Thompson, Thomas Perrin (1876-1957)

By Kevin Geisert, SMC Reference Librarian. June 2022.

 

Thomas Perrin Thompson was born in Abbeville, SC on April 2, 1876 to John S. Thompson and Janie Perrin Thompson.  He attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1896.  He continued his education at Cornell University in New York where he got his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.1 

Thompson moved to Norfolk, VA around the turn of the twentieth century.  As an Episcopalian, he began attending church services at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Meadowbrook.2  In October 1907, he married Helen Wickham Taylor at St. Luke’s Church in Norfolk.  They were married for fifty years until his death.  Their union produced no children.3  During his time in the city, he lived at various addresses, including Albemarle Flats, 108 Plume Street, 7 The Stratford, and 7453 North Shore Road in Lochhaven.4 Following a brief stint as a master electrician at the U.S. Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA, he founded an architectural firm with Clarence Neff (Neff and Thompson) that would last for thirty-one years.5  The firm of Neff and Thompson was responsible for designing many prominent buildings in the area, such as the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, Monticello Arcade, and Maury High School.6

In October 1933, Thompson was elected to serve as Norfolk’s fourth city manager following the resignation of Isaac Walke Truxtun.7  He served until 1938 when he was voted out of office just months after the city administration had a disastrous showing in the municipal elections.8  During his tenure, he faced some challenging years with the Great Depression in full force.  However, Thompson’s outlook proved to be innovative for the city.  Thompson worked with the federal government and New Deal agencies, such as the Works Progress Administration to bring some relief to Norfolk’s citizens.  As city manager, he pursued several projects that resulted in Norfolk becoming more modernized.  

The toll-free highway into Norfolk, Foreman Field, Gilmerton Bridge, and Municipal Auditorium are only a few of the structures built because of Thompson’s initiative.  In order to prevent further erosion of the Chesapeake Bay, jetties were built in Ocean View.  Norfolk’s police force was modernized during Thompson’s tenure with the city’s implementation of radio cars.  Beautification projects were undertaken as well, including the restoration of Stockley Gardens.  By 1938, Thompson had secured the purchase of the old post office building and it was converted into City Hall.  The building today operates as part of Slover Library.  During Thompson’s last year in office, in response to public demand, his administration used new technology to improve street lighting.  Thompson was also city manager when parking meters were used for the first time.9

After his tenure as city manager, Thompson’s vision continued to shape Norfolk.  He took charge of the Norfolk-Portsmouth (“Downtown”) Bridge Tunnel project and saw it through to completion.  His negotiation efforts finally led the Virginia General Assembly to pass an Enabling Act, which established the Elizabeth River Tunnel Commission.  Governor Darden appointed Thompson to serve on the commission and he spoke at the tunnel’s dedication in 1952.  When recognized for his contributions by being named “First Citizen” of Norfolk and given the prestigious service medal by the Cosmopolitan Club, Thompson downplayed his own role in the matter.  He believed that his colleagues on the commission deserved just as much credit for creating the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bridge Tunnel.10

Thomas Perrin Thompson died on June 13, 1957 in Norfolk, VA and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk.11

 

Sources:

Full Name: Thomas Perrin Thompson

Also Known as: Tommy Thompson, “Tunnel Pusher” Thompson

Birth Date: April 2, 1876

Birthplace: Abbeville, SC

Parents: John S. Thompson and Janie Eliza Perrin

Ethnicity: American

Race: White

Spouse: Helen Wickham Taylor

Children: n/a

Marriage Date: October 24, 1907

Marriage Place: Norfolk, VA

Death Date: June 13, 1957

Death Place: Norfolk, VA

Burial Date: June 15, 1957

Burial Place: Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk, VA


Major Keywords/Search Terms:

Great Depression | Thompson, Thomas | Norfolk City Managers | Architects | Neff and Thompson | Norfolk-Portsmouth Bridge tunnel | Works Progress Administration | New Deal | Truxton, Isaac Walke | Foreman Field | Gilmerton Bridge| Downtown Tunnel | Municipal Auditorium | Governor Darden | Elizabeth River Tunnel| Commission | Stockley Gardens | Erosion | Chesapeake Bay | Maury High School | Cavalier Hotel | Monticello Arcade | U.S. Naval Shipyard | Slover Library | City Hall 

Sources:

 

1.   Primary Sources:

       

      1)    Books:

 

                           City Directories:

 

      2)  Documents:

                           

                           A)   Census Records:

 

                           B)   Military Records:

United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.  Registration State: Virginia.  Registration County: Norfolk County. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/21571245:6482

 

                           C)   School Records:

                           

                           D)  Vital Records:

Virginia Department of Health.  Richmond, Virginia.  Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014.  Certificate Number: 1957013783.  Death Year: 1957. https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=9278&h=1951879&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=6224&_gl=1*5mac1u*_ga*MTQ3MTYyMjE5NS4xNjIzMDg5ODU1*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*MTY1NDAxNjY1Ni4xMi4xLjE2NTQwMTg5MTAuMA.

 

      3)  Collections:

 

      4)  Maps/Plats/Surveys:

 Sanborn Map Company.  “Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps:  Norfolk Independent Cities, Virginia.”  New York: Sanborn Map Publishing Co., 1928-Oct. 1950, Vol. 5, Sheet 509.  https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/browse_maps/46/8960/43945/46035/622446?accountid=58398

 

      5)    Newspapers/Magazines/Journals:

 

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      6)  Photographs/Images:

 Folder: “People - “T.””  Thomas Perrin Thompson.  Sargeant Memorial Collection Main Photograph Collection, MSS 0000-MPC, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Virginia.

 


2.  Secondary Sources:

 

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