This site was the location of Southern Branch Chapel, a chapel of ease of the Anglican Church for Elizabeth River Parish from 1701 to 1761 and for St. Brides Parish from 1761 to 1845. It was also an encampment area for American Patriots during the Battle of Great Bridge in December 1775, the first land battle of the American Revolution fought in Virginia. It was later the residence of the Wilson family, who on 24 February 1855 gave one hundred and seventy-five acres to the overseers of the poor of Norfolk County, land that is now the Civic Center of the City of Chesapeake.