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Cradock
What Is “Cradock” And Why?

Cradock is a “war-baby.”

Its mother was farm land, woods and swamp.

Its father was The United States Housing Board.

Its birthplace Norfolk County, Virginia, adjoining the City of Portsmouth, Va. On the Elizabeth River opposite the City of Norfolk, Virginia.

Cradock is connected to Portsmouth by good surfaced roads and a trolley line. The “Belt Line” also furnished freight connection with all points.

Cradock started out with being an incorporated town with definite boundaries. Later it surrendered it’s charter and is now under “County (Norfolk) Government. It is therefore, now, only a community.

“Cradock” houses about eight hundred families in about six hundred buildings. The houses are largely of the “cottage type” six rooms, bath, enclosed shed, and located on lots varying from about fifty to seventy seven feet front by similar depth. The so called “apartments” are located in buildings of from two to five family buildings each family subdivision including first and second floor, bath, and enclosed shed, porch and front and back yard.

Water is supplied by the Portsmouth Water Company, Gas and electricity are obtained from the same place. The town has ample sewerage. Telephone facilities are available.

“Cradock” is Not (technically) a “Post Office” but is “Sub Station #4, Portsmouth, Virginia,” and mail must be so marked to assure prompt delivery. Through the Portsmouth Post Office mail is delivered twice daily by carrier and Parcels Post by wagon. The local “Post Office” furnishes facilities for registration, of mail, issues money-orders and thus serves the local needs.

The trolley service with Portsmouth is at twenty minute intervals and runs from the George Washington Highway, through the heart of Cradock to the Norfolk Ferry in the heart of Portsmouth. Time of leaving each terminus is “10, 30 and 50 minutes after the hour from very early in the morning until Midnight occupying about sixteen minutes for the trip. Cars are usually on time. The fare is 7 cents or “4-tokens-for a quarter” making the “cut-rate” 6-1/4 cents a trip.

The streets are all hard surfaced, side ditched, sewer drained, sidewalks all of concrete about five inches thick.

Living requirements are cared for by a centralized business center laid out in the form of and called “The Crescent.” Here are chain grocery and provision stores, individual meat and provision stores, house furnishings, pool and billiard rooms, doctor, dressmaker, tailor, shoemaker, cleaner and dyer, bakery, coal, wood, and ice purveyors, stationery, and last, but not least, a Drug Store where you can get almost anything from ice-cream sodas, tobacco, stationary, confectionery, alarm-clocks, etc. to “Prescriptions.”

Fire protection is furnished by a “triple-combination” pumping and chemical truck capable of pumping from mains 750 gallons of water per minute (though this pump is seldom used as the “fire-plug” connection is usually sufficiently high for requirements.) The “truck” is gasoline operated, high speed, carries, hose, ladder, lanterns, and usual equipment, and, it is said, cost the Housing Board $14,000 ten years ago (The same type, with modern improvements, could now be bought for about $12,000.) It is still, apparently, in fine condition and when in action “going-strong.” There are two paid firemen the balance of the “crew” being volunteers, who are supposed to respond to the call of the “fire siren” which can be heard all over town.

The churches are Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian, adequately and attractively housed, and centrally located.

The “social” requirements are met by the usual church “suppers”, “concerts”, “lectures” and “bazaars.”  The “non-sectarian” activities are a Chamber of Commerce, a Woman’s Voter League, a Music Club and a Woman’s Club. The Masonic, Odd Fellows & Knights of Pythias are also represented.

Like all war-babies “Cradock” is, necessarily, composed of people from all over the United States drawn here in response to the requirements of war activities. The Navy Yard, Naval Hospital, Ammunition Depots, etc., as well as local and Portsmouth private commercial plants furnish the population with employment.

To a “new-comer” the “Civic Spirit” appears to be extremely retiring, sensitive, selfish, strongly “sectarian”, and yet, mildly tolerant. There is the usual desire for “a nice town” but that desire requires much urging to get the “individuals” to “get-together” to obtain it. It is not a “typical” “Southern Town”

Since the Armistice there have been several individually built houses. The Housing Board houses which have, mostly, passed into private ownership have been altered, in some cases, interiorly and exteriorly, as would, naturally, be expected.

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The “Housing Board” built very definitely on the “cottage” plan. Each cottage being on its own lot and that of sufficient size to give good “elbow-room.” The sidewalks have the lawns on one side and a strip of grass and trees on the other. The streets are comfortably wide giving a sense of openness and freedom. The foundation area is approximately the same of all houses 20x27 feet, exclusive of a 6-ft wide porch and a 10-ft enclosed shed. There are five basic styles of buildings, all “story-and-a-half” diversified by change of “Styles” from “weather-board” to “stucco”, and still further differentiated by placing the porch on the front or on the side. Many garages have been built. The placing of the variants is such that there is a very pleasing impression of varied architecture.

The houses are largely “resident owned.” The streets fairly well lighted. There are no “police”, not even a “Town-Marshall”, yet it is, with some slight and occasional “depredations” very orderly and quiet. Portsmouth and Norfolk business places make periodical deliveries sufficiently frequent to cover all necessary requirements.

