Southampton in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Old Westham Bridge
The bridge originally charged a fee. The toll collector lived in a cottage at the north end of the bridge - and he had a reputation for binge drinking. One day he got violently drunk and was last seen floating down the river! That was the end of the tolls.
The bridge was built with trolley tracks down the middle. Richmond had the first electric trolley system in the nation and it was expected that the route would reach here. It did not and the tracks were removed.
Observe the narrowness of the road. The bridge was designed to accommodate the two-way traffic of 1910 era cars. The wider cars of the 1930s and 1940s made passing on the bridge a hair-raising stunt!
In the 1800s, a ferry operated near this spot. In 1911 the sturdy but low Westham Bridge was built. By mid century it was considered obsolete because the approach roads at both ends went under water during floods.
In 1950 the Huguenot Bridge was built. (It is to your right but out of sight). It is higher and longer and not affected by floods. It is also at the end of its life span and will be replaced soon.
James River Park System Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities
Sign donated by the James River Park Fund
Erected by James River Park Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 37° 33.577′ N, 77° 32.793′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Southampton. Marker is at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Southampton Road, on the right when traveling west on Riverside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8600 Southampton Road, Richmond VA 23235, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Richmond Defences (approx. 1.4 miles away); Granite and History (approx. 1˝ miles away); Three-Chopt Road (approx. 1˝ miles away); Wilton (approx. 1˝ miles away); Pony Pasture Rapids (approx. 1˝ miles away); Ziontown Community (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named Wilton (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ampthill (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. On the right is a photo of the Old Westham Bridge. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society
Also see . . . Friends of James River Park. (Submitted on October 31, 2009.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,554 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.