"History of OV"

1855 - 1940

- By Richard Hahn

Situated along the Chesapeake Bay, just nine miles north of Norfolk, Ocean View evolved from a remote, picturesque stretch of coastline into a thriving resort community that captivated vacationers for nearly a century. With pristine beaches, boating, fishing, and luxurious accommodations, Ocean View became a premier destination for the wealthy and well-to-do.

The Birth of a Resort Community
Before the Civil War, Ocean View was little more than a scattering of summer cottages. By 1855, only five seaside homes stood in what is now the intersection of Granby Street and Ocean View Avenue. However, its prime location and natural beauty soon caught the attention of those seeking a seaside retreat.

Originally surveyed in 1854 as a private community, Ocean View’s development was delayed by the Civil War. Progress resumed in 1879 when a nine-mile steam engine passenger railroad was completed, linking Norfolk to Ocean View. What was once a two-hour journey by horse-drawn carriage now took just 30 minutes by train, making the area more accessible than ever. With this new ease of transportation, private sports clubs, seaside cottages, and hotels began to emerge along the coastline, set against a backdrop of towering sand dunes and wind-swept beaches.

The Norfolk train station connected Ocean View to major cities such as Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New York, attracting vacationers eager for clean beaches, fresh sea air, and excellent sport fishing. Ocean View quickly established itself as a therapeutic retreat, ideal for relaxation and recreation.

The Rise of Ocean View Amusement Park
In 1896, Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) purchased the Ocean View train line and set out to transform the area into ‘the Coney Island of Virginia.’ As amusement parks surged in popularity at the turn of the 20th century, Ocean View was well-positioned to become a major attraction. By the summer of 1899, crowds poured off the trains at Ocean View Station, eager to visit the beach, boardwalk, dance pavilion, and bathhouses. A merry-go-round became one of the first amusement rides, setting the stage for decades of entertainment. In 1904, the train system was converted to electric trolleys, and in 1905, the amusement park expanded under new ownership.

That same year, Doumar’s ice cream stand opened on the boardwalk, and history was made when Abe Doumar introduced the waffle cone at the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. Ocean View quickly became famous for its boardwalk treats, with Doumar’s selling an astounding 23,000 cones in a single day.

Hotels and the Golden Era of Ocean View
As Ocean View’s popularity soared, more accommodations were needed to house visitors. In 1907, the Lowes Hotel was constructed on the 200 block of Ocean View Avenue. That same year, Mr. and Mrs. Baker converted their home into a small hotel for visitors attending the Jamestown Exposition, eventually expanding it into the grand Nansemond Hotel. After a fire destroyed the original structure in 1920, the Nansemond was rebuilt in 1928 under the ownership of Otto Wells, who also owned Ocean View Amusement Park. Designed in a striking Spanish architectural style, the hotel was advertised as ‘a bit of old Spain,’ boasting 115 sunlit rooms for $5-$9 per night. It became a glamorous destination, hosting Norfolk’s most prestigious formal events.

Thrills, Rides, and Ocean View's Amusement Park
Ocean View Amusement Park grew alongside the resort community. Its first roller coaster, the Figure Eight, was a modest ride by today’s standards, reaching speeds of 10 mph. It was soon replaced by Leap-the-Dips, a towering wooden coaster that reached 70 feet in height before being lost to a fire in 1927. In its place, the Skyrocket was built just in time for the 1928 season, thrilling riders until the park’s closure in 1978.

Over the years, Ocean View was home to five roller coasters, including the Southern Belle, Leap-the-Dips, Figure Seven, and Skyrocket. By the late 1920s, Ocean View Amusement Park featured 26 rides, a penny arcade, sideshow attractions, and Kiddieland, making it one of the South’s most modern amusement destinations.

The Jamestown Exposition and Ocean View’s Role in Naval History
In 1907, Norfolk hosted the Jamestown Exposition, a grand but poorly planned world’s fair at Sewell’s Point—now the site of Naval Station Norfolk. The oppressive Virginia summer heat drove many visitors to Ocean View’s beaches, boardwalk, and amusement park for relief and entertainment. During World War I, the park also provided a recreational escape for sailors stationed at the Norfolk Naval Base. The resort town’s growth continued through the Roaring Twenties, when expanded dance halls, casinos, and a vibrant boardwalk cemented Ocean View as the premier vacation spot for the new middle class.

A Segregated Past and the Creation of City Beach
Like much of the South, Ocean View adhered to segregation laws that excluded Black visitors from its resort facilities. In response, Norfolk’s Black community advocated for a beach of their own. In June 1935, City Beach Park opened, offering 11 acres of shoreline at what is now 27th Street and East Ocean View Avenue. White supremacists fiercely opposed the project, even taking their fight to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Ocean View Golf Course and ‘Make-Out Lane’
In 1929, Ocean View Golf Course opened, adding yet another attraction to the thriving resort town. The popular Ocean View trolley ran directly through the course from Chesapeake Boulevard to Granby Street. According to local legend, the trolley’s lights would go out between Granby and Chesapeake on the return trip to Norfolk, leading to the infamous nickname ‘Make-Out Lane.’

The Devastation of the 1933 and 1934 Hurricanes
Natural disasters in the 1930s dealt a severe blow to Ocean View’s grandeur. The hurricanes of 1933 and 1934 destroyed much of the boardwalk, including the original Ocean View fishing pier. The Lowes and Nansemond hotels suffered extensive damage, and Ocean View Amusement Park sustained losses equivalent to $5 million in today’s dollars. As a result, VEPCO reclaimed ownership of the park.

A Resort Rebuilt
Despite the devastation, Ocean View rebounded. From 4th View to Mason Creek Road, the area now known as Sarah Constant Beach Park became ‘Ocean View Auto Park,’ a popular tent camping site. The business district along Ocean View Avenue thrived, featuring art deco buildings, wooden clapboard structures, and landmarks such as the Roselle Movie Theatre. Between the 1920s and 1960s, Ocean View retained its status as a beloved seaside destination.

Famous Figures in Ocean View’s History
Several historical figures left their mark on Ocean View.

• President Abraham Lincoln attempted to land at Willoughby Spit on May 8, 1862, but was deterred by Confederate defenses. He successfully landed the following day, leading to Norfolk’s surrender.
• Amelia Earhart attended the grand opening of Ocean View Golf Course in 1928 and stayed at the Nansemond Hotel for two weeks while her plane was repaired.

A Legacy of Seaside Leisure For nearly a century, Ocean View stood as the premier summertime resort in the South. With its amusement park, luxury hotels, dance pavilions, and vibrant boardwalk, it was a place where vacationers could enjoy sun, sand, and entertainment. While the grandeur of its early years has faded, Ocean View’s legacy as a historic coastal retreat remains an integral part of Norfolk’s story.