Huguenot Memorial Bridge

The Huguenot Memorial Bridge (c.1953)

The Huguenot Memorial Bridge (2015)

Site Name: Huguenot Memorial Bridge

Date of Construction: Completed in 1950

Reason for Construction: Built to accommodate the growing population in the suburbs around the bridge. Also serves as a place to cross the fall line portion of the James River.

Site History:

In the current location of the Huguenot Memorial Bridge once stood the Westham Bridge, which was a low-level, 2900 foot bridge that was built as a toll bridge in 1911. The Westham Bridge stood in place of the Huguenot Bridge until 1950 when the Huguenot Bridge was completed after years of construction. The new bridge had to be built because the Westham Bridge was so low that it was flooded easily and it soon became inefficient because of the growing population and increasing traffic in the area. The Huguenot Memorial Bridge was named in honor of the Huguenots, whom were French settlers that immigrated to the U.S. specifically Virginia in the 18th century. The Huguenots fled to Virginia in order to escape the religious persecution that they were dealing with in France. Since 1950, the Huguenot Bridge has had many structural problems and had to be completely reconstructed beginning in 2008 and the reconstruction project was completed in 2013.  

Area History:

The area south of the James River was originally developed as the City of Manchester.  In 1910 Manchester was consolidated with the City of Richmond.  Traditionally the area has been recognized as working class community, and at the time of the construction of the Huguenot Bridge, included industry and surrounding neighborhoods such as Stratford Hills in which the bridge is located.  

What about the site has changed?

After years of problems maintaining the deck and pavement, construction of a replacement bridge began in 2010 and was completed in 2013 while the old bridge was torn down.  

What about the surrounding area has changed?

Since the construction of the Huguenot Bridge, the surrounding neighborhood has developed some but still maintains houses that were present in 1950.  Multiple nearby areas have been designated by the James River Park System such as Pony Pasture Park and Huguenot Flatwater.  

Reflection:

Through doing this project, we learned how the landscape is changed over time to accommodate the needs of people and new technology in today’s society. We also were able to observe the advancements of technology as this area shifted from using the Westham Bridge, a simple toll bridge, to the much more advanced Huguenot Memorial Bridge. We also saw how the migration of people into an area can affect the technology and landscape which leads to advancements and actions being taken to provide for the needs of the influx of new inhabitants.

Authors: Quincy Rhodes and Hunter Collins

Sources:

Huguenots in Virginia. Virginia Places. Last modified October 23, 2011. Accessed February 23,

    2015. http://www.virginiaplaces.org/religion/huguenots.html.

The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia. The Manakin Society. Last modified June 16, 2011. Accessed February 23, 2015. http://huguenot manakin.org/manakin/society.php.

The Virginia Department of Transportation.  Last modified March 31, 2015.  Accessed March 

     30, 2015.  

     https://www.flickr.com/photos/vadot/with/16987891822/