Brown’s Island
Brown’s Island is located south of Tredegar Street between Fifth Street and 12th Street on the James River. It was formed by the Haxell Canal and is part of the 1.25-mile Riverfront Canal Walk.
The island is named after its first settler, Elijah Brown, who acquired the land in 1826. During the Civil War, the Confederate States Laboratory produced ammunition and other military supplies on the island. From the late 1800s to the 1970s, the island was home to several power plants and a paper mill.
(Source: There are so many things to do along Richmond’s Canal Walk. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2020, from http://www.rvariverfront.com/sites/brownsisland.html)
Manchester
Sometimes referred to as “South Side” or even “Dogtown”, Manchester is located on the southern side of the James River directly across from downtown Richmond.
Manchester served as Chesterfield’s county seat until it became an independent city in 1874. Like Richmond to its North, Manchester was an active trade port for mostly tobacco, coal, and slaves. Richmond and Manchester operated independently for years with ferries and toll bridges providing the only means for residents to cross the river. When the cities agreed to merge in 1910, a permanent, free bridge was finally constructed.
(Hicks, C. (2018, February 14). Search. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://rerva.com/neighborhoods-of-rva-manchester/)
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
Now the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge crosses the James River to connect Brown’s Island to Manchester. Tourists come from far and wide to cross the vast expanse of the river to engulf themselves in the quiet beauty that exists along its shores. The area teems with wildlife, and it isn’t uncommon to see majestic birds such as the Great Blue Heron and Osprey.
Blinding gold of sun,
Reflecting off the harbor,
Moving waves swiftly rippling,
With the incoming tide.
Surf is rising,
Watch the growing water,
The wind may blow,
You yet aside.
So watch that rough water,
Let the wind blow on,
‘Cause you’re only getting harder,
As the world spins on.
Sideways glances from a cowboy,
One who doesn’t know,
The hardness of the city,
When you’re not rolling in gold.
Seagulls will cackle,
Cry out your woes,
But can they feel your worries,
Or just fly off too slow?
So watch that rough water,
Let the wind blow on,
‘Cause you’re only getting harder,
As the world spins on.
Watch the world spinning,
It’ll keep going on.
Poem/Lyrics created by Elle Christine
Elle Christine Travels 