| After emerging from the channel between islands, on river left, a large cross can be seen that marks Riverview Cemetery, founded in 1887. Riverview is often confused with Hollywood Cemetery which is adjacent.
Hollywood Cemetery is one of Richmond’s historic landmarks. The cemetery was established under controversy in 1849. The controversy had two sources – the proximity of the location to the city water supply which at the time was just down the slope and the concern that the noise of the rapids on the river would disturb the dead.
Hollywood Cemetery holds the remains of thousands of confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War and veterans who survived the war. Many confederate generals are buried in Hollywood as are two U.S. Presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler) and the President of the Confederacy (Jefferson Davis). After a few riffles we approach the western tip of Belle
Isle, built around 1908. Two breaks in the North Belle Isle Dam now channel the main flow of the river to the north of Belle Isle. “First Break” was caused by the Camille flood; “Variation” developed later. First Break, closest to the island, is the most commonly used paddling route. Belle Isle Dam now keeps the south channel of the river almost dry except during high water. It is a collecting point for a mass of driftwood brought downstream during high water. This dam, built in 1905 by the Virginia Electric Power Company (VEPCO), served the Belle Isle Hydropower Station. This facility discontinued operations after the 1969 flood caused by Hurricane Camille. | .JPG){kind=small}
