<P> In 1958, the citizenry of the cities of Warwick and Newport News voted by referendum to consolidate the two cities, choosing to assume the better - known name of Newport News . The merger created the third largest city by population in Virginia, with a 65 square miles (168 km) area . The boundaries of the City of Newport News today are essentially the boundaries of the original Warwick River Shire and the traditional one of Warwick County, with the exception of minor border adjustments with neighbors . </P> <P> The city's original downtown area, on the James River waterfront, changed rapidly from a farm trading town to a new city in the last quarter of the 19th century . Development of the railroad terminal, with its coal piers, other harbor - related facilities, and the shipyard, brought new jobs and workers to the area . Although fashionable housing and businesses developed in downtown, the increase in industry and the development of new suburbs pushed and pulled retail and residential development to the west and north after World War II . Such suburban development was aided by national subsidization of highway construction and was part of a national trend to newer housing . </P> <P> In July 1989 the United States Navy commissioned the third naval vessel named after the city with the entry of the Los Angeles - class nuclear submarine USS NEWPORT NEWS (SSN - 750), built at Newport News Shipbuilding, into active service . </P> <P> The ship was initially commanded by CDR . Mark B. Keef; the city held a public celebration of the event, which was attended by Vice President of the United States Dan Quayle . In conjunction with this milestone, a song was written by a city native and formally adopted by Newport News City Council in July 1989 . The lyrics appear with permission from the author: </P>

Where did the name newport news come from