Arts & Entertainment
Theaters
Ritzy Victorian era theater called "The
Emporium" - very much THE spot for theater and plays in the Pulp era.
Home to USO shows during Golden Age. Becomes a movie house, struggling
to make ends meet (non-stop shows all the time), in the Silver Age. In
the Iron Age it is shut down and apparently vacant (but the home to a
villain called "The Subterranean" who lived in caverns dug under the
basement). Finally in the Modern Age it has re-opened and is the home
of a small theater production group that does Shakespeare, etc. "The
Subterranean" is long gone, but his caverns remain.
Nightlife (dance clubs, etc)
During prohibition there are a number
of speakeasy joints and gin clubs in the warehouse district. One
notable high-class exception is "The Library". A new municipal library
was built in 1926, and the old building shut down and sold in auction.
The smuggler/bootlegger Sudsy Lemon bought it and operates a very high
class speakeasy joint, with showgirls and gambling and everything. It
is taken over in 1932 by Anthony Moreno. A year later, prohibition was
repealed, and it became a very famous nightclub. Later on (in the
Golden Age), the "Olympus Elite" hotel was built next door, and bought
"the Library". The hotel's name was shortened to "The Olympus", the
best 5-star in the city, and the nightclub still functions today.
Museums
The Travers Museum of Antiquities
(usually just called the Travers) was founded by the fortune amassed by
Pulp era archaeologist/adventurer Wellington Travers. His Promethean
Era statues brought back from Greenland remain quite popular even
today, in spite of and probably because of the rumors of them being
some sort of portal to a dark dimension.
General
Douglas MacArthur is buried in the city; there is a small museum for
him, and a major shopping mall across the street from his burial site
is named for him.
Libraries
See the notes above concerning the
original Neptune City Municipal Library. The current main branch of the
Municipal Library is also home to some of the Antiquities Collection
from Nansemond University.
Hotels
The Olympus is the highest rated hotel
in the City. An old Civil War era hotel called "The Atlantic Star",
near Fort Neptune, is still open for business (it has burned down and
been rebuilt 4 times since 1854 when it was first erected). In spite of
being rebuilt several times, the building is said to be haunted.
Tourist traps
Other
tourist destinations include the Virginia Zoo, the Chrysler Museum of
Art, the Neptune City Botanical Garden, Nauticus, and the Ghent
historic district.
Historic district and/or historic landmarks and locales
Fort Neptune, built in the 1670s was
the first real settlement along the river. It was originally a Dutch
settlement, called the "Overzeese Stadfort" and was captured by the
English and renamed Fort Neptune.
Food & Dining
Restaurants
Bars
Specialty grocers
Business & Professional Services
Main Financial District
I've always liked the idea of the
financial district being on "Bank Street". It would be home to (among
others) the following...
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The Neptune City World Trade Center. (opened in the 50s)
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Mid-Atlantic Stock Exchange. (opened in 1898)
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Sea-Venture Bank (formerly the
Waterman's Savings & Trust until 2003) - this is important because
Sea-Venture not only is the biggest bank in the city (target of a lot
of silver and modern age street scenarios), but it is also (modern age)
the home of the second fastest super-computer in the world that backs
the largest bank in North America. The super-computer is home to the
A.I. villain "Virex".
Poor Business District
I'm thinking of two areas. Both were
ethnic neighborhoods in the 20s, and had a brief renaisance in the 50s,
but the businesses failed, and they quickly became poor business areas.
-
One, called "River Wharf", is along the
Elizabeth River, and is a typical very poor waterfront business area
(lots of warehouses, some wholesale fish markets, many alleyways,
closed factories). Famous for being the home of the "Starlight
Bowl-a-Rama" (more on that later).
-
The second, called "the Crucible", was
once the site of a nice shopping district (in the 50s) but it went
downhill fast during the 60s and 70s. Now it is the home of seedy dance
clubs, bars, liquor stores, and pawn shops. The name comes from the
fact that it is an area bounded by four main streets, and the whole
region is depressed. It tends to flood really badly. Easily the home to
a great deal of weirdness (ethnic gangsters, villains, occult
activity). Probably an old exercise club or two that feature a couple
of boxers.
Upscale Business District
There should be a "High Street", which
is home to not only high dollar law offices and real estate boutiques,
but also to very, very expensive jewelry and clothing stores. Perhaps
the weird curiosity (arcane?) shop that caters to wealthy tastes. A
couple of Empire era (20s-30s) large scale skyscraper-cum-department
stores (which would have been THE location in the 40s-70s) could have
been gutted and turned into a ritzy shopping mall in the modern era.
