The first public pier built and owned by the City of Newport News in Huntington Park was called “Red’s Pier,” although it did not belong to Lewis C. (“Red”) Crossley, the man who sold sodas, snacks, and bait there, along with at times steamed crabs and freshly caught fish. “Red” also kept a small fleet of rowboats for rent there.
In our website’s Memorable Places (tab on the left here), there are 4 color photos—courtesy of Dave Spriggs—of that very long wooden pier at Huntington Park that everyone called “Red’s.” It was torn down in the late 1970s or early 1980s, at about the same time the old 1920s-built, 2-lane James RiverBridge was being demolished and replaced in stages by the new 4-lane bridge we have now. Most of the Newport News end of the old bridge was wisely saved by the city as a public fishing pier to replace “Red’s.”
Here are some additional photos of “Red’s” (and the man himself), plus brief comments on each. We invite you to share YOUR memories of Red’s Pier before we move these photos from HOME page to the Memorable Places tab.
This advertisement for “Red’s Place,” from the 1957 Newport News High School yearbook, the ANCHOR, is from the NNHS Class of 1965 website article on “Red’s Pier” composed by David Spriggs in 2003.
This photo of Lewis C. (“Red”) Crossley (1903-1971) is also from Dave Spriggs’ article on the NNHS website mentioned above. For more discussion of Mr. Crossley and the pier, plus “Red’s” obituary, go to: http://www.nnhs65.com . Then click SITE MAP. Next scroll down to Our Old Stomping Grounds, then the section N-R, & finally Red’s Pier.
View of the pier from the top of the bluff. Photo is from the Facebook page “You grew up in Newport News, VA, if ….,” created by Dave Spriggs.
Staff of the 1968 CNC TRIDENT yearbook (p. 71) on the covered deck of “Red’s Pier.” Staff members are (standing left) Barry Kiemer (Photo Assistant, now deceased) & (probably) Louise Ellis (Layout Editor); (seated, L-R) Lynn Walker (Sports Editor) & (I think) Sue Mullins (Copy Writer); Editor-in-Chief Dan Clark (standing, bearded) & someone obscured (seated); and (standing right) Jay Dech (Copy Writer, now deceased) & (probably) Denise Roberts (Business Manager). Reader corrections requested! Also on the staff, as Art Editor, was Patti Phelps, who might be the seated person we can’t see. Staff photographer Charlie Sills probably took this picture, since he’s not in it.
ID CORRECTION: Photo in website’s Memorable Places,Red’s Pier article.
A friend, who was visiting yesterday, made me aware of the picture of the yearbook staff at the end of Red's Pier. I was named as the first person seated from L to R. I was actually the second person (middle seated). I am sorry but I have no idea who it was to my left, who is hidden. No big deal, just wanted to let you know.
Thanks for all your time and effort with the newsletter. It is much appreciated.
Lynn Walker Brothers
Class of 1971
Editor’s note: Thank you, Lynn, for this correction and for your “Thanks”! To all readers:NOT YET LOCATED:Louise Ellis, Sue Mullins, Dan Clark, Denise Roberts, & Charlie Sills. Can you help us find any of them?
Published September 6, 2013
Link to Christopher Newport University home page: http://cnu.edu
