What is it?

Cotton was brought into Portsmouth and Norfolk by boat and train from the surrounding farmland in Virginia and North Carolina.  Upon arriving in the city, the cotton was bagged at warehouses along the Elizabeth River.  Many of these warehouses were in Atlantic City just beyond the downtown sections of Norfolk.  The ties from farmland to the cities enabled by water and railroad created new communities that depended on  jobs managing the transportation and processing of goods.

Things to Ponder...

* What can you make from cotton?

* How would the crops have been transported before the development of the railroad?

* Where do you think the cotton would have been shipped after being bagged?

* You are a reporter for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper.  Create an article documenting the process of bringing cotton into Atlantic City and include an imaginary quote from an employee of the railroad or warehouse.  Illustrate your article with a drawing.

Learn More!

* Read: Stewart, Col. William H. History of Norfolk County, Virginia and Representative Citizens. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1902.

* Read: David, Kimble. National Register of Historic Places: Southern Bagging Company. 29 January 2007.

* Take a look at the National Register of Historic Places registration form for the Southern Bagging Company here.