of the coastal location
Achieved status as an independent city, separating from Princess Anne County.
Chapter two
The Standard Time Act of 1918 established standardized time zones across the United States to improve railroad coordination.
The Uniform Time Act established consistent start and end dates for daylight saving time throughout the country.
Chapter three
The establishment of the county that served as the early administrative foundation for the region.
The development of the boardwalk and beachfront infrastructure began to transform the local economy.
Virginia Beach officially transitioned into an independent city, separating from Princess Anne County.