Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

1. Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary Marker

Inscription.
The cupolas you see here sat atop the Virginia State Penitentiary building that stood not far from here. Benjamin Henry Latrobe's original penitentiary was replaced by the building below in the 20th century, but was torn down in 1992 when the state moved the penitentiary outside Richmond.

Ethyl Corporation's new laboratory facility now stands on the site of the penitentiary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1992.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.167′ N, 77° 26.752′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Gambles Hill. It could be reached from Tredegar Street 0.1 miles west of South 5th Street. This marker is located behind the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. 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,

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this marker was in Central Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in 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. Rutherfoord’s Mill (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Spike Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Richmond-Petersburg Railroad Bridge (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Rail Lines at Tredegar (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Company Store (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Raceways (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently

Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

2. Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary

removed); The Canal and the Civil War (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Worker Housing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Iron Works (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Cupola Furnace and Foundry (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Toledo 1000-ton Press (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Adapting Power (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Francis Turbine (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Tredegar in 1951 (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

3. Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works

Virginia State Penitentiary (Spring Street Prison) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Adolph B. Rice Studio, January 24, 1954

4. Virginia State Penitentiary (Spring Street Prison)

The cupolas are atop the building in the foreground. Library of Virginia [Rice Collection 257B]

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 3,558 times since then and 229 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.