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History
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In the 1980's, the last large tract of land in
Bay Colony was developed. Known as the
Princess Anne Practice Field, the land was
bordered by York Lane, E. Bayshore Drive
and Bay Colony Dr. The property had been
previously owned by the W. Taylor Johnson
family. Mr. Johnson owned an insurance
company and developed the Mayflower
Apartments. Prior to development, the
"Practice Field" had been used for golf
practice and was also a great gathering
place for the community and the site of many
youth sports team practices as well as 4th of
July fireworks. Led by former Bay Colony
resident and past president of the civic
league Maurice Jackson, a few neighbors
organized a petition drive asking City Council
to designate part of the practice field area a
public park. Two lots were purchased and
are now the location of many community
gatherings.
Today few vacant buildable lots remain and
new homes are largely the result of "tear
downs". A strong sense of community
remains and neighbors, young and old, know
each other. With natural resources such as
Linkhorn Bay and Crystal Lake and with
larger lots many heavily wooded, Bay Colony
is a great place to live. Susan Pender, whose
family owned one of the oldest homes and
who grew up in Bay Colony says "Growing
up, we never had to go anywhere because
everything was right there. We were close to
the beach, we went crabbing and fishing, we
boated and road bikes."
Bay Colony was developed. Known as the
Princess Anne Practice Field, the land was
bordered by York Lane, E. Bayshore Drive
and Bay Colony Dr. The property had been
previously owned by the W. Taylor Johnson
family. Mr. Johnson owned an insurance
company and developed the Mayflower
Apartments. Prior to development, the
"Practice Field" had been used for golf
practice and was also a great gathering
place for the community and the site of many
youth sports team practices as well as 4th of
July fireworks. Led by former Bay Colony
resident and past president of the civic
league Maurice Jackson, a few neighbors
organized a petition drive asking City Council
to designate part of the practice field area a
public park. Two lots were purchased and
are now the location of many community
gatherings.
Today few vacant buildable lots remain and
new homes are largely the result of "tear
downs". A strong sense of community
remains and neighbors, young and old, know
each other. With natural resources such as
Linkhorn Bay and Crystal Lake and with
larger lots many heavily wooded, Bay Colony
is a great place to live. Susan Pender, whose
family owned one of the oldest homes and
who grew up in Bay Colony says "Growing
up, we never had to go anywhere because
everything was right there. We were close to
the beach, we went crabbing and fishing, we
boated and road bikes."
History of Bay Colony/Cavalier Park
Nestled between Crystal Lake, Linkhorn Bay, First
Landing State Park and Cavalier Drive, Bay Colony is
one of the oldest and most desirable neighborhoods in
Virginia Beach. The 620 homes are an eclectic mix of
older ranch style houses, stately colonials and elegant
waterfront mansions. Although just blocks from the
oceanfront, the neighborhood is quietly tucked away
from the hustle and bustle of the summer crowds.
One of the first documentations of this area of Virginia
Beach was a map of a Spanish expedition in 1570
which shows an inlet near Crystal Lake. At the time,
Crystal Lake was connected to the ocean by a broad
inlet where 49th Street is today. Some historians
speculate that one of the first explorers of Virginia
Beach, Sir Ralph Lane, came ashore somewhere along
Crystal Lake on April 26th, 1607. The colonists
encountered Chesapeake Indians who retreated into
the sand hills after being fired on by a cannon from the
ship. The inlet connecting Crystal Lake and the ocean
was ultimately silted in and Rainey's Gut was created
so that boats would not be landlocked.
Nestled between Crystal Lake, Linkhorn Bay, First
Landing State Park and Cavalier Drive, Bay Colony is
one of the oldest and most desirable neighborhoods in
Virginia Beach. The 620 homes are an eclectic mix of
older ranch style houses, stately colonials and elegant
waterfront mansions. Although just blocks from the
oceanfront, the neighborhood is quietly tucked away
from the hustle and bustle of the summer crowds.
One of the first documentations of this area of Virginia
Beach was a map of a Spanish expedition in 1570
which shows an inlet near Crystal Lake. At the time,
Crystal Lake was connected to the ocean by a broad
inlet where 49th Street is today. Some historians
speculate that one of the first explorers of Virginia
Beach, Sir Ralph Lane, came ashore somewhere along
Crystal Lake on April 26th, 1607. The colonists
encountered Chesapeake Indians who retreated into
the sand hills after being fired on by a cannon from the
ship. The inlet connecting Crystal Lake and the ocean
was ultimately silted in and Rainey's Gut was created
so that boats would not be landlocked.
