Near Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Iron Furnace Overlook
1619-1622
— Falling Creek Ironworks Park —
The ironworks were to be the first in the Western Hemisphere to smelt iron ore into pig iron. It was the beginning of American heavy industry. The location for the iron furnace at Falling Creek was chosen due to the 10-foot-high head of water and its abundance. In 1619, Captain Benjamin Bluett led an expedition of 150 men under commission of the Virginia Company to establish a full scale iron smelting works. Bluett died shortly after arrival. A large number of the workers also succumbed to the harsh conditions.
In 1621, a second expedition was organized and led by iron-master John Berkeley. Berkeley, along with his son Maurice and 22 workers, including an apothecary, were tasked to "Finish the ironworks and begin production." Berkeley wrote that he would have a plentiful supply of iron by “Whitsuntide next” (June 1622).
However, on March 22, 1622, Chief Opechancanough of the Powhatan Nation executed a carefully planned attack on all the European settlements along the James River, killing every worker at Falling Creek, destroying machinery and leaving the works in ruins.
In 1750, Archibald Cary established the Chesterfield Forge to produce bar iron from pig iron on the same site. His operation was shut down and then reopened for the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold destroyed it in 1781.
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Furnace views
Painting by Sydney King depicting the 1622 Good Friday Massacre at Falling Creek Ironworks
Erected 2016 by Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation, Chesterfield Heritage Alliance.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1619.
Location. 37° 26.283′ N, 77° 26.277′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) and Marina Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located in Falling Creek Ironworks Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6407 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cary’s Mill Overlook (here, next to this marker); Natural History (here, next to this marker); Cultural History (a few steps from this marker); Historic Village of Bensley (a few steps from this marker); Historic Route 1 (a few steps from this marker); Falling Creek Stone Bridge (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Natural History (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Historic Village of Bensley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Also see . . . Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation. (Submitted on January 26, 2017.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.