Virginia Beach Public Library Building The Community's Future Through Its Past           Home | Site Map | About Archival Collections: Family Papers High School Band Festivals Historic Hotels & Attractions Historic Houses & Buildings Landmarks Index Local Schools Maps Postcards Local Resources: Virginia Beach Genealogical Society Virginia Beach Princess Anne County Historical Society National Resources: Library of Congress Online Catalog Library of Congress Ask A Librarian DAR Library Online Catalog National Archives National Genealogical Society Federation of Genealogical Societies State Resources: Library of Virginia Virginia Historical Society Virginia Genealogy Society Online Resources: Heritagequest Online Family Search Rootsweb Cyndi's List Myfamily.com Genealogical Forms & Charts Family Group Sheet Pedigree Chart Research Log Historic Houses & Buildings Aerial View of Virginia Beach Oceanfront Virginia Beach, Va. began to be developed into a resort area in 1880 when Colonel Marshall Parks organized several Norfolk businessmen and sportsmen into the Seaside Hotel and Land Development Company. They built the first hotel and pavilion at Virginia Beach, and provided rail service to and from Norfolk. Many other luxury and small hotels followed. The first Boardwalk was built in 1888, from 12th to 16th Streets. It was replaced by a concrete one in 1926, and today extends for over three miles along the beach.   Coast Guard Life-Saving Museum, VB The Life Saving Museum of Virginia is in the second Seatack Station at Virginia Beach. The first Seatack Life Saving Stationwas built in 1878, soon after the U.S. Lifesaving Service was formed. The building was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1969.