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

R&P Railroad Piers

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

1. R&P Railroad Piers Marker

Inscription. "The railroad bridge — then a frail, giddy structure, wide enough for a track and footway - spans near a mile across the boiling current." Thomas Cooper De Leon, 1890

Across the canal stands one of the remaining piers from the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad bridge. This was the railroad that brought Jefferson Davis to the city to be inaugurated as President of the Confederacy in 1861. When the city fell to the Union army four years later, all the James river bridges were burned.

Erected by Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 37° 32.071′ N, 77° 26.496′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Tredegar Street and South 7th Street. This marker is on the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk on the north side of the Haxall Canal. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brown’s Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Albemarle Paper (within shouting distance of this marker); Electricity for Streetcars

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Brown’s Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Canal Walk / Historic Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Laboratory (within shouting distance of this marker); Manchester & Free Bridges (within shouting distance of this marker); Falls of the James (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . .
1. Richmond’s Historic Canal Walk. Venture Richmond (Submitted on October 29, 2009.)

2. James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on October 29, 2009.)

Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 25, 2009

2. Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk

R&P Railroad Piers along the Haxall Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

3. R&P Railroad Piers along the Haxall Canal

R&P Railroad Piers on Brown's Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

4. R&P Railroad Piers on Brown's Island

Ruins of Petersburg and Richmond railroad bridge, across the James. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Alexander Gardner, circa Apr 1865

5. Ruins of Petersburg and Richmond railroad bridge, across the James.

Library of Congress [LC-DIG-ppmsca-12609]

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 950 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.