The Gosport Shipyard at Portsmouth was owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia after the American Revolutionary War and was sold to the new United States federal government.

[citation needed] In 1855, the Portsmouth and Norfolk area suffered an epidemic of yellow fever which killed 1 of every three citizens.

[citation needed] In early 1862, the Confederate ironclad warship CSS Virginia was rebuilt using the burned-out hulk of USS Merrimack.

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard today is located entirely within the city limits of Portsmouth, Virginia.

[citation needed] During and after World War II, the shipyard flourished, and suburban development surrounded both Norfolk and Portsmouth.

[citation needed] One of the older cities of Hampton Roads, in the early 21st century, Portsmouth was undergoing moderate urban renewal in the downtown.

[citation needed] The APM "MAERSK" marine terminal for container ships opened in 2007 in the West Norfolk section.

[citation needed] The city contains a number of other historic buildings, as well, including the Pass House, which was built in 1841 by Judge James Murdaugh and occupied by Union troops from 1862 to 1865.

Federal forces required Portsmouth residents to obtain a written pass to travel across the Elizabeth River and beyond.

[32][33] Formerly the Naval Hospital Portsmouth, the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is a United States Navy medical center adjacent to the Olde Towne Historic District and Park View Historic District.

Founded in 1827, it is the oldest continuously running hospital in the Navy medical system with the motto "First and Finest.

[citation needed] A four-story 1825 English basement home furnished entirely with original family belongings.

It is evident from the furnishings that the Hill family were avid collectors and lived graciously over a period of 150 years.

The cemetery is located between Effingham Street and Fort Lane in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

The city is also bisected by the West Branch of the Elizabeth River which flows from neighboring Suffolk.

The Olde Towne Business and Historical District is located in the downtown area, where a combination of preservation and redevelopment has been underway.

[52] The historic hotel was named for Governor Robert Dinwiddie, who was the administrative head of the Colony of Virginia during the time Portsmouth was founded in 1752.

The original Pokey Smokey locomotive was built by Crown Metal Products and ran at the park for many years before being sold at auction.

[citation needed] Each April since 1953, the city hosts the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where college basketball seniors play in front of scouts from the NBA and top European leagues.

Many top basketball stars played in the PIT before successful pro careers, including Jimmy Butler, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and John Stockton.

The City Council is a legislative body served by six members, elected for four-year terms.

[citation needed] The Portsmouth Police Department has about 255 sworn law enforcement officers and 380 total employees.

[68] Portsmouth is also home to the Fred W. Beazley Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College, a two-year higher education institution founded in 1968 in South Hampton Roads with additional campuses located in Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.

Portsmouth is served by a variety of radio stations on the AM and FM dials, with towers located around the Hampton Roads area.

The Hampton Roads designated market area (DMA) is the 42nd largest in the U.S. with 712,790 homes (0.64% of the total U.S.).

In earlier years ACL ran trains including the Tar Heel all the way south to Wilmington, North Carolina.

The airport is located near Chesapeake Bay, along the city limits of neighboring Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

[81] The Chesapeake Regional Airport provides general aviation services and is located five miles (8.0 km) outside the city limits.