Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2020

1. Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8 Marker

Inscription. Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8, carrying 74 U.S. Army recruits to Columbia, SC, crashed southeast of Richmond on 8 Nov. 1961. All of the recruits and three of the five crew members perished. At the time, the crash was the worst in Virginia history and the second-deadliest in U.S. history for a single civilian aircraft. At fault were poor airline management, substandard maintenance, and crew error. The tragedy resulted in an investigation of the charter aircraft industry that revealed many violations of safety standards. In 1962 Congress mandated that all supplemental carriers reapply for certification by the Civil Aeronautics Board and meet stricter insurance and financial requirements.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-117.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 8, 1961.

Location. 37° 32.287′ N, 77° 26.784′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. It is at the intersection

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of South 2nd Street and Spring Street, on the right when traveling east on South 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Virginia War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Virginia State Penitentiary (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Canal and the Civil War (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Rail Lines at Tredegar (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Worker Housing (was about

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2020

2. Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8 Marker

700 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Richmond-Petersburg Railroad Bridge (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Rutherfoord’s Mill (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Spike Mill (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed); Company Store (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Neighborhoods at Tredegar (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Raceways (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Iron Works (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Industrial Recycling (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,069 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.