Belle Isle and Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works

Once called Washington’s or Broad Rock Island, Belle Isle was bought by Captain John Smith from Chief Powatan in 1608. Early travelers found the island natural and idyllic, though only hints of its industrial past remain visible today. In 1815, a wooden dam built on the southern side diverted water to power a nail factory that eventually became Old Dominion Iron and Steel. Belle Isle later became the site of stone quarries and a Virginia Electric Power plant. Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works began in 1832 as a large factory employing many Richmonders and manufacturing iron bars, horseshoes, nails, spikes, staybolt bars for steam locomotives, and plates for the C.S.S. Virginia and other vessels during the Civil War. As steel replaced iron, the company became Old Dominion Iron and Steel Corporation and began producing steel products.

Richmond, Virginia · United States