June 2012

Tornado

A tornado decimated our park in June of 2012. After 2 years it featured a new fence, swing sets & park sign.

May 2002

Main Entrance Circle Installed

Per resident vote, the City of Hampton installed a traffic circle at the intersection of Eggleston & Catesby Jones in order to slow traffic. The circle was then planted with the help of 13 volunteers from the neighborhood, designed by Mr. Gordon Statzer, a certified Master Gardener.

Residents voted to add a brick/granite-faced sign, later designed by resident Teddie Ryan.

One neighbor commented “that’s not a sign... that’s a monument!”

1959

First House In Merrimac Shores Extended

The first house in Merrimac Shores-extended was built in 1959 at 3801 Chesapeake Avenue.

1950

Archaeological Finds On Buchanan

1946-1947

First Homes Built

The first house was built in 1946 by Mr. & Mrs. William Gracey at 4014 Buchanan Drive. The second house was built in 1947 by Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Chandler at 4105 Chesapeake Avenue.

1945-1946

Merrimac Shores Developed & Established

When the area was developed in 1945, it was owned by the Armstrong family. The Armstrong Land and Improvement Company then developed the area, and the covenants were approved and certified on March 25, 1946. The residential section was named in honor of the Confederate Ironclad Merrimac.

1940-1945

Archeological Finds On Chesapeake

In 1940, Joseph B. & Alvin W. Brittingham, Sr., started excavation work which was concluded in 1945. Most of the work was done at the end of Chesapeake Avenue, next to Church Creek and Sussex Apartments. They found many artifacts, such as jugs, pins, fish hooks, tomahawks, arrows and spear heads. These artifacts are on display in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

1812

Battle In War Of 1812

A small battle of the War of 1812 was fought here with Major Stapleton Crutchfield and a small band of infantry against the British.

September 1624

Land Patented By Elizabeth Hawthorne

Merrimac Shores is a part of a 100-acre tract of land first patented by Elizabeth Hawthorne on September 20, 1624.