Gambles Hill in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Tredegar in 1951
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009
1. Tredegar in 1951 Marker
The lines in the parking lot represent the outlines of building shown on the 1951 insurance map of Tredegar, below. Three machine shops were constructed in 1872 to manufacture railroad cars and were converted to boiler and machine hops around 1884-1887. By 1887, a series of buildings, represented by lines to the right, had been constructed for the production of horseshoes at Tredegar, including a forge, a machine shop, and storage sheds.
Machine Shops
These buildings were long and narrow so that power for equipment could be transmitted through a long system of line shafting that ran along the ceiling. These turned belts that powered lathes, shapers, and other machine equipment.
Workers at the Horseshoe Shops
Workers at the Horseshoe Shops included skilled machinists and iron workers, semi-skilled horseshoe machine operators, and unskilled laborers who moved the raw materials and finished products. Both black and white men worked in the mills, but whites held the majority of skilled jobs.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.127′ N, 77° 26.78′
this page online
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. 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. within walking distance of this location: Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Other markers no longer nearby. Belle Isle and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Bulldozer Press (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Belle Isle Prison (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Francis Turbine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Adapting Power (was within shouting distance of this marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009
2. Tredegar in 1951 Marker
Regarding Tredegar in 1951. On the upper left is a photograph of belt-driven machine shop equipment.
The background diagram of Tredegar's layout carries
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 8, 2009
3. Lines in the parking lot represent the outlines of buildings
On the lower right is a photograph of workers at Tredegar's Horseshoe Shops.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,013 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 12, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
