Petersburg National Battlefield - The Crater
1864Union soldiers tunneled under Confederate lines and detonated 8,000 pounds of gunpowder, creating a massive crater in one of the war's most dramatic and tragic episodes.
Everything Petersburg is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Petersburg.
Union soldiers tunneled under Confederate lines and detonated 8,000 pounds of gunpowder, creating a massive crater in one of the war's most dramatic and tragic episodes.
43 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Pull over here for a sec, because this unassuming city played a pivotal role in shaping the nation. Petersburg’s location on the Appomattox River made it a crucial transportation hub, and that importance only…
Pull over for a minute; you're about to see a house with stories spanning centuries of American history. Centre Hill Mansion, built in 1823, was home to the Bolling family, who had been in the area since colonial times.…
Step back in time at the Exchange Building, a Greek Revival commercial building that has stood since 1841. Built as a market hall, this building at 15-19 West Bank Street quickly became a central hub for Petersburg's…
This unassuming brick building tells a story of Petersburg's commitment to education. Anna P. Bolling Junior High School, built in 1926, stands as a reminder of a bygone era of grand school architecture. Designed by…
Step back in time at Petersburg's City Market, a place that once pulsed with the energy of farmers, merchants, and everyday citizens. Built between 1878 and 1879, this market was made possible by a donation of land from…
Admire the Federal style architecture of the McIlwaine House, built in 1815. Also known as the Jones-McIlwaine House, this building is a historic home located in Petersburg. It's a two-and-a-half story frame dwelling…
Imagine being a soldier embarking on a journey that could change the course of a nation. That's what it was like right here in Petersburg during the Mexican-American War. In 1846, Petersburg became a vital staging point…
Step back in time as you explore the Folly Castle Historic District, a living testament to Petersburg's rich architectural heritage. This district, also known as West Washington Street, showcases a remarkable collection…
Despite its name, Pocahontas Island is now a peninsula with a fascinating history as a free Black community. In the 1800s, Pocahontas Island became a notable freedom colony, the first predominantly free Black settlement…
You're approaching Blandford Church, the oldest building in Petersburg, Virginia, with documented history. But it's more than just an old church; it's a memorial to thousands of Confederate soldiers. Built in the early…
Ever wonder where the first state-supported college for Black students in the US was? You're getting close. This is Virginia State University, and right here are Vawter Hall and the Old President's House, two of the…
This isn't just another neighborhood; it's a living timeline of Petersburg's growth! The North Battersea-Pride's Field Historic District showcases a diverse range of architectural styles, reflecting the lives of the…
Stand here amongst the silent stones, and you're standing on hallowed ground, the final resting place for generations of soldiers. Blandford Cemetery holds the remains of veterans from every American war. Originally the…
Union soldiers tunneled under Confederate lines and detonated 8,000 pounds of gunpowder, creating a massive crater in one of the war's most dramatic and tragic episodes.
Pull over here! You're about to see the legacy of a true American patriot: Battersea, built in 1768. This was the home of Colonel John Banister, a key figure in the founding of our nation. He wasn't just the first mayor…
Pull over here for a minute; this park tells a silent story of transformation. Originally named Lee Memorial Park, it's more than just a green space. From 1935 to 1940, the Works Progress Administration, or WPA,…
Imagine the rhythmic churning of a water wheel, grinding grain for hungry families – that's the story of Swift Creek Mill. Built around 1850, this mill wasn't the first on this spot. Generations before, since the…
This seemingly quiet park was once a crucial Confederate defense line! Fort Clifton, perched on the Appomattox River, stood as a bulwark against Union forces pushing towards Petersburg. On June June 11, 1864, five Union…
Ever wonder where Pocahontas's bloodline continued? This spot is a key piece of that story. Kippax Plantation was once the home of Colonel Robert Bolling. He lived here in colonial Virginia, and his marriage here made…
Imagine life on an 18th-century plantation as you gaze upon this manor house along the Appomattox River. Weston Manor, built around 1789, offers a glimpse into Virginia's colonial past. The original owner, William Gill,…
