Back in 1984, Belle Isle was a more remote place than it is today. Access could be tricky. I normally hopped rock to rock from the south side of the river to reach it, but there was no real socially acceptable public access. On the island was a rock quarry, an abandoned steel mill, and an old Virginia Electric and Power building.

I imagine the building on the river was associated with the old power plant on the riverfront, but I am not really sure what function it performed. River water entered the lower floor of the building, and then dropped down through a large hole. A dark whirlpool, ready to devour canoes and kayaks. I would get in the place and walk along catwalks inside, looking directly down at the spinning water.





It was the kind of experience that could make anyone an industrial archaeology fan.