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Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia – A Blast from the Past
So, you’re looking for a chill spot with a bit of history, huh? Let me tell you about Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia. It’s nestled right on the Chesapeake Bay, just north of Fort Monroe. This place isn’t just another beach; it’s got stories to tell, from colonial times to its heyday as a bustling amusement park.
(Image of Buckroe Beach Hotel)
From Plantation to Playground: A Quick History Lesson
Believe it or not, Buckroe’s story starts way back in 1619. It was originally a plantation called "Buck Roe," set aside for the new English settlers. The Virginia Company of London even sent some French folks over to teach the colonists how to grow grapes and silkworms. Fancy, right? But, like much of the colony, it eventually became a tobacco field by 1637. Later on, it transformed into a simple fishing camp.
(Image of Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in nearby Phoebus, Virginia.)
The real fun began in 1882 when the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway decided to extend its tracks to Buckroe. Talk about convenient! The following year, a savvy lady named Mary Ann Dobbins Herbert opened a boarding house, and suddenly, Buckroe was the place to be for summer vacationers. In 1884, they built a public bathhouse, and tourists started arriving in horse-drawn carriages. Can you imagine the clip-clop of hooves and the excitement in the air?
Amusement Park Dreams
Then came the visionaries! A local entrepreneur saw Buckroe’s potential and built a nine-acre amusement park in 1895. Can you believe it? In 1897, another entrepreneur extended his electric trolley car line to Buckroe, and that’s when things really took off. A hotel and a dance pavilion popped up, followed by cottages, shops, restaurants, and more hotels. A civic association was formed, and they even built a school. Buckroe was booming!
(Image of Bay Shore Hotel in Buckroe Beach, Virginia)
Bay Shore Beach: A Parallel Paradise
Now, here’s a fascinating piece of the story. In 1898, some forward-thinking businessmen purchased a beachfront next to Buckroe Beach specifically for African Americans. They called it Bay Shore Beach & Resort. During the era of racial segregation, Bay Shore became incredibly popular, rivaling Buckroe itself. It became the place for African Americans in the Mid-Atlantic region to vacation and have fun. They had everything: beach activities, hotels, restaurants, and even their own amusement park.
Thrills, Chills, and Carousels
Buckroe Beach’s amusement park was a kid’s dream. They had a whole "Kiddy Land" with boat rides, car rides, a mini Ferris wheel, and a train. But the real stars were the bigger rides. The first roller coaster was a small one called the Jack Rabbit, but it was soon replaced by the iconic white wooden Dips roller coaster in 1920. That same year, a stunning carousel with 48 hand-carved wooden horses, two chariots, and a band organ was added.
(Image of Buckroe Beach Resort, Virginia)
And that’s not all! There was the Scrambler, the Octopus, Flying Cages, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a Funhouse, Bumper Cars, Mini Golf, and the Paratrooper (a Ferris wheel for the grown-ups with amazing views). Plus, tons of games where you could test your luck and skill. Talk about a sensory overload!
Storms and Changing Times
Unfortunately, paradise doesn’t always last. In 1933, a massive hurricane slammed into the coast, devastating both Buckroe Beach and Bay Shore. They rebuilt, but Bay Shore might not have fully recovered to its former glory, though it remained popular for many years. Another storm in the 1940s damaged the Buckroe Hotel, and it ended up being torn down.
Before World War II, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway ran summer excursions to Buckroe, making it easy for people to escape to the beach. The amusement park was at its peak in the 1950s and 60s, attracting visitors from all over.
But change was on the horizon. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 led to desegregation, and Bay Shore’s popularity began to decline. It eventually closed in 1973, and the Bay Shore Beach Resort Hotel was demolished in 1977.
Buckroe Beach also faced challenges. Newer, bigger theme parks like Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion opened up in the region in the mid-1970s. These parks drew people away from smaller, local spots like Buckroe. Combined with rising costs for rides, maintenance, and insurance, Buckroe Beach Amusement Park became unprofitable and closed its gates in 1985. By then, it had 22 rides and ten games.
(Image of Buckroe Beach Carousel in Hampton, Virginia.)
The park sat abandoned until 1991, when most of it was scrapped for lumber and parts. This included the classic wooden roller coaster, which was the oldest in the United States and the second oldest in the world at the time.
There’s a happy ending to the story of the carousel, though! The owners had an offer to sell it to a group in Portland, Oregon, but the city of Hampton stepped in and convinced them to sell it locally. The carousel was beautifully restored and is now housed at Carousel Park in downtown Hampton.
Today, the only thing left of the original amusement park is the functioning lighthouse from the miniature golf course.
Buckroe Beach Today: A Relaxing Escape
So, what’s Buckroe Beach like today? It’s a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay. The beach is about three-quarters of a mile long and is well-maintained. The Buckroe Beach fishing pier is a popular spot, especially for cobia fishing. There’s also a large pavilion that hosts regular performances, plus food and ice cream vendors.
You’ll find a children’s playground, and you can rent kayaks, chairs, and umbrellas. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, so you can swim with peace of mind.
(Image of Buckroe Beach today courtesy of Google Maps)
Buckroe Beach may not be the bustling amusement park it once was, but it’s still a special place with a rich history and plenty to offer. So, if you’re looking for a beach with a story, head on over to Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia!
See Also:
(Image of Blackbeard’s Castle was once part of the amusement park at Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia. Photo by John Margolies, 1985.)
- Chesapeake Bay National Park
- Lost Landmarks and Vanished Sites
- Virginia – The Old Dominion
- Virginia Photo Galleries
Sources:
- Hampton Parks & Recreation
- Carousel of Chaos
- Buckroe Historical Society
- Wikipedia – Buckroe Beach
- Wikipedia – Bay Shore Beach