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historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM1J6O_granite-and-history_Richmond-VA.html
Rocks and Railroads
Look Ahead
Riverside Drive is now on top what used to be a railroad bed. It serviced quarries you can find further to the west.
Look to the left in the grassy field between the park entrance and exit. You can still see…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17IF_historic-belle-isle_Richmond-VA.html
In front of you is Belle Isle. At 54 acres, it is the largest island in the James River at Richmond, and one of the most historic sites in the city. Virginia Indians fished in the river here long before the English arrived, Captain John Smith was …
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17ID_native-american-fishing_Richmond-VA.html
In April and May, the Falls of the James is the richest source of food available. 400 years ago, Native American men would wade with nets and spears among the rocks and rapids to catch migrating shad, herring and striped bass. Enormous schools of …
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17IC_hollywood-rapids_Richmond-VA.html
The rapids to your left are named for the cemetery on the hill straight ahead. The granite rocks that cause them are part of a geological scar that stretches 1000 miles from New Jersey to Georgia. It resulted from the clash of the continents of Af…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17IB_quarry-equipment_Richmond-VA.html
Winches mounted here hauled rough granite out of the quarry pit and down to the rail connection at the ast end of the island. Steam from boilers powered the drills. The use of concrete here foretells the end of the cut stone industry — betwe…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17IA_quarry-pond_Richmond-VA.html
Granite blocks were cut and winched up from the 19 foot deep quarry pit. Workers, mostly black prisoners, hit 2 cracks that led to the river. Water entered continually and the site was abandoned. Sunfish now live in the shallows, catfish at the bo…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17I9_first-break-rapids_Richmond-VA.html
In 1969 Hurricane Camille punched a hole in this dam that once funneled water to power plants on Belle Isle and below Hollywood Cemetery. It's now a popular boating site. Notice how a small current on the far side goes back upstream offering an op…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17I8_gun-emplacement_Richmond-VA.html
To large pits on top of this hill were intended for cannons to guard this prison island from northern attack. Rapids actually protected the island, there was never an attack, and no guns were ever installed.Sign funded by: Blue Ridge Mt. Sports
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17I7_headgate-cleaner_Richmond-VA.html
Water leading to the power plant was kept clean by passing it through slats in the headgate called trash racks. Bits of wood can wear away the edges of turbine blades and make them unbalanced. Repair was complicated and expensive.
This "mechani…
historicalmarkerproject/markers/HM17I6_headgate_Richmond-VA.html
The river brings logs and debris with every flood, but clear water is needed to push the turbine blades that turn electric generators. Logs were floated away through the gate in the dam straight ahead. (Look under the wheel.) Small debris was caug…