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:

The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 14 June 1957, Page 72. “Thomas P. Thompson, Norfolk Leader, Dies.”
Ibid. Page 48.
The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 25 October 1907, Page 5. “Weddings: Thompson-Taylor.”
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Berkley Directory 1904 (Norfolk, VA), Page 438; Norfolk, Portsmouth and Berkley Directory 1905 (Norfolk, VA), Page 435; Norfolk and Portsmouth Directory 1910 (Norfolk, VA), Page 531; Norfolk and Portsmouth Directory 1946 (Norfolk, VA), Page 759.
The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 14 June 1957, Page 72. “Thomas P. Thompson, Norfolk Leader, Dies.”
Ibid. Page 48.
Ibid. Page 72.
Ibid. 2 September 1938, Page 11, Part 1. “Gurkin Elected Mayor and Borland City Manager.”
Ibid. 14 June 1957, Page 72. “Thomas P. Thompson, Norfolk Leader, Dies.”
Ibid. Page 48 and 72.
Ibid. Page 48.

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:

Sources:

1. Primary Sources:

1) Books:

City Directories:

Norfolk, Portsmouth and Berkley Directory 1904 (Norfolk, VA), Hill Directory Company, Page 438.
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Berkley Directory 1905 (Norfolk, VA), Hill Directory Company, Page 435.
Norfolk and Portsmouth Directory 1910 (Norfolk, VA), Hill Directory Company, Page 531.
Norfolk and Portsmouth Directory 1946 (Norfolk, VA), Hill Directory Co., Inc., Publishers, Page 759.

2) Documents:

A) Census Records:

United States Census Bureau. 1880 US Federal Census-Greenville, Greenville County, South Carolina. Roll: 1230. Page: 27A. Enumeration District: 080. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/18264785:6742
United States Census Bureau. 1920 US Federal Census-Norfolk City, Virginia. Roll: T625_1900. Page: 14A. Enumeration District: 135. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/55594916:6061
United States Census Bureau. 1930 US Federal Census-Norfolk City, Virginia. Page: 13B. Enumeration District: 0097. FHL Microfilm: 2342206. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/98496580:6224?tid=&pid=&queryId=cf25cf4389ecfd103280864043c32cdf&_phsrc=EwO1022&_phstart=successSource
United States Census Bureau. 1940 US Federal Census-Norfolk City, Virginia. Roll: m-t0627-04314. Page: 4A. Enumeration District: 114-124. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/18999338:2442?tid=&pid=&queryId=cf25cf4389ecfd103280864043c32cdf&_phsrc=EwO1021&_phstart=successSource
United States Census Bureau. 1950 US Federal Census-Norfolk City, Virginia. Roll: 3676. Sheet Number: 75. Enumeration District: 115-49. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/112531689:62308?tid=&pid=&queryId=cf25cf4389ecfd103280864043c32cdf&_phsrc=EwO1027&_phstart=successSource

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:

United States School Yearbooks, 1880-2012. Cornellian, Page 58. School Name: Cornell University. Year: 1898. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/244177976:1265
United States School Catalogs, 1765-1935. Cornellian, Page 251. School: Cornell University. Year: 1898. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/3723027:2203

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:

Thomas P. Thompson Papers, MSS 0000-234. http://smcarchives.libraryhost.com/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=779&=
Thomas P. Thompson Scrapbook, MSS 0000-076. Years: 1923-1934. http://smcarchives.libraryhost.com/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=388&=
City Manager Scrapbooks, Volumes 1-27, RG 01-0000-001. Years: 1933-1938.

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:

1910s:

“Weddings: Thompson-Taylor.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 25 October 1907, Page 5.

