Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hollywood Rapids
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
1. Hollywood Rapids Marker
The rapids to your left are named for the cemetery on the hill straight ahead. The granite rocks that cause them are part of a geological scar that stretches 1000 miles from New Jersey to Georgia. It resulted from the clash of the continents of Africa and North America 250 million years ago.
The curved shaped rocks are the result of silt in the river grinding down the granite. Flat and sharp-edged rocks (seen at low water levels) are a result of former quarrying operations. Some curb and cobblestones downtown probably came from here.
The white water is a result of river current falling back up stream after it goes over a rock. It can be easily seen in the small riffles below you. Can you also find the miniature V-shaped tongues of smooth water that mark the entrances to even tiny rapids?
Funded by a donation to the J.R.P. Fund by Blue Ridge Mt. Sports
Erected by James River Park System.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 31.797′ N, 77° 27.208′ W.
this page online
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: A different marker also named Hollywood Rapids (within shouting distance of this marker); Ironworks Oil House (about 600 feet away); The Civil War at Belle Isle (about 700 feet away); Belle Isle Hydro Plant
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
2. Hollywood Rapids Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Native American Fishing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Quarry Equipment (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Belle Isle Rolling Milling and Slitting Manufactory (was about 600 feet away 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); Quarry Pond (was about 800 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Historic Belle Isle (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Power of Moving Water (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Civil War POW Camp
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013
3. Hollywood Rapids
Great Blue Heron on the James River below Hollywood Cemetery.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Hollywood Rapids".
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 2,328 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
