Enter William Byrd I, an Englishman from Shadwell in the darkest depths of East London but in 1673, he was granted lands around the falls on the James River. He established himself quickly and by hard work, using and building on his already-envious Indian trade connections. In 1704, his son, William Byrd II, inherited the lands and business and continued in his father’s footsteps.

The enterprise was highly successful and in 1737, Richmond was established at the Falls of the James River. The town was named after Richmond in England (itself now a part of London), which is situated on the River Thames – Byrd felt that the view of the James River was very similar to that of the Thames in London, hence the name; Richmond. By 1742, the town layout was completed and Richmond was incorporated in 1742.

The Byrd dynasty was firmly established by dint of fortune and hard work in the founding of the city and interweaving themselves into the trading and political fabric of society. A testament to how closely the Byrd family tied themselves to the machinery of the state is epitomized by the Byrd Organization, known also simply as “the Organization”. This was the vehicle used by Harry F. Byrd, himself a US Senator and a Governor of Virginia active in the first half of the 20^th Century.

Harry Byrd established himself politically by engaging with the five main offices in principal counties of the state – the Sheriff, Clerk of the Court, Commonwealth Attorney, County Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue. It was these “constitutionally elected” offices who effectively controlled which candidates would stand for election and by drawing these officials into Byrd’s political orbit, it became impossible for any candidate to gain election in Virginia without the “nod” from Harry Byrd. Although succeeded by his son as State Senator, the Organization effectively had its grip on state politics broken in the 1960’s over issues such as racial desegregation and disenchanted voters turning to liberalism.

Richmond today is littered with landmarks to the Byrd family and their influence upon the city. Probably the most enjoyable is the Byrd Theater on Cary Street. Providing $1 movie tickets and old style film-going experience in a faithfully renovated old time theater, you can enjoy a real treat on Saturday’s when the giant Wurlitzer organ is played before the performance. For those prepared to drive a while, perhaps the most fitting monument to the influence of the Byrd family is to be seen in the Shenandoah National Park where one of the three visitor centers is named after Harry F. Byrd himself.

Shell Harris, President, Big Oak SEO Company

photo by theloushe

“Ye large rivere”,  used by the English because it had such a deep and steep draught which allowed their ship to be moored close to shore, so close they could tie mooring lines to trees, provided an ideal and secluded base.  Seclusion was necessary as the rival Spaniards sought to exercise control over the entire New World despite the best efforts of the competing French and British.  If discovered, the embryonic settlement, named Jamestown on the James River, both named after the English king, would be assaulted and destroyed.

The James River provided an excellent location for the settlers, and Jamestown was founded approximately 35 miles upriver from the Chesapeake Bay.  With “palisadoe” fortifications, the English achieved a degree of protection from both the marauding Algonquin Indians, who referred to the river as the Powhatan River after their own chief of the Powhattan Confederacy, and the searching Spanish.

The portion of the James River which is navigable provided an essential lifeline for the embryonic colony – the first successful colony from which sprang the modern America.  For the initial fifteen years, the James River provided the major route for supplies and new blood in the shape of new colonists from England.  Despite significant investment and personal risks, the colony did not look like it would succeed – the first five years proved that the financial traffic was simply one-way – there was nothing of significance exported from the colony until the introduction of tobacco which was imported by John Rolfe in 1612.

Thereafter, the James River provided the means for the colony to export “hogsheads” of tobacco which was in great demand in England, and this proved the financial savior of the colony which would otherwise have collapsed.  The tobacco plantations were established below the “fall line”, the point up to which the James River ceases to be navigable and the site of Virginia’s capitol, Richmond.  Many of them established their own wharfs and landing jetties which in turn became focal points for local development with the development of trading posts, railheads and full-scale ports in their own right.  Modern townships such as Bermuda Hundred, Claremont, Scotland and Smithfield, owe their existence to these early trading outposts which were established at this time.

The financial success of tobacco as a cash crop led to wider exploitation of the local environment which included wider forms of agriculture.   Today, some parts of the James River flood plain claim, with truth, that they have been cultivated for over 400 years and many modern, ecologically sound farming methods have their roots in the continued use of the James River and its fertile valley plain.

The falls, which occur at Richmond, prevented effective development and exploitation of the interior by the agricultural and tobacco-orientated colonists until the late 17^th Century.  Abraham Woods financed fur trading expeditions up river from Richmond and the success of this enterprise led to the creation of supply routes to transport goods and supplies up and down the James River using Richmond as the fulcrum which was used to connect up-river to the ocean outlet at the mouth of the Chesapeake and which incidentally acted to create the distinct characteristics of up river and down river economies reflected today.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Dedicated in 1906, It is the only cathedral in the world built with the contribution of just one person, Thomas Fortune Ryan.

Founded in 1993, the Richmond Kickers are in the USL Second Division and play in the University of Richmond Stadium. Currently, they are coached by Leigh Cowlishaw.

The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens have many attractions beyond their many exquisite gardens, many of which are dedicated in honor of their patrons, such as the Conservatory and the The Education and Library Complex.

A new family of butterflies being released into the conservatory during the Butterflies Live event that happens from May 22 until October 11. There are over 24 species of butterflies to be observed flitting about during sunny days and roosting during cloudy days.

The West End Farmers Market is located at Gayton and Ridgefield, and is home to many local farmers’ wares on Wednesdays and Saturdays, if the weather cooperates. Fruits, vegetables, pies, jams, meats, jewelery, iron works and yarn are just a few of the many items that are for sale.

The United Kennel Club and Ultimate Air Dogs united together recently at Brown’s Island to host a dock diving event in which dogs jump as far as possible into a pool chasing his or her toy of choice. The dog and handler with the furthest jump wins.

A picture of the bronze statue of children and their dog skipping along a fallen log that is near the Children’s Farm at one of the entrances to the park.

The Plaza is off of Canal Street next to the Federal Reserve Building and features the pictured cascading fountain along with a concert stage and lawn for their Friday at Sunset events.