Belle Isle and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

1. Belle Isle and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works Marker

Inscription.
Once called Washington’s or Broad Rock Island, Belle Isle was bought by Captain John Smith from Chief Powatan in 1608. Early travelers found the island natural and idyllic and current visitors only see hints of the island’s industrial past. In 1815, a wooden dam built on the southern side diverted water to power a nail factory, which eventually became Old Dominion Iron and Steel. Belle Isle later became the home of stone quarries and a Virginia Electric Power plant.

Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works
Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works began in 1832. This large factory employed many Richmonders. The company manufactured iron bars, horseshoes, nails, spikes, staybolt bars for steam locomotives, and plates for the C.S.S Virginia and other vessels during the Civil War. As steel replaced iron, the company changed its name to Old Dominion Iron and Steel Corporation and began producing steel products.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.127′ N, 77° 26.785′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Gambles Hill. It could be reached

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from Tredegar Street 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street. This marker is located outside the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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. within walking distance of this location: Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Tredegar in 1951 (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Belle Isle Prison (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); The Bulldozer Press (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Francis Turbine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Adapting Power (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Early Industrial Patterns

Belle Isle can be seen in the distance under the Lee Bridge. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

2. Belle Isle can be seen in the distance under the Lee Bridge.

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Rolling Mills (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Historic Tredegar (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Raceways (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Making Machines at Tredegar (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Neighborhoods at Tredegar (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Industrial Recycling (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Spike Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Toledo 1000-ton Press (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. On the upper left are images of Captain John Smith and Chief Powhatan. On the lower left is a photograph of Old Dominion Nails & Iron.

On the right is a watercolor of Belle Isle with the caption, "Benjamin Henry

Railroad Bridge and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works on Belle Isle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by E. & H. T. Anthony, Apr 1865

3. Railroad Bridge and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works on Belle Isle

Library of Congress [LC-B811- 3273]

Latrobe, noted architect and engineer, made this watercolor looking toward Richmond from Belle Isle in 1796. The foreground conveys the island’s natural landscape before industry came in 1815."

On the lower right is a drawing of the covered railroad bridge to Belle Isle.

Also see . . .
1. Old Dominion Iron and Steel Corporation. Southern Railwayfan (Submitted on November 11, 2009.)

2. Belle Isle Prison. Civil War Richmond (Submitted on November 11, 2009.)

Business cards image. Click for full size.

November 8, 2009

4. Business cards

Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works image. Click for full size.

November 8, 2009

5. Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6,093 times since then and 189 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.