Belle Isle

Richmond Times-Dispatch Archives

Published: July 27, 2008

MAP: James River
SNAP IT! Post your photos and see photos from the James River.

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of the pedestrian suspension bridge

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of Belle Isle from north of the James at Dominion [2007]

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of the east end of Belle Isle

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of the Hollywood Rapids on Belle Isle [2007]

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of the north side of Belle Isle

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of the climbing wall at the quarry [2007]

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of the south side of Belle Isle

Check our photos
of the dry rocks on the south end of Belle Isle [2007]

Belle Isle: Located in downtown Richmond, this outdoor haven is a treasured hangout for kayakers, bikers, hikers, bird-watchers, sunbathers, history buffs and more.

A one-of-a-kind pedestrian suspension bridge starts under the Lee Bridge on Tredegar Street to get visitors to the island. The one-mile trail around the edge of the 54-acre island includes a walk along the falls of the James river, Civil War earthworks, an old quarry, ruins of a hydroelectric plant and plenty of rocks to relax and watch the river flow by. The views of the downtown Richmond skyline and Hollywood Cemetery alone are worth the trip.

Belle Isle is also good for people-watching, dog walking and catching some sun while laying out on a large granite rock. The park is part of the James River Park System. There is a footbridge on the south end of the island with access to the James River Park's Main Section.

Info: jamesriverpark.org, ci.richmond.va.us or 646-8911.

What can you do?
• Walking: The best way to access Belle Isle is the pedestrian suspension bridge (which opened in 1991) under the Lee Bridge on the north side of the James River from Brown's Island. The main trail loop is paved or gravel and are wide and clear. There are many trail paths up the rocks interior of the island.
• Canoeing, kayaking: Skilled paddlers can try the popular and challenging Class IV Hollywood Rapids beside Belle Isle or test the First Break rapids on the west end of the island.
• Swimming, wading: Good places are all around Belle Isle, mainly on the west, north and eastern sides. Wear river shoes to avoid broken glass and sharp rocks and sticks and wait a few days after a rain, which can wash animal waste into the river.
• Biking: Numerous trails include an easy 1.5-mile loop at Belle Isle and several spur trails. Stay on paths to minimize erosion. Improvements and upgrades were made to the trails in early 2008. They are considered beginner to intermediate and are part of the James River Park trails loop that winds the banks of the James River from downtown Richmond to Boulevard Bridge.
• Rock climbing: Try the rock face on the north side of Belle Isle, the rocks above the island's quarry pond.
• Also: Dog walking, photography, jogging, picnicking, rock sunning, nature study, romancing, playing hooky.

Getting there: From downtown, go south on Fifth Street to the river, then right on Tredegar Street to a parking lot on the right, right after the Richmond National Battlefield Parks Tredegar Iron Works Civil War Visitor Center and just before you pass under the Lee Bridge. From there, walk downriver to Brown's Island, then out on a walkway that extends over the James. It's an easy walk with a great view. It's also a good way to introduce visitors to the river.

HISTORY
The island, which is beneath the Lee Bridge and is part of the James River Park system, was first explored by Capt. John Smith in 1607.

Belle Isle, according to the canal society atlas, was originally Broad Rock Island.

It was used as a fishery in the 18th century and was the site of a nail manufacturing plant in the 19th century.

The Old Dominion Iron and Nail Co., which was built in 1814, was one of the biggest suppliers of nails in the country.

The island's first owner was the first William Byrd, and his family held onto it for more than 100 years.

In the 1860s, the island had its own village, including a church, store and school.

It also was a prominent place during the Civil War. Thousands of Union soldiers were imprisoned there after July 1862. About 30,000 people were held there, and the most often cited number of dead is 1,000.

In 1865, the prison camp closed and the nail factory reopened and stayed open until 1972.

Belle Isle also was the site of a Virginia Electric Power Co. plant that was built in 1904 and closed in 1963. The ruins of a concrete dam steers all the water on the south side northward around the island. It originally sent water into a canal for the hydroelectric plant.

In 1934, the first Lee Bridge was built across it. That span was replaced in 1988 by the current Lee Bridge. The island became a park in 1973.
[Credit: Richmond Times-Dispatch archives]