Midlothian in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Railroad in Virginia

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 19, 2010

1. First Railroad in Virginia Marker

Inscription. Just south of here are the earthen remains and stone culvert of the Chesterfield Railroad. Chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1829, the company in 1831 constructed the first railroad in Virginia, one of the earliest in the United States, to haul coal from the Midlothian mines to Manchester's wharves on the James River. Moncure Robinson (1802-1891), a railroad pioneer, designed the track on which the cars were powered by gravity, horses and mules. It remained in operation until the Richmond & Danville Railroad began providing service to the area in 1851.

Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-30.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.

Location. 37° 30.41′ N, 77° 35.376′ W. Marker is in Midlothian, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is on Midlothian Turnpike (U.S. 60) 0.2 miles east of Johnston Willis Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23235, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Bethlehem Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); Black Heath (approx. 1.4 miles away); Huguenot Settlement (approx. 1½ miles away); Trabue's Tavern (approx. 1.8 miles away); Providence United Methodist Church (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell Hill, CSA (approx. 2.9 miles away); Mid-Lothian Mines and Rail Roads (approx. 3 miles away); The Bermuda Hundred Campaign (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Midlothian.

Other markers no longer nearby. Chesterfield Railroad (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Bellona Arsenal (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing); Bethlehem Baptist Church (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Mid-Lothian Mines & Rail Roads Foundation. (Submitted on September 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Midlothian Tnpke (facing east) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, September 19, 2010

2. Midlothian Tnpke (facing east)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,041 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.