Central Office District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Richmond Bread Riot

Photographed by Kevin W., May 22, 2021

1. Richmond Bread Riot Marker

Inscription. On 2 Apr. 1863, the largest wartime food riot in the Confederacy took place in Richmond the day after a group of women met at Belvidere Baptist Church in Oregon Hill to complain about rising costs, inflation, and speculation. In the morning, a crowd congregated at the Washington equestrian statues in Capitol Square and grew to at least several hundred. The rioters looted warehouses on Cary and Main Streets as well as in Shockoe Slip. Mayor Joseph Mayo, Gov. John Letcher, and Pres. Jefferson Davis attempted to quiet the crowd, which dispersed by late morning with the arrival of the Public Guard.

Erected 2020 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-103.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1863.

Location. 37° 32.254′ N, 77° 26.124′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Central Office District. It is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 E Main St, Richmond VA 23219, 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 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker: Oliver White Hill Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Branch Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Richmond Evacuation Fire (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spottswood W. Robinson III (about 400 feet away); Great Turning Basin (about 400 feet away); The First National Bank Building (about 400 feet away); Anna Maria Lane (about 500 feet away); The Bell Tower (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Treasury Building of the Confederate States of America (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Kevin W., May 22, 2021

2. Richmond Bread Riot Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 896 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.