Falling Creek Ironworks
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Falling Creek Ironworks Archeological Site
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| Nearest city | Richmond, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 37°26′19″N 77°26′19″W / 37.43861°N 77.43861°WCoordinates: 37°26′19″N 77°26′19″W / 37.43861°N 77.43861°W |
| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | 1619 |
| NRHP Reference # | 95000242 |
| VLR # | 020-0063 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1995 |
| Designated VLR | January 15, 1995 |
Falling Creek Ironworks was the first iron production facility in North America. It was established by the Virginia Company of London in Henrico Cittie (sic) on Falling Creek near its confluence with the James River. It was short-lived due to an attack by Native Americans in 1622.
The long-lost site was rediscovered in the early 21st century. It is now located in Chesterfield County, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the fall line of the James River at present-day Richmond, Virginia. Archaeological and related research work at the site was ongoing as of March 2007.
The geology of Virginia's terrain changes from the sandy coastal plain of the Tidewater Region to the more hilly and rocky Piedmont Region along the north-south fall line. At Richmond, the generally west to east flowing James River turns almost due south and essentially flows parallel to and just east of the fall line for about 8 miles (13 km), before turning east again near Drewry's Bluff. On the west bank of this section, the Piedmont terrain contained the ore deposits needed to make iron, but was still adjacent to the navigable portion of the James River through the Tidewater Region. A local tributary, Falling Creek, flowed downhill into the James River, providing the water power needed.
The proprietary Virginia Company of London established the first permanent English settlement in the Virginia Colony at Jamestown on May 14, 1607. The young colony struggled for years to develop self-sufficiency and successful exports. During the first five years, most of the colonists died from disease, starvation, and attacks by the Native Americans.
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