Brown's Island facts for kids

Brown's Island is a special island in Richmond, Virginia. It's not a natural island, but one that was made by people. It sits in the James River. The island was formed when the Haxall Canal was built.

Today, Brown's Island is a popular spot for fun outdoor events. Many concerts and festivals happen here, especially in spring and summer. It's a great place for people to gather and enjoy music and community events. The Rivanna Subdivision Trestle bridge also crosses over the island.

Island History

Brown's Island has a long and interesting past. It started as two separate islands. Over time, they became one larger island.

How the Island Was Formed

The island began to take shape in 1789. This was when the Haxall Canal was first being built. For many years, there were two islands: Brown's Island and Johnson's Island. A small waterway separated them. Eventually, these two islands joined together to form the single island we see today.

Early Owners and Names

The first person to settle on the island was Elijah Brown. He bought the land in 1826. The island was named after him. Later, another owner named Neilson tried to change the name to Neilson's Island. But the new name didn't stick, and it remained Brown's Island.

During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Brown's Island played an important role. It was home to the Confederate States Laboratory. This lab made supplies for the Confederate army. They produced ammunition, friction primers, and percussion caps.

In 1863, a sad event happened at the laboratory. An explosion occurred, causing many injuries and deaths. Most of the people working there were young girls. This event was a tragedy for the community.

Industrial Times

After the war, the island became a center for industry. In 1894, a company opened a coal power plant there. A few years later, in 1899, a hydroelectric power plant also started working. This plant used water from the Haxall Canal to make electricity. Another coal power plant opened nearby in 1936.

The first power plant didn't last long. But in 1916, it reopened as the Dixie Paper Mill. This mill made paper products.

In the 1950s and 60s, the hydroelectric plant made less electricity. It finally closed in 1968. In 1969, a big flood from Hurricane Camille damaged the coal plant, causing it to shut down. The two islands, Brown's and Johnson's, officially merged in 1970. Another flood in 1972 from Hurricane Agnes also hit the coal plant. It closed for good in 1975.

Becoming a Park

In 1987, Brown's Island became part of the city's James River Park System. This meant it would be preserved for public use and enjoyment.

In 1993, a sculpture called Headman was placed on the island. It was created by Paul Di Pasquale. The sculpture shows a person steering a Batteaux boat, which were common on the James River. In 1999, the Haxall Canal was improved to create a nice canal walk. The old coal plant building was also updated in 2005. In 2014, plans were made to build the Brown's Island Dam Walk, with funding from the state.

Things to See

Besides being a place for concerts, Brown's Island is great for sightseeing. It has many pathways for walking and exploring.

From the island, you can see other interesting spots. These include Belle Isle, the Manchester Bridge, and the old ruins of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge. The Rivanna Subdivision Trestle bridge crosses the island. This makes it a popular place for railfans who enjoy watching trains.

There are also walkways that extend from the island. One goes south into the James River along the old VEPCO Levee. Another goes north along the Brown's Island Dam.

Brown's Island Today

Today, Brown's Island is a lively spot. It's known for hosting many concerts and outdoor events. These include the Earth Day Festival and the weekly Friday Cheers concert series. In the fall, it hosts the Richmond Folk Festival. This is one of Virginia's biggest festivals, attracting over 200,000 people every year!