Williamsburg never grew substantially beyond the limits defined in 1699 until the year 1900 when the boundaries were extended at both ends of the town to take in the development of population that occurred with the growth of the College. Repeatedly since then enlargements have been made, especially as the College grew during the presidency of Dr. J. A. C. Chandler. Of late there has been building in the Capitol Landing Road district and out Jamestown Road; but throughout the present century the principal growth has been along Richmond Road. Here all the churches except Bruton have built new edifices opposite the College. The Methodists, it is true, are just inside the ancient city limits, at the College Corner. At the outset of the restoration it was determined, whether wisely or not, that the westerly block on each side of Duke of Gloucester Street should not be restored, but developed for the convenience of the residents. The shops in these two blocks are designed to be in keeping with the ancient architecture but are in no way restorations.

Just within the southern boundary of old Williamsburg, the Restoration operates two modern hotels: the Williamsburg Inn and The Lodge. The former is, during the war, reserved for military and naval officers and their families; the Lodge is still open to the general public. In either case, reservations should be made in advance, especially for weekends. Persons planning to visit Williamsburg and desiring accommodations in private families should communicate in advance with proprietors of guest-houses or with the Room Registry jointly operated by the Chamber of Commerce and the U. S. O.; and an advance deposit should be made. The reason for this is that Williamsburg (as will be seen by the map on page 2) is a very small civilian island almost entirely surrounded by military and naval establishments populated by many thousands of service men whose relatives desire to visit them. It is this situation which leads to the uncertainty of reply when questions are asked as to the population of Williamsburg. Including the Hospital patients, the 1940 census showed about 4,000 residents. Up to opening of hostilities the population is supposed to have doubled.

All Williamsburg churches have regular meetings at 11 o’clock Sunday mornings; the Masons on the second Monday evening of each month; the Rotary Club every Thursday; the Lions on alternate Tuesdays. For information about other of their activities it will be well to telephone as follows:

FOOTNOTES