Pull over for a moment to honor the Union soldiers who never made it home from the brutal Siege of Petersburg. City Point, now part of Hopewell, was a vital supply depot for the Union Army during the siege. Wounded…
Pull over here! This is the Beacon Theatre, once known as the Broadway Theatre, a real gem from Hopewell's boomtown days. Built around 1928, the Broadway Theatre quickly became a popular spot for entertainment. It…
This unassuming manor house was once the nerve center of the Union Army. General Ulysses S. Grant made Appomattox Manor his headquarters during the brutal Siege of Petersburg. From 1864 to 1865, Grant directed the Union…
Ever wonder where Ulysses S. Grant headquartered his massive Civil War operation? It was right here at City Point. In 1864, Grant established his headquarters here to oversee the siege of Petersburg. The location at the…
Pull over here for a second – you're about to see where English colonists tried to build a better Jamestown. Named Henricus, it was Sir Thomas Dale's 1611 attempt at a healthier, safer settlement. Dale, fresh off…
Pull over here for a second. Did you know you're practically floating in history? This area, Bermuda Hundred, was the very first administrative division in the Virginia colony. It predates even the Pilgrims! Sir Thomas…
Prepare to be transported back in time! Shirley Plantation isn't just a pretty spot; it's a living, breathing piece of American history, continuously owned by the same family since 1638. Originally settled in 1613,…
Stop here and you're standing near ground that played a surprisingly important role in early Colonial Virginia. This is Varina Farms, established in the 1600s along the James River. It was here that John Rolfe, later…
Here, Union forces broke through Confederate lines, paving the way for the fall of Petersburg and the end of the Civil War. On April 1st, 1865, Union General Philip Sheridan attacked Confederate General George Pickett…
Pull over, folks, because right here on the James River, you're near the birthplace of a president! Berkeley Plantation, originally Berkeley Hundred, has seen centuries of American history unfold. Back in 1726, the…
Step back in time at Pocahontas State Park, a testament to both natural beauty and a nation's recovery. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, was established to provide jobs and conserve…
Pull over here for a glimpse into Virginia’s past, where history whispers from the fields and buildings of Edgewood Plantation and nearby Harrison's Mill. Edgewood Plantation was built in 1849 by Richard S. Rowland. The…
Ever wonder what it was like to be in the crosshairs of a nation divided? This is it. The Richmond National Battlefield Park marks the landscape surrounding the Confederate capital during the Civil War. From 1862 to…
Imagine a sprawling city of tents, a haven for the wounded, right here. This is Chimborazo, once one of the largest military hospitals *in the world*. During the Civil War, from 1862 to 1865, this site became Chimborazo…
You're near the spot where North America's iron industry was born... and almost immediately died. In 1619, the Virginia Company of London established Falling Creek Ironworks right here. They hoped to extract iron ore…
Imagine being one of the first English settlers in Virginia! That's what happened here at Flowerdew Hundred Plantation, established in 1618. Sir George Yeardley, the Governor of Virginia, patented this 1,000-acre plot…
Pull over here a sec - did you know a future President of the United States built this very house? John Tyler constructed Woodburn around 1815, long before he ever imagined being in the White House. Tyler, a Virginia…
Imagine witnessing the fall of a city. That's essentially what happened near Tree Hill. On the night of April 3, 1865, as Richmond burned, Mayor Joseph Mayo rode out along what's now Osborne Turnpike, right near where…
Imagine attending a meeting where the fate of a nation was decided – right here, near Laurel Meadow, you're standing near ground walked by a man who did just that. David Patteson bought this property before 1776. He…
This unassuming stretch of the James River holds a pivotal, though often overlooked, place in American history: Weyanoke. Here, in 1619, the first Africans arrived in Virginia, forcibly brought to the shores of the…
Dating back to 1730, this courthouse has been a center of justice and local government for nearly three centuries. It's seen a lot. Built as a one-story, T-shaped brick building, it's stood here in Charles City County…
Pause for a moment and consider: Beneath these grounds lie the remains of thousands of soldiers, many of whom fought and died in the brutal battles that raged around Richmond during the Civil War. Richmond National…
These warehouses stand as silent giants, a reminder that Richmond was once the tobacco capital of the world. Built around 1929, the Chesapeake Warehouses were part of a massive complex, originally featuring fourteen…