Click here for a .pdf version of a 1797 plat (Amherst County Plat Book, 1761-1837, page 370) referring to Bald Eagle Island.

In the 1940s, Tucker Carrington acquired the island from his mother, and spent many summers in a small cabin on the island. Later, it was upgraded with running water from a spring on the North Bank of the river and electricity. A number of years ago, the large  Poplar tree that grew directly next to the cabin was struck by lightning, causing the cabin to burn to the ground.

In October of 2001, Mr. Carrington approached the Blackwater Creek Association/Venturing Crew 1776 with a proposal to donate the island. One year later, in October of 2002, the Blackwater Creek Association received a deed of gift for the island, thus securing the island for future generations to use as an outdoor classroom.

This early (undated) map identifies Bald Eagle Island as being between Davies' Landing and Davies' Ferry. (courtesy Library of Virginia)

Scott Smith made a brief photographic survey of the island on Sunday 14 October 2001. The island, which is approximately two acres, contains a wide variety of flora and fauna...much more diverse than most islands on the James. A Great Blue Heron was spotted, along with evidence of Raccoon, Beaver, and a few other small mammals. Trees on the island include Chestnut Oak, Tulip Poplar, Maple, Walnut, Sycamore, Sassafras, and Dogwood. Plants that live there include Ferns, Horsetail Rush, and a variety of wildflowers.

About 2/3 of the island is on a relatively high plateau, which does not look to have seen floodwater in a number of years. The head of the island features an expansive gravel bar, with a small sand beach on the tail of the island. During high water, a small channel looks as if it fills with water, cutting off a small bit of land from the rest of the island. Most of the island is densely wooded...those areas that receive full sunlight are covered with chest-high bushes and brambles.

Remnants of human visitation on the island are sparse. A small pile of beer cans, which look to be more than a year old, was spotted on the southwest edge of the island. On the eastern, or downstream end of the island, a decaying pile of kindling and firewood sits near an overgrown campfire ring. On top of the main plateau, or highland, remains of a small brick structure from the 20th century are intermingled with what appear to be parts from an old still.

The water surrounding the island is very calm, as it is located in the pond from Reusens Dam. The head of the island is surrounded by very shallow water, but the water depths around the rest of the island, especially the north channel, are significant. The opposite bank of the north channel in Amherst County features very high rock cliffs. The CSX Railroad runs on the South Bank of the James. Power lines cross the river just above the island, and the remains of what appears to be an old ferry crossing are located just upstream from the power lines.

On the maps, this island is unnamed. Josh Tyler says that some locals refer to it as "Snake Island".  A pre-1820 survey map by the James River Company identifies the island as "Bald Eagle Island". Click on the thumbnail for an image of the map (courtesy of the Library of Virginia)

Aerial photo of Bald Eagle Island taken in April of 1994

USGS Topographic map of the area from 1984

Above Left and Center: The gravel bar at the head (upstream end) of the island.

Above right: A lagoon and logjam at the head of the island between the gravel

bar and the main island.

Above Left: View from the downstream section of the highlands, looking downstream.

Above Right: Looking from the highland down into a dry river channel. notice the lush and varied vegetation...very unusual for an island of it size.