An interesting little Bower’s Hill Factoid…the universally accepted but incorrect assumption about the origin of the name ‘Bowers Hill’.
The community where the present Station 10’s located is known as Sunray, and in fact it’s considered a Historic District. However the area is also known as (Possibly better known as ) Bowers Hill, and has been called Bowers Hill since the 19th century.
Thing is, many people think the name ‘Bower’s Hill’ came along in the ‘40s. When Military highway (US13/460) was built in 1943, it included an ‘S’ shaped overpass over the Virginian Railway’s tracks. The bridge had unusually short approach fills giving it a steep grade (I’ve heard it couldn’t be built with that gradient under today’s guidelines). Tidewater Virginia is board flat so if you were coming in from the West…from Suffolk…you could see the overpass long before you actually reached it as it was the highest point for miles around. I can attest to this as I traveled to the Eastern Shore and to Norfolk regularly with my parents back in the 60s.
The bridge was a landmark for travelers on 460 and 13 for decades, until the present system of interstate interchanges replaced it and many people incorrectly assume that Bower’s Hill was actually named after the bridge, which stood at the approximate location of the present I-664/464/64 interchange with Military Highway
The community where the present Station 10’s located is known as Sunray, and in fact it’s considered a Historic District. However the area is also known as (Possibly better known as ) Bowers Hill, and has been called Bowers Hill since the 19th century.
Thing is, many people think the name ‘Bower’s Hill’ came along in the ‘40s. When Military highway (US13/460) was built in 1943, it included an ‘S’ shaped overpass over the Virginian Railway’s tracks. The bridge had unusually short approach fills giving it a steep grade (I’ve heard it couldn’t be built with that gradient under today’s guidelines). Tidewater Virginia is board flat so if you were coming in from the West…from Suffolk…you could see the overpass long before you actually reached it as it was the highest point for miles around. I can attest to this as I traveled to the Eastern Shore and to Norfolk regularly with my parents back in the 60s.
The bridge was a landmark for travelers on 460 and 13 for decades, until the present system of interstate interchanges replaced it and many people incorrectly assume that Bower’s Hill was actually named after the bridge, which stood at the approximate location of the present I-664/464/64 interchange with Military Highway
Engine 1 to all units, we've got a glow in the sky!
If God's not a Hokie, Then why do the leaves turn Maroon and Orange in the Fall?
My [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotowun/"]Flickr Account[/url]
If God's not a Hokie, Then why do the leaves turn Maroon and Orange in the Fall?
My [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotowun/"]Flickr Account[/url]
Facebook
Google
Reddit
Twitter