Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Gun Emplacement

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013

1. Gun Emplacement Marker

Inscription.
To large pits on top of this hill were intended for cannons to guard this prison island from northern attack. Rapids actually protected the island, there was never an attack, and no guns were ever installed.
Sign funded by: Blue Ridge Mt. Sports

Erected by James River Park System.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 31.64′ N, 77° 27.409′ 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 a pedestrian bridge from the north bank of the river. 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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 6 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Headgate Cleaner and Hydro Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); First Break Rapid (within shouting distance of this marker); Quarrying Broad Rock Island (about 700 feet away); Belle Isle Hydro Plant (about 800 feet away); Hollywood Rapids (approx. ¼ mile away); Ironworks Oil House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Headgate Cleaner (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Headgate (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); First Break Rapids (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013

2. Gun Emplacement Marker

been replaced with another marker now near it); Quarry Pond (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Quarry Equipment (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Hollywood Rapids (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Belle Isle Rolling Milling and Slitting Manufactory (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Native American Fishing (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Cannon over the Camp (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canons & Corpses (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.