1930s:

“Norfolk’s Fourth City Manager.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 12 October 1933, Page 4 Part 1.
"Truxton Quits; T. P. Thompson City Manager.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 11 October 1933, Pages 1-2.
“Truxton and Thompson.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 11 October 1933, Page 8.
“Thompson Elected City Manager by Unanimous Vote of Council; Truxton Praised on Retirement.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 11 October 1933, Pages 1 and 3.
“T. P. Thompson Takes Oath as City Manager.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 14 October 1933, Page 1.
“Thompson Authorized to Apply for Fund to Build New Bridge.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 25 October 1933, Page 12.
“Varied Uses Made by City of CWA Funds.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 9 December 1933, Page 14.
“City Applies for CWA Funds for New Work.” The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 9 February 1934, Page 2.
"Grant of $119,000 PWA Fund is Given to Norfolk Bridge.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 10 November 1934, Pages 3 and 14.
“Public Works Program Opens Possibility of New Toll-Free Route.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 7 January 1935, Page 2.
“City Projects Are Listed on PWA Inventory at $1,247,200.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 10 February 1935, Page 1 Part 2 and Page 3 Part 2.
“Civic Groups Give Approval to New Route.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 22 June 1935, Page 16.
“Stadium Plans are Approved.” Norfolk Ledger Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 11 July 1935, Page 21.
“Parking Meter Trial Gets Final Approval of Council; Vote 4 to 1.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 16 December 1936, Pages 13 and 20.
“City May Buy Post Office Building on Plume Street For $32,880, Hamilton Told.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 11 February 1937, Page 20.
“Street Lighting Being Improved.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 16 February 1938, Pages 1 and 18.
“New City Hall Occupancy Set for Next Week.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 15 April 1938, Page 1 Part 7.
“City Managership Issue in Campaign.” The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 30 April 1938, Pages 1 and 13.
“Gurkin Elected Mayor and Borland City Manager.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 2 September 1938, Page 1 Part 1 and Page 11 Part 1.

1950s:

“Thomas P. Thompson First Citizen.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 16 December 1950, Pages 1 and 10.
“Mr. Thompson’s Magic.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 17 December 1950, Part 1 Page 6.
“Thompson First Citizen; Nursed Tunnel Link Plan.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 17 December 1950, Part 2 Page 1 and Part 2 Page 11.
“First Citizen Seen as Man Who Made Dreams Come True.” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch (Norfolk, VA), 26 January 1951, Page 23B.
“Thomas P. Thompson, Norfolk Leader, Dies.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 14 June 1957, Pages 72 and 48.
“Thomas P. Thompson: Builder.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 15 June 1957, Page 4.

1970s:

“Helen Thompson, 89, Norfolk Civic Leader.” The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA), 24 February 1973, Page A4.

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:

1) Books:

Shank, Joseph E. Shank’s Raw Materials. Volume VI, 1919-1931. Pages 2102 and 2121.
Shank, Joseph E. Shank’s Raw Materials. Volume VII, 1931-1965. Page 2293.
Wells, John E. and Robert E. Dalton. The Virginia Architects 1835-1955: A Biographical Dictionary. New South Architectural Press, 1997. Page 447.

2) Documents/Collections:

Folder: “Norfolk-Biographies-Thompson, Thomas Perrin.” Sargeant Memorial Collection Norfolk Clippings Files, MSS 0000-NCF, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Virginia.
Sargeant Memorial Collection Card Catalog. Legacy Biographical: “Thompson, Thomas P.”
Thomas P. Thompson Papers, MS170, Georgia Tech Library Archives & Special Collections, Atlanta, GA. https://finding-aids.library.gatech.edu/repositories/2/resources/129
The Virginian-Pilot Index cards, MSS 2020-005. Biographical: 1947-1984: “Thompson, Thomas P.”

3) Newspapers/Magazines/Journals:

"New Members Elected.” Journal of the American Institute of Architects, October 1922, Volume X, Issue 10, Page 338.
“Real Leadership.” Know, 1939, 1st Quarter, Page 19.
“Thomas Perrin Thompson.” Virginia and the Virginia County, May 1951, Page 21.
Davis, Virginia Waller. “They Call Him the “Tunnel Pusher.” Virginia and the Virginia County, October 1951, Page 13.

4) Websites:

Family Search-Thomas Perrin Thompson https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KCDG-22S/thomas-perrin-thompson-1876-1957
Findagrave-Thomas Perrin Thompson https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61567706/thomas-perrin-thompson

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