Hampton's Streetcar 390 Project

05/08/2026

We will be part of the days fun. Stop by and say hi.

04/28/2026

Today in Hampton History
1900 - James Sands Darling, I dies. The seafood magnate, developer, and industrialist was one of several Northerners to take important roles in rebuilding Hampton after the Civil War, and Darling became one of Hampton’s most prominent citizens.

Originally from New York, Darling arrived in Hampton after the Civil War with a boat full of lumber and constructed a lumber yard and grist mill. In 1879 Darling built a plant at Factory Point in Fox Hill to produce fertilizer from menhaden fish. In the 1880s, he founded J. S. Darling & Son Oyster Packers, which became the largest oyster business in the world. In 1886, he purchased much of the former “Little England” plantation and began subdividing it for sale, and in 1887, he began building the Peninsula’s first streetcar line connecting Newport News and Hampton, while also developing land adjacent to the tracks. The same year, his railway company purchased land at Buckroe and opened the Buckroe Beach Hotel, beginning its transformation from a modest summer retreat to a bustling resort.

At his death, Darling was one of Hampton’s most beloved citizens. His legacy of entrepreneurship and community leadership were carried on by his son, Frank W. Darling. His oyster firm, J.S. Darling & Son, made Hampton oysters world famous and remained in business until 1979.

James Sands Darling I. Portrait by C.E. Cheyne.

Find more Darling family, seafood, industry, and business history in our collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=Darling&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

04/05/2026

04/02/2026

Today in Hampton History
1953 - Electric Avenue is renamed Victoria Boulevard. The name “Electric” had come from the electrified streetcars along the road, carrying passengers between Hampton and Newport News.

The name change was one of 100 road renamings to reflect connections between existing roads and to eliminate duplicates causing problems with postal delivery.

The street re-namings also coincided with road expansion projects, especially to relieve traffic congestion between Newport News and Hampton. The new Victoria Boulevard was significantly expanded to accommodate more cars, especially after streetcars ceased service. In 1950, Victoria Boulevard became Virginia State Highway 143 (the route had previously followed Shell Road).

Image: The car barns, administrative office, and staff of the Newport News and Old Point Railway and Electric Co. on Electric Ave./Victoria Blvd., c.1920. The site is still operated as a garage and office by Hampton Roads Transit. HHM Collections.

Find more streetcar history in the Museum’s collections online:
https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/advanced-search?includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CArchives%2CLibrary%2CPeople%2CContainers&Topic=%22Railways%2FStreetcars%22&page=1&size=10&withImages=false