Central Office District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Basin Race

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2010

1. Basin Race Marker

Inscription. The Great Basin of the James River & Kanawha Canal covered three square blocks directly in front of this plaque: between Cary and Canal, and 8th and 12th Streets. By 1834, millers had realized the Basin’s water could be used to turn waterwheels, and the Gallego Mills and the Franklin Paper Manufacturing paper mill opened. Basin hydropower was used until the early 20th century.

The Basin was large and elevated, and the water level could be maintained by flow from the Canal. The Canal Company leased water to the mills on a yearly basis, rated on the volume of the flow.

Franklin Paper was powered by a Basin-fed mill race which ran south between 8th and 9th Streets. It was the first paper mill in Richmond and later made the stock for Confederate currency. The site is occupied today by the Federal Reserve Bank.

Other ante-bellum facilities powered by the Basin race included the shops of the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad and an iron works.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 32.234′ N, 77°

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26.333′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in the Central Office District. It could be reached from the intersection of South 8th Street and East Canal Street. This marker was located along the Dominion Building plaza. The building & plaza were demolished in 2020. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 701 East Cary Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Kanawha Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The First National Bank Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Turning Basin (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Great Turning Basin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richmond Evacuation Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oliver White Hill Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richmond Bread Riot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Stewart-Lee House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Downtown Richmond Millsites (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Canal Walk (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Evacuation of Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Evacuation Fire (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about

2. Basin Race

Section from 1876 map. Mill race exited west from arm on the south side of Great Basin, then flowed south to the Haxall Canal.

this marker. On the left is a map of the "Basin Race" with the caption, "Section from 1876 map. Mill race exited west from arm on the south side of Great Basin, then flowed south to the Haxall Canal."

On the right is a period photo of the "Ruin of Franklin Paper Mill, 1865 (Photo by A. Russell, Courtesy of Library of Congress)"

Also see . . . James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on January 18, 2010.)

Ruins of paper mill; wrecked paper-making machinery in foreground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew J. Russell, April 1865

3. Ruins of paper mill; wrecked paper-making machinery in foreground

Library of Congress [LC-B815- 867]

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, January 13, 2010

4. Basin Race Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,219 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.