Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

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First Break Rapids

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013

1. First Break Rapids Marker

Inscription. In 1969 Hurricane Camille punched a hole in this dam that once funneled water to power plants on Belle Isle and below Hollywood Cemetery. It's now a popular boating site. Notice how a small current on the far side goes back upstream offering an opportunity to continually re-run the rapids.
Sign funded by: Sierra Club

Erected by James River Park System.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 31.679′ N, 77° 27.435′ W. Marker was in Richmond, Virginia. It was in Belle and Mayo Islands. It could be reached from Tredegar Street 0.3 miles west of South 5th Street, on the left when traveling west. Located on Belle Isle which can be reached via a pedestrian bridge from the north bank of the river. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23225, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia.

It was also in the American

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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 7 other markers are within walking distance of this location: First Break Rapid (within shouting distance of this marker); Headgate Cleaner and Hydro Plant (about 400 feet away); Quarrying Broad Rock Island (about 500 feet away); Belle Isle Hydro Plant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hollywood Rapids (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson Davis (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ironworks Oil House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Gun Emplacement (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Headgate Cleaner (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Headgate (was about 400 feet away

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 31, 2013

2. First Break Rapids Marker

but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Quarry Pond (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Quarry Equipment (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Hollywood Rapids (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Native American Fishing (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Belle Isle Rolling Milling and Slitting Manufactory (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Cannon over the Camp (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement Marker At This Location titled "First Break Rapid"

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.