Belle Isle railroad bridge

The Belle Isle railroad bridge was an iron structure that crossed the James River to connect Belle Isle with downtown Richmond. Its steel framework once carried loaded train cars between industrial mills on both sides of the water.

The bridge opened in 1872 to move iron and nail products between two major mills that powered Richmond's economy. A fire damaged it in 1909, after which authorities dismantled the remains in 1948 to avoid hazards.

The bridge was central to Richmond's industrial past, serving factories that employed many workers and shaped how the city grew during the 1800s.

You can see what remains of the bridge by walking the trails around Belle Isle along the James River Park System. The riverbanks offer different viewpoints to observe the surviving iron structure from multiple angles.

After the 1909 fire damaged it, the broken bridge remained standing for decades as a reminder of the city's industrial past. Its rusted steel frame became a distinctive landmark on the riverscape before being taken down.

Location: Richmond

Official opening: 1872

GPS coordinates: 37.52840,-77.45272

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:41