Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Tredegar Iron Works
As the firm rebuilt some of these facilities, a change in production occurred. Instead of casting the large cannon that required a large work force and high-grade iron ore, both of which were difficult to secure, Tredegar began producing more profitable railroad materials such as cars, axles, wheels and trucks.
After the war, Joseph Anderson and his Tredegar partners received presidential pardons and reopened the plant. Tredegar’s work force now consisted of former slaves and white workers who were paid equal wages. Most of the peacetime production related to the railroad industry, but during both world wars Tredegar received lucrative military contracts to cast artillery shells. The doors closed in 1957, when some of the rolling equipment was moved to neighboring Chesterfield County where operations continued until 1986.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 37° 32.143′ N, 77° 26.725′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Gambles Hill. Marker can be reached from Tredegar Street, 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street. This marker is located behind the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, 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. The Cupola Furnace and Foundry (a few steps from this marker); Enterprise and Iron (within shouting distance of this marker); Toledo 1000-ton Press (within shouting distance of this marker); Company Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Raceways (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Tredegar Iron Works (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gun Foundry (within shouting distance of this marker); Rutherfoord’s Mill (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. The lower half of the panel displays a "Plan of the Tredegar Iron Works as they appeared on the eve of the fire in May 1863. The red buildings remain standing today."
Also see . . .
1. Joseph Reid Anderson (1813-1892) Class of 1824. West Point in the making of America (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)
2. Tredegar Iron Works. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on November 5, 2009.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,393 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 5, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.