The history of Wallops Island has been one of transition. In the colonial period, John Wallop, an industrious man and self-made millionaire, was granted much of the island's acreage by the English Crown for providing assistance to new colonists trying to reach Virginia. In 1889, Wallops Island was bought and converted into a vacation destination for a handful of wealthy families from Pennsylvania, who, in turn, sold the island to the federal government in the 1940s. Once in the hands of NASA the island was transformed into a center for the high-tech development of rockets, missiles, and the means for space travel. From weather balloons and Tiamat missiles to aerodynamics and hurricane research, the Wallops Island Flight Facility and its predecessors have been instrumental in the evolution and success of the American space program.
Book Description
Located in Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Wallops Island was once a primitive swath of land, uncivilized but by the wild ponies and mosquitoes that made its scrub-covered shores their home. But as the centuries passed, the wildness of the island was radically altered by the influx of colonists, then vacationers, and, eventually, some of the brightest scientific minds in the country.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
In Wallops Island, authors Nan DeVincent-Hayes and Bo Bennett share the diverse history of this unique place, from its early days as a gentlemen's hunting club to the trials and triumphs, struggles and spirit of its scientific community. Illustrated with archival photographs and other visual memorabilia from the periods both before and after the island's purchase by NASA, this informative history showcases the amazing technological advances brought forth on this small parcel of land as well as the men and women whose determination and dedication made it all possible.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
entertaining,
By Stacey Singleton (Mt. Lebanon, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wallops Island (Images of America: Virginia) (Paperback)
This book offers great photos and information on the history of rockets and missles, and the space program. I like how it's written in a clear, easy-to-understand way.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful info,
By antony jones (Hill District, Pgh, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wallops Island (Images of America: Virginia) (Paperback)
I love this author's pictoria histories. There's great information in it and equally good pictures. Nice job.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
That's how they do rockets?,
By Mark Gunnerson (San Jose) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wallops Island (Images of America: Virginia) (Paperback)
Great research on the history of space and Wallops Flight Facility; interesting, too, with wonderful photos. Good deal.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Wallops Island flight Facility (WFF) has a rich and vivid history, starting with its early days when it was no more than a primitive terra firma sporting overgrowth, one or two decrepit buildings, and hordes of mosquitos. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Wallops Flight Facility, Abe Spinak, Coast Guard, Richard Krieger, Robert Krieger, World War, Courtesy of the Krieger, Wallops Station, Air Force, Robert Duffy, Little Joe, Courtesy of Richard, Abraham Spinak, Eastern Shore Community College New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Wallops Island flight Facility (WFF) has a rich and vivid history, starting with its early days when it was no more than a primitive terra firma sporting overgrowth, one or two decrepit buildings, and hordes of mosquitos. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Wallops Flight Facility, Abe Spinak, Coast Guard, Richard Krieger, Robert Krieger, World War, Courtesy of the Krieger, Wallops Station, Air Force, Robert Duffy, Little Joe, Courtesy of Richard, Abraham Spinak, Eastern Shore Community College New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
1
book
cites this book:
- Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution by Steve Jenkins in Back Matter
- Damn Yankees by Douglas Wallop on page 19
- Seashore Chronicles: Three Centuries of the Virginia Barrier Island by Brooks M. Barnes in Back Matter
- Chincoteague and Assateague Islands (MD and VA) (Images of America) by Nan Devincent-Hayes in Front Matter
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