Raceways

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

1. Raceways Marker

Inscription. As you explore the grounds of the Tredegar Iron Works, you will occasionally see evidence of underground networks. Below the ground are numerous “raceways,” tunnels of stone and brick, which carried water downhill from the canal to provide water power to the various industrial facilities. The raceways powered water wheels during the mid-nineteenth century which were replaced by more efficient turbines after the Civil War.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 32.14′ N, 77° 26.754′ 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 outside the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 500 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, 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. President Lincoln Visits Richmond (was a few steps

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from 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); Adapting Power (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); Toledo 1000-ton Press (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Early Industrial Patterns (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Bulldozer Press (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); The Cupola Furnace and Foundry (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Rutherfoord’s Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar Spike Mill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Tredegar in 1951

Underground raceway to the left of the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

2. Underground raceway to the left of the marker.

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Historic Tredegar (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cupolas from the Virginia State Penitentiary (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Belle Isle and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Civil War Visitor Center (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. On the upper left are photographs of an underground raceway and gate with the caption, “You are standing next to one of the most complex raceways on the Tredegar site. Looking up the hill toward the stone wall, you are lined up with the underground course of the raceway. Water came through the metal gate at the stone wall. The water was first channeled into a “forebay,” a holding tank for water, and then into a set of turbines, the water falling over twenty feet.”

On the lower left is a photograph of a forebay with the caption, “After powering the turbines above, the water continued its underground journey down the hill, rushing past your current position. The water

Metal gate at the stone wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

3. Metal gate at the stone wall

then entered another holding tank, or forebay, which was just below the black metal flooring between the two buildings. Tubes or penstocks carried it downward another 22 feet to the turbines beside the Pattern Building next to the parking lot.”

On the right is a map of the Tredegar site raceways with the caption, “Found in a building at the Tredegar Iron Works, this map shows the raceways and waterwheels used on the site from 1800 to 1935.”

Overshot Waterwheel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, November 3, 2009

4. Overshot Waterwheel

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on January 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.