History

A Community as Old as America Itself

Phoebus has some of the deepest and most diverse roots in North America, tracing its origins to the Native American village of Kikotan, a 16th-century Algonquian settlement located just west of present-day Downtown Phoebus. In 1610, English settlers overtook Kikotan, driving out the native population and establishing an agrarian and port settlement known first as Strawberry Banks and later Mill Creek.

In May 1861, during the Civil War, federal forces at nearby Fort Monroe occupied the area, creating “Camp Hamilton” to secure access to fresh water wells for Union troops. While the camp saw no direct combat, it became a haven for enslaved individuals seeking freedom, following General Butler’s Contraband Decision. This historic moment marked the establishment of the Phoebus area as one of the nation’s earliest freed Black communities in the South, with these individuals forming the first “slabtowns” in the area.

After the war, the village was renamed Chesapeake City in 1871 and experienced significant growth during the Reconstruction era thanks to the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. Union veterans and formerly enslaved peoples formed a melting pot of diversity and built thriving businesses, cementing the town’s reputation as a hub of entrepreneurship. In 1900, the town was renamed Phoebus in honor of Harrison Phoebus, a visionary developer who brought prosperity to the area by establishing the renowned Hygeia Hotel at Old Point Comfort. Mr. Phoebus was a tireless advocate for his community, with his memorial noting that “the number of his kindnesses and manner of them may never be known.” Deeply moved by others’ hardship, Mr. Phoebus often hired those with nowhere else to turn. His hotel employed thousands, bringing great prosperity to the Hampton Roads region, the effects of which can still be felt today. He built Roseland Manor on Strawberry Banks (Phoebus’ 1st Ward), where his family lived into the early 20th century.

By the time the town was formally incorporated in April 1900, Phoebus was squarely established as a lively town catering to all needs, gaining notoriety with its 63 licensed saloons serving just 5,000 residents — one of the highest documented per capita rates in the world. The Phoebus Town Council was among the first municipalities in Virginia to elect African Americans to its governing body (Councilmen William H. Trusty and Norfleet C. Barnes). Although Prohibition in 1916 altered its economy, Phoebus remained a bustling port town until it merged with the city of Hampton in 1952. Several decades later, when Fort Monroe was decommissioned as a U.S. Army installation, Phoebus began its renaissance as a largely untouched small-town within a sprawling coastal metro area.

Since then, Phoebus has undergone a remarkable revitalization through the momentum brought by dedicated local residents and business owners. This leadership helped get Phoebus designated as a National Historic District in 2006 and later joined the Virginia Main Street program in 2021. Phoebus today boasts a blend of historic architectural styles and a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and cultural experiences. Its unique history continues to define the community’s go-getting spirit and independence, making Phoebus a place where the past and present come together to inspire the future.

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