Prior to 1950, Bay Colony was largely undeveloped. The oldest
known home was built in 1845 on Linkhorn Bay by a farmer with
the last name of Richardson.
A Norfolk attorney Hugh Davis purchased the property and in
1937 the house opened as the Bay Colony Club. The Bay
Colony Club was a weekend retreat and "brown bag" club for
residents of Norfolk .The Bay Colony Club was ultimately closed
and the home has changed hands and undergone renovations
several times. When the Wilson family purchased the home in
the 1940's, double green doors on one side of the home
opened to the basement which horses entered by walking down
a ramp. The house still stands and is privately owned.
We know from court records that at least one other family lived in
Bay Colony in its earliest days. A platt dated 1915 shows
property in Bay Colony owned by William H. Rainey being
divided into six equal parts all from 20 to 40 acres. The platt
shows a dwelling house, a tenement house, a burial ground,
corn bins, etc. located on these various parts. A road twenty feet
wide "commenced at the Oak at the end of the Public Road " and
continued through the Rainey Farm to Rainey's Gut.
The 1930's ushered in the start of development in Bay Colony
with about 9 homes being built along South and North Bay
Shore Drive, most of which were on Linkhorn Bay. Attorney Hugh
Davis was the developer of sites along S. Bay Shore Drive and
constructed four of the original homes on the landside of this
area. The new residents were unquestionably among the most
prominent in the region. Preston Hix of 106 S. Bay Shore was in
was the chief executive of Colonial Stores. W. Selden Grandy
and Peyton May were partners in the Investment Corporation of
Virginia and built adjacent houses on S. Bay Shore. Dr. David
Pender who built a home on N. Bay Shore Dr. was the son of the
founder of D. Pender Stores which later became Colonial Stores.
known home was built in 1845 on Linkhorn Bay by a farmer with
the last name of Richardson.
A Norfolk attorney Hugh Davis purchased the property and in
1937 the house opened as the Bay Colony Club. The Bay
Colony Club was a weekend retreat and "brown bag" club for
residents of Norfolk .The Bay Colony Club was ultimately closed
and the home has changed hands and undergone renovations
several times. When the Wilson family purchased the home in
the 1940's, double green doors on one side of the home
opened to the basement which horses entered by walking down
a ramp. The house still stands and is privately owned.
We know from court records that at least one other family lived in
Bay Colony in its earliest days. A platt dated 1915 shows
property in Bay Colony owned by William H. Rainey being
divided into six equal parts all from 20 to 40 acres. The platt
shows a dwelling house, a tenement house, a burial ground,
corn bins, etc. located on these various parts. A road twenty feet
wide "commenced at the Oak at the end of the Public Road " and
continued through the Rainey Farm to Rainey's Gut.
The 1930's ushered in the start of development in Bay Colony
with about 9 homes being built along South and North Bay
Shore Drive, most of which were on Linkhorn Bay. Attorney Hugh
Davis was the developer of sites along S. Bay Shore Drive and
constructed four of the original homes on the landside of this
area. The new residents were unquestionably among the most
prominent in the region. Preston Hix of 106 S. Bay Shore was in
was the chief executive of Colonial Stores. W. Selden Grandy
and Peyton May were partners in the Investment Corporation of
Virginia and built adjacent houses on S. Bay Shore. Dr. David
Pender who built a home on N. Bay Shore Dr. was the son of the
founder of D. Pender Stores which later became Colonial Stores.
David Pender III was one of only 5 children who grew up in Bay
Colony in its earliest days. The other four children were David's
sister Mary, Ann and Charles Grandy and Ann May. The
children attended W.T. Cooke School on 15th Street and got
there by carpooling or by riding their bicycles down Bay Colony
Drive to the Cavalier Hotel or 49th Street. They then boarded
the rail bus which travelled down Atlantic Avenue to 17th Street.
Children also rode their bicycles up to the North End to visit
friends.
Mr. Pender tells us the only paved roads in Bay Colony were
Bay Colony Drive and South Bay Shore Drive. He remembers
seeing red coated fox hunters riding their horses through the
neighborhood on weekends during the hunting season.