Science and Technology sites
-
Norfolk County Community College -
where the poor kids go to school. Little real science, but a couple of
labs. Converted in the late 1960s from the old Markus Trade School
(where mechanics and electronics was taught). The Trade School was
founded by money donated by the widow of "Speed" Markus. Speed was a
shipping Millionaire in the 1920s who had a thing for fast speed boats.
He (out of boredom and quest for adventure) became a crime fighter and
helped to hunt down smugglers.
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Eastern Virgina University - state funded university, home to lots of research.
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Nansemond University - ritzy ivy league
private university, 300 years old, and the site of all sorts of archaic
and eccentric researchers (sort of a Miskatonic U.). Located outside of
Neptune City, over the Elizabeth River and in Suffolk.
-
Orion Technologies - lab specializing
in researching alternative materials and alternative energies. Inventer
of cer-a-met armor. Founded in 1961 by Professor Danny Joust, with a
navy grant (from the Secret Submarine Force) to study materials
recovered from an alien spacecraft recovered off the cost of Virginia.
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Freas Rocket Field - Rocket test field
from the late 1940s, turned into Freas Missile Range in the 80s.
Located out in the county.
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Neptune City Medical College -
responsible for running "Angel of Mercy" hospital. The Hospital was a
catholic hospital, with a convent, up until the 1950s, then it closed
and became a commercial hospital with a Nursing school. In the 1970s,
with a grant from the Governor, it became a Medical College. Lots of
medical research and medical labs.
-
Synthicon Laboratories - weapons
laboratory. Curiously, not funded by government grants, but by
anonymous private donations. Some of the inventions are sold to weapons
manufacturers, but considering the resources and number of researchers,
the vast majority of the inventions here are never heard of in public
light again.
Legal Services
Any number of lawyers and law services.
The one notable one is Rudifus and Gallagher. Trevor Rudifus is the
real name of a masked Mystery man who fought crime and spies in the
40s. He was exposed to a mysterious volcano in the Pacific South Seas,
and in addition to turning his skin a shade of blue and his hair white,
the volcano granted him with eternal youth and health. He used this
gift to retire from Spy-hunting after WWII, and to set up a legal
office that helps the poor (often for free). He is quite a celebrity.
He is currently (modern age) working with the third generation of
Gallagher, young Lisa Gallagher.
Construction & Contractors
You got me on this, but there just has
to be an "Acme Builders", as well as a small contracting company that
hires kids from Neptune City Community College, maybe "College
Builders".
Community & Government
Courthouse(s)
City Prosecutor's Office
Public Defender's Office
Jails/prisons
Super-prison
City Hall
Publicly known super bases
Police Stations
Military facilities
Neptune
City is a major military center. With Portsmouth (directly across the
Elizabeth River, housing the Naval Shipyard), it forms an
extensive naval complex. The headquarters of the 5th Naval District,
the Atlantic Fleet, the 2nd Fleet, and the Allied Command
Transformation are at Sewell's Point. The Navy Base is the
largest naval base in the United States and includes a naval air
station and other facilities. Several vessels of the Navy have been
named USS Norfolk after the county. The battleship USS Wisconsin is
berthed at the Nauticus National Maritime Center.
Fire Departments
Utilities (power, water, waste)
Education
Schools - Public
The city's public school system
comprises 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 34 elementary schools, and
9 special-purpose/preschools. Neptune City Public Schools recently
received a 2005 National Academic Award for having one of the most
outstanding public school systems in the nation.
Schools - Private
-
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Beaumonte Academy - Founded in 1831,
The Beaumonte Academy is a PreK-12 private international school located
on Neptune City's south side offering the International Baccalaureate
(IB) Programme for all grades up through the IB Diploma Programme. With
the opening of Riverside Preschool in 2006, Beaumonte Academy now
offers IB Primary Years Program for children ages 2-4. The Beaumonte
Academy continues to be a trendsetter in international education with
nearly 50 countries represented in its student body. Beaumonte’s
rigorous IB program, world-class facility, and IBO certified faculty
prepare the future generation of well-educated and ethical world
leaders. The School believes and expects that its students will one day
use their unique "spark of genius" to build a better world.
Colleges & Universities
-
Norfolk County Community College -
where the poor kids go to school. Converted in the late 1960s from the
old Markus Trade School (where mechanics and electronics was taught).
