Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 04/18/1989
NRHP Listing Date 11/16/1989
NRHP Reference Number 89001921
A Confederate fortification located six miles east of Lynchburg, Fort Riverview is strategically situated atop a steep ridge overlooking the James River. This well-preserved defensive work contains artillery emplacements that defended the land approach as well as the river—both downstream to the east and upstream toward the Six-Mile Bridge of the former Southside Railroad. Little documentation exists concerning the fort, which probably was constructed in 1864 when Maj. Gen. David Hunter threatened Lynchburg. This lack of written evidence increases the importance of the archaeological record, which fortunately remains intact. Besides the fortification itself, other features on the property include the trace of an old road leading to the river and fifty small piles of stone of unknown purpose scattered down the southern slope of the hill.
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Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: September 16, 2021