All in All it is a very decent, unpretentious and pleasant place to live. It needs a bit of cleaning up from blown around rubbish and a cleaning up of vacant lots. If this was done it could make town “yell of Cradock. Cradock. Safe. Quiet. Clean. 

James F. Freed

2/11/28 

Climatic Conditions 

The general conditions of “Tidewater Virginia”, in which section Cradock is situated my be described as “moderate.” During the Winter of 1927-28 there was one “blizzard” with 15 inches of snow. Later a snowstorm with 11 inches recorded. There was a “low” thermometer of 15 degrees observed in Cradock and an “official” record of 11F. Snow entirely disappears inside of a week. “Cold snaps” usually last only the same time each day following the “low” showing a rise in temperature. Thus 12-25, 18-28, 25-34, 32-45,34-52,40-60 and 45-65 covers a representative “cold spell.” There is usually several of these. The interval is covered by temperatures from 30 to 70. Rainfall is abundant. Being in a naturally low and swampy district it is frequently cloudy and damp. Summers are not as warm as might be expected. The thermometer ranging from about 75 to, on occasions, 92. The low condition of the country with much standing water breeds mosquitoes and flies, making house screening imperative. 

Nearby Places 

The Great Dismal Swamp is within seven miles and contains bear, deer, rabbit, squirrel, ducks, quail, plover, reed and rail, possum, and raccoon, so there is “good hunting.” Foxes are said to be plentiful. The “pests,” in the swamp, are rattlesnakes, moccasins, mosquitoes, flies, hornets, wasps, etc. 

The oyster beds of this vicinity are well known. The bay and ocean furnish the usual salt water fish of this latitude. 

“Virginia Beach” and “Ocean View” are summer resorts with the usual amusements, bathing, fishing, etc. Cape Henry, with its old lighthouse (the “beacon” was a fire of cord word) is another attraction. 

Hampton Roads (with its Naval Base,) Fortress Monroe, Cape Charles (the direct railroad to the North) Petersburg and Richmond (with their historical significance) are all readily reached. 

So, really, “Cradock” does not lack for points of interest. 

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2/11/28 

Agriculture 

Along the main highways, which are generally hard surfaced with only occasional spots of ill repair, corn seems to be the principal crop. Occasional small fields of “bumble-bee” cotton, tobacco, and in the vicinity of cities, the ordinary garden “truck” are grown. A few small orchards are seen. Figs are in market, during the “season” but are believed to be grown, commercially, further South. Local watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, celery, peppers, sweet and white potatoes are of very ordinary grade and quality. “Norfolk Market” sweet corn does not, at all, compare favorably with that grown in Southern New Jersey. Florida and California oranges and grape fruit, of fair size and quality are obtainable. Strawberries are mediocre. Raspberries are almost unknown. There are a few blackberries, whether local or “imported” is uncertain. There is some local growing of sheep, hogs and cattle. There is a sufficient quantity of milk, hence dairy cattle. Prices are, considering quality, decidedly high. Cabbage and collards are favorite crops. Farms are comparatively small. Much “forest primeval” still remains. There are no noticeably large trees. Scrub oak, pine and “cottonwood” make up the “woods.” Weeds grow almost as high as a man’s head. Dug ditches, for drainage, are everywhere. In this part of “Tidewater Virginia” the “elevation” above sea-level varies from three to, some say, fifteen feet. Usually it is about three to five feet, at least, so it seems to the observer. 

Transportation 

Portsmouth and Norfolk have ample “trolley” facilities to all parts of the cities and their suburban towns. From Portsmouth the Southern Railroad and the “Belt Line” furnish rail facilities. The Old Bay Line runs a freight service to Baltimore, Washington and South and West. Notable steamship lines connect Norfolk with New York, Baltimore, Washington, Miami, Jacksonville and elsewhere. Good roads make auto-truck and bus lines a valuable means of transportation for freight and passengers. A very good ferry service connects Portsmouth and Norfolk and makes their combined facilities readily available. “Taxis” are readily available, of course. The heart of Cradock and the heart of Norfolk are about one hour apart. 

Clothing And Housefurnishings 

Portsmouth has some good stores but Norfolk is, of course, the main source of supply. Furniture, pianos, clothing, dry-goods, haberdashery, etc. are to be had in generous variety but prices seem to be much higher than those advertised in Philadelphia. Granby Street, in Norfolk, is reminiscent of Washington Street in Boston. It is lined by “Department Stores,” theatres, restaurants, general merchandize, “5&10’s”, hotels and the usual stores of a sizeable city. 

With these facilities Cradock is a town which can be easily gotten into and out of and have all its requirements supplied. 

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2/11/28 

School Facilities 

While the Housing Board was laying out Cradock it gave the requirements of the children ample thought. It erected a commodious school building of brick, ample space for playgrounds and, presumably, proper equipment. It now has about 750 pupils. By arrangement with the “trolley” company pupils are furnished with transportation at one-half the regular price thus enabling those who live in other sections to attend this central school. 

