Completed in 1927, the Cavalier Hotel became emblematic of Virginia Beach’s transformation from a small town into a major resort during the Roaring Twenties. Its luxurious accommodations attracted visitors from across the country, including several U.S. presidents. Its 500-watt radio station, WSEA, was the first to report Charles Lindbergh’s return to the United States after his transatlantic flight in 1927. The Cavalier Beach Club regularly hosted big band performances featuring international stars. During World War II, the U.S. Navy operated a radar training school at the hotel. The Classical Revival building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
