Take a trip down memory lane to beloved destinations for fun and families across Virginia's tidewater. Cruise the rails of Ocean View Amusement Park's "The Rocket" roller coaster, dig for fossils at Hampton's Rice's Fossil Pit, celebrate the winter season at Portsmouth's Coleman's Nursery and learn the significant role that Buckroe Beach's Bay Shore Beach Park played in American history. From the Great White Fleet to a Wild West park, journey through this vibrant history with author and historian Nancy E. Sheppard and discover whether such cherished places can ever truly be lost.

Just like the tide, history flows through every corner of Old Dominion's Hampton Roads region, and for decades it has been chronicled in the Virginian-Pilot's column, "Our Stories." These stories are now told by local historian and longtime columnist Paul Clancy, who offers up this unparalleled and uninhibited collection of articles and stunning historical images. Rediscover the history behind landmarks such as Fort Monroe, Sewell's Point and Cape Henry and take in the view from the vantage point of those who witnessed history being made before their eyes: stories about the hurricane of '33, the old fairgrounds on the bay, the trolleys that ran to Ocean View, the semipro baseball teams that battled for glory, the harrowing and courageous struggle for racial equality and the soldiers and sailors who went off to war. This is the real stuff of Hampton Roads history.

Before the Jamestown colonists reached their final shore, they arrived at a place they named Cape Henry, and beyond that lay an inlet that would one day shelter the towns of Hampton Roads: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The images collected in Historic Photos of Greater Hampton Roads offer a remarkable glimpse into the history of these unique communities. Included among hundreds of photographs are snapshots of Naval Station Norfolk, the Atlantic and the Chamberlin hotels, the Planters works, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad station, St. John's Church, Norfolk's City Market, the 1907 Jamestown Ter-Centennial, the Virginia Beach boardwalk, the Glenn Curtiss flying school, and countless others.

Just like the tide, history flows through every corner of Old Dominions Hampton Roads region, and for decades it has been chronicled in the Virginian-Pilots column, Our Stories. These stories are now told by local historian and longtime columnist Paul Clancy, who offers up this unparalleled and uninhibited collection of articles and stunning historical images. Rediscover the history behind landmarks such as Fort Monroe, Sewells Point and Cape Henry and take in the view from the vantage point of those who witnessed history being made before their eyes: stories about the hurricane of 33, the old fairgrounds on the bay, the trolleys that ran to Ocean View, the semipro baseball teams that battled for glory, the harrowing and courageous struggle for racial equality and the soldiers and sailors who went off to war. This is the real stuff of Hampton Roads history.

From an area that boasts itself as America's First Region from the first settlement of Jamestown in 1607, the Greater Hampton roads area is steeped in American history. The area is mostly known for seven main cities that surround one of the world's largest natural harbors and has the mouth of two rivers, Elizabeth and James, that empty into the Chesapeake Bay heading out to the Atlantic Ocean. There are also several independent cities and counties that make up this beautiful coastal area. With around 200 photographs, many of which have never been published, Historic Photos of Greater Hampton Roads shows the historical growth from the mid-1800's to the late 1900's of the area in stunning black and white photography. The book follows life, government, events and people important to Hampton Roads history and the building of this unique area. Spanning over two centuries and two hundred photographs, this is a must-have for any long-time resident or history lover of the Greater Hampton Roads!