Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Belle Isle
James River Park System
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
1. Historic Belle Isle Marker
Early History
Belle Isle, at 54 acres, is the largest island in the James River at Richmond, and also one of the most historic sites in the city. Virginia’s native tribes, including the Powhatans, fished in the river here for thousands of years before the English arrived.
Captain John Smith was among the first Europeans to visit this site in 1607, and the island was acquired by William Byrd I in 1676. William Byrd II, Richmond’s founder, called it “the broad rock island”. The island was sold by the Byrd family about 1776, and soon became one of Richmond’s first industrial centers.
Things to Find
A nail factory was in operation here by 1814 and later a full scale ironworks that remained in production until 1972.
Granite was quarried here in the 19th and 20th centuries.
During the Civil War, one of the most notorious prisoner-of-war camps in the South was located here.
The remains of a Confederate gun emplacement are still visible on the western end of the island, at the top of the hill.
From 1904 to 1967, the Virginia Electric Power Company operated a hydroelectric power plant on the island’s south
this page online
In 1995, Belle Isle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as a site of national historic significance. Belle Isle is now one of Richmond’s most popular city parks, with hiking and jogging trails, historic ruins, and “broad rocks” from which to view the river, especially the roaring rapids on the northern side. Part of the James River Park System, Belle Isle is a natural are as well as a historic site. Please do your part to preserve one of Richmond’s great natural and historic treasures.
Paid for by a donation from St. Catherine’s Middle School
Erected by James River Park System.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1607.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 31.886′ N, 77° 27.023′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Belle and Mayo Islands. It could be reached from Tredegar Street 0.3 miles west of South 5th Street. Located on Belle Isle which can be reached via
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
2. Historic Belle Isle Marker
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. At least 7 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Welcome to Belle Isle (a few steps from this marker); Belle Isle Prison Camp Monument (within shouting distance of 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 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ironworks Oil House (about 800 feet away); Robert E. Lee Bridge
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
3. Site of the Belle Isle Civil War Prison Camp
Other markers no longer nearby. Civil War POW Camp (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); 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); Canons & Corpses (was about 700 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 approx. 0.2 miles 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).
Also see . . .
1. Belle Isle. Friends of the James River Park (Submitted on April 1, 2013.)
2. Belle Isle. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on November 12, 2021.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,102 times since then and 68 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 1, 2013. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
