Great Bridge, Virginia

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Great Bridge is a community located in the independent city of Chesapeake in the U.S. state of Virginia. Its name is derived from the American Revolutionary War Battle of Great Bridge, which took place on December 9, 1775 and resulted in the final removal of British government from the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. Near the end of the war, the Hudgins family moved to Great Bridge and established the first permanent settlement in the area. Descendents of the family can still be found living in the Forest Lakes section of Chesapeake.

The main branch of the Chesapeake Public Library named the Central Library, which itself is located in Great Bridge, displays a 12 pound cannon ball, labeled as having been fired at the Battle of Great Bridge. The written histories of the battle are specific in stating that there were only two cannon at the battle, both British "four pounders."

Though the battles of Lexington and Concord took place months earlier, and are historically more memorable, the Battle of Great Bridge can be seen as the first strategically important colonial victory over the British, forcing John "Lord Dunmore" Murray's 200 redcoats to evacuate Fort Murray and withdraw to Norfolk.

The original bridge from colonial times has been replaced several times; it's currently served by a modern drawbridge crossing the Intracoastal Waterway.

The city hall as well as other major municipal buildings for Chesapeake lie within Great Bridge. Great Bridge was essentially a small town or crossroads until the late 1980s and 1990s, when it experienced significant growth. It contains large residential areas as well as many large shopping centers. Also, Great Bridge was the home of professional baseball players, Michael Cuddyer, David Wright, B.J. Upton, and Justin Upton. Virginia Tech defensive lineman Carlton Powell also hails from Great Bridge. Lawrence Johnson, the 2000 Summer Olympics pole vault silver medalist, is also from Great Bridge.

• Great Bridge, Virginia is at coordinates 36°42′50″N 76°14′20″W / 36.7137602, -76.2388269 (Great Bridge, Virginia)Coordinates: 36°42′50″N 76°14′20″W / 36.7137602, -76.2388269 (Great Bridge, Virginia)

[edit] Schools

• Great Bridge High School is a notable competitor in high school wrestling.
• Oscar Smith High School is the only school in Chesapeake to hold the IB (International Baccalaureate) program and also has one of the top football teams in Virginia.