Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Quarrying Broad Rock Island
Taking Belle Isle for Granite
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
1. Quarrying Broad Rock Island Marker
Early settlers to Richmond called Belle Isle "Broad Rock Island because of the large, flat granite found here. Imagine, if in the place of this pond, there stood a granite dome reaching from your feet to the top of the cliff in front of you. Granite was quarried here from the late 1800s until early 1923. Workers struck a seam that allowed water from the James River to fill the quarry.
Work here was dangerous, and many were injured or died. The workers were often enslaved people or convicts. Using steam-powered drills and dynamite, large chunks of granite were removed. Smaller pieces were cut by hand using a wedge-and-feather system. The derrick to your left would lift the granite onto rail carts. The carts followed the trail you use today to reach the eastern end of Belle Isle.
Straight lines and right angles are usually the result of human activity. Do you see evidence of quarrying around the river? See if you can find the large holes of steam drills and the smaller holes of hand drills used to wedge-and-feather.
Erected by Friends of the James River Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 37° 31.739′ N, 77° 27.351′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Belle and Mayo Islands. It can be reached from Tredegar Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23225, 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 the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hollywood Rapids (about 600 feet away); Belle Isle Hydro Plant (about 600 feet away); First Break Rapid (about 600 feet away); Headgate Cleaner and Hydro Plant (about 700 feet
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
2. Quarry Equipment Foundation
Remnants of quarrying equipment infrastructure (probably the base of a derrick crane) lie just east of the marker.
Other markers no longer nearby. Quarry Pond (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Quarry Equipment (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); First Break Rapids (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Gun Emplacement (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Headgate (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Headgate Cleaner (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Hollywood Rapids (was about 800 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); Canons & Corpses (was approx. Ό mile away but has been
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
3. Quarry Pond
The most prominent quarry site on the island is this pond. Other sites are to the east, on the southern side of the walking trail.
More about this marker. This marker replaces 64052 and 64051.
Regarding Quarrying Broad Rock Island. Note that slavery had been abolished by the time period listed on the marker. However, three of the four quarry sites on the island were in operation by 1848 - so quarrying was not limited to the period the marker indicates.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 15, 2025
4. Quarry Pond
The filled quarry has very still water compared to the rapid James River current just on the opposite side of the cart path (today's walking trail).
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 230 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
