Bellona Arsenal

The Bellona Arsenal is a military historic district in Chesterfield County containing several original structures, including a large granite powder magazine measuring roughly 90 feet in length. The complex includes this storage building and a few residential structures that were part of the original military facility.

The arsenal was founded in 1814 by Major John Clarke and operated as a weapons manufacturing facility with an iron foundry supported by nearby coal mines. It played a role in Virginia's early military industrial development during the 1800s.

The site bears the name of Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, chosen to reflect its military purpose during the early 1800s. This naming choice signals the strategic importance that was attached to this location.

The buildings at this site are now private residences and viewing is limited to what can be seen from public roads. A car is useful for exploring the area, and visitors should respect property boundaries while observing from a distance.

The powder magazine still stands without a roof, showing how solidly it was built to safely store explosives. This roofless structure tells the story of Virginia's early industrial strength in weapons production.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 37.55360,-77.61720

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:08