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From the Archives: Mayo Island through the years
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From the Archives: Mayo Island through the years

  • Paul Whelan
  • Dec 18, 2025
  • Dec 18, 2025 Updated Apr 10, 2026
  • 0
Mayo Island

Mayo Island, shown in the foreground, has two buildings. Most of the island, though, is undeveloped land or used for parking lots.

Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Mayo Island

Mayo Island and Mayo's Bridge are shown in Richmond, Va., on Thursday, April 14, 2022. A photo was taken by a drone.

Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Mayo Island

Mayo Island (center foreground) and Mayo Bridge were named for the family whose members laid out the city’s streets.

Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Mayo Island

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.

Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
AERIAL

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.

Joe Mahoney, Times-Dispatch
Aerial photos Richmond area

An aerial view of Richmond, including parts of downtown and Shockoe Bottom, shows Mayo Island in the middle of the James River.

DANIEL SANGJIB MIN, TIMES-DISPATCH
MAYO ISLAND

Birds fly over Mayo Island in the James River on February 13th, 2008

Devon Ericksen
MAYO ISLAND

Mayo Island in the James River, from the Flood Wall on the south bank of the river.

Devon Ericksen
Richmond Colts

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.

Times-Dispatch
0104_POD_Tate

4-27-1937: During the 1937 flood, the old ball park on Mayo Island looked like a lake.

RTD Staff
0929_POD_BASE

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.

Staff Photo
1940s floods

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.

Staff photo
20140818_MBZ_COVR_2

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.

P. Kevin Morley
a.PEACE .B0449

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.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
ballpark3.jpg

This historical photo shows the baseball diamond that existed on Mayo Island in Richmond.

DEMENTI STUDIO
CANOE1.JPG

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.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
CANOE5.JPG

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.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, Times-Dispatch
CARBON LEAF LUAU

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)

DEAN HOFFMEYER
CARBON LEAF LUAU

Backstage view of Carbon Leaf at Carbon Leaf's Endless Summer Luau and Campout on Mayo Island on 7/20/02.

DEAN HOFFMEYER
EARTH1.JPG

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.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
EARTH3.JPG

Lisa Winnagle shakes a rattle to the beat of Baaba Seth' music Saturday, April 19, 1998, at the Earth Day concert at Mayo Island.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
EARTH4.JPG

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.

ALEXA WELCH EDLUND
EARTH26a

Large crowd gathers on Mayo Island to celebrate Earth Day.

Joe Mahoney
fire28.jpg

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.

Don Pennell
FISH FESTIVAL EARTH DAY

Ahnna Rinaldi, 10 of Sandston, holds at red rat snake (also known as a corn snake) during the Fish Festival now incorporated into the Earth Day festivities on Mayo Island on April 19, 2008. In background is naturalist Ralph White.

DEAN HOFFMEYER
FISH FESTIVAL EARTH DAY

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.

DEAN HOFFMEYER
FISH FESTIVAL EARTH DAY

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.

DEAN HOFFMEYER
ISLANDS13

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.

EVA RUSSO
ISLE02

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.

Eva Russo
OUTDOORS

With fly rod in hand, Dale Huggins discusses shad fishing strategy on the James River near Mayo Island. The Hickory shad, and to a lesser extent the American shad, have begun their annual run upstream to spawn.

ANDY THOMPSON
RIVER 7

Mayo Island

MARK GORMUS
SUM994a

Young people listen to the music of Everlast at Mayo Island in Richmond Aug.14, 1999

MASAAKI OKADA
XTERRA3

Michael Tobin , men' s XTERRA winner crosses the finish line at Mayo's Island . July 18,1999

CLEMENT BRITT
Mayo Bridge

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.

Times-Dispatch
1972 flooding from Hurricane Agnes (8).jpg

Only the lampposts are visible of the Mayo Bridge during the flooding brought on by Hurricane Agnes.

Richmond Times-Dispatch
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