Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Rocketts Landing
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009
1. Rocketts Landing Marker
Inscription.
Rocketts Landing. . Rocketts, or Rocketts Landing, is the river frontage of the community, named for Robert Rockett who operated a ferry across the James River beginning in the 1730s. Tenant laborers and merchants filled the floodplain with clusters of small houses and commercial establishments. Free black residents, Jews, and immigrants from Germany, Scotland, and Ireland worked to make Rocketts a prosperous world seaport between 1790 and 1830. Shipping lines connected Rocketts to Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and various South American and European ports. Tobacco and flour were the main exports. Between 1830 and 1861 Rocketts became more of a manufacturing center for tobacco products than a bulk shipping center.
Rocketts, or Rocketts Landing, is the river frontage of the community, named for Robert Rockett who operated a ferry across the James River beginning in the 1730s. Tenant laborers and merchants filled the floodplain with clusters of small houses and commercial establishments. Free black residents, Jews, and immigrants from Germany, Scotland, and Ireland worked to make Rocketts a prosperous world seaport between 1790 and 1830. Shipping lines connected Rocketts to Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and various South American and European ports. Tobacco and flour were the main exports. Between 1830 and 1861 Rocketts became more of a manufacturing center for tobacco products than a bulk shipping center.
Location. 37° 31.552′ N, 77° 25.247′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Bottom. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Dock Street and 2806 Pear Street. This marker is located at the east end of the parking lot in the Great Shiplock Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Dock Street, Richmond VA 23223, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Great Ship Lock (here, next to this marker); Confederate Navy Yard
Regarding Rocketts Landing. The Confederate Navy Yard occupied both banks of the James River, including the community and port of Rocketts Landing on the north bank.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009
2. Rocketts Landing Marker
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009
3. View from the great lock towards Rocketts Landing.
circa 1865
4. View of Rocketts [Landing] and south side of James River from Libby Hill.
Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-133092]
Apr 1865
5. Richmond, Virginia. Wharf at Rocketts.
Library of Congress [LC-B811-3264B]
circa 1910
6. Rocketts Port of Richmond, Va.
VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009
7. Great Shiplock Park
The great lock, built between 1850-1854, connected the James River with the Richmond Dock, completing the James River and Kanawha Canal system that bypassed seven miles of falls and continued 197 miles through Virginia’s western mountain ranges.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,864 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on November 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 7. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.