Near Richmond in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Falling Creek Ironworks

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009

1. Falling Creek Ironworks Marker

Inscription. Nearby on Falling Creek is the first ironworks in English North America. It was established by the Virginia Company to supply iron for the colony and for export to England. Construction began in 1619. The works, including a blast furnace, were completed under ironmaster John Berkeley and production began late in 1621 or early in 1622. The facility was destroyed and almost everyone there (twenty-seven people) was killed during the 22 Mar. 1622 Indian attacks coordinated by Chief Opechancanough that struck this and various other English settlements. There were three other unsuccessful 17th-century attempts to restart the ironworks.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 22, 1622.

Location. 37° 26.289′ N, 77° 26.324′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is on U.S. 1 0.4 miles south of Chippenham Parkway (Virginia Route 150), in the median. This marker is located at the Falling Creek Wayside.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6314 Rte 1, Richmond VA 23234, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Warwick (here, next to this marker); Historic Village of Bensley (within shouting distance of this marker); Natural History (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Route 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Falling Creek Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Natural History (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Furnace Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker); Cary’s Mill Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker).

Also see . . . The Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation. (Submitted on February 14, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Falling Creek Ironworks Marker at Falling Creek Wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, February 9, 2009

2. Falling Creek Ironworks Marker at Falling Creek Wayside

Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,847 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.