Industries 

Though Cradock was created to furnish necessary housing for the workers in the Navy Yard and allied activities it now houses workers in local and Portsmouth commercial industries. Among the near by places of employment are the U.S. Navy Yard, “Excelsior” and kindling wood mill, a veneer works, a shipping terminal, a cottonseed oil refinery, a soap works, a ship-repair yard, docks, etc. 

Forestry

A strip of the “forest primeval” extends to the edge of Cradock and shows no evidences of logging operations as the trees are all first growth. There are only natural stumps and “down-logs.” 

Chicken Raising 

There many chickens raised in this immediate neighborhood but there is no large commercial plants. The flocks run from the home pen of a dozen birds to a flock of (say) 200. Methods are rather primitive.

Rabbitry

There is a small plant. 

Taxes

Taxes are high. 1927 called for $2.85 per $100 valuation. Personal taxes are also $2.85 per $100 and no exemption. There is also a poll tax and a pistol tax. 1920 “Government” tax on each gallon of gasoline is 5 cents.   

Water Table 

With an “elevation” of from 3 to 15 (?) feet above sea level storm water and an “unusually” high tide combined puts parts of Portsmouth and Norfolk under water from 1 to 24 inches (about). The low point on the “trolley” track (at Gosport Road) was impassable at the last high water and transportation was continued by motorbus along Gosport Road, which was about 12 inches above water, between Cradock and Portsmouth. There was no actual stoppage of traffic. Automobiles were not delayed in Cradock except at one point, but that was, probably, due to a clogged drain. 

Potable Water 

The water supply from Portsmouth is always ample and under a good head. It seldom has taste or odor and is, apparently, filtered. 

Market Gardening 

Considerable market gardening is engaged in around Cradock. It is mostly conducted along old fashioned lines although these are places which have pipe irrigation, hot beds and cold frames. There is considerable “back-lot” gardening. Horse drawn vehicles are still in evidence.

Why It Is Named “Cradock” 

Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock of the British Navy saw and engaged the German Admiral Von Spee’s fleet about 41 miles west of the coast of Chile in what was afterward called “The Battle of Coronel.” Admiral Cradock’s fleet was annihilated and Admiral Cradock went down with his ship. As this battle was fought off the coast of South America it was decided to honor Admiral Cradock by giving this town his name.

Ground Plan Of Cradock

The attached ground plan of Cradock will not be able to stand against the surveyor’s transit and chain having been made only from observation and estimated distances, etc. It does, however, give a sufficiently clear idea of the lay-out of “The Heart of Cradock” to give one a fair idea of its general appearance.

 A Typical “Housing Board” Cottage 

The accompanying detailed description of one of the “Housing Board” cottages will give an idea of the appearance exteriorly and interiorly of (say) “Type B” (because it is not a “corner house”.) This particular cottage has been roughly measured (with a cotton tape) and without care for extreme accuracy. The “arcola” heater has been moved to the kitchen (where it belongs) from the “living-room” but is otherwise unchanged from the original design. The photo-graph of the cottage (with its later built garage) and its wide separation from its neighbors, its distance back from the street and sidewalk show clearly a typical Cradock house. The plants shown along the front of the porch are cannas with scarlet flowers. Cannas require no care here, are cut down by a hard freeze and come up in the Spring multiplied in numbers of stalks and full of blooms. The shade trees are mostly the “cottonwoods” (or “buttonballs, as they are called in the North) but are not doing well as they are said to be suffering from illuminating gas poisoning from faulty mains. There are no cellars, of course, as the water-table precludes them. 

Summary 

Cradock is a decent place to live. It is conveniently located. It has easy access to a city and a larger one. It has access to rail and boat lines and good road leading everywhere in the “States.” Every house in “the heart of Cradock” is within easy walking distance of “The Crescent” and the “trolley.” Frequent trolley service. A quiet and restful air. Is an unpretentious suburb. Your neighbors believe in the “Live and let live” policy. As the population is “cosmopolitan” you can select your own “crowd.” If you prefer to “hole-in” you may do without fear of being intruded upon. Though of frame construction of slow-burning type and with “insurance approved” roofs the danger from fire is reduced to a minimum. The distance between houses assures the maximum of quiet. If you like a “suburb” it is a good place to live. The drinking water is, apparently, good. As nearly all houses are more or less efficiently screened infectious and contagious diseases seem to be infrequent. All necessities are readily obtainable and many will be delivered to your door. Good hunting and fishing grounds can be reached for not more than 50 cents. Libraries, theatres, restaurants, city stores, “points of interest”, etc. are quickly and easily reached.

Yes! “Tidewater Virginia” is low. If you want “altitude” you will have to go back to the neighborhood of Petersburg, Richmond and further West. Winters are moderate temperature ranging from 10 degree to 69 degrees. Cold spells are of short duration. Snow soon melts. Even a few days of shallow pond skating and sledding is considered one of nature’s treats. Summers generally moderate with variations from (say) 65 degrees to 92 degrees. Extreme temperatures are of short duration. 

Vale

If you have come this far with me and will read the “map” and the detailed description of “A Typical Housing Board Cottage” you will know as much about Cradock as “ye historian.”

James F. Freed
2/11/28