Iron & Steel #2 Traditional Cache
offline.cacher: The general rule reviewers use to archive a cache is that the cache owner has been notified (through a log entry) by the reviewer and that no response has been forthcoming. This is the case with this cache. As a result it has been archived.
If the owner would like to discuss this issue, please contact me through my geocaching.com profile. Include the GC code for the cache.
Thanks
offline.cacher
Virginia geocaching.com reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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200 years of industry have left a permanent mark on Belle Island, showing clearly with the copious ruins left behind why Richmond was so important historically in helping build our nation. I’ve created this string of caches to highlight the site of the steel mill operations built on the eastern end of the island around the turn of the century. The iron industry was firmly in place on the island going back to 1815, existing on the south side of the island, where a power plant took over use of its millrace in 1904. On the southern site, the main product were horseshoes, nails and wire. Operations were under the name Belle Isle Manufacturing Company, which became the Old Dominion Iron and Nail Works in 1858. During the Civil War, copper kettles and other camp equipment were manufactured, as well as armor plate for the ironclad “Virginia” (commonly referred to as “Merrimac”) and other warships that were built in the local navy yard. In 1945, the mill became Old Dominion Iron and Steel Corporation. Control was soon after bought by Refrigeration Engineering Company of New York (Recony) in 1955. Tank parts were made here during World War II. After the war, focus was on aluminum storage tanks as large as two boxcars, and industrial refrigeration equipment. The mill ceased operations in 1972.
Railroad enthusiasts would be interested to know that in the 1850s a spur line was built extending from the main track of the Richmond and Danville Railroad on the south bank of the James to Belle Isle. The bridge for this spur was crossed by the prisoners when the Civil War ended. The supports for this bridge are still used for the vehicle access bridge on the south side of the island now. After the war, the prosperous Old Dominion extended the tracks and built a bridge to span the north side of the river, which is partially intact. The crumbling stone pylons are fun obstacles for kayakers today.
The ruins related to the mill that exist today are incredibly fun to explore. Close to this string of caches are what remains of the “Chrysler” building and a rolling mill. There are also scattered bits and pieces of buildings and machinery throughout the length of the trail the caches are spaced along. All the cache containers are camouflaged seed boxes. Please make sure to put the lids back on tightly. The park is closed after sunset. Have fun!
Congrats to altbiers for being FTF!!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Arfgyrq va n gerr... n irel qrnq bar.