History Lover's Guide to Richmond
Kristin Terbush Thrower-Stowe
At the tender age of 6, my family moved halfway across the country to Chesterfield County, a suburbs of Richmond, Virginia. For good or bad, I live on the street where I grew up.
Not much has changed, if your curious.
My parents traveled, nowhere exotic, fancy, or abroad but they were always up for a road-trip. My childhood was filled with family road trips to visit relatives in Oklahoma and Canada.
James River
Potterfield Bridge
The Falls of the James River. Here, the river transitions from a peaceful descent from the mountains through a rock-strewn rapids Fall Line to a tidal river leading to the Chesapeake Bay.
My mother grew up along the waters of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and St. Lawrence. She attened nursing school in Niagara Falls and met Roger Woodward. He was the young 7 year old who survived going over the falls.
She forbid us from going anywhere near the James River.
I contiue to admire the river from the shoreline, thanks to the James River Park System trails.
Wanderlust
The desire to explore and the fear of the James River led to many urban adventures. As soon as I turned 16, I drove and my sister navigated the city and suburbs streets and alleyways. We felt like criminals leaving Chesterfield County and crossing the Huguenot Bridge into the foriegn lands of Henrico County and Richmond. During our trespasses, we shopped along Broad Street, found treasures at the old Department Stores, and hiked the hills in Hollywood Cemetery.
