First Railroad in Virginia

First Railroad in Virginia is a Virginia historical marker in Chesterfield County, dedicated 2004.

Chesterfield County · dedicated 2004 · Rte. 60, eastbound, between Johnston Willis Dr. and Sturbridge Dr.

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Just south of here are the earthen remains and stone culvert of the Chesterfield Railroad. Chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1829, the company in 1831 constructed the first railroad in Virginia, one of the earliest in the United States, to haul coal from the Midlothian mines to Manchester's wharves on the James River. Moncure Robinson (1802-1891), a railroad pioneer, designed the track on which the cars were powered by gravity, horses and mules. It remained in operation until the Richmond & Danville Railroad began providing service to the area in 1851.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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First Railroad in Virginia

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