Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Belle Isle
The Jewel of the James River Park System
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
1. Welcome to Belle Isle Marker
At 54 acres, Belle Isle is one of the largest islands in the James River and one of the most historic sites in Richmond. The people that have called this section of the James River home have always found a use for Belle Isle.
The earliest records of Belle Isle show that it was once an important fishing site for the Powhatan Indians. The island also played an important role in the settlement of the region by Europeans in the early 1600s. William Byrd II, the person generally regarded as the founder of Richmond, would eventually come to own the island in the early 1700's[SIC].
Sold by the Byrd family in 1776, the island quickly became one of Richmond's first industrial centers. Belle Isle became home to a nail factory, an ironworks that operated for more than 100 years, and granite quarries that operated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. From 1904 to 1967 a hydroelectric power plant operated on the Southern bank of the island.
Saved from development in the 1990's[SIC] Belle Isle lives on as an important part of the urban wilderness that makes up Richmond's James River Park System today. Today the island is
this page online
"This island would make an agreeable hermitage for any good [person] who had a mind to retire from the world" - William Byrd II
Erected by Friends of the James River Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 37° 31.881′ N, 77° 27.036′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Belle and Mayo Islands. It can be reached from Tredegar Street 0.3 miles west of South 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, 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
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
2. Welcome to Belle Isle Marker
Though distant, the marker is visible at left along the reconstructed POW camp berm. The marker can be seen just to the left of the Park's map kiosk and the tall black bat house.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Belle Isle Prison Camp Monument (a few steps from this marker); James River Fall Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Dominion Iron and Steel (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil War at Belle Isle (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ironworks Oil House (about 700 feet away); Robert E. Lee Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Other markers no longer nearby. Civil War POW Camp (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Historic Belle Isle (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Power of Moving Water (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Historic Belle Isle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Old Dominion Iron & Steel Company (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canons & Corpses (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Cannon over the Camp (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Native American Fishing (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Belle Isle Rolling Milling and Slitting Manufactory (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hollywood Rapids (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The marker replaces and consolidates two older markers (64038 & 64056).
Regarding Welcome to Belle Isle. Though the marker says the 1990s, Belle Isle was saved from development in the 1960s.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
