Cape Henry Memorial

This is an interesting area. You better stay on the designated area as they repeated to us so many time. It is small with some great information on the history of the Colonist first stop. It is well maintained and I love the walk way up to the beach/Overlook. You absolutely cannot go on the beach. That is restricted area but the overlook is super nice to look out on to the water. I can just imagine the first time the colonist showing up. We always go over to this after we go look at the really cool lighthouse. That is the star of the show for me.

This is a charming site to visit right on Joint Base Fort Story. Visitors can access the area using Gate 8 off of Rt 60/ Shore Drive. Those with CAC or valid DoD issued ID can proceed to drive straight. Don't do what we did initially! We didn't know so we initially parked where all the civilian visitors go. The nice MA3 let us know that we can just drive onto base and proceed with our own car. Thank goodness for her! Civilians with non-DoD ID should peruse the visitor parking behind the gate guard booths. They have shuttles that bus in and out civilians parked at the visitor parking to the site back and forth.We skipped visiting any of the lighthouses because of having dogs and temperature being too hot to leave them in the car. There were also bees and wasps everywhere. I couldn't stay for too long due to bee allergies but felt thankful my car was parked close. Otherwise the sites were kept beautifully and thoughtfully designed. The area near the sites have MWR recreational facilities as well as NEX mini mart and gas station as well. I particularly liked the view from the small lookout spot and the rose bushes that got my grumpy beagle smiling. The St Theresa's chapel looked lovely from the outside although inaccessible for anyone to take a peek inside. The lookout spot is also accessible for those with mobility differences. The ramp is made of flat wooden slats at a gentle curve. It only has 1 corner to turn, and the top has benches to sit on and a nice breeze to enjoy. It may be wise to skip on days right after rain as I can definitely imagine the area becoming very slippery and wet. Most of the other sites has grass paths and some concrete slabs. If you are clumsy like me, watch your steps! Although dogs can walk around with you, the asphalt pavement has glass shards and other plant fragments that cause get lodged into the paw. Just something to keep in mind. One of mine had to be carried after visiting the chapel because a small splinter got stuck. He's very dramatic too when such a thing happens. He limped and hobbled and made the most blood curdling shrieks when picked up to see what happened!!As I mentioned earlier on, there were several bees and wasps everywhere. It's definitely a must to bring the epinephrine shots just in case or leave as needed.Although we most likely won't be returning again for sightseeing, I still enjoyed the gorgeous ocean view, other statues and historical explainer panels. I hope everyone else visiting the area feels the same as well.

We really enjoyed our visit. We learned so much about the battle "off the capes" that we hadn't known before. It was interesting to read that Colonists first stopped here before moving on to Jamestown. I'm interested to research that a bit more.

Ever wonder where the English Colonist first landed? It was in an area of Virginia Beach known at The Cape. The colonist made landfall in 1607 and left a cross before continuing exploration up the James River to present day Jamestown. A permanent cross was erected in 1935 by the Daughters of the American Colonist. Each year on April 26 a wreath is laid at the cross to commemorate the First Landing of the colonists. The hallowed ground is historically significant, but not much is there. It has a beautiful beach location just steps from the water. There is an overlook off a walk way, however no entry on the beach. In order to access the memorial a base pass of Fort Story must be issued. I have visited numerous times in combination with the lighthouse.

Whether or not you're into Colonial history you probably have heard about or know a little something about the events regarding Philadelphia, 1776 or Boston. Maybe even Yorktown or Williamsburg. But all those cats had to get their start somewhere, right? Indeed they did and this is the spot where it all happened in April of 1607.After a four plus month journey the initial group of 144 landed here then placed a wooden cross in the ground (exact spot unknown) to mark their landfall calling the spot Cape Henry. Approximately three weeks after those events the group settled in what is now Jamestown and the rest as is said, is history.So if you come here what are you going to see? To be honest, not much.The first order of business is getting to the site which means you need to enter the Fort Story Naval Base. While not horribly difficult, it is a process and you need to be prepared. I'm not going to go thru the steps but in review of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse I lay it out step by step from my most recent visit. www.yelp.com/biz/cape-henry-lighthouse-fort-storyAfter getting on the base you drive about a mile and a half on Atlantic Avenue then you'll see a brown NPS (this site is part of the Colonial National Historical Park) sign on the right marked Cape Henry Memorial with a small parking lot.On the site, which is only 1/4 acre, you'll see the stone cross which was set up by the Daughters of the American Colonists in 1935 to mark the approximate spot where the wooden cross was placed from the first landing in 1607. Two large placards noting area marine life. A few placards noting the 1781 Battle of the Capes which was an important French Naval victory that helped to cut supplies off from Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown and a large statue to Admiral Comte de Grasse who commanded the French Fleet in that battle.There is also a short walkway leading to the top of the dunes where you can see the ocean or for a closer look take the walkway just to the south of the Cape Henry Memorial and go down to the beach. The site is open year round and while there are no formal hours for visitation the NPS recommends the safe bet of sunrise to dusk. If you've come this far you might as well go across Atlantic Avenue and visit/climb the Old Fort Story Lighthouse. It's an easy climb and the site is regularly on Groupon which makes the price very agreeable.This isn't an A-list stop by any means but if you like history and/or you're in the VA Beach and want to see/do something different, this is a neat spot that offers an experience you can't see anywhere else.