The Norfolk Navy Yard into the 20th Century

IN PICTURES

Marcus W. Robbins, Historian & Archivist
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Original Stereo Cards: One * * Two * * Three * * Four

Stereo View Cards in Enhanced Form

From Left to Right

SV1: Shipyard Commander, Quarters "A". Viewer is looking from the NW corner of Trophy Park towards the eastern open porches of Quarters "A". Research is ongoing to determine identity of 5 unknown subjects in view (note one person standing at ground level). Research is ongoing for the exact construction date of the open side porches and how long they remained in this configuration until being framed in and fully enclosed in the 1890's. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

SV2: Shipyard Commander, Quarters "A". View shows entire eastern side well before the enclosed additions of the 1890's. Research is ongoing to determine identity of 4 unknown subjects in view. Note the southern building face (rear) to the left of this view. It would be approximately another 35 years or about 1910 before the familiar rear sun porches of today would be framed in and enclosed onto the original 1837 brick structure. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

SV3: Trophy Park looking southwest featuring the new flagpole that was replaced after yard was reoccupied by Union forces in May of 1862. In the background are the present day structures of Building 9 & 11. Note the six step raised wooden bandstand platform and gazebo roof built around the flagpole has no documented construction drawings and was removed at an unknown time as evidenced from a February 1890 photo. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

SV4: Trophy Park midway looking north with present day Barron Street in foreground. In the background is the present day Building 19. Some trees seen in this view remain to the present day and were planted after Union reoccupation, post May 1862 era. Again the viewer has focused upon the six step raised wooden bandstand platform and gazebo roof built around the flagpole for some type of military gathering. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

Original Stereo Cards: Five * * Six * * Seven * * Eight

Stereo View Cards in Enhanced Form

From Left to Right

SV5: Trophy Park main brick walkway first originated at the Elizabeth River's edge, then ran along the southern length of the Launching Slip (present day Building 74 site) and continued westward as in this view towards the present rear yard of Quarters "A". Note it would be approximately 25 years until the present Gazebo, structure 106 was constructed beyond where these unidentified individuals are standing. The men are standing exactly where the walkway branches off to the south leading to the flagpole plaza of modern times. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

SV6: The Main Gate structure was constructed in 1851 and acted as the center of the Administration building complex. This is the location of the present day Gate 3. Building 19 (left side) and Building 51 (right side) are within the view of this commercially distributed stereo optic card produced in 1898. The caption of the card features the Officers Quarters of the Norfolk Navy Yard.

SV7: The USS Galena most likely on the stocks on the site of ex-Shiphouse "B" that was destroyed in 1861. This view would be just to the north of the present NNSY Hammerhead Crane. This ship was built at Norfolk between the years of 1871 and 1879. Is is assumed that, based upon the progress on the hull but no other work towards setting of the masts, the ship is possibly halfway complete. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid 1870's based upon estimated completion of USS Galena.

SV8: The Main Gate is an extreme rare interior view at ground level that shows the center archway looking outside the Navy Yard to the north. The clock and weathervane are clearly visible also within this view. The subject of the military gathering is unknown but are related to the other events in Trophy Park. This rare privately taken stereo optic image is mid to late 1870's based upon other views found with this collection.

 

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