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, 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 37° 31.552′ N, 77° 25.247′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Shockoe Bottom. It 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.

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 of this marker: Great Ship Lock (here, next to this marker);

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Confederate Navy Yard (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Great Ship Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Great Ship Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); Coffer Dams (within shouting distance of this marker); 17 Feet (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia Capital Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocketts Landing and Wharf / Confederate Navy Yard / Powhatan’s Birthplace (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

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

View from the great lock towards Rocketts Landing. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

3. View from the great lock towards Rocketts Landing.

View of Rocketts [Landing] and south side of James River from Libby Hill. image. Click for full size.

circa 1865

4. View of Rocketts [Landing] and south side of James River from Libby Hill.

Library of Congress [LC-USZ62-133092]

Richmond, Virginia. Wharf at Rocketts. image. Click for full size.

Apr 1865

5. Richmond, Virginia. Wharf at Rocketts.

Library of Congress [LC-B811-3264B]

Rocketts Port of Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

6. Rocketts Port of Richmond, Va.

VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

Great Shiplock Park image. Click for full size.

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 3,544 times since then and 60 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.