Please click the Aerial view box
(left) to get an interactive aerial
view of the North Side
waterfront properties.
Please click the box (right) to activate
an interactive topographic map of the
entire North Side Property
The land rises quickly just north of the power canal on much of this property affording
opportunities to build with a commanding view on top and secluded areas below. Much of
the land is wooded. Some of the trees on the island are huge. One of them may have been
in Gardner's 1865 photograph. The combined charms of this site far exceed the what I was
able to photograph. An attempt to describe it would be called exaggeration.
Alexander Gardner and Timothy O Sullivan were so taken by this property in 1865 that
they photographed it over and over again. A whopping 12+ different views of this site
survive today. It may well be the most photographed architectural/natural complex from
the Civil War period. Describing it in 1865 Alexander Gardner wrote the following:
"The scenery hereabouts is of a highly romantic character, the ground being very much
broken, and the water, "now seen in sunshine, now lost in shade," having to find its way,
over an exceedingly rough bed, and through various intricate channels formed by the rocks
and several small, but densely wooded, islands, until it reaches the narrow granite gorge, or
straight, spanned by the bridge...'
The 150 KW hydro electric power house
Please click the photo for more information
The North Side and Ettrick Mill Sites
Our recent survey divides this waterfront real estate into 6 Parcels (A through F), for a
total of 18.8 acres with 3200 feet of riverfront. The eastern end of this property is zoned
Commercial. Chesterfield avenue rises from the bridge up a hill as it passes this property.
The lots along Chesterfield Avenue are above the flood plain. The flood plain area below
was the site of 4 pre Civil war Water Mills with visible foundations.
The North Side and Ettrick Mill sites are in Ettrick, which is a village in Chesterfield
County. Demographics and other useful information on this dynamic community can be
found at: chesterfieldcounty.gov.
North across Chesterfield Avenue (Route 36) from the Mill site is Virginia State
University, which is in a rapid expansion mode.
Across the river to the south is the historic Old Towne section of the City of Petersburg,
which is bustling with restoration and renovation of old buildings and has become a major
center for artists and craftsmen. It is an easy half mile walk down historic Old Street to
Friday Night at the Arts in Petersburg, restaurants, galleries, antique shops, and pubs.
Just east of Petersburg is the Fort Lee, which has recently begun a 1 billion dollar
expansion phase.
location
This property is just west of the
Route 36 (Campbell's) bridge, at
the tip of the blue arrow.
The Route 95 exit in Petersburg
is 1.5 miles east.
Richmond is due north about 25
miles.
Click (above) for an interactive
survey of the North Side Mills