Jumps were located on the waterside of North Bay Shore Drive
and at the intersection of East Bay Shore and Wythe Lane. Mr.
Pender and his grandfather enjoyed riding ponies from the
Cavalier Hotel to the "pea patch" where they hunted quail.
An additional 7 homes built in the 1930's were scattered about
Bay Colony. One notable home named "Four Oaks" was built
by F. Shephard Royster, whose family owned Royster Fertilizer.
The property was the former site of the Princess Anne Hunt
Club which was in such disrepair it was torn down. Mr. Royster
was a bachelor at the time he built the house but married
several years later and so the home was enlarged. One room,
called the "Tree Room" was built to enjoy the view of a
magnificent oak tree which unfortunately no longer stands.
Also during the 1930's, a large tract of land known as the "pea
patch" located between North Bay Shore and York Lane was
valuable farmland used for growing soybeans
.
Colony in its earliest days. The other four children were David's
sister Mary, Ann and Charles Grandy and Ann May. The
children attended W.T. Cooke School on 15th Street and got
there by carpooling or by riding their bicycles down Bay Colony
Drive to the Cavalier Hotel or 49th Street. They then boarded
the rail bus which travelled down Atlantic Avenue to 17th Street.
Children also rode their bicycles up to the North End to visit
friends.
Mr. Pender tells us the only paved roads in Bay Colony were
Bay Colony Drive and South Bay Shore Drive. He remembers
seeing red coated fox hunters riding their horses through the
neighborhood on weekends during the hunting season.
Jumps were located on the waterside of North Bay Shore Drive
and at the intersection of East Bay Shore and Wythe Lane. Mr.
Pender and his grandfather enjoyed riding ponies from the
Cavalier Hotel to the "pea patch" where they hunted quail.
An additional 7 homes built in the 1930's were scattered about
Bay Colony. One notable home named "Four Oaks" was built
by F. Shephard Royster, whose family owned Royster Fertilizer.
The property was the former site of the Princess Anne Hunt
Club which was in such disrepair it was torn down. Mr. Royster
was a bachelor at the time he built the house but married
several years later and so the home was enlarged. One room,
called the "Tree Room" was built to enjoy the view of a
magnificent oak tree which unfortunately no longer stands.
Also during the 1930's, a large tract of land known as the "pea
patch" located between North Bay Shore and York Lane was
valuable farmland used for growing soybeans
.
| Bay Colony looking Southeast. The Cavalier Hotel is at the top left. Picture with permission from Russ Taylor. |
| This history was submitted by Demaris Yearick. (A special thank you to Dan Proulx, Maurice Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. David Pender III, Susan Pender, Ann Hodgson Perry and Nick Wilson for sharing their memories of Bay Colony. Thank you also to Dick and Shirley Roberts, Bridget Ritter, Fielding Tyler, Rendy Adams, Mary Susan Millar, the Bay Colony Garden Club and the Bay Colony Civic League. Information also obtained from Virginia Beach Real Estate records, "Virginia Beach -a Pictorial History" by James and Frederick Jordan, "The Beach" by Kathleen Eighmey and newspaper articles ). |
| Looking Northwest to Rainey's Gut, The Narrows and Broad Bay. The Cavalier Hotel is at the bottom right of the picture. Picture with permission from Russ Taylor. |
Air View of Virginia Beach showing Cavalier Hotel and Princess Anne Golf Links 1930. Picture received from Henry Bliley. |
The History of Bay Colony Cavalier Park Neighborhood and Links to Parks and Schools
| Bay Colony House in 1965 |
. Another part of the neighborhood bordered
by Crystal Lake and Bay Colony Dr. was
home to riding stables. "Quail Roost
Stables" was a small stable owned by Watts
Hill whose grandfather was the founder of
the American Tobacco Co. In 1945, the
stables were converted to a residence
which is still privately owned. Also on that
property, a red oak tree still stands which is
reported to be close to 300 years old.
Another small stable in the area was owned
by Antionette Darden who taught riding
lessons.
Of the original fourteen known homes in Bay
Colony in the 1930's, eleven remain.
More homes were built in the 1940's, many
along North Bay Shore Drive. One very
exceptional home at 1109 S. Bayshore is
Shirley Hall completed in 1942. The house
was designed in the late 1930's by William
G. Perry a celebrated Boston architect. The
home features floors recovered from an
1840 Louisiana plantation, a staircase and
dado from an 1826 Princess Anne County
house and mantels from London, New
England and Virginia buildings dating to the
18th century. This home has been
designated a Virginia Landmark and placed
on the National Register of Historic Places
due to its architectural significance.
As in many parts of the country, suburbia
arrived in Bay Colony in the 1950s with the
initial development of the "pea patch". The
vast majority of the houses were built by the
Hodgson brothers, Vivian and Andreae,
sons of Alice Hodgson who owned and
operated the Breaker's Hotel on 25th and
Atlantic. The brothers formed the Hodgson
Construction Company and purchased the
property between Abingdon Road, Wythe
Lane, East Bay Shore Drive and North Bay
Shore Drive from a Mr. Joyner of Suffolk for a
sum of $4000.00.
by Crystal Lake and Bay Colony Dr. was
home to riding stables. "Quail Roost
Stables" was a small stable owned by Watts
Hill whose grandfather was the founder of
the American Tobacco Co. In 1945, the
stables were converted to a residence
which is still privately owned. Also on that
property, a red oak tree still stands which is
reported to be close to 300 years old.
Another small stable in the area was owned
by Antionette Darden who taught riding
lessons.
Of the original fourteen known homes in Bay
Colony in the 1930's, eleven remain.
More homes were built in the 1940's, many
along North Bay Shore Drive. One very
exceptional home at 1109 S. Bayshore is
Shirley Hall completed in 1942. The house
was designed in the late 1930's by William
G. Perry a celebrated Boston architect. The
home features floors recovered from an
1840 Louisiana plantation, a staircase and
dado from an 1826 Princess Anne County
house and mantels from London, New
England and Virginia buildings dating to the
18th century. This home has been
designated a Virginia Landmark and placed
on the National Register of Historic Places
due to its architectural significance.
As in many parts of the country, suburbia
arrived in Bay Colony in the 1950s with the
initial development of the "pea patch". The
vast majority of the houses were built by the
Hodgson brothers, Vivian and Andreae,
sons of Alice Hodgson who owned and
operated the Breaker's Hotel on 25th and
Atlantic. The brothers formed the Hodgson
Construction Company and purchased the
property between Abingdon Road, Wythe
Lane, East Bay Shore Drive and North Bay
Shore Drive from a Mr. Joyner of Suffolk for a
sum of $4000.00.
Dan Proulx, a long time Bay Colony resident,
remembers the sequence of the building.
"The first portion to be developed was the
1000 and 1100 blocks of Abingdon, followed
by Brandon, then Chumley and from there
Berkshire and Bruton, Ditchley, Windsor and
parts of Bay Shore". The Hodgson homes
had good floor plans and were of good
quality all featuring crown molding and chair
rails. The first homes were smaller and on
1/2 acre lots. They became bigger with larger
lots as they progressed to Brandon and
Chumley since the Hodgsons were
generating income. Houses sold for
$12,500.00 to 40,000.00 primarily to young
couples.
Mr. Proulx's family became involved with the
development when his stepfather Millard
Forbes "Babe" Braithwaite began a well
drilling business to accommodate the new
homes. The company put in about 100 wells
many only 30-35 deep. For many years,
residents drank this well water, with no ill
affects, until city water was installed. The
Hodgsons had small saplings planted on
the properties which are the large trees we
see now. Development of the "pea patch"
continued through the 80's.
remembers the sequence of the building.
"The first portion to be developed was the
1000 and 1100 blocks of Abingdon, followed
by Brandon, then Chumley and from there
Berkshire and Bruton, Ditchley, Windsor and
parts of Bay Shore". The Hodgson homes
had good floor plans and were of good
quality all featuring crown molding and chair
rails. The first homes were smaller and on
1/2 acre lots. They became bigger with larger
lots as they progressed to Brandon and
Chumley since the Hodgsons were
generating income. Houses sold for
$12,500.00 to 40,000.00 primarily to young
couples.
Mr. Proulx's family became involved with the
development when his stepfather Millard
Forbes "Babe" Braithwaite began a well
drilling business to accommodate the new
homes. The company put in about 100 wells
many only 30-35 deep. For many years,
residents drank this well water, with no ill
affects, until city water was installed. The
Hodgsons had small saplings planted on
the properties which are the large trees we
see now. Development of the "pea patch"
continued through the 80's.