From the Archives: Mayo Island through the years
Mayo Island, shown in the foreground, has two buildings. Most of the island, though, is undeveloped land or used for parking lots.
Mayo Island and Mayo's Bridge are shown in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 14, 2022. A photo was taken by a drone.
Mayo Island (center foreground) and Mayo Bridge were named for the family whose members laid out the city’s streets.
Mayo Island, center foreground, and Mayo's Bridge are shown in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 14, 2022. A photo was taken by a drone.
Mayo Island is set to become a public park with outdoor activities and various amenities as well as becoming a part of the city’s James River Park System. The first step in the process will be to tear down and replace the more than 100-year-old Mayo Bridge to address structural deficiencies. That project is scheduled for 2026.
An aerial view of Richmond, including parts of downtown and Shockoe Bottom, shows Mayo Island in the middle of the James River.
Birds fly over Mayo Island in the James River on February 13th, 2008
In July 1940, a Richmond Colts batter headed to first base while a teammate scored in a victory over the Norfolk Tars in a Piedmont League game at Tate Field, which was on Mayo Island in Richmond.
4-27-1937: During the 1937 flood, the old ball park on Mayo Island looked like a lake.
This January 1931 image shows Tate Field, located on Mayo Island in the James River and used for several Richmond baseball teams from 1890 to 1941. The ballpark, named for 1880s local player Edward “Pop” Tate, had recurring problems with flooding, and a fire caused significant damage in 1941.
10-18-1942 (cutline): Flood waters from James River pour over old Mayo Island Baseball Park just off of Fourteenth Street Bridge. Picture taken from atop Richmond Boast Club building shows bleachers isolated by water.
John Jay Schwartz, on the 14th Street Bridge, is a Richmond broker who has Mayo Island as one of his listings. Part of Mayo Island is the wooded area behind him. Aug. 14, 2014.
A helicopter lowers a briefcase on Mayo Island Saturday, July 12, 1997, during the celebrations prior to the start of the Peace Frog Race. The briefcase contained destination check points for the race.
This historical photo shows the baseball diamond that existed on Mayo Island in Richmond.
Sarah Dingle and Matt Dingle compete in the 2X14DR class of the Downriver Competition in the 1998 Open Canoe Downriver and Slalom National Championships Friday, June 19, 1998. They paddle through waterpipe rapid nearing Mayo Island.
Jen Watkins and Rob Scharges compete in the 2X14DR class of the Downriver Competition in the Open Canoe Downriver and Slalom National Championships on June 19, 1998. They paddled through waterpipe rapid nearing Mayo Island.
Audience members sing along with songs at Carbon Leaf's Endless Summer Luau and Campout on Mayo Island on 7/20/02. (Carbon Leaf on stage)
Backstage view of Carbon Leaf at Carbon Leaf's Endless Summer Luau and Campout on Mayo Island on 7/20/02.
Donna Shell, with the National Environmental Trust, wore her global hat created by Ignatius Hats Saturday, April 19, 1998, for the Earth Day concert at Mayo Island. She was getting people to sign postcards to their senators to combat global warming.
Lisa Winnagle shakes a rattle to the beat of Baaba Seth' music Saturday, April 19, 1998, at the Earth Day concert at Mayo Island.
Michelle Hand and Chris Hunter, both of Augusta, dance to the beat of Baaba Seth' music Saturday, April 19, 1998, at the Earth Day concert at Mayo Island.
Large crowd gathers on Mayo Island to celebrate Earth Day.
Richmond fire officials have not determined the cause of the blaze at the paper warehouse, 508 S. 14th St. on Mayo's Island. April 3, 1989.
Jayden Tatum, 4 of Baltimore, gets some help from his dad while learning to fish at the James River during the Fish Festival now incorporated into the Earth Day festivities on Mayo Island on April 19, 2008.
Watched by Orvis' Dale Huggins, Quraan Randolph, 7 of Baltimore learns to fly cast during the Fish Festival now incorporated into the Earth Day festivities on Mayo Island on April 19, 2008.
James "Tony" Borst has lived on the small islands near the Mayo bridge and downtown Richmond on and off for the past 20 years. Here, Borst is seen on Devil's Kitchen Island with a view of downtown Richmond in the background.
Joseph "J.D." Osborne has lived on the islands in the James River near the Mayo bridge and downtown Richmond on and off for over 10 years. Here, Osborne, originally from Mecklenburg, Va., relaxes near his campsite on May 29, 2009.
Mayo Island
Young people listen to the music of Everlast at Mayo Island in Richmond Aug.14, 1999
Michael Tobin , men' s XTERRA winner crosses the finish line at Mayo's Island . July 18,1999
In March 1936, throngs of Richmonders crowded the Mayo Bridge at 14th Street to view the torrent of the James River. Shortly after this photo was taken, the span was closed to traffic and spectators. Flooding in a dozen Eastern states killed more than 100 people and, while the James crested at 28.3 feet, the temporary dike at the foot of 17th Street held.
Only the lampposts are visible of the Mayo Bridge during the flooding brought on by Hurricane Agnes.
Mr. Joe Morrissey’s opinion piece in the RTD of March 31 cries out for negative criticism. He does explain the good reasons why good people should never support gerrymandering. Indeed, he is correct, except he never mentions that President Trump’s push for gerrymandering in Texas and elsewhere is the reason why a “Yes" vote is now urgent in Virginia.
As a constituent of Virginia’s 1st District, I am increasingly concerned by Representative Rob Wittman’s continued prioritization of party loyalty over the needs of our community.