The Trade School was founded by money donated by the widow of "Speed"
Markus. Speed was a shipping Millionaire in the 1920s who had a thing
for fast speed boats. He (out of boredom and quest for adventure)
became a crime fighter and helped to hunt down smugglers.
-
Eastern Virgina University - state funded university.
-
Nansemond University - Ritzy ivy league
private university, 300 years old, and the site of all sorts of archaic
and eccentric researchers (sort of a Miskatonic U.). Located outside of
Neptune City, over the Elizabeth River and in Suffolk.
-
Neptune City Medical College -
Responsible for running "Angel of Mercy" hospital. The Hospital was a
catholic hospital, with a convent, up until the 1950s, then it closed
and became a commercial hospital with a Nursing school. In the 1970s,
with a grant from the Governor, it became a Medical College.
Health & Medicine
Hospitals
Angel of Mercy" hospital
Asylums
Other Medical Facilities
Industry & Agriculture
Major Industries
Minor Industries
Farming
Media & Communications
At least 2 rival newspapers
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The Neptune City Pilot is the more
traditional, conservative daily newspaper. It is also the most popular
printer news source in Neptune City 9it's Sunday edition is read by an
estimated 68% of the city, and 62% of the surrounding county). Founded
in 1721, the paper prides itself on never once having had to publish a
retraction due to a factual error on their part.
-
The Tidewater Atlas. Founded in 1921,
the Tidewater Atlas uses slick production graphics and hip language to
appeal to urban elite. Employing a young and active breed of reporter,
the RR is more often that not the first to break the really big stories
– unfortunately, they also have a history of running stories before
verifying all of their sources. The Tidewater Atlas currently hold the
record in the state for the most number of libel law suits issued
against a news publication in a single year.
TV & Radio stations
Real Estate
Housing - Middle-class
Housing - Ritzy
Housing - Low income high density housing, i.e. projects
Ethic neighborhoods
Suburbs
Shopping
Clothing & Accessories
Computers & Electronics
Home & Garden
Personal Care
Automotive, Boats, & Other Vehicles
Sports & Recreation
Stadiums, Arenas & Fields
Pro Sports Teams
Golf Courses
Recreational Facilities
Natural Areas (parks or nearby wilderness)
Beaches
Boat Ramps / Marinas
Travel & Transportation
Streets & Bridges
Neptune
City is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of
arterial and Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel
complexes, notably the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel which enters Neptune
City near Willoughby Spit. The major east-west routes are Interstate
64, U.S. Highway 58 and U.S. Highway 460. The major north-south routes
are U.S. Highway 13 and U.S. Highway 17.
Waterways
The
Virginia Port Authority runs four general cargo terminals-Norfolk
International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News
Marine Terminal, and the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal-which are
operated by its affiliate, Virginia International Terminals, Inc.
Virginia's
strategic mid-Atlantic location and unparalleled transportation
infrastructure offer steamship lines and shippers unbeatable access to
two-thirds of the U.S. population with more than 75 international
shipping lines and one of the most frequent direct sailing schedules of
any port. Virginia has the best natural deepwater harbor on the U.S.
East Coast. Fifty-foot-deep, unobstructed channels provide easy access
and maneuvering room for the largest of today's container ships.
Virginia ports are located just 18 miles from the open sea on a
year-round, ice-free harbor. Virginia ports have long maintained a
reputation for efficient and uncongested intermodal service. The bottom
line is in the numbers: The Port of Virginia transports more intermodal
containers to more cities faster and more efficiently than any other
port in the United States. As the largest intermodal facility on the
U.S. East Coast, Virginia offers six direct-service trains to 28 major
cities each day. More than 50 motor-carrier companies offer full
freight-handling and load-consolidation services. A modern network of
interstate and local highways permits fast, direct inland motor-freight
transportation to any point in the United States.
Airport
Neptune
City and the rest of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area (including
Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Suffolk,
Williamsburg and Poquoson, Virginia) are served by the Neptune City
International Airport and Patrick Henry International
Airport.
Bus
An
extensive transit bus system and para-transit services are provided by
Hampton Roads Transit, a regional public transport system headquartered
in Hampton. A light rail service within the city is in planning stages.
Train
Neptune
City is served by Amtrak via connecting bus with the railroad line
across Hampton Roads which terminates at Newport News, and runs west
along the Virginia Peninsula to Richmond. A high speed rail connection
at Richmond to both the Northeast Corridor and the Southeast High Speed
Rail Corridor are also under study.
Criminal Elements
Organized Crime
Street Gangs
Informers (stool-pigeons)