Historic newspapers are a fantastic primary source to learn about local history. On July 8, 1904, The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City published a story titled “Va. Beach Train: Effort to Run One from this City Each Saturday:”
“The Norfolk & Southern railroad is considering the idea of giving the people of Elizabeth City a special weekly train so that families may spend the summer, or part of it, at Virginia Beach, and the heads of the families can spend Sunday at this delightful resort with their families, and return Monday morning in time for business.
“Mr. Ed. M. Heermans, chairman of the advertising committee of the Chamber of Commerce, conceived the idea of such a train service and saw Mr. M.K. King, General Manager of the Norfolk & Southern, when he was here yesterday. He laid the idea before Mr. King, who said:
“‘If the people of Elizabeth City would like to spend part of the heated term at Virginia Beach, I would be very glad indeed to arrange such a train service as would accommodate the business and professional men who could not get away during the week. We will take the matter up, if you can secure an expression from enough people as would likely patronize such a train service.’
“The idea is to run a train out of Elizabeth City each Saturday evening, about 6 o’clock, and run direct to the Beach, making no stops except for passengers who buy tickets to the Beach. This would get the Elizabeth City passengers to Virginia Beach early in the evening in time for the dancing and other amusements. It would also give them the entire day there Sunday, and leaving Monday morning about 7 o’clock the train would get back to Elizabeth City in time for business hours.
“It seems that the idea will at once be popular here. In the absence of Nag’s Head as a suitable resort this year, and with no other convenient seashore resort, many of our rich people can send their families to the Beach, and then go to them for Sunday, The Young men, naturally would like to run up for Sunday, and the train ought to be well patronized ....
“This does away with the idea of Sunday travel, for those who object to it, and yet will give all our folks who want a rest, the chance to go to that delightful resort for Sunday and not miss business at home.
Unfortunately, taking a train ride from Elizabeth City to Virginia Beach is a thing of the past. But nowadays you don’t need to travel far to enjoy some beach-themed fun. Take a short drive over to the Museum of the Albemarle on Tuesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its “Summer Fun Day: A Day at the Beach,” where you can enjoy beach-themed activities and exhibits from pirates to lifesaving to surfing. The program is free and open to the public.
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