problems of their own, influencing the movement of sand. The beaches and coastal areas are by nature unstable. After Hurricane Isabel pounded on the coast of Norfolk in late 2003, Norfolk had to replenish the shore with of sand, costing the city around $3.8 million. Despite the costs of maintaining the coastline, renewed growth around the area and increased tourism have generated revenue that the region depends upon. The area of water now located between Sewell's Point and Willoughby Spit is known as Willoughby Bay. Ferries, bridge-tunnel A ferry service operated between Willoughby Spit and Old Point Comfort across the mouth of Hampton Roads until 1958. In that year, the first portion of the new Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel was completed. Today, the southern terminus of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, which was expanded to four lanes in the 1970s, is located at the tip of Willoughby Spit. After leaving the bridge-tunnel, Interstate 64, part of the Hampton Roads Beltway, crosses a small portion of the spit and enters a bridge across the northern edge of Willoughby Bay. Shire to county to city The entire area of South Hampton Roads was part of Elizabeth City Shire when it was formed in 1634. From this original shire (or county), in 1636 New Norfolk County was formed, soon divided into Upper and Lower Norfolk counties. Lower Norfolk County was split in 1691 to form Princess Anne County and Norfolk County. The Willoughby Spit area was to remain part of Norfolk County for over 225 years. In 1923 it and the rest of Ocean View area were annexed by the independent City of Norfolk. (Virginia has had independent city political subdivisions since 1871). Aircraft flight makes history In 1910, Eugene Ely made aviation history when he successfully launched his Curtiss biplane from the modified deck of the cruiser U.S.S. Birmingham and landed on the beach at Ocean View's Willoughby Spit, becoming the first pilot to take off from a ship. See also Sewell's Point Ocean View, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk County, Virginia References External links Willoughby Spit Civic League and Garden Club About Ocean View website Ocean View Scene Magazine website Ocean View Nickel Tour website Willoughby Spit website Peninsulas of Virginia Colony of Virginia Spits of the United States Neighborhoods in Norfolk, Virginia Landforms of Norfolk, Virginia Beaches of